Aug. 23, 2020

Warfare Prayer

 Primary Text:  Ephesians 6:10-12, 18 August 22 & 23, 2020

 Last Week’s Teaching: Kingdom Prayer

 1)  Advancing the Kingdom 

Luke 17:20-21:  Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." 

Matthew 6:9-10:   This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come..."

DQ 1) How do humans inherit the Kingdom of God?

DQ 2) How do people bring the Kingdom of God to fruition in this

          world?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 2)  Without Ceasing

 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

DQ 3) Is prayer a duty, obligation, responsibility or opportunity? 

           (Choose only one and explain why.)

DQ 4) How is it possible to pray without ceasing?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 3)  Incense of the Saints

 Revelation 5:6-9:   Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders….   Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." 

DQ 5) Why are the prayers of the saints an incense unto God?

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

 This Week’s Teaching

 1)  Evil Days 

 Matthew 6:9-10, 13:   This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come...  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

Ephesians 5:15-18:   Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 

DQ 1) Every generation has lived with evil and temptation, yet 

           ours may be the darkest of times.  Why?  What evils are 

          increasing?

DQ 2) How should the true church (the Body of Christ) respond to

           increased evil?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2)  Pray in the Spirit

Ephesians 6:10-12, 18:   Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms….  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 

DQ 3) What does it mean to “pray in the Spirit”?

DQ 4) What would encompass “praying in the flesh” rather than

            the Spirit?

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

3)  Know Your Enemy

2 Corinthians 11:14-15:  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.  Their end will be what their actions deserve. 

John 8:44:  You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire.  He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

2 Corinthians 4:4:   The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 

1 Thessalonians 3:5:   For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. 

James 1:13-15:  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 

DQ 5) How do satan and his minions use deception, lies and

           temptation to entrap and destroy lives?  What are specific    

          examples?

_____________________________________________________________________________________