Opposing spiritual forces are real, but Jesus is victorious.
Watch the service
If we remain unaware of our spiritual enemy, his objectives and his tactics, we will be easy victims and often strike out at other people in our frustration. But Pastor Kelvin reminded us that we do not need to be afraid nor intimidated by the enemy. One reason is that Jesus has been exalted at God’s right hand, in authority far greater than any spiritual opposition that we may encounter. And Paul writes that one reason this happened is that Jesus might help the church.
[God’s] incomparably great power for us who believe … is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.
Ephesians 1:19-23
In addition, Paul says that with God’s help we can be well prepared to meet the foe. Being intentional about following Jesus is a big first step for the devil capitalizes on spiritual drift and apathy. But Paul urges us to step it up a notch and aim to be “strong in the Lord.” Pastor Kelvin explained that this will involve studying God’s Word and getting to know Jesus better. It will require a deepening of our prayer life too and a readiness to speak up for Jesus. Ultimately, our strength will not come from us but from God. The Apostle John was speaking about spiritual forces of evil that oppose us when he wrote these words of encouragement to Christians.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4