1. Spiritual Warfare…

2. A Cosmic Battle…

3. Overt and Covert Warfare…

4. “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” Mt 11:12 “…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.” Mt 16:18

5. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10: 4,5

6. Primary Defences Secondary Defences CONTROL PERSECUTION

7. Examples from the book of Acts: Acts 2 (Pentecost) Control Acts 3 (healing of cripple) Breakthrough Acts 4: 1-22 (before Sanhedrin) Persecution

8. Examples from the book of Acts: Acts 4: 23- 5: 10 (boldness, money) Control Acts 5:12-16 (Peter’s shadow) Breakthrough Acts 5: 17,18 (apostles in jail) Persecution

9. What does the enemy’s control system look like? Built up over time, often generations Built up over time, often generations A pattern in the way we think or behave A pattern in the way we think or behave Operates in cultural ‘blind spots’ Operates in cultural ‘blind spots’ Leads to unbiblical behaviour Leads to unbiblical behaviour

10. The Biggest Enemy… …Consumerism Safety and security – the primary concern of the middle classes… …mixes with comfort and convenience in a consumer society to become an enemy of the Gospel (Alan Hirsch)

11. Typical strongholds in the West Security in money (poverty spirit) Security in money (poverty spirit) Individualism (private life) Individualism (private life) Fear of ridicule (pride) Fear of ridicule (pride) Fear of risk (cowardice) Fear of risk (cowardice) Rationalism (unbelief) Rationalism (unbelief) Self-focused leadership (vanity) Self-focused leadership (vanity) Overwork (Striving) Overwork (Striving)

12. Have you become a prisoner of war?

13. Visible Our 5 senses, our experience and reason How do we break free? We act based on…

14. "The time has come,” he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1: 15 How do we break free?

15. R E P E N T BELIEVEBELIEVE Kairos Observe Reflect Discuss Act Account Plan Persevere

16. Hope ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for.’ Hebrews 11:1 Walking out Faith… Faith New possibilities enter our mind from heaven We believe the new possibilities to the point that they become our reality

17. ‘ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.’ St. Paul (Romans 10: 17) New Possibilities…

18. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Jesus (John 14: 12-14)

19. Breaking Out of the Box… What are your expectations of God when it comes to… What are your expectations of God when it comes to… provision? provision? health? health? salvation? salvation? support as you take risks? support as you take risks?

20. Walking out Faith… Our Experience (visible realm) God’s Word (Invisible realm) Battle

21. ‘And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.’ St. Paul (Romans 5: 2-5) Battle

22. Ask Seek Knock Persevere! The Process…

23. EdenNew Earth Fallen Earth God’s sovereignty… Father – ‘Day of the Lord’ (Acts 2:20) Spirit – ‘Works in all things’ (Romans 8:28) Son – ‘Greater things shall you do’ (John 14:12)

24. “…anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. “ Matt 10: 38,39 “…anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. “ Matt 10: 38,39 “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 John 8:36