Battle Ready

Harris Creek

Battle Ready

Unseen Battles

April 24, 2022 • Jonathan Pokluda • Ephesians 6:10–18, Psalm 119:98, Genesis 1:26, 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, 2 Corinthians 12:9

Have you ever been injured doing an activity because you didn’t prepare, train, or stretch? There is a spiritual war going on at all times, and if you aren’t ready, you will get hurt. As we continue our series, Unseen Battle, JP teaches us how to prepare for battle by teaching through Ephesians 6.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

-You have everything you need in Jesus to be victorious over the enemy.

-You cannot fight a spiritual battle with worldly weapons. You must use spiritual weapons.

-You can’t be strong, you must become strong, and you become strong by preparing.

-In Ephesians chapters 1-3, there are no commands. It’s all about who Christ is and what He has done for you.

-You have one enemy: satan.

-We don’t think about the spiritual battle we are in nearly enough. We are too busy being and seeking to be comfortable.

-Know the truth.

-The spiritual battle that is being fought is over the territory of your mind.

-If you know what’s true the enemy can’t deceive you.

-Satan runs the same game plan today that he has for thousands of years.

-again a heart of righteousness.

-Christ’s righteousness is imputed—transferred—upon us because of what He did on our behalf. In light of this, we walk and live as He would have us walk and live.

-Christians exist to serve and care and show compassion for others. They are the opposite of toxic and a victim.

-Christians are focused on serving their King above all else. They do what is right at every turn.

-Build on the gospel.

-The gospel is your foundation for everything. Absolutely everything.

-As Christians, we are always at war, and yet, we can always have a peace that surpasses understanding.

-When you are questioning what you believe, return to the foundation of the gospel…to Jesus. Then, build around that.

-Hold on to faith.

-Is God real? Is He powerful? Is He good? Is He for you? How you answer these questions greatly matter to your faith.

-Be mindful of salvation.

-The spiritual war is fought over your mind. This cannot be stated strongly enough!

-If you change what someone believes you can change everything about them.

-Whatever the enemy is going to do to you he won’t do it for long.

-People don’t have a worry in the world the week before they go on vacation. The entire Christian life is the week before an eternal vacation.

-Have the Word ready.

-All of these weapons are tied together around what is true and what you believe.

-When Jesus faced direct temptation from Satan in the desert He quoted Deuteronomy 3 separate times. A knowledge and understanding and handle of the Scriptures is of utmost importance for the Christian. Utmost.

-Always pray.

-All of this armor comes from and belongs to God. The only way you can get this armor is talking to God.

-If you are going to fight someone stronger than you you must find someone stronger than them.

-Firefighters compete with one another to see who can get their gear on fastest. They run toward fires time and time again because they have everything they need to put out fires.

-We have an enemy who is bad, but if we follow God and practice these things, we will be victorious.

The Final Battle

May 1, 2022 • Nate Hilgenkamp • Revelation 19:6–21

Have you ever watched a replay of a sporting event where you already knew the outcome? When you know the outcome, it changes how you watch the game. As we finish our series, Unseen Battle, Nate Hilgenkamp teaches through Revelation 19, showing us who wins, who loses, and how we live in light of these truths. KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Revelation was not written to confuse the church but to encourage the church. - What you believe about Jesus is of utmost importance; it will directly impact how you live. - Jesus is coming to claim His victory. - Everyone ends up at a feast, but they are two very different feasts. - Satan and his army will lose. - There is no uncontested middle ground in life. You are either living for the glory of God or for the glory of satan. - Jesus taught more about hell than heaven and described it in much greater detail. - The entirety of the Christian life is to prepare for Christ’s return. - Our job is to get ready for the feast. - Jesus wins and then hands us the victory. - This life matters, but what you make important in this life will have eternal significance in the life to come. - When know how everything ends, so don’t get distracted by temporal things here and now.

The Cure for Dead Religion

April 17, 2022 • Jonathan Pokluda • John 3:1–18

It’s Easter Sunday, and as Christians we celebrate new life because of Easter. However, in order to talk about new life, you must first talk about death. As we continue our series, Unseen Battle, JP teaches through John 3:1-18, teaching us about the reality of all of our condition…a condition that leads to death…and the cure for it. 1) If Satan cannot kill you in rebellion, he will try to keep you in a dead religion 2) The only cure for our condition is Christ 3) The resurrection means death is defeated

The Cost of the Cross

April 15, 2022 • Nate Hilgenkamp • 1 Corinthians 1:22–31

Once you are aware of the high cost of something, you handle it with more care. Since someone else paid the bill, it’s easy for us to forget the incredibly high cost of our salvation. Jesus was crucified, and while to the world it is foolishness, to us it is our salvation.