Jesus Christ | Dr. Mike Spaulding

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17

Lord God, we are hearing of wars and rumors of wars. Your word tells us that this must surely come to pass eventually, but Lord we also know that we have an advocate at the throne of grace: Jesus Christ – your son and our Savior. Lord we pray in the name of Jesus that your angelic armies would be dispatched to thwart the plans of our enemy to steal, to kill, and to destroy. God we thank you for your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. You are good and holy and true and righteous and just.

Lord give us the hearts, the strength, and the faith to continue in prayer to intercede for our families, our nation, and our world. Jesus we are aware of the besetting dangers that have been unleashed and stand poised to bring great harm. God you are the Creator of all things. We pray in Jesus name for your mercy and for your protection in the midst of chaos and danger.

Your word teaches us that we should fear no evil. Lord we pray that you would write those words in our hearts. You are victorious Jesus and nothing can snatch us out of your hand. We give you glory and praise and worship for you are worthy. Destroy the works of the enemy. Bring confusion into their camp. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your people. Protect us and defend us Lord as we rely on you rather than on our own strength and understanding.

Nevertheless Lord God let your will be done. Whatever it takes for the sake of your glory, your name, and your kingdom. Jesus be exalted in our lives and in our nation once again. Have mercy on us Lord and bring us to the place of repentance, healing, and restoration. We pray in the name of Jesus for the discernment and wisdom of your Holy Spirit. God keep us from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Make a way for us. Open our ears and make us sensitive to your leading in this hour.

God we pray that everyone would be given an honest opportunity to accept your son Jesus as Savior. Show everyone who you are and what you have done, that multitudes would come to know you and those that would willingly reject you do it knowingly and not under the deception of the age. Jesus bring us a moment of utter clarity of purpose and meaning.

Lord protect us and strengthen us. Holy Spirit imbue us with the faith that we need to endure and to proclaim the name of Jesus in this generation. Keep us safe in the storm. We cling to you Jesus and stand firm on the rock of the foundation of our faith knowing that your name is above all names. You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords Jesus.

In your name we pray for mercy, protection, and encouragement in this hour. Amen.

This article originally posted on The Amateur Society here – https://amateursociety.wordpress.com/2016/10/13/if-god-be-for-us-who-can-be-against-us/ on October 13, 2016

Opening song – Handel – Hallelujah Chorus

Angels We Have Heard on High – Paul Baloche

1 John 4:9-10

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

We gather here tonight on the eve of the day we celebrate the birth of God into this world, to offer Him our thanksgiving, praise, and worship. He is King of kings and Lord of lords, He is Prince of Peace, the Lamb of God, our Immanuel.

Let us join together in song offering up the praises of our lips.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing – Paul Baloche

O Come Emmanuel – Paul Baloche

Message

We discussed Christmas from heaven’s eyes at length on Sunday. Tonight I want to touch briefly on 4 specific points in support of this theme.

First point – the 1^st Christmas was a declaration of war and therefore we should be reminded that we are still in a battle.

Ephesians 6:10-18 – We must daily take up our “equipment.”
Romans 13:12-14 – We must know the time is short.
1 Peter 5:8 – We must know we will be challenged

Second point – the 1^st Christmas brought the world’s rightful ruler to earth therefore we must “occupy till He comes again.”

Matthew 28:18-20 – Jesus last words must be our heartbeat
Hebrews 4:14 – we must stand firm in His word w/o wavering
2 Timothy 2:2 – we must be a disciple who makes disciples

Third point – the 1^st Christmas was God’s invitation of reconciliation to the human race therefore we must be heralds of the gospel of grace.

Mark 1:38 – Jesus came to preach a Kingdom message
Acts 17:30 – the message is repent and be saved
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 – it is our individual & corporate message

Fourth and final point – the 1^st Christmas was a demonstration that Jesus Christ has already overcome the power of the evil one and therefore all who are in Christ are overcomers as well.

John 16:33 – knowing Christ as Savior brings peace of/with
1 John 2:14 – faith overcomes the evil one
1 John 4:4 – we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit for power
1 John 5:4-5 – our faith is in Christ not ourselves

Christmas looks vastly different when you understand it through the lens of Scripture. Isn’t it time we truly give Jesus Christ the central place in our retelling of the Christmas “story”?

I remind you again of Paul’s words to the Christians residing in Rome about the necessity to be bold for Christ in witness and deed – Romans 13:12.

Prayer

What Can I Do – Paul Baloche