Words of Encouragement — Olu Talabi & David Lane — November 27, 2022
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker warns that Christians are in an ongoing battle against a powerful enemy, the devil, who is actively seeking whom to devour. He emphasizes that believers must remain vigilant and not dismiss the enemy's power, drawing heavily on Second Peter and Ephesians 6. The central message is the necessity of putting on the full armor of God—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—to withstand cultural pressures and spiritual attacks.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
We have an enemyAs Christians, we are in a spiritual battle and must recognize that we have an active enemy, the devil, who seeks to devour believers just as he has for thousands of years.
Do not dismiss the devil's powerSecond Peter and Jude warn against speaking loosely of evil spirits or dismissing the devil, who is powerful and wreaks havoc in the world and the church.
Heavy heart over falling awayThe speaker shares personal grief over hearing about former church members and children who have walked away from the faith amidst an increasingly hostile culture.
The world is softening up the churchThe devil is gradually making unbiblical things acceptable within the church culture so that believers who stand on God's Word are treated as the odd ones out.
Put on the whole armor of GodEphesians 6 teaches that our struggle is against spiritual powers of darkness, and the only way to stand against this trickery is by putting on the whole armor of God.
We cannot win with carnal weaponsSpiritual battles cannot be won through carnal means like lawsuits or human laws; darkness is overcome only by light and the power of God.
Equipped with the pieces of armorPaul details the spiritual armor including truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
Where sin abounds, grace abounds much moreThough the culture worsens, Romans 5:20 assures believers that where sin abounds, God's grace abounds much more to protect us and our children if we do our part.
Recognizing our weaknessFor months, the Lord has been impressing on the speaker's heart our total weakness to accomplish anything of eternal value apart from Him.2 Corinthians 13:4
Going into the ground and dyingTo be a true blessing, we must choose weakness and go into the ground to die, allowing the power of the Lord to rest upon us.
Suffering in the flesh to cease from sinFirst Peter 4 explains that arming ourselves with the mind of Christ to suffer in the flesh helps us cease from sin and live for the will of God rather than human lusts.
Total dependence on Christ the vineJust as Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, our total dependence on the Lord will continue even into heaven, starting with embracing weakness now.
God's strength is made perfect in weaknessUnlike the world that exploits weakness, God uses our acknowledged weakness so that His grace is sufficient, His strength is perfected, and He receives all the glory.
