Praying Effectively for the lost - part 3


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» We do not pray to convince God to save people for He is: ˃ “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9)

» He has sent Christ to die for the sins of the whole world ˃ NLT 1 John 2:2 He is the sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

» We pray to do spiritual warfare ˃ Freeing them from demonic influences so they can be saved.

» The lost are prisoners which Satan refuses to release ˃ NLT Isaiah 14:17 Is this the one who destroyed the world and made it into a wilderness? Is this the king who demolished the world's greatest cities and had no mercy on his prisoners?‘

» They are slaves under Satan’s authority and jurisdiction ˃ NLT Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.‘

» They are blinded to the gospel ˃ NLT 2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe…

» They are under Satan’s control, as he works in their heart to disobey God ˃ NLT Ephesians 2:2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

» …Helplessly in their grasp ˃ NLT 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the power and control of the evil one.

» In the strong man’s house ˃ NLT Mark 3:27 …You can't enter a strong man's house and rob him without first tying him up…

» We must use God-appointed weapons! ˃ NLT 2 Corinthians 10:4 We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds!

» The actual combat takes place in prayer! ˃ We fight by PRAYING

» Our weapons: ˃ The blood of Christ! + NLT Revelation 12:11 And they have defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony… + NLT Hebrews 2:14 …Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form… only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil…

» Our weapons used in prayer (continued) ˃ The name of Jesus! + NLT Luke 10:17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!“ ˃ The word of God! + The word of God is called “the sword of the spirit” – NLT Ephesians 6:17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ˃ Praise! + When we praise God he comes into the situation – NLT Psalm 22:3 Yet you are holy. The praises of Israel surround your throne. – NLT 2 Chronicles 20:22 At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.

» Last three weapons: ˃ Fasting! + The purpose of our warfare is to defeat the enemy and fasting is designed to do that effectively. + KJV Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? ˃ Love! + If we love the Lord with all of our being and love lost souls as ourselves we cannot be stopped. + NLT 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. ˃ Resist! + We put on the armor of God so we can “to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.” Eph. 6:10-18 + NLT James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.

» NLT 2 Corinthians 10:4 We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. 5 With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ. ˃ ˃ ˃ ˃

Knock down strongholds Break down proud arguments Conquer rebellious ideas Teach them to obey

» God uses our prayers to knock down strongholds » Satan uses strongholds to keep people from being saved » Stronghold (Noun) ˃ 1. A place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack. ˃ 2. A place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld.

GREED CONTROL

LUST

UNBELIEF BITTERNESS

RELIGION

PRIDE

» The strongest of all strongholds is UNBELIEF ˃ It is the major stronghold in every person – saved or lost! + In a Christian it is designed to keep him form really believing certain truths in God’s words that will make him powerful and effective in God’s kingdom. + In the unsaved it is designed to keep him from believing in Jesus as Savior and Lord. ˃ Since unbelief is the only sin that condemns one to hell, Satan regards it as priceless, guarding it with other strongholds.

» When the rich young ruler came to Jesus asking how he could inherit eternal life, Jesus NEVER told him how to be saved. ˃ He told him to distribute his wealth to the poor ˃ But the young man was unwilling to do this.

» Jesus knew that greed controlled his mind and heart, preventing him from being saved. ˃ Until that was broken, the gospel would be ineffective. + NLT Mark 10:21 Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22 At this, the man's face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions.

» The stronghold of the Samaritan women Jesus met at the well was lust. ˃ She spoke with Jesus about social and historical topics, avoiding the main issue of her life ˃ But when Jesus told her that she had been married five time and was presently living with a man, he got her attention. ˃ Once the stronghold was shattered she was gloriously saved (John 4)

» Satan uses bitterness to block out the truth of God’s live and prevent it from being received ˃ For example, someone who is sexually molested, will not get past the bitterness in their heart and they reject the gospel. ˃ The stronghold must be torn down by prayer before she will be able to receive the good news of God’s love.

» Someone with a controlling stronghold may refuse to submit to Jesus in order to be set free. » They must control every situation along with the results they expect.

» Religious stronghold cause people to cling to unbiblical ideas, and reject the truth of God. » They typically make it harder to receive God’s grace and forgiveness and believe they must earn these things by religious acts.

» The stronghold of pride will prohibit you from accepting Christ because you think you don’t need him. » What will people say/think? » Scriptures teach us that God resist the proud

» There could be hundreds of strongholds Satan uses to guard UNBELIEF ˃ But there is always only one key stronghold in the life of each unsaved individual that hinders that person from receiving the gospel.

» Ask God to reveal to you what that one key stronghold is through prayer ˃ Once you take down that key stronghold, the person will be set free!

» NLT Ephesians 6:18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.