February 25, 2025 • 45 mins
Join Chris Schlotterbeck as he discusses the armor of God, specifically the Helmet Of Salvation and the Sword Of The Spirit.
To get connected or to give online, you can go to connect.hcv.church or give.hcv.church. If at anytime during this message you feel called to make a change in your life, text "change me" to 970-00.
Come As You Are ...
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Episode Transcript
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Welcome to Hub City Vineyard.
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To get connected or to give online, go to connect.hcv.church or give.hcv.church.
If at any point during this message you feel called to make a change in your life, text
change me to 970-00.
Thank you and enjoy the message.
Good morning.
So good to see you.
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I am so thankful that you are here if you're joining us from home or HHC.
Thank you for welcoming us into your space.
A special shout out to anybody that's just checking us out or visiting for the first
time.
We're so thankful that you are here.
Just one additional announcement that you really want to hear.
We have new HCV stickers.
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Now I specifically requested these stickers because I have all these cool stickers on
my Jeep and no HCV sticker.
But guess what?
We now have them.
So we have excellent HCV stickers.
Only $1.
$1 cash only please.
Cash only please.
But we will do IOUs because I believe in IOUs.
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So if you really want a sticker and you don't have a dollar just take some and then bring
a couple dollars next week.
Deal?
Because I want them on your car because they look good.
All right.
So many of you know we've been in this series called Under Armor and for the last few weeks
as you can see Maximus he is now restored.
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He is complete because today we'll be discussing the final two pieces of the armor of God which
we read about in Ephesians 6 verses 12 to 17.
For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies but against evil rulers and
authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world and against evil
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spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in
the time of evil.
Then after the battle you will be standing firm.
You stand your ground putting on the belt of truth.
The body armor of God's righteousness.
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For shoes put on the piece that comes from the good news so that you will be fully prepared.
In addition to all these hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet and take the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.
I'm extremely expectant for God to move today but I want to open in prayer because I believe
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that my words and all that he wants to do only happens through his power.
Amen?
So Holy Spirit come.
God it is evident that you are here as we gather and we invite you to be in our midst
God.
Transform the way we think, the way we see, the way we feel God.
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May we be a different person than when we walked in.
We just give this time to you God.
May these words that are spoken be yours and just transform lives in Jesus name.
Amen.
Now helmets have been a normal part of culture for thousands of years no matter how much
you look throughout history helmets are a part of it.
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But for some reason when we look at the history of helmets we have thousands of years of helmets
being used except for about 10 years in a time period called the 1980s.
Ok?
Are there any 80s kids out there?
Ok if you are an 80s kid first you love my jean jacket and second you know exactly what
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I'm talking about because we were never required to put on a helmet.
We never wore helmets like my kids wear helmets today.
I used to ride all over Washington County on my bike for hours at a day and throughout
the day and I never wore a helmet but I probably should have been.
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Because the helmet is crucial because it protects one of the most important parts of the body,
the brain.
Now helmets come in all shapes and sizes we have bicycle helmets, batting helmets, motorcycle
helmets, construction helmets, military helmets all in use today but we must remember Paul
was sitting beside a Roman soldier in prison and as he was looking at the Roman soldier
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he would have been looking at the helmet like these two.
We have two helmets that would have been used back in those days but as you look at these
two helmets one is distinctly different from the other and this my friends is a Roman helmet.
This would have been the helmet that Paul was describing when he was referring to the
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helmet of salvation.
Now this helmet would have provided two things to the soldier.
First it provided identity and some of you are thinking identity what does this have
to do with identity but look at that red mohawk.
This mohawk was not to sweep up the floor.
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This mohawk was used as a form of saying I am a Roman soldier.
So Roman soldiers wore this as a means of saying this is who I am but it wasn't just
that they're Roman soldiers it also would have marked their identity as their rank and
where they were in the infantry as in what part they were serving in.
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So it was a very distinct mark for a soldier to wear this helmet but of course it also
provided safety for the brain.
All of us know if a soldier got hit in the head without a helmet it would have ended
badly right.
There needs to be safety for the brain.
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So both of these pieces are so important for the soldier while they are in battle.
His identity and his safety.
So Paul when writing this letter to the church he was addressing followers of Jesus.
He was addressing those in the midst of spiritual warfare and he was saying your identity and
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your safety must be put on.
And your identity and your safety is salvation.
So our armor is the belt of truth.
It's the breastplate of righteousness.
It's the shoes of peace.
It's the shield of faith and it's the helmet that provides identity and safety and this
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is salvation which leads us to our first thought.
See salvation is God's life changing power to transform.
Salvation is God's life changing power to transform.
Again Ephesians chapter 6.
Therefore put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in
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the time of evil.
Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stay in your ground.
Put on the belt of truth.
The body armor of God's righteousness for shoes.
Put on the piece that comes from the good news so that you will be prepared.
In addition to all these hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil
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and put on salvation as your helmet.
Salvation is God's life changing power to transform.
And this simply means that we don't have to stay the way we are.
Come as you are.
Yes, yes, yes.
Come as you are but don't stay as you are.
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Allow God to transform your life.
I don't know about you but this is good news.
God's power transforms us every time we gather.
We're not here to do church.
We're not here to sing a couple songs.
We gather together believing God is going to transform our lives.
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That's why we come together.
And I don't know about you but God has radically transformed my life.
And I want everyone to know about it because Romans 1-16 says I am not ashamed of the good
news about Christ.
Notice it is the power of God at work saving everyone who believes.
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See when a follower of Jesus puts on the helmet of salvation it provides identity and safety
found only in Jesus.
And why is this important?
Remember Paul was writing to the church full of Jesus followers and he is communicating
this piece of armor to people already in a relationship with Jesus.
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So he is saying salvation is not a one time decision.
It's not an encounter with God.
It's a life long choice to change.
It's a life long choice to change.
Titus chapter 2 for the grace of God has been revealed bringing salvation to all people.
And notice we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.
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We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God.
Now the last time I spoke on the belt and the breastplate I shared how we are made up
of three parts.
That we are complex beings.
That we are triune in nature because we are made in the image of God.
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So we are made up of our spirit which is our inner being.
That's who we really are.
Then we have our soul which is our mind, our will and our emotions.
And then we have our body which is the flesh or the things we do.
And every single one of these parts is affected differently by salvation.
See when we give our life to Jesus what immediately is transformed is the spirit inside of us.
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It's immediately transformed.
But here's the problem with a lot of Jesus followers.
They leave on a Sunday morning and they have the same temptations or struggles they had
before the gathering.
And then in their minds they begin to question well did I really get saved?
Did God really change me?
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Is the power of God really at work in my life?
But they didn't realize that the salvation that happened in their spirit now has to translate
to our salvation in their minds and their bodies.
And see so many people they stop short.
They give up early saying well I put my trust in God.
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That's good.
I'm good.
And they stop.
They stop allowing God to transform who they are.
So if this is you let me remind you that God loves you the way you are.
But he loves you way too much for you to stay that way.
He wants to see you change.
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God wants to transform your life.
Yes, it starts with the spirit that inner transformation and from there it needs to
be a continuing salvation of our minds and our bodies.
So many followers of Jesus they can't control their bodies because their minds aren't being
saved.
They have the same mindset they've had for 20 or 30 years and they continue to struggle
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with negativity, doubt, frustration, and temptation and God wants to set you free from that.
And we must remember salvation of our spirit it's automatic while the salvation of our
souls and our bodies is a work in progress which leads us to our next thought.
Salvation takes work.
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Philippians chapter 2 verses 12 to 13.
Dear friends you always followed my instructions when I was with you and now that I'm away
it is even more important.
Work hard to show the results of your salvation.
Notice what Paul is telling us.
Work hard.
Work hard to show the results of your salvation.
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Obeying God with deep reverence and fear for God is working in you giving you the desire
and the power to do what pleases him.
Now Paul is not talking about the salvation of our spirits when he's referring to this
because that salvation is received through grace and faith.
It's a choice.
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We can't work it out more to get saved in our spirits.
See once we give our lives to Jesus we're no more saved or less saved we have security
in Jesus.
Everyone say but.
But that salvation of our spirit needs to affect the rest of us so that our minds and
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our bodies are being saved.
It's like the people of Israel.
They were slaves for 400 years in Egypt.
God delivers them sets them free from bondage but even though they were free from Egypt
they still had a little Egypt in them.
And how do I know that?
Well they're always complaining about Moses.
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They were always frustrated with God.
They were worshiping golden calves.
And some of us are like the people of Israel.
We can get out of the West End but there's still a little West End in us.
Right?
We got out of the South End but there's a little South End in us.
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Right?
We got out of Martinsburg but there's a little Martinsburg in us.
The point is there are issues that need to be worked out in our lives and Paul tells
us to what?
Put on the helmet of salvation which is our next thought.
See church where the mind goes the body follows.
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Where the mind goes the body follows.
If we want to control our flesh or our bodies we have to control our minds.
And for many of us we have to realize the struggle it is in our flesh.
The battle rages in our minds.
And we have to stop with that stinking thinking.
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Everyone say stinking thinking.
Stinking thinking that is just outright smelly bad.
Just that stinking thinking that takes us in the wrong direction.
We speak words over ourselves that sound like this.
I'm never going to be good enough.
I'm never going to overcome this addiction.
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I'm never going to change.
No one loves me.
I'll never get married.
My relationships will never be healthy.
And we'll speak those words over ourselves.
That's that stinking thinking.
And when that's happening we need to put on what?
The helmet of salvation.
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I catch myself all the time struggling with stinking thinking.
How do I know that?
Well God reminded me of one of my doctors visits.
So many of you know that I've been struggling with this back issue this foot issue for about
15 months now.
Doesn't seem to be getting any better.
Doesn't seem to be going away.
So the doctor suggested that I get back injections.
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Steroid injections in my back.
Oh this is it.
This is going to be the thing that sets me free.
I'll never have to have these struggles again.
And I roll into the doctor's office.
I was 10 minutes early.
Can you believe that?
10 minutes early.
And my staff is like no way.
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It's 10 minutes early.
Roll up to the window.
Sign in.
Smile.
They're like you're checked in already on the computer.
Yep.
Already followed the instructions.
Did it on my phone.
Right.
And then she looks up at me.
Oh you have more paperwork to fill out.
What?
So I look at the paperwork.
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I said ma'am I just filled this out three weeks ago.
I really got to fill it out again?
Uh yep.
Fill it out again.
So already my mind goes to the stinking thinking.
What do you mean I got to fill this out again?
I just filled it out on my phone.
I just checked off all the boxes.
I just signed my life away.
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Put a needle in my back and if I die it's okay.
Signed it all.
There's more paperwork to fill out.
So I start filling out the paperwork.
And then a lady rolls in 20 minutes late.
I'm filling out my paperwork.
I'm so sorry I'm late.
Car broke down.
I have no idea what she said.
I'm frustrated with my paper.
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Oh it's okay ma'am have a seat.
Right.
Ten minutes later she goes in before me.
Oh.
What's going on in the mind?
Stinking thinking.
Well no one cares about me.
What about my back?
What about my foot?
I was on time.
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This is ridiculous.
I walked up to the window and said ma'am.
And the doctor came to the door and said Chris it's your turn.
Oh.
So I walk into the doctor's office with stinking thinking.
The nurse begins to ask me questions and I answer them rudely.
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Because three weeks ago I had already answered all those questions.
I said ma'am I've already told you my back doesn't hurt.
It's just my foot is asleep.
Give me a pain level.
Ma'am I don't have pain in my back then why are you here?
Mmm.
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Stinking thinking.
It just got worse.
Because then I got an attitude with the nurse.
And the nurse had the audacity to say as I was walking to the doctor to get a 14 inch
needle put in my back I hope it hurts.
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To which I smiled back and said oh don't worry it never hurts.
I don't feel pain.
I just walked in.
So my point is what?
Was I reflecting Jesus?
No.
The stinking thinking got the best of me.
And where did it all start?
In my mind.
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Proverbs 23, 7.
For as he thinks in his heart so is he.
As he thinks in his heart so is he.
So we must realize that if we are angry with our actions, right, the actions aren't the
problem it's our thoughts.
It always starts in our minds.
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So what do we do with this stinking thinking?
Well we have to put into practice what the Bible tells us to do.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10, 5.
We demolish arguments in every partition that sets itself up against the knowledge of God
and we take captive every thought and we make it obedient to Christ.
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We take captive that stinking thinking.
See I'm raising this little guy named Phoenix.
When my Phoenix doesn't behave correctly I don't respond allowing him to do whatever
he wants.
If we're in a store and he wants to wander off to the toy section I don't allow him to
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wander off to the toy section because that's basically like crossing a street, a busy street
and just saying go ahead and walk across.
If you make it you make it.
Now when my son gets out of line you know what I do?
I take captive my Phoenix and I make him obedient to that situation.
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And in the same way parents and followers of Jesus all of us gathered here and watching
online you have to understand this truth.
Not every thought should be in your mind.
They shouldn't be there.
While it's in there it's feeling kind of good and I'll just let it run wild and control
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my life.
You have to say no.
When the thoughts come into our minds we recognize those thoughts and like my Phoenix we take
it captive and we say no I'm not going to think that way.
I make my thoughts obedient to Jesus who is Lord of my life and I'm going to speak out
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I'm not living this way.
I'm not following the world's way.
And it's so important to understand because our lives are always going to follow the direction
of our strongest thoughts.
And if you're sitting here this morning and you don't like the direction your life is
headed you need to start taking captive your thought life.
And you need to make it obedient to Jesus.
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Now I personally recognize that my thoughts are not positive when I start complaining.
No one appreciates me.
I work hard every day.
I do everyone else's job.
No one gives me a raise.
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Hear that complaining?
It's negative thoughts.
God provided you with that job.
Stop complaining about it.
Well my spouse he or she never hears me.
Never understands me.
Never listens to me.
Hear that complaining?
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Are you listening?
God brought you two together.
Maybe you're not having sex because you're not listening.
That's the same.
These children are driving me crazy.
They never listen.
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You hear those complaints?
Well there's couples praying for children that will never have them.
Your children are a miracle.
See when we start complaining when that thought comes into our minds you take it captive and
you make it obedient to Jesus and you say my mind doesn't control me.
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Get out in Jesus name because I am a reflection of Jesus.
You put on the helmet of salvation and you allow it to control the rest of your body.
Romans 12 2.
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new
person by what?
Changing the way you think.
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Here's my sky bible.
Stinking thinking.
You did it on purpose didn't you?
Stinking thinking.
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See church knowing God's will starts with how we think.
We have to put on the helmet of salvation and we do this by a simple action step.
You have to think differently about who you are.
Remember the helmet that the soldiers wore first established their what?
Their identity.
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Their identity.
So the helmet of salvation at first establishes our identity because the enemy always attacks
our identity.
Well you're alone.
You're always going to be alone.
No one loves you.
You're not a child of God.
So you establish your identity by getting rid of those thoughts.
The enemy always tries to confuse our identities because it confuses who we are.
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He will confuse who we are because it confuses what we're called to do.
We won't move forward.
We won't see lives change because we're confused.
It always starts with who we are so the helmet of salvation transforms our identity.
And the world and social media is working overtime to establish an identity for us that
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we don't want.
We don't want that identity.
Our culture, our family, our friends are always trying to label us.
Then our labels they end up limiting us.
And some of us gathered here and watching online you've allowed those labels to impact
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who you are.
You've allowed those labels to limit who God has called you to be.
And this isn't a new thing.
It's all throughout the Bible.
We find people who are labeled by their issues.
How do I know?
Well we read about a woman and this woman is known as the woman with the issue of?
Oh, the woman with the issue of blood.
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So everywhere she went there's that woman with the issue of blood.
She's dirty.
She's unclean.
No one can be around her.
Can you imagine her struggle in life?
We read about this guy named Blind Bartimaeus.
Every time he's introduced, oh here's the guy that can't see.
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Blind Bartimaeus.
We have a guy that we read about in the Bible.
This is amazing.
This is all in the Bible.
And his name is Damaniac.
Imagine walking through life.
Here comes the Damaniac.
Can you imagine Uncle Damaniac?
Hey kids, this is Uncle Damaniac.
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You're not allowed to be with him alone.
He's a little crazy.
That was the culture defining their issues.
But when Jesus came on the scene, what did he do?
He changed everything.
And he can do the same for all of us.
How do I know that?
Well there's this disciple named Peter.
Right?
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He happened to establish the church.
It was one of the greatest history makers to ever walk the earth.
His original name was not Peter.
It was Simon.
And did you know that Simon in the Greek meant snubbed nose?
Simon in the Greek meant snubbed nose.
And some theologians believe that Peter had a snubbed nose from birth and that was his
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identity.
So we have this man that as a baby, he was born, his parents looked at him and said,
I guess this is our snubbed nose baby.
I mean could you imagine if you named your children what they look like right after birth?
I mean I would have named several of my kids, oh this is our conehead baby.
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Let's just name him conehead.
I mean it wouldn't have been a Saturday Night Live skit.
It would have been real life drama.
You know everyone thinks these babies are cute, but we really remember what they look
like when they're born.
They're just like, is that a creature?
What is that?
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But imagine Simon's life.
Everywhere he went, oh here comes the guy with the deformed nose.
Comes snubbed nose.
Imagine being in school being named snubbed nose.
Then Jesus comes along and Jesus says, oh no no no no no no no.
I'm going to give you a new name and in John 1.42 we read, then Andrew brought Simon to
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meet Jesus, looking intently at Simon.
Jesus said, your name is Simon son of John, but you will be called Cephas, which means
Peter.
And Peter means rock.
And Jesus is saying to him, you're going to get stronger than you could ever imagine.
You're going to be greater than what you think.
And some of you are here this morning and you need to realize Jesus is on the scene.
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And he's saying to you in 2 Corinthians, anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.
The old is gone, the new life has begun.
Doesn't matter what people have called you in the past.
Because God has a new name for you and he's in the business of transforming our identities.
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My issue is not my identity.
And I don't care what it is.
I don't care if it's divorce Dan or bankrupt Bob or addicted Amy.
Don't allow that to define you.
God doesn't see you that way.
Establish the helmet of salvation on your head and understand who you are in God.
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I need to say this to someone.
Failure is an event.
It's not a person.
Failure is an event.
It's not a person.
You are a new creation.
And you got to remind yourself daily that you are chosen.
You are redeemed.
You are called.
You are healed.
You are transformed.
You are an overcomer.
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You are forgiven.
You are a child of God.
And it's not just who we are.
It's what we do.
It all starts in our minds Philippians 4.
And now dear brothers and sisters one final thing.
Fix.
Fix.
Focus your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable.
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Think about those things that are excellent and praise worthy.
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me.
Everything you heard from me and saw me doing.
Then notice what happens to God of peace.
We'll be with you.
And if there are any thoughts in our minds that oppose what is written here by Paul.
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When you do what with them.
You take them captive and you throw them out and you make them obedient to how Jesus thinks
about you.
Peace comes when we think like Jesus.
And this is good news.
First Corinthians 2.16.4.
Who can know the Lord's thoughts?
Who knows enough to teach him?
But we understand these things for we have the mind of Christ.
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We have the mind of Christ.
We're no longer living for self.
It's not about us.
It's about other people.
I'm not holding on to grudges and unforgiveness.
I'm choosing to forgive quickly and make my relationships right.
I'm no longer managing sin.
I'm walking in freedom.
Right?
It's a choice.
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It's a choice to have a clear mind and clear thoughts which leads us to our final piece
of the armor.
The sword of the spirit.
The sword of the spirit.
I just so happen to have a sword here and I'm a little excited about this sword because
there's a partner here at HCV that said hey I have a sword I want to bring it in and let
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you use it for next week.
I said bring it in and then he goes this sword is a replica of Conan the barbarian sword.
Now some of you are going to realize why I'm a little crazy.
Conan the barbarian is a movie in the 80s starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and it actually has
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three parts.
I think there's Conan the barbarian, Conan the destroyer, and Conan the warrior.
And they were some of my favorite movies growing up.
So yeah that's why I'm a little weird.
But this sword is important to the soldier.
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And that's why Paul tells us what is the sword that he has given us.
The sword of the spirit is the Bible.
It's the word of God.
Ephesians 6, 17 put on the helmet of salvation and take the sword of the spirit which is
the word of God.
Our Roman soldiers would have carried a sword like this one and this sword would have been
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perfectly fitted for the soldier that goes along with the rest of the armor.
Roman soldiers used the sword in close combat only one on one while facing those in their
area.
They would have used spears or arrows for distant battles but Paul looking at the Roman
soldier would have identified his sword as the only offensive weapon for the soldier
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to use.
And it's the only offensive weapon that we're given as followers of Jesus.
Why?
Because the Bible is alive and active.
Hebrews 4, 12 for the word of God is alive and powerful.
It's sharper than the sharpest two edged sword cutting between soul and spirit between joint
and marrow.
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It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
The Bible allows for us to understand the difference between living God's way and living
our way or culture's way.
That's what it does.
One of my life's scriptures, escalations 220, and it reads, my old self has been crucified
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with Christ.
It's no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.
And within this scripture I grab a hold of it daily when my mind, my mind begins to wonder
and have those stinking thinking thoughts.
See I grab that verse and I say no no no no no no no no no.
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My old self has been crucified.
There is a new Christ living today trusting in the Holy Spirit and the power moving within
me.
In Psalm 1830 as for God his way is perfect.
The Lord's word is flawless.
He shields all who take refuge in him.
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Notice God's way is perfect.
And when it says the Bible is flawless it means it's absolute which means it's truthful.
And we have to apply that truth to our lives because here's what I've learned.
My best self is not a good model for people to follow.
Did everyone hear that?
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My best self in my own strength is not a good model for people to follow because my best
self is full of greed, selfishness, anger, frustration, doubt, negativity, and sin.
And that's why it's so important to expose our true selves to the Bible because when you
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expose our true selves to the Bible then the Holy Spirit empowers us to change and to mold
us into the image of Jesus which leads us to three simple action steps where we wield
the sword of the Spirit.
And the reason I want to give you these because daily we go on the offensive.
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We gather here on Sundays we get pumped up we're fired up and then Monday we're getting
attacked with those fiery darts.
And I want to challenge you what does this sword look like on Monday and this is what
it looks like.
Number one you pray God's word.
First Thessalonians 5, 16 to 18 always be joyful notice never stop praying.
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Never stop praying.
Be thankful in all circumstances for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
When you are struggling begin to pray what you're reading in the Bible.
Begin to pray it out and you're like Chris how do I do that?
Well you may be walking through a dark place it may be grief or anger or doubt maybe you're
struggling with a health issue or the doctor gave you a negative or bad diagnosis right.
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I went to see a doctor this past Wednesday and you know what he told me deal with it.
He said you're probably going to deal with it the rest of your life.
So that was my diagnosis.
So I quickly was driving home and I began to pray out loud Psalm 23.
The Lord is my shepherd I have all that I need.
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He lets me rest in green meadows.
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley it doesn't matter what you're walking through.
I will not be afraid for you are close beside me you're right and your staff protect and
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comfort me.
You pray that out loud and you allow God to transform you.
Now if you have a loss for words and you cannot express your frustration you have no idea
what your mind is doing and why it's all out of control.
Pray out loud Romans chapter 8 verses 26 to 27 and the Holy Spirit helps me in my weakness.
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We don't know what God wants us to pray but the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings
cannot be expressed and the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying
for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.
You pray that out loud and you express that to God.
We need to learn to pray God's word which leads us to our next step.
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Not only do you pray God's word you say God's word.
You speak it out and Jesus as our example of this truth there's power in proclaiming
and declaring the promises of God over our lives.
Look at this Matthew 4, 4, 7 and 10 through 11 but Jesus told him and who is Jesus talking
to in these verses?
The devil.
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This is when he's in the wilderness being tempted beyond what we could even imagine.
But Jesus told him no.
The scriptures say people do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the
mouth of God.
Jesus answered.
The scriptures also say you must not test the Lord your God.
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And then his final statement I love this look get out of here Satan.
You see that authority?
Get out of here Thoth.
I am a child of God.
For the scriptures say you must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.
That the devil went away and the angels came to take care of Jesus.
We go on the offensive believing that God is working and moving in our lives.
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Believing that God is working in our families lives, in our community of faith, in our local
community and we're declaring there is freedom from my addictions.
There is new life in my body.
There is positivity in my mind.
There is hope in Jesus for me, my family and my friends.
Matthew 22.
Jesus replied.
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Your mistake is that you don't know the scriptures and you don't know the power of God.
Let's not make the mistake of not knowing who we are in Jesus and not realizing and
believing in the power of God.
Which leads us to our final step.
Not only do we pray God's word and we say God's word we obey God's word.
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Now I was just going to add verse 15 in John 14 but then as I was reading it in context
you know so many people stand on verses 13 and 14.
You can ask for anything in my name and I will do it so that the son can bring glory
to the father.
Yes ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.
And we proclaim that and we say that.
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But then notice verse 15.
If you love me obey my commands.
And some of you think why aren't my prayers being answered?
Are you obeying God's commands?
Are you following God's truth?
Because if we are not walking in God's truth and we are allowing the enemy to put negative
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thoughts and sin and frustration and anger and all.
God's not going to come in and answer the prayer.
And it's not a dictatorship statement.
Jesus is saying this is the best way to live.
Like you want to live an abundant life?
Follow my commands.
Obey what's written.
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Apply this into your life.
And this is how we go in the offensive.
And we tear down the strongholds of the enemies.
These dark forces that come against us placing the negative thoughts in our minds.
You are not alone.
You are a vital part of this community of faith.
People are not your problem.
People are your purpose.
You are not giving up.
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You're just getting started.
You see how you turn it over?
That's when we're obeying God's word.
And that's the invitation Jesus has for us this morning.
Will you stand?
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I was also praying about how to close this gathering.
The worship team in our pre-gathering meeting said what are you going to do to close?
I said I don't know.
I'm going to let God tell me.
So as I was back in the back room praying for all of you that were coming here this
morning, this is what God shared with me.
Many of you right now, you're struggling with life because you believe you're stuck.
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Believe you're stuck.
You're stuck in your sin.
Maybe you're stuck in your past.
Maybe you're stuck in a relationship.
Maybe you're stuck in addiction.
You could be stuck in grief.
But I felt like many of you are stuck in your stinking thinking.
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And God wants to free you from that today.
Do you believe that?
Do you believe that?
Do you believe that?
Church do you believe that?
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Do you believe that?
Do all of you believe that?
Some of you are thinking, well Chris why do you keep asking us the same thing?
Because not all of you are saying yes.
You see that?
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There's expectation.
There's anticipation.
Church do you believe that?
Yes.
So here's what I want you to do.
Put your hands like this.
I want you to say three simple words.
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Holy Spirit come.
I want you to take your hands.
I want you to put them on your minds.
And in your own words and in your own ways I want you to declare that you are free.
In Jesus name I declare freedom over these minds.
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In Jesus name I command anger to go, frustration to leave, anxiety to wither, healing to come.
In Jesus name.
I just declare complete freedom over each and every mind gathered here today watching
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online.
They are a son and a daughter of God.
Jesus just love on them now.
Holy Spirit come.
Release your grace, your mercy and your freedom.
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In Jesus name.
Together we said.
Amen.
Now some of you weren't saying yes.
I know that.
I see mouths move.
I'm not that blind.
You know why?
Because some of you got a hard heart.
Because that spirit inside of there, it's not alive yet.
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It's just not alive.
You might come to church.
You might go through the motions.
You might pretend.
But it's not alive yet.
And here's your opportunity to bring that spirit to life.
Amen.
We're going to pray a simple prayer.
Let's pray together.
Jesus I'm broken.
I'm full of doubt, shame, regret, sin.
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Change me.
I believe you're God's son.
I believe you died for me.
Make me new.
Set me free.
Fill me with your spirit.
In Jesus name.
There's no impossible.
I believe that you are working now.
Pour it out.
Oh, pour it out.
Welcome to Hub City Vineyard.
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To get connected or to give online, go to connect.hcv.church or give.hcv.church.
If at any point during this message you feel called to make a change in your life, text
change me to 970-00.
Thank you and enjoy the message.
Good morning.
So good to see you.
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I am so thankful that you are here if you're joining us from home or HHC.
Thank you for welcoming us into your space.
A special shout out to anybody that's just checking us out or visiting for the first
time.
We're so thankful that you are here.
Just one additional announcement that you really want to hear.
We have new HCV stickers.
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Now I specifically requested these stickers because I have all these cool stickers on
my Jeep and no HCV sticker.
But guess what?
We now have them.
So we have excellent HCV stickers.
Only $1.
$1 cash only please.
Cash only please.
But we will do IOUs because I believe in IOUs.
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So if you really want a sticker and you don't have a dollar just take some and then bring
a couple dollars next week.
Deal?
Because I want them on your car because they look good.
All right.
So many of you know we've been in this series called Under Armor and for the last few weeks
as you can see Maximus he is now restored.
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He is complete because today we'll be discussing the final two pieces of the armor of God which
we read about in Ephesians 6 verses 12 to 17.
For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies but against evil rulers and
authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world and against evil
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spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in
the time of evil.
Then after the battle you will be standing firm.
You stand your ground putting on the belt of truth.
The body armor of God's righteousness.
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For shoes put on the piece that comes from the good news so that you will be fully prepared.
In addition to all these hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet and take the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.
I'm extremely expectant for God to move today but I want to open in prayer because I believe
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that my words and all that he wants to do only happens through his power.
Amen?
So Holy Spirit come.
God it is evident that you are here as we gather and we invite you to be in our midst
God.
Transform the way we think, the way we see, the way we feel God.
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May we be a different person than when we walked in.
We just give this time to you God.
May these words that are spoken be yours and just transform lives in Jesus name.
Amen.
Now helmets have been a normal part of culture for thousands of years no matter how much
you look throughout history helmets are a part of it.
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But for some reason when we look at the history of helmets we have thousands of years of helmets
being used except for about 10 years in a time period called the 1980s.
Ok?
Are there any 80s kids out there?
Ok if you are an 80s kid first you love my jean jacket and second you know exactly what
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I'm talking about because we were never required to put on a helmet.
We never wore helmets like my kids wear helmets today.
I used to ride all over Washington County on my bike for hours at a day and throughout
the day and I never wore a helmet but I probably should have been.
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Because the helmet is crucial because it protects one of the most important parts of the body,
the brain.
Now helmets come in all shapes and sizes we have bicycle helmets, batting helmets, motorcycle
helmets, construction helmets, military helmets all in use today but we must remember Paul
was sitting beside a Roman soldier in prison and as he was looking at the Roman soldier
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he would have been looking at the helmet like these two.
We have two helmets that would have been used back in those days but as you look at these
two helmets one is distinctly different from the other and this my friends is a Roman helmet.
This would have been the helmet that Paul was describing when he was referring to the
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helmet of salvation.
Now this helmet would have provided two things to the soldier.
First it provided identity and some of you are thinking identity what does this have
to do with identity but look at that red mohawk.
This mohawk was not to sweep up the floor.
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This mohawk was used as a form of saying I am a Roman soldier.
So Roman soldiers wore this as a means of saying this is who I am but it wasn't just
that they're Roman soldiers it also would have marked their identity as their rank and
where they were in the infantry as in what part they were serving in.
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So it was a very distinct mark for a soldier to wear this helmet but of course it also
provided safety for the brain.
All of us know if a soldier got hit in the head without a helmet it would have ended
badly right.
There needs to be safety for the brain.
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So both of these pieces are so important for the soldier while they are in battle.
His identity and his safety.
So Paul when writing this letter to the church he was addressing followers of Jesus.
He was addressing those in the midst of spiritual warfare and he was saying your identity and
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your safety must be put on.
And your identity and your safety is salvation.
So our armor is the belt of truth.
It's the breastplate of righteousness.
It's the shoes of peace.
It's the shield of faith and it's the helmet that provides identity and safety and this
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is salvation which leads us to our first thought.
See salvation is God's life changing power to transform.
Salvation is God's life changing power to transform.
Again Ephesians chapter 6.
Therefore put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in
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the time of evil.
Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stay in your ground.
Put on the belt of truth.
The body armor of God's righteousness for shoes.
Put on the piece that comes from the good news so that you will be prepared.
In addition to all these hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil
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and put on salvation as your helmet.
Salvation is God's life changing power to transform.
And this simply means that we don't have to stay the way we are.
Come as you are.
Yes, yes, yes.
Come as you are but don't stay as you are.
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Allow God to transform your life.
I don't know about you but this is good news.
God's power transforms us every time we gather.
We're not here to do church.
We're not here to sing a couple songs.
We gather together believing God is going to transform our lives.
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That's why we come together.
And I don't know about you but God has radically transformed my life.
And I want everyone to know about it because Romans 1-16 says I am not ashamed of the good
news about Christ.
Notice it is the power of God at work saving everyone who believes.
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See when a follower of Jesus puts on the helmet of salvation it provides identity and safety
found only in Jesus.
And why is this important?
Remember Paul was writing to the church full of Jesus followers and he is communicating
this piece of armor to people already in a relationship with Jesus.
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So he is saying salvation is not a one time decision.
It's not an encounter with God.
It's a life long choice to change.
It's a life long choice to change.
Titus chapter 2 for the grace of God has been revealed bringing salvation to all people.
And notice we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.
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We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God.
Now the last time I spoke on the belt and the breastplate I shared how we are made up
of three parts.
That we are complex beings.
That we are triune in nature because we are made in the image of God.
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So we are made up of our spirit which is our inner being.
That's who we really are.
Then we have our soul which is our mind, our will and our emotions.
And then we have our body which is the flesh or the things we do.
And every single one of these parts is affected differently by salvation.
See when we give our life to Jesus what immediately is transformed is the spirit inside of us.
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It's immediately transformed.
But here's the problem with a lot of Jesus followers.
They leave on a Sunday morning and they have the same temptations or struggles they had
before the gathering.
And then in their minds they begin to question well did I really get saved?
Did God really change me?
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Is the power of God really at work in my life?
But they didn't realize that the salvation that happened in their spirit now has to translate
to our salvation in their minds and their bodies.
And see so many people they stop short.
They give up early saying well I put my trust in God.
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That's good.
I'm good.
And they stop.
They stop allowing God to transform who they are.
So if this is you let me remind you that God loves you the way you are.
But he loves you way too much for you to stay that way.
He wants to see you change.
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God wants to transform your life.
Yes, it starts with the spirit that inner transformation and from there it needs to
be a continuing salvation of our minds and our bodies.
So many followers of Jesus they can't control their bodies because their minds aren't being
saved.
They have the same mindset they've had for 20 or 30 years and they continue to struggle
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with negativity, doubt, frustration, and temptation and God wants to set you free from that.
And we must remember salvation of our spirit it's automatic while the salvation of our
souls and our bodies is a work in progress which leads us to our next thought.
Salvation takes work.
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Philippians chapter 2 verses 12 to 13.
Dear friends you always followed my instructions when I was with you and now that I'm away
it is even more important.
Work hard to show the results of your salvation.
Notice what Paul is telling us.
Work hard.
Work hard to show the results of your salvation.
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Obeying God with deep reverence and fear for God is working in you giving you the desire
and the power to do what pleases him.
Now Paul is not talking about the salvation of our spirits when he's referring to this
because that salvation is received through grace and faith.
It's a choice.
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We can't work it out more to get saved in our spirits.
See once we give our lives to Jesus we're no more saved or less saved we have security
in Jesus.
Everyone say but.
But that salvation of our spirit needs to affect the rest of us so that our minds and
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our bodies are being saved.
It's like the people of Israel.
They were slaves for 400 years in Egypt.
God delivers them sets them free from bondage but even though they were free from Egypt
they still had a little Egypt in them.
And how do I know that?
Well they're always complaining about Moses.
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They were always frustrated with God.
They were worshiping golden calves.
And some of us are like the people of Israel.
We can get out of the West End but there's still a little West End in us.
Right?
We got out of the South End but there's a little South End in us.
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Right?
We got out of Martinsburg but there's a little Martinsburg in us.
The point is there are issues that need to be worked out in our lives and Paul tells
us to what?
Put on the helmet of salvation which is our next thought.
See church where the mind goes the body follows.
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Where the mind goes the body follows.
If we want to control our flesh or our bodies we have to control our minds.
And for many of us we have to realize the struggle it is in our flesh.
The battle rages in our minds.
And we have to stop with that stinking thinking.
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Everyone say stinking thinking.
Stinking thinking that is just outright smelly bad.
Just that stinking thinking that takes us in the wrong direction.
We speak words over ourselves that sound like this.
I'm never going to be good enough.
I'm never going to overcome this addiction.
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I'm never going to change.
No one loves me.
I'll never get married.
My relationships will never be healthy.
And we'll speak those words over ourselves.
That's that stinking thinking.
And when that's happening we need to put on what?
The helmet of salvation.
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I catch myself all the time struggling with stinking thinking.
How do I know that?
Well God reminded me of one of my doctors visits.
So many of you know that I've been struggling with this back issue this foot issue for about
15 months now.
Doesn't seem to be getting any better.
Doesn't seem to be going away.
So the doctor suggested that I get back injections.
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Steroid injections in my back.
Oh this is it.
This is going to be the thing that sets me free.
I'll never have to have these struggles again.
And I roll into the doctor's office.
I was 10 minutes early.
Can you believe that?
10 minutes early.
And my staff is like no way.
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It's 10 minutes early.
Roll up to the window.
Sign in.
Smile.
They're like you're checked in already on the computer.
Yep.
Already followed the instructions.
Did it on my phone.
Right.
And then she looks up at me.
Oh you have more paperwork to fill out.
What?
So I look at the paperwork.
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I said ma'am I just filled this out three weeks ago.
I really got to fill it out again?
Uh yep.
Fill it out again.
So already my mind goes to the stinking thinking.
What do you mean I got to fill this out again?
I just filled it out on my phone.
I just checked off all the boxes.
I just signed my life away.
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Put a needle in my back and if I die it's okay.
Signed it all.
There's more paperwork to fill out.
So I start filling out the paperwork.
And then a lady rolls in 20 minutes late.
I'm filling out my paperwork.
I'm so sorry I'm late.
Car broke down.
I have no idea what she said.
I'm frustrated with my paper.
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Oh it's okay ma'am have a seat.
Right.
Ten minutes later she goes in before me.
Oh.
What's going on in the mind?
Stinking thinking.
Well no one cares about me.
What about my back?
What about my foot?
I was on time.
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This is ridiculous.
I walked up to the window and said ma'am.
And the doctor came to the door and said Chris it's your turn.
Oh.
So I walk into the doctor's office with stinking thinking.
The nurse begins to ask me questions and I answer them rudely.
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Because three weeks ago I had already answered all those questions.
I said ma'am I've already told you my back doesn't hurt.
It's just my foot is asleep.
Give me a pain level.
Ma'am I don't have pain in my back then why are you here?
Mmm.
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Stinking thinking.
It just got worse.
Because then I got an attitude with the nurse.
And the nurse had the audacity to say as I was walking to the doctor to get a 14 inch
needle put in my back I hope it hurts.
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To which I smiled back and said oh don't worry it never hurts.
I don't feel pain.
I just walked in.
So my point is what?
Was I reflecting Jesus?
No.
The stinking thinking got the best of me.
And where did it all start?
In my mind.
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Proverbs 23, 7.
For as he thinks in his heart so is he.
As he thinks in his heart so is he.
So we must realize that if we are angry with our actions, right, the actions aren't the
problem it's our thoughts.
It always starts in our minds.
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So what do we do with this stinking thinking?
Well we have to put into practice what the Bible tells us to do.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10, 5.
We demolish arguments in every partition that sets itself up against the knowledge of God
and we take captive every thought and we make it obedient to Christ.
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We take captive that stinking thinking.
See I'm raising this little guy named Phoenix.
When my Phoenix doesn't behave correctly I don't respond allowing him to do whatever
he wants.
If we're in a store and he wants to wander off to the toy section I don't allow him to
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wander off to the toy section because that's basically like crossing a street, a busy street
and just saying go ahead and walk across.
If you make it you make it.
Now when my son gets out of line you know what I do?
I take captive my Phoenix and I make him obedient to that situation.
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And in the same way parents and followers of Jesus all of us gathered here and watching
online you have to understand this truth.
Not every thought should be in your mind.
They shouldn't be there.
While it's in there it's feeling kind of good and I'll just let it run wild and control
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my life.
You have to say no.
When the thoughts come into our minds we recognize those thoughts and like my Phoenix we take
it captive and we say no I'm not going to think that way.
I make my thoughts obedient to Jesus who is Lord of my life and I'm going to speak out
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I'm not living this way.
I'm not following the world's way.
And it's so important to understand because our lives are always going to follow the direction
of our strongest thoughts.
And if you're sitting here this morning and you don't like the direction your life is
headed you need to start taking captive your thought life.
And you need to make it obedient to Jesus.
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Now I personally recognize that my thoughts are not positive when I start complaining.
No one appreciates me.
I work hard every day.
I do everyone else's job.
No one gives me a raise.
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Hear that complaining?
It's negative thoughts.
God provided you with that job.
Stop complaining about it.
Well my spouse he or she never hears me.
Never understands me.
Never listens to me.
Hear that complaining?
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Are you listening?
God brought you two together.
Maybe you're not having sex because you're not listening.
That's the same.
These children are driving me crazy.
They never listen.
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You hear those complaints?
Well there's couples praying for children that will never have them.
Your children are a miracle.
See when we start complaining when that thought comes into our minds you take it captive and
you make it obedient to Jesus and you say my mind doesn't control me.
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Get out in Jesus name because I am a reflection of Jesus.
You put on the helmet of salvation and you allow it to control the rest of your body.
Romans 12 2.
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new
person by what?
Changing the way you think.
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Here's my sky bible.
Stinking thinking.
You did it on purpose didn't you?
Stinking thinking.
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See church knowing God's will starts with how we think.
We have to put on the helmet of salvation and we do this by a simple action step.
You have to think differently about who you are.
Remember the helmet that the soldiers wore first established their what?
Their identity.
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Their identity.
So the helmet of salvation at first establishes our identity because the enemy always attacks
our identity.
Well you're alone.
You're always going to be alone.
No one loves you.
You're not a child of God.
So you establish your identity by getting rid of those thoughts.
The enemy always tries to confuse our identities because it confuses who we are.
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He will confuse who we are because it confuses what we're called to do.
We won't move forward.
We won't see lives change because we're confused.
It always starts with who we are so the helmet of salvation transforms our identity.
And the world and social media is working overtime to establish an identity for us that
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we don't want.
We don't want that identity.
Our culture, our family, our friends are always trying to label us.
Then our labels they end up limiting us.
And some of us gathered here and watching online you've allowed those labels to impact
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who you are.
You've allowed those labels to limit who God has called you to be.
And this isn't a new thing.
It's all throughout the Bible.
We find people who are labeled by their issues.
How do I know?
Well we read about a woman and this woman is known as the woman with the issue of?
Oh, the woman with the issue of blood.
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So everywhere she went there's that woman with the issue of blood.
She's dirty.
She's unclean.
No one can be around her.
Can you imagine her struggle in life?
We read about this guy named Blind Bartimaeus.
Every time he's introduced, oh here's the guy that can't see.
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Blind Bartimaeus.
We have a guy that we read about in the Bible.
This is amazing.
This is all in the Bible.
And his name is Damaniac.
Imagine walking through life.
Here comes the Damaniac.
Can you imagine Uncle Damaniac?
Hey kids, this is Uncle Damaniac.
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You're not allowed to be with him alone.
He's a little crazy.
That was the culture defining their issues.
But when Jesus came on the scene, what did he do?
He changed everything.
And he can do the same for all of us.
How do I know that?
Well there's this disciple named Peter.
Right?
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He happened to establish the church.
It was one of the greatest history makers to ever walk the earth.
His original name was not Peter.
It was Simon.
And did you know that Simon in the Greek meant snubbed nose?
Simon in the Greek meant snubbed nose.
And some theologians believe that Peter had a snubbed nose from birth and that was his
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identity.
So we have this man that as a baby, he was born, his parents looked at him and said,
I guess this is our snubbed nose baby.
I mean could you imagine if you named your children what they look like right after birth?
I mean I would have named several of my kids, oh this is our conehead baby.
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Let's just name him conehead.
I mean it wouldn't have been a Saturday Night Live skit.
It would have been real life drama.
You know everyone thinks these babies are cute, but we really remember what they look
like when they're born.
They're just like, is that a creature?
What is that?
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But imagine Simon's life.
Everywhere he went, oh here comes the guy with the deformed nose.
Comes snubbed nose.
Imagine being in school being named snubbed nose.
Then Jesus comes along and Jesus says, oh no no no no no no no.
I'm going to give you a new name and in John 1.42 we read, then Andrew brought Simon to
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meet Jesus, looking intently at Simon.
Jesus said, your name is Simon son of John, but you will be called Cephas, which means
Peter.
And Peter means rock.
And Jesus is saying to him, you're going to get stronger than you could ever imagine.
You're going to be greater than what you think.
And some of you are here this morning and you need to realize Jesus is on the scene.
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And he's saying to you in 2 Corinthians, anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.
The old is gone, the new life has begun.
Doesn't matter what people have called you in the past.
Because God has a new name for you and he's in the business of transforming our identities.
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My issue is not my identity.
And I don't care what it is.
I don't care if it's divorce Dan or bankrupt Bob or addicted Amy.
Don't allow that to define you.
God doesn't see you that way.
Establish the helmet of salvation on your head and understand who you are in God.
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I need to say this to someone.
Failure is an event.
It's not a person.
Failure is an event.
It's not a person.
You are a new creation.
And you got to remind yourself daily that you are chosen.
You are redeemed.
You are called.
You are healed.
You are transformed.
You are an overcomer.
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You are forgiven.
You are a child of God.
And it's not just who we are.
It's what we do.
It all starts in our minds Philippians 4.
And now dear brothers and sisters one final thing.
Fix.
Fix.
Focus your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable.
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Think about those things that are excellent and praise worthy.
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me.
Everything you heard from me and saw me doing.
Then notice what happens to God of peace.
We'll be with you.
And if there are any thoughts in our minds that oppose what is written here by Paul.
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When you do what with them.
You take them captive and you throw them out and you make them obedient to how Jesus thinks
about you.
Peace comes when we think like Jesus.
And this is good news.
First Corinthians 2.16.4.
Who can know the Lord's thoughts?
Who knows enough to teach him?
But we understand these things for we have the mind of Christ.
(30:38):
We have the mind of Christ.
We're no longer living for self.
It's not about us.
It's about other people.
I'm not holding on to grudges and unforgiveness.
I'm choosing to forgive quickly and make my relationships right.
I'm no longer managing sin.
I'm walking in freedom.
Right?
It's a choice.
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It's a choice to have a clear mind and clear thoughts which leads us to our final piece
of the armor.
The sword of the spirit.
The sword of the spirit.
I just so happen to have a sword here and I'm a little excited about this sword because
there's a partner here at HCV that said hey I have a sword I want to bring it in and let
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you use it for next week.
I said bring it in and then he goes this sword is a replica of Conan the barbarian sword.
Now some of you are going to realize why I'm a little crazy.
Conan the barbarian is a movie in the 80s starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and it actually has
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three parts.
I think there's Conan the barbarian, Conan the destroyer, and Conan the warrior.
And they were some of my favorite movies growing up.
So yeah that's why I'm a little weird.
But this sword is important to the soldier.
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And that's why Paul tells us what is the sword that he has given us.
The sword of the spirit is the Bible.
It's the word of God.
Ephesians 6, 17 put on the helmet of salvation and take the sword of the spirit which is
the word of God.
Our Roman soldiers would have carried a sword like this one and this sword would have been
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perfectly fitted for the soldier that goes along with the rest of the armor.
Roman soldiers used the sword in close combat only one on one while facing those in their
area.
They would have used spears or arrows for distant battles but Paul looking at the Roman
soldier would have identified his sword as the only offensive weapon for the soldier
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to use.
And it's the only offensive weapon that we're given as followers of Jesus.
Why?
Because the Bible is alive and active.
Hebrews 4, 12 for the word of God is alive and powerful.
It's sharper than the sharpest two edged sword cutting between soul and spirit between joint
and marrow.
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It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
The Bible allows for us to understand the difference between living God's way and living
our way or culture's way.
That's what it does.
One of my life's scriptures, escalations 220, and it reads, my old self has been crucified
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with Christ.
It's no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.
And within this scripture I grab a hold of it daily when my mind, my mind begins to wonder
and have those stinking thinking thoughts.
See I grab that verse and I say no no no no no no no no no.
(33:59):
My old self has been crucified.
There is a new Christ living today trusting in the Holy Spirit and the power moving within
me.
In Psalm 1830 as for God his way is perfect.
The Lord's word is flawless.
He shields all who take refuge in him.
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Notice God's way is perfect.
And when it says the Bible is flawless it means it's absolute which means it's truthful.
And we have to apply that truth to our lives because here's what I've learned.
My best self is not a good model for people to follow.
Did everyone hear that?
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My best self in my own strength is not a good model for people to follow because my best
self is full of greed, selfishness, anger, frustration, doubt, negativity, and sin.
And that's why it's so important to expose our true selves to the Bible because when you
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expose our true selves to the Bible then the Holy Spirit empowers us to change and to mold
us into the image of Jesus which leads us to three simple action steps where we wield
the sword of the Spirit.
And the reason I want to give you these because daily we go on the offensive.
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We gather here on Sundays we get pumped up we're fired up and then Monday we're getting
attacked with those fiery darts.
And I want to challenge you what does this sword look like on Monday and this is what
it looks like.
Number one you pray God's word.
First Thessalonians 5, 16 to 18 always be joyful notice never stop praying.
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Never stop praying.
Be thankful in all circumstances for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
When you are struggling begin to pray what you're reading in the Bible.
Begin to pray it out and you're like Chris how do I do that?
Well you may be walking through a dark place it may be grief or anger or doubt maybe you're
struggling with a health issue or the doctor gave you a negative or bad diagnosis right.
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I went to see a doctor this past Wednesday and you know what he told me deal with it.
He said you're probably going to deal with it the rest of your life.
So that was my diagnosis.
So I quickly was driving home and I began to pray out loud Psalm 23.
The Lord is my shepherd I have all that I need.
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He lets me rest in green meadows.
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley it doesn't matter what you're walking through.
I will not be afraid for you are close beside me you're right and your staff protect and
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comfort me.
You pray that out loud and you allow God to transform you.
Now if you have a loss for words and you cannot express your frustration you have no idea
what your mind is doing and why it's all out of control.
Pray out loud Romans chapter 8 verses 26 to 27 and the Holy Spirit helps me in my weakness.
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We don't know what God wants us to pray but the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings
cannot be expressed and the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying
for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.
You pray that out loud and you express that to God.
We need to learn to pray God's word which leads us to our next step.
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Not only do you pray God's word you say God's word.
You speak it out and Jesus as our example of this truth there's power in proclaiming
and declaring the promises of God over our lives.
Look at this Matthew 4, 4, 7 and 10 through 11 but Jesus told him and who is Jesus talking
to in these verses?
The devil.
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This is when he's in the wilderness being tempted beyond what we could even imagine.
But Jesus told him no.
The scriptures say people do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the
mouth of God.
Jesus answered.
The scriptures also say you must not test the Lord your God.
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And then his final statement I love this look get out of here Satan.
You see that authority?
Get out of here Thoth.
I am a child of God.
For the scriptures say you must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.
That the devil went away and the angels came to take care of Jesus.
We go on the offensive believing that God is working and moving in our lives.
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Believing that God is working in our families lives, in our community of faith, in our local
community and we're declaring there is freedom from my addictions.
There is new life in my body.
There is positivity in my mind.
There is hope in Jesus for me, my family and my friends.
Matthew 22.
Jesus replied.
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Your mistake is that you don't know the scriptures and you don't know the power of God.
Let's not make the mistake of not knowing who we are in Jesus and not realizing and
believing in the power of God.
Which leads us to our final step.
Not only do we pray God's word and we say God's word we obey God's word.
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Now I was just going to add verse 15 in John 14 but then as I was reading it in context
you know so many people stand on verses 13 and 14.
You can ask for anything in my name and I will do it so that the son can bring glory
to the father.
Yes ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.
And we proclaim that and we say that.
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But then notice verse 15.
If you love me obey my commands.
And some of you think why aren't my prayers being answered?
Are you obeying God's commands?
Are you following God's truth?
Because if we are not walking in God's truth and we are allowing the enemy to put negative
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thoughts and sin and frustration and anger and all.
God's not going to come in and answer the prayer.
And it's not a dictatorship statement.
Jesus is saying this is the best way to live.
Like you want to live an abundant life?
Follow my commands.
Obey what's written.
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Apply this into your life.
And this is how we go in the offensive.
And we tear down the strongholds of the enemies.
These dark forces that come against us placing the negative thoughts in our minds.
You are not alone.
You are a vital part of this community of faith.
People are not your problem.
People are your purpose.
You are not giving up.
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You're just getting started.
You see how you turn it over?
That's when we're obeying God's word.
And that's the invitation Jesus has for us this morning.
Will you stand?
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I was also praying about how to close this gathering.
The worship team in our pre-gathering meeting said what are you going to do to close?
I said I don't know.
I'm going to let God tell me.
So as I was back in the back room praying for all of you that were coming here this
morning, this is what God shared with me.
Many of you right now, you're struggling with life because you believe you're stuck.
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Believe you're stuck.
You're stuck in your sin.
Maybe you're stuck in your past.
Maybe you're stuck in a relationship.
Maybe you're stuck in addiction.
You could be stuck in grief.
But I felt like many of you are stuck in your stinking thinking.
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And God wants to free you from that today.
Do you believe that?
Do you believe that?
Do you believe that?
Church do you believe that?
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Do you believe that?
Do all of you believe that?
Some of you are thinking, well Chris why do you keep asking us the same thing?
Because not all of you are saying yes.
You see that?
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There's expectation.
There's anticipation.
Church do you believe that?
Yes.
So here's what I want you to do.
Put your hands like this.
I want you to say three simple words.
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Holy Spirit come.
I want you to take your hands.
I want you to put them on your minds.
And in your own words and in your own ways I want you to declare that you are free.
In Jesus name I declare freedom over these minds.
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In Jesus name I command anger to go, frustration to leave, anxiety to wither, healing to come.
In Jesus name.
I just declare complete freedom over each and every mind gathered here today watching
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online.
They are a son and a daughter of God.
Jesus just love on them now.
Holy Spirit come.
Release your grace, your mercy and your freedom.
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In Jesus name.
Together we said.
Amen.
Now some of you weren't saying yes.
I know that.
I see mouths move.
I'm not that blind.
You know why?
Because some of you got a hard heart.
Because that spirit inside of there, it's not alive yet.
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It's just not alive.
You might come to church.
You might go through the motions.
You might pretend.
But it's not alive yet.
And here's your opportunity to bring that spirit to life.
Amen.
We're going to pray a simple prayer.
Let's pray together.
Jesus I'm broken.
I'm full of doubt, shame, regret, sin.
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Change me.
I believe you're God's son.
I believe you died for me.
Make me new.
Set me free.
Fill me with your spirit.
In Jesus name.
There's no impossible.
I believe that you are working now.
Pour it out.
Oh, pour it out.
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