Fellowship with Jesus is Essential for Victory, but Easily Broken

Rev 3:20; Ja 4:8

Renew your mind… the battle is in your head. (2Cor 10:3-5; Rm 12:2)

· Cosmic battle… our sinful nature is in conflict with God’s Spirit. (Gal 5:16-17; Rm 7:21-23)

· As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Pr 23:7)

· The world (false belief system) seeks to capture us & squeeze us into its mold. (Rm 12:2)

· Warfare includes the challenge of refocusing & reprogramming our minds… to replace wrong thoughts with right & God-honoring (Scripture) thoughts.

· Place to start to renew your mind is complete surrender of yourself… body, soul & spirit.

· Make renewal of your mind a daily priority… victory is achieved one choice at a time.

· Spiritual warfare is not once done… we must be ever vigilant & persistent.

· Persistence must be part of your battle plan… it’s often difference between victory & defeat.

Your focus must be on Jesus Christ. (Lk 10:20)

· Ask God for a single-minded, passionate focus upon Jesus Christ… your singular purpose must be to love Him, to glorify Him, to follow Him & enjoy His fellowship.

· Each of our spiritual weapons is vitally related to the person of Jesus Christ.

· Jesus now sits at the right hand of Almighty God… all spiritual forces of darkness have been defeated & He has all authority in heaven & earth.

· He is our victory… our focus must always be on Him.

· We must always lift up Jesus Christ… Christ is the answer! (Eph 1:9-10)

Abiding in Jesus’ presence… it is essential for spiritual victory.

· Scripture’s central promise is that God is with us… we are to live in His presence.

· That I myself may be in them… Jesus’ deepest desire is to be one with you… to reincarnate Himself in His disciples. (Jn 17:26)

o Your victory in spiritual warfare is totally dependent on Christ being formed in you.

o Experiencing the presence of God is our greatest source of power against the enemy.

o If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish. (Jn 15:7)

o Live as a branch depending on vine for strength… the vine is source of power.

· We enter in to His presence & fellowship by the Gate… our Shepherd. (Jn 10:9; 14:6)

· Not once for all, but every day & for every thing we enter in by the Gate.

· Enter in by the Gate is condition that keeps us manifestly Jesus’ sheep. (Jn 10:27; Lk 9:23)

· Jesus is the Gate to the sheep fold… do you daily entered in via the Gate?

o Are you in darkness, weariness, trouble, confusion… enter in by the Gate.

o All may enter, but few do because His sheep must obey & follow Him… (Mt 7:13-14)

o Many who sincerely claim to be His sheep will be denied entry on “that day”. (Mt 7:23)

· The Lord is my shepherd… He restores my soul. (Ps 23:3)

o If Christ is your shepherd, & you’re His sheep (Jn 10:27)… He will restore your soul.

Our relationship with Jesus is secure, but our fellowship is fragile. (Ja 4:8)

· There is nothing as strong as the link of relationship, & nothing as weak as the link of fellowship… an impure motive or an unrighteous word/deed will break fellowship. (Ja 4:8)

· Only those who have clean hands & a pure heart may enter into His presence. (Ps 24:3-4)

· We are commanded to love God completely (Mk 12:30), & reminded that our love of God must always result in obedience. (Jn 14:23; 14:31; 1Jn5:2)

· The H Spirit stands ready to pour love into your heart. (Rm 5:5)

· In His presence is fullness of joy. (Ps 16:11)

· Have you lost the joy? Humble yourself before God to find out what caused the loss of joy. Confess your sin so God can restore you to fellowship with Himself.

· Create in me a pure heart… & restore to me the joy of salvation. (Ps 51:10-12)