The Priority of Praying Together (and 15 Reasons Folks Skip the Prayer M...

Twenty Scriptures about corporate prayer in the New Testament Church: Mark 11:17, Luke 11:1, Luke 9:28-29, Matthew 26:36-41, Acts 1:14, Acts 1:24, Acts 2:42, Acts 3:1, Acts 4:24-31, Acts 6:4-6, Acts 8:14-15, Acts 12:5,12, Acts 13:2-3, Acts 14:23, Acts 16:13,16, Acts 16:25, Acts 20:36, Acts 21:5, 1Timothy 2:8, and James 5:14-16.

Fifteen possible reasons folks don't attend the church prayer meeting:

1. Scriptural ignorance.

2. Meeting time / place / format.

3. Bad habits.

4. Too busy.

5. Too lazy.

6. Difficulty with children.

7. Family leadership failure.

8. Undervalue spiritual fellowship.

9. Undervalue the benefit for your own soul.

10. Fear of man (pride).

11. Unmoved by the needs.

12. Unbelief about the power of prayer.

13. Lukewarmness toward God.

14. Satanic opposition.

15. Rejection of church leadership.

Standing Firm in Christ's Strength - Nathan Rages

Eph. 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Outline:

1. This is a command.

2. Our own strength is never sufficient.

3. Our own effort is, nevertheless, necessary.

4. Christ’s strength is extremely strong.

5. Christ’s strength must be appropriated.

The Devil's Top Ten Temptation Targets - Nathan Rages

1Cor. 10:6-12 6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; ... 8 Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, ... 9 Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, ... 10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, ... 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 

In this, the second part of our studies on the Devil's schemes (per Eph. 6:11​ and 2Cor 2:11​), we consider the specific sin areas in which we're most likely to be attacked.  This Top Ten list is based on a review of the areas in which the "good" characters in the Bible were most often tempted and/or fell into sin. 

1. False teaching.

2. Sexual immorality.

3. Fear of man.

4. Fear of circumstances.

5. Discontentment.

6. Interpersonal conflicts.

7. Rebellion.

8. Lukewarmness.

9. Loving the world.

10. Pride.

The Devil's Schemes - Nathan Rages

Eph. 6:11​ "... stand firm against the schemes of the devil." 

2Cor. 2:11​ "... for we are not ignorant of his schemes." 

About the Devil's Schemes:

1.  They can be understood.  

2.  They rely on deception.

3.  They often involve surprise.

4.  They may develop gradually.

5.  They may get switched rapidly.

6.  They produce certain results.

A Briefing About Our Enemy - Nathan Rages

According to Eph. 6:10-18, our spiritual Enemy...

1. is personal.

2. is spiritual.

3. is powerful.

4. is a slanderer.

5. runs a highly-organized worldwide operation.

6. aggressively attacks us.

7. can be effectively resisted.

2021 Fall Fellowship Camp

Lord willing, we *are* planning to host another Fall Fellowship Camp, Thursday October 7 - Sunday October 10, 2021.  We anticipate opening registration in mid-to-late summer.

After the strangeness and isolation of the last year, we're looking forward to this Camp with a special enthusiasm!

The War of All Wars - Nathan Rages

Ephesians 6:10-18 is the clearest Bible passage on spiritual warfare, viewing the Christian as a soldier in combat.  This first sermon on the passage takes the broad perspective on the great war that has been raging ever since the fall of Satan.   

Practical applications from the War of All Wars:

1. Be alert to the danger that surrounds you.   

2. Take responsibility for yourself as a soldier.

3. Don’t stay on the sidelines.

4. Don’t be surprised when the Christian life gets difficult. 

5. Don’t be surprised at the casualties you see.

6. Anticipate ultimate rest and victory in heaven.