David [00:00:02]:
We’ve been talking about the four steps or phases we go through so we can emerge and be awesome all God created us to be. Those four steps are edify, encourage, equip, and empower. Edifying was the act of one who promotes another’s growth in christian wisdom, piety, which is devotion, happiness and holiness.
David [00:00:50]:
To encourage was to strengthen, to give support, and refresh one another. Today we will discuss what it means to equip. Our key verse again this week is Ephesians 411 twelve. And this is from the King James version. And he gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Now, what we want to look at here today is that word perfecting here in that verse. And he gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangels, some pastors and teachers. So the fivefold ministry, he called for the perfecting of the saints.
David [00:01:46]:
That word perfecting there in the Greek, means equipping. It had to do with the furnishing of all a military force needed to be successful, the clothes, the weapons, the vehicles on land and sea, and the armor. And so when God is saying the perfecting of the saints, he’s saying the equipment. Equipping of the saints equip means to furnish with arms a complete suit of arms for military service, to supply with the necessary items for a particular purpose, to do the work of the ministry and to edify the body of Christ. We need to be prepared to stand against the resistance. To who? And what is the resistance? Using what Paul says here in Ephesians, let me paint a picture of what this means for us as believers. Paul said in Ephesians six, chapter in verse twelve, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Now, we’re familiar with that.
David [00:03:21]:
And we know that in Ephesians one, chapter one, it says, Jesus has been placed seated next to the Father God and placed far above all of that because he has all authority now, and he’s been placed far above all principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. And every name, it goes on to say, in every name that is named, in heaven and earth and in the ages to come. Then in Ephesians two, Paul says that we as believers in Christ are seated with him in heavenly places. We’re right there with him above all this. And so Paul is saying here, guys, we’re not wrestling against flesh and blood. Those around us. What’s resisting us are these principalities and powers and the rulers of darkness, the spiritual wickedness in high places. But here’s what we need to know.
David [00:04:29]:
Jesus has defeated Satan and all his power. The enemy, though, is still resisting us. The thing we need to realize, even though they look like it, they sound like it, and they come against us. People are not the enemy. They may be being influenced by the enemy, but they’re not the real enemy. The devil will work through people to try and stop or limit what God wants to do through you. However, we are still fighting against the devil, not people themselves. The people have been deceived by the enemy.
David [00:05:20]:
This is why Paul went on to say here in Ephesians chapter six, verse 13, wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand the evil day in having done all to stand. That phrase, the whole armor of goddess, is pointing back to what Paul said in ephesians 412, when he said the fivefold ministry was for the perfecting of the saints or the equipping of the saints, furnishing them with all that is needed to stand to resist the enemy. So we have it all. We’re furnished with it all. Okay? That’s what Paul’s saying here in Ephesians six, and this phrase, having done all stand, was a roman military phrase which meant literally, having won the victory. Stand in the place of victory, and do not allow the enemy to take what is yours. This isn’t about gaining new ground. This is about holding onto and taking dominion in that place where Christ has already won the victory for us.
David [00:06:49]:
Having done all stand. Stand in that place of victory that Christ has won for us. Do not allow the enemy to come and take what is yours, and so we resist the devil. Jesus said in John 1010, the devil comes. Why? To steal, to kill and destroy. But I have come that you might have life, and life more abundantly. Paul was telling us here in Ephesians, Jesus has won the battle. He is victorious.
David [00:07:25]:
He has made us partakers in this victory. So stand in his authority. He’s given you, he’s delegated to you his authority through his name. Remember? And I’ve already referenced this, but I’m going to read it to you now. What Paul said in Ephesians 119 23, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all that is the victory we are to stand in, and we can. That’s why Paul said in Ephesians, chapter two, verses four through six, the God who is rich in his mercy for his great love, wherewith he loved us even when we were dead. And sins hath quickened us.
David [00:08:49]:
And that word quickened there means made alive has made us alive together with Christ. By grace you are saved, and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus. You are seated with Jesus in that same place of authority in heavenly places. That is where you are in Christ right now, this moment, today. You are far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. So with that in mind, let’s read again in Ephesians six, starting with verse 13, and we’re going to read through verse 18. So, Ephesians 613 18. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
David [00:10:17]:
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you will be able, or you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. So we take it says, we’ve got all this armor, and above all, we take the shield of faith so that we can quench the fiery darts of the wicked one, the sword of the spirit and the word of God. We know the word is God’s sword, and so we use the word. We come praying in the spirit with all prayer and supplication, watching with all perseverance and supplication. For all saints. Here we go again. Like I was talking about last week, encouraging and supporting one another. That’s a part of this.
David [00:11:38]:
We are equipped with all we need to stand in victory every day. No matter what the enemy tries to bring against us, no matter how he tries to hold us back, no matter how he tries to resist us, we have all we need to keep him in his place and to remind him, I’m more than an overcomer. I am victorious in Christ Jesus, my lord and my savior. Wow, what a picture. We are seeded with Christ in a place of ultimate authority in heavenly places. We are fully furnished with the whole armor of God. We are able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, praying in the spirit for all saints. This isn’t something we get when we get to heaven.
David [00:12:40]:
It’s already ours. We already possess it. This is what our father God wants for us. God has given the fivefold ministry so we all could be fully equipped, fully furnished with all he has provided for us to do the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, the church. Wow. God has empowered us. There are three truths we need to fully embrace as we grow and being equipped. And let me say this, you are always going to be growing and being more throughout this life and throughout eternity.
David [00:13:26]:
You’re always going to be, God’s always going to be equipping you, giving you more, furnishing you with more, and you’ll think, wow, this is great, this is awesome. Look how this works. And you’ll go, that’s nothing. Watch this. God’s always going to be taking you to a higher level. So the first one of these truths I want us to look at is this, in Christ, you are an overcomer. First, John four, four. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them because greater is hedgest that is in you than he that is in the world.
David [00:14:10]:
Remind yourself of this every day. Jesus is greater than the devil. Jesus has defeated the devil, and the greater one, the victor, the overcomer lives in you, so the greater one has empowered you and you are an overcomer also. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Ha ha ha. I don’t care what the devil throws at you, what the situation is, what you’re facing.
David [00:14:43]:
You can just laugh in his face. Ha, ha, ha. Devil. I’m an overcomer. I’ve already won. I’ve already won. I don’t care what the circumstances look right now. I’ve already wondez because I am in Christ and the greater one lives within me.
David [00:15:01]:
Hallelujah. First, John five, four. For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world. Are you born of God? I’m born of God. We are overcomers. We overcome the world. And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Remember what Paul said in Ephesians six.
David [00:15:27]:
And above all, take the shield of faith. Our faith that we live by empowers us to overcome the world. You are an overcomer. The second principle we need to see this is you are more than conquerors. Every believer, every part of the body of Christ, we are more than conquerors. Romans 833 37 says this. Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yes, rather that is risen again.
David [00:16:17]:
Who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Hallelujah. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword. As it is written, for thy sake we are killed. All day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Hear what Paul said there. None of this is keeping us.
David [00:16:56]:
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Think about that. You are not just a conqueror, you are more than conquerors. Through our faith in God, we have a victory that is not just about overcoming challenges, but it is a victory that is far greater and more comprehensive. Being more than a conqueror implies says that not just surviving hardships, but thriving through them with the assurance of God’s love and power, we are blessed beyond measure. It means that even in the greatest challenges we can find and walk in peace, hope and triumph, knowing our God has overcome, and we have overcome, and we are more than conquerors. This victory that I’m talking about isn’t achieved by our own strengthen, but through Christ, who empowers us to be steadfast and transform difficulties into deeper faith and spiritual growth. Whatever we’re walking through, we’re going to grow in it.
David [00:18:19]:
We’re going to go up, we’re going to be at a higher level. Hallelujah. It reflects a confidence that nothing, not even the most difficult circumstance, can separate you from God’s love or defeat his purpose for you. Our purpose in him is steadfast. And he’s going, come on, walk with me. Let’s go do this again. As Jesus said in John 1010, he came to give us life. And in the amplified, it says this life to the full till it overflows.
David [00:19:01]:
Overflowing life, my friend, you are more than a conqueror. You are victorious. Well, let me say it again. You’re an overcomer. You are more than a conqueror. And the third point, it says, you are victorious. First Corinthians 1557 says this. But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, through your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, you have the victory, you are victorious.
David [00:19:45]:
This is who you are. It’s just a fact where you, whether you feel like it or not, you are, you are victorious. In fact, you are an overcomer. You are more than a conqueror. You are victorious. That is who you are. That is how God sees you. That’s what he says about you.
David [00:20:09]:
God wants us to understand our place and position in Christ. This is a part of our equipping, this is a part of him furnishing everything we need to resist the enemy and to stand in victory, to stand in faith, knowing that we have overcome, that we’re more than conquerors. We are seated with him in heavenly places, far above, not just above, but far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. We have been fully furnished, equipped with all we need to overcome and be victorious in this life. He has provided us with all we need. In doing this, we are well prepared to go out and do the ministry of reconciliation and edify the church through our words and deeds, as it says, hallelujah. Hallelujah. Just go out and love others, invite them to be a part of the family.
David [00:21:25]:
This is our heart. Here at emerge International Church, we desire to see you fully equipped to walk in all that God has from you. We want to edify you, to build you up, to encourage you, to give you courage, and to equip you, to fully furnish you with all you need to walk in victory every day so you can do the same for others, for all those around you. Hallelujah. What a blessing we have as we come together as the body of Christ, trusting in him, believing in him, walking in faith with him. Hallelujah. You are an overcomer. You are more than a conqueror.
David [00:22:20]:
You are victorious. Praise God. Let’s bow our heads in prayer. Father, we thank you for this time together today. We thank you for your word that tells us that we are overcomers, that we are more than conquerors, that we are victorious, Lord, in you and that we can walk in faith and confidence knowing that the devil doesn’t have anything on us. He’s defeated. We can resist him and he must run. In Jesus name.
David [00:22:56]:
He must be gone. In the name of Jesus and Father, we thank you for it. Jesus. Thank you for winning this prize for us, defeating the enemy, for overcoming for us, for being victorious for us and then giving us all this and seeding us in heavenly places with you at the right hand of our father God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Glory to God. Glory to God.
David [00:23:27]:
Habakkatasi. You are more than enough, Lord. You are always more than enough. And we thank you lord for all that you’re doing in Jesus name. God is working in you, through you, for you, with you, in every moment of every day. You go out and have a great week. Pastor Conia is coming now with a closing word and a prayer. God bless.
