TIME TO ARISE AND BATTLE

1. Introduction

Mt 11:12 “Kingdom advances forcefully – forceful men lay hold”

· Kingdom is the realm where Jesus rules, His word is obeyed.

· Requires a forceful attitude to obtain God’s promises, to advance God’s interests.

· Every advancement of the purpose of God encounters resistance from spiritual powers.

2. Understanding the Prophetic Season

Ecc.3:1 “To everything there is a season, time for every purpose.

cf Ecc 8:5-6

· Season – an appointed time, period during which conditions for certain action.

· Must recognise season and cooperate with timing, prophetic purpose of God.

· Everything must be in balance: Love/Hate; War/Peace.

· Dt.2:3 Compassed this mountain long enough = change in season – timing.

· Mountain – that which resisted the purpose of God, original plan – turn = changed mentality – v24 “contend in Battle”.

3. Face Your Strongholds

Stronghold – fortified position, system thinking contrary to the Word of God.

(a) Definition – Home of Lies – place of demonic spirits – meditate, live

and operate

- Mindset that opposes knowledge of God, filled with deception.

· Like a mountain you go around and around – pattern of sin, failure, immaturity.

· Pattern of sin : Person believes lies, unable to change, repetitive sin. Heb. 12:2 “lay aside every weight, sin – Focus on Jesus.

· Pattern of ‘childishness’ – person remain irresponsible, immature instead of growing up.

- 1 Corinthians 3:11 – spoke, understood and reasoned as a child. – Put away childish thing.

(b) Develop Progressively

Begin with a willingness to co-operate.

· Thoughts (feelings) – action (feeling) – habits – character – destiny (lifesyle)

· Supporting strongholds, build that which co-operates to reinforce lie.

e.g. stealing – lying

sexual sin – deception

e.g. Rejection – fear – fantasy.

i) Oppose the knowledge of God – intimacy, relationship

ii) Oppose purpose of God – frustrate prophetic destiny

iii) Limit potential what could be and could do.

iv) Fills mind/emotions with lies/deception – “that is just me” and controls life.

John 8:32 – requires truth to set us free.

Dt. 2:36 – there was not one city too strong for us – Lord delivered all to us.

· All things are possible to him that believes!

· Key to victory The Lord delivered all into our hands – timing, obedience, engaged the enemy.

· God worked with them and on their behalf to ensure victory.

· We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Ro. 8:32)

4. Engage the Enemy

Dt 2:24 I have given into your hand … begin to possess it, contend with him in the battle.

· Promise of Victory assured – “I have given” – You must believe God.

· Sihon – represents the demonic realm that resists and opposes advancement.

§ Sihon = to wipe away by storm, tempestuous or stormy

§ Amork = one that dwells in the mountains or high places

§ Heshbon = device, reasoning, something fabricated, a device

· Our enemies are unseen spiritual forces that operate from spirit world.

· Battle is not with people (flesh and blood) but spiritual forces.

· Must recognise the nature of the conflict and understand how to win.

· Rise up and take your Journey

· Rise up – to stir up, stand up, decree = New mentality attitude.

· Take journey = to pull the tent pins = prepare self for change by pulling out everything that keeps you locked to where your live.

· Possess and Contend

· Possess = to occupy by driving out the previous inhabitants and take their place – whatever has ruled your life you must take dominion and dispossess.

· Contend = to stir up, cause to anger, create a dispute – deliberate decision to confront what has kept you held down.

· Battle – an engagement, face to face conflict, rt to prevail over.

· No quick fix to long standing personal issues – engage with victory in mind.

· V36 Not one too strong for us (strong = inaccessible, exalted, high place).