HillsongNYC Notes from 1/29/12

Pastor Carl Lentz

Title: Fight Now, or Forever Hold Your Peace— Part 2

Have you ever realized you had access to something great…but it was too late??

There is a window of opportunity for Christians if you stand up for God NOW. You will be blessed! It’s time to fight for this city! It’s time to fight for the calling on your life!

If you’re not fighting…then you’re not fighting. So don’t criticize those who are.

The answer and the problem: No body else is coming; this fight is ours!

1 Samuel 17:45-49 (NIV)

⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶ This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

 ⁴⁸ As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. ⁴⁹ Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

Symbolism in the scripture: Galieth represents NYC…David represents the church!

Do not allow the enemy to take up land he does not own! How can you occupy ALL streets if the enemy is occupying YOUR street?

The fight is raging…are you going to fight?

If you feel like things in your life have been stolen by the enemy…then take them back!!!

Ephesians 1:17-21 (NIV)

¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritof wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

*The same power is in YOU!!*

Two weapons of our warfare:

1- The weapon called purity: If you allow sin to find a home in your life, then don’t be surprised when your gun malfunctions in the middle of the battle!

Psalm 24:4-6

⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not trust in an idol
   or swear by a false god. ⁵ They will receive blessing from the LORD
   and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
   who seek your face, God of Jacob.

((Pay close attention to the word vindication here…))

Proverbs 28:1
 ¹ The wicked flee though no one pursues,
   but the righteous are as *bold as a lion.*

**If you want to fight, there is no mixture— it’s a straight shot! All or nothing!! You can’t have a little bit of this and a little bit of that…love and hate…sex and purity…if you do, you’re like a spork, haha!**

It’s going to take all of your life…every part! All Jesus- all the time!

If you want to dominate on the “scene” you have to be disciplined in the “unseen!”

Sometimes the boldest thing you can do is NOT go there! It might not be your season. All of your friends may be going, but it’s not for you. Know your limitations and live by them.

Quick side note on dating:

See how people act in different seasons…Are they on a ‘spiritual high’ right now? What about after time? (Ex: summer love)

…And don’t ever disciple the person you’re trying to date! They should be sprinting so fast towards God that you have to do the same in order to keep up!

What do you do if you have personal struggles??
-1. Stop lying
-2. Stop talking
-3. Start praying

2- A weapon called worship: Choose to praise God when you’re going through it, not just when you get it…

Acts 16:25-30

²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. ²⁷ The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

 ²⁹ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

When you worship- chains are broken. Your tragic story can turn on a dime! Worship when you’re in prison…watch how God will set you free!!

***I thank God for this church and how He is miraculously working through it. I am learning so much!***