Senior Pastor Josh Howerton of Lakepointe Church in Dallas dives into the significance of understanding spiritual warfare. He powerfully articulates that the church's mission is akin to a battleship, urging believers to recognize their roles in this fight. The discussion includes the necessity of evangelism, emphasizing Jesus as the sole path to God. Through personal stories and biblical parables, Howerton highlights God’s unwavering love for the lost and the importance of authentic relationships in guiding others towards faith.
The importance of mentorship in faith is highlighted, showcasing how spiritual leaders need guidance and support throughout their journey.
The church is portrayed as a battleship rather than a cruise ship, emphasizing its mission focused on making disciples rather than providing comfort.
Believers are encouraged to be proactive in spiritual warfare, standing firm in their faith against adversity while sharing the gospel actively.
Deep dives
Significance of the Moment
The speaker expresses a deep sense of anticipation while preparing to preach, particularly at this specific venue, highlighting that this moment is significant for him. This stems from his personal journey in faith, as he reflects on the importance of having a mentor in his life who has greatly influenced him over the years. He shares how he listens to this mentor's teachings every Monday morning, using this time to reflect and rejuvenate his spirit. This emotional connection underscores the importance of community and mentorship in a spiritual leader's life, emphasizing that they, too, need guidance and support.
Church as a Battleship
The speaker contrasts the church with a cruise ship by highlighting how many people enter churches with expectations tailored for comfort and entertainment, instead of recognizing that the church should function more like a battleship. He emphasizes that the church's primary mission is not to cater to individual preferences but to fulfill a divine mission of making disciples. This call to action is underscored by the notion that believers are engaged in a spiritual battle, reinforcing the idea that the church exists to mobilize its members to confront challenges and spread the gospel. The speaker urges the congregation to adopt a mindset oriented towards mission and purpose rather than personal comfort.
The Nature of Spiritual Warfare
The speaker articulates the reality of spiritual warfare in the life of a believer, declaring that making peace with God invites adversity from an enemy. He explains that when individuals begin their faith journey, they gain not just a heavenly father but also a spiritual foe that seeks to undermine their faith. This dichotomy introduces the idea that believers must be vigilant and prepared, symbolized by the metaphor of armor as depicted in Ephesians 6. By acknowledging this warfare, the speaker encourages the audience to be proactive and stand firm in their faith against opposition.
The Call to Evangelism
The speaker emphasizes the urgency of evangelism, particularly focusing on the need for believers to actively share their faith in a world that is often unfriendly to Christianity. Using Romans 10, he articulates the importance of spreading the gospel and highlights that faith comes from hearing the message of Christ. The discussion reveals that believers are not just to live righteously but also to verbally share their faith with others, presenting the gospel in their everyday interactions. By doing so, they can help others move closer to Christ, demonstrating that each conversation is an opportunity to influence someone's spiritual journey.
The Journey of Faith
The speaker concludes by presenting the idea that conversion is often a gradual process rather than a singular event, illustrated through a personal story about a friend who took years to find faith. He contrasts the dramatic conversion of Paul, who experienced an immediate transformation, with the more nuanced spiritual journey of others, likened to a dimmer switch. This perspective invites listeners to understand that every small action towards faith can make a difference. The speaker encourages perseverance and consistent outreach to those around them, reinforcing the message that the gospel's power remains effective over time.
We are at war. You can’t accomplish the right mission with the wrong pair of shoes. This week, Senior Pastor Josh Howerton of Lakepointe Church in Dallas, Texas, walks us through the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace.
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The Church of Eleven22® is a movement for all people to discover and deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ. Eleven22 is led by Pastor Joby Martin and based in Jacksonville, Florida, with multiple campuses throughout Jacksonville and the surrounding areas.
To find out more about how God is moving at Eleven22, go to CoE22.com
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