I. Spiritual warfare is real (v. 12)

II. Satan is limited.

III. Christians can be victorious in every battle.

       A.  Alert

 Spiritual oppression or bad day?  (Tom Eisenman)

1) Powerlessness
2) Inner turmoil
3) Accusation
4) Doubt
5) Evil

5 times you can expect a spiritual attack: (Chip Ingram)

1) When you’re growing
2) When you’re invading enemy territory
3) When you’re exposing the enemy
4) When you’re breaking with the world
5) When you’re being preprared for God’s blessings

       D.  Prayer.  (v. l8)

IV.  Our orders:  Advance the gospel.  (vs. 15, 19-20)

I. Revival is not an:
      Event
      Emotionalism
      Excitement
      Evangelism

II. Revival is:

      An extraordinary movement of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of God’s people, producing extraordinary results.

Characteristics:

Extraordinary prayer
Extraordinary repentance
Extraordinary love
Extraordinary worship
Extraordinary witness
Extraordinary conversion

      God uses revival to redeem his purposes.

      Revival returns God’s people to Godly standards.

      Revival is one of the greatest means to reveal God’s glory.

IV. Next steps:

      Desire revival

      Study revival

      Be an instrument of revival.

Humility – a proper view of ourselves which leads us admit to our sins and acknowledge our need.

I. Why is humility important?

      It draws us to God.  (Isa. 57:15)

      Opposite of humility Pride

II. The problem with pride:  it is the root of all sins.

      How God views pride:  he opposes it.    (Prov. 16:5, 18; Jas. 4:6)

III. How to recognize pride in our lives:

      1.  How much do we pray?
      2.  Weariness
      3.  Anger
      4.  A critical spirit
      5.  Being defensive
      6.  Taking credit
      7.  Impatience
      8.  Prejudice

“The door of (spiritual) life is a door of mystery.  It becomes slightly shorter than the one who wishes to enter it.  And thus only he who bows in humility can cross its threshold.” D. L. Moody

I. Introduction

• Serving is fundamental to spiritual growth
• What prevents you from building a ministry that counts?

• Serving begins with humility (v.19)
• Serving invokes passion (v.19)
• Serving expects suffering (v.19)
• Serving calls for undying faithfulness (v.21, 22, 24)
• Serving passes on God's grace (v.24)

• The joy and fruit of serving