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The bible says that the Lord fights our battles, and that the victory belongs to him. There is an unseen battle that is still taking place. The outcome is set, Jesus is the one who wins – will you be on the winning side? There is so much we don’t understand about the spiritual realm. Once we understand where the battle is, and where to join the victorious one – then we too will be victorious.
Welcome back to Redemption Church in Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt and I love God’s Word and am excited to share it with you.
Greetings to everyone with us in-person and everyone joining us online. Blessings in the name of Jesus to you all.
Unseen Battle
We are the 3rd week of our series Unseen Battle.
In week 1 we told you to identify the battle.
Ephesians 6:12(NIV)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
We have a struggle, but our struggle is not against flesh & blood… We are not at war against people but spiritual forces. We are in a spiritual war.
Spiritual Warfare – A conflict in the unseen angelic realm that is affecting the physical, visible realm.
In week 2 we talked about some of your spiritual weapons. Spiritual enemies require spiritual weapons.
The armor of God, the blood of Jesus, and prayer & fasting are some of our weapons to use in this struggle.
We also talked about the purpose of prayer and what it really means when prayers are not answered like we wanted.
Today in week 3, I want to talk to you about the location of the battle.
Location of the battle
The location of the battle is a major tactical advantage in war.
There are some terrains that favor foot soldiers and not tanks.
There are some positions that will provide cover from the eyes of snipers and their bullets.
The location of higher ground is an advantage every soldier tries to take.
On a light note… It is as Obi Wan Kenobi said – It’s over Anakin. I have the high ground.
Where is the location of this spiritual battle?
Location of the battle
Is the location of the battle at the church building?
Is it in the church sanctuary? Is it on the platform or perhaps the altar?
Some religions suggest a pilgrimage be made to a holy land… is that the location of the battle?
Our battle is not with humans. Our struggle is with invisible, spiritual, enemies… so where is the location of this battle?
We have read the answer to this question, already.
Ephesians 6:12(NIV)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
See any locations?
“Against the powers of this dark world…” so we fight here on Earth? The Greek word for world is “aiōn” and it does not mean Earth, but instead means age or period of time. It is where we get the English word “eon.” This is not a location, but keep reading…
“…and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Heavenly Realms
The enemy is in heavenly realms… That might be a surprise to us, because it sure seems like the enemy is on earth. Some of you could swear that the enemy is in your office at work, or your 5th period classroom at school, or even closer in your family, marriage, or your mind…
“For our struggle is… against the spiritual forces of evil IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS.
Your Bible actually speaks of 3 heavens – the sky, outer space, God’s throne room.
I want us to think about God’s throne room. I want you to think about the highest heaven. I want you to consider that this is where the real battle takes place.
Is your attention on earth or in heavenly realms?
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians constantly brings our attention back to the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 1:3(NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
God is in a heavenly place.
Your spiritual blessings THAT ARE in Christ are in heavenly places.
Do you think you need God in this unseen battle? Where is God? THE HEAVENLY REALM
Do you think you need spiritual blessings in this unseen battle? Where are your spiritual blessings? THE HEAVENLY REALM.
Listen up earthlings! There is a higher place and we must lift up our eyes, past a physical place and to a spiritual place.
Ephesians 1:18-21(NIV) 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.
Do you think a resurrected Christ who is far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name is needed in this unseen battle? Where is this Christ located? Heavenly Realms!
God is in Heavenly Realms!
Every Spiritual blessing is in Heavenly Realms!
A resurrected Jesus with all power and authority is in Heavenly Realms!
You might be thinking… “yeah but I am here on Earth, what good does this teaching about heavenly realms do for me?”
Ephesians 2:6(NIV) And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus
Raised with Christ. Seated with Christ. In heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
If you think this is about the rapture where believers are caught up to heaven… think again! This is written in past tense. When God raised up Christ… He raised up ALL those that have faith in Christ! When God raised up Christ it gave you access to your own resurrection.
Romans 6:4(NIV) We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
We have been given a new SPIRITUAL life and given authority and access to a new SPIRITUAL location! Seated with CHRIST, on His throne, IN HEAVENLY REALMS.
You are doing too much fighting on earth. The battle is in heavenly places.
You do too much arguing with your mouth and texting. The battle is in heavenly places.
You struggle too much with your habits and your discipline. The battle is in heavenly places.
Where is your battle being fought? Is your focus only on the things of earth?
Colossians 3:1(NIV) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
SET your mind… If you let your mind wander around by default you will always focus on earthly things. You have to SET YOUR MIND ABOVE.
Jesus prayed this in Matthew 6…
Matthew 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Father we look up to your heavenly throne… where you are… where your Kingdom is… where your will is done… Let your kingdom and will come from heaven to Earth.
No one is sick in heaven. It is not God’s will or kingdom to have sick people in pain… Let that same will come to Earth and heal!
No one is depressed, addicted, impoverished, hateful, deceived in Heaven, because it is not Your will… Let that same will come to earth. Let that same Kingdom come to earth.
Kingdom = King’s Domain
Kingdom means a king’s domain. Heaven is our King’s domain… and it is our job on earth to make our home the King’s domain. …Our school or workplace the King’s domain. …our mind the King’s domain. …Our family and marriage. …our city, our country, our world…
Your KINGDOM COME to Earth Lord!
The unseen battle in heavenly realms effects the Earth.
So when we join the unseen battle in HEAVENLY REALMS it will affect earth. Your Spiritual warfare can bring heaven down to earth… His Kingdom down to Earth… His Will down to Earth.
This is what miracles are… His Kingdom coming to Earth!
This is what answered prayer is… His Will being done on Earth!
This is what salvation is…
This is what is really happening when a drug addict gets delivered…
This is what really happens when someone suicidal and depressed gets delivered…
This is what happens when a lost soul is found, forgiven and filled!
We are so focused on what gets done on Earth, that we forget it came from HEAVEN!
Your Father is in heavenly places. Your blessings are in heavenly places. Your savior is in heavenly places. You are meant to sit on the throne with him in heavenly places.
Your prayers need to touch heaven.
Your worship needs to touch heaven.
You are meant to do battle in heaven places and see the result on earth.
Our prayer sometimes doesn’t leave the room. They need to reach heavenly places…
Our spiritual dedication might not live past Sunday.
Our faith ought to reach the throne room of God.
We can spend an entire day without ever talking to our God… or focusing on his Kingdom & will.
Heaven & Earth
Earth is important. The gospel preaches that so loudly. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD… It is why Jesus came to Earth!
Heaven is important. The gospel preaches that loudly as well. Jesus ascended into Heaven and promised that where He is, we shall be also.
If we really care about Heaven, we will focus our life on Earth… towards God’s will & Kingdom.
If we really care about EARTH, we will focus our Spiritual life on Heaven… towards God’s will & Kingdom.
Let’s do battle today.
What on earth do you care about? The answer is in heavenly places.
God, we are people on Earth, help us to reach heavenly places. Hear our cry.
You said, we are seated with Christ. Help us to bring your Kingdom to Earth.
Lord, let the Miracle come to Earth. Lord, let the answer come from Heaven.
Stock earth with heaven
The essence of the battle is spiritual
The location of the battle is heavenly
The source of the battle is satan.
Revelation 12:7-9(NIV) Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
1 Corinthians 10:31(NIV) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 2:11(NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Corinthains 11:3(NIV) But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Ephesians 6:10(NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.