Hold On

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message encourages believers to persevere in their faith, reminding us that we have been equipped with the armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil. We are called to be strong in the Lord and in His strength, not relying on our own abilities or human wisdom. This teaching emphasizes the importance of holding on to our faith, even when faced with adversity and uncertainty.

Key Scripture References

• Ephesians 6:10 - "Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." In this verse, Paul exhorts believers to find their strength not in themselves, but in God's power. This is a call to trust in His ability to sustain us through life's challenges.
• Ephesians 6:11 - "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Here, Paul reminds us that we have been given spiritual armor to protect ourselves from the enemy's attacks. This is not just a metaphor; it's a call to action to put on the armor and stand firm.
• Genesis 3:1-5 - In this passage, Satan tempts Eve with the same lies that he uses today: "Did God really say...?" This is a reminder that the enemy's tactics have not changed; we must be vigilant in our faith and stand against his schemes.
• Ephesians 6:12 - "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness." Paul reminds us that our struggle is not with people, but with spiritual forces of evil. This understanding should give us a sense of urgency and purpose in our faith.
• 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - "We are hard pressed on every side; but not crushed. We are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." Here, Paul describes the challenges of being a believer in a world hostile to God's kingdom. Yet, he affirms that we can persevere through these trials because of our faith.
• Psalm 23:4 - "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil; for you are with me." This psalm reminds us that even in the midst of adversity, God is present and faithful. We can hold on to Him, even when everything else seems uncertain.
• Revelation 12:11 - "They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." This passage shows us that believers have already overcome Satan through faith in Christ. We can hold on to this truth, even when faced with adversity.

Key Takeaways

• We must be strong in the Lord and in His strength, not relying on our own abilities or human wisdom. This means trusting in God's power to sustain us through life's challenges (Ephesians 6:10).
• We have been given spiritual armor to protect ourselves from the enemy's attacks. We must put on this armor and stand firm against Satan's schemes (Ephesians 6:11).
• The enemy's tactics have not changed; we must be vigilant in our faith and stand against his lies and deceptions (Genesis 3:1-5).
• We struggle with spiritual forces of evil, not people. This understanding should give us a sense of urgency and purpose in our faith (Ephesians 6:12).

This Week's Challenge

Take time this week to reflect on your own struggles and challenges. Ask yourself: "Am I relying on my own strength or God's power?" Make a conscious decision to put on the armor of God and stand firm against Satan's schemes. Pray for the strength and courage to persevere in your faith, even when faced with adversity.

Reflection Questions

• What are some areas in my life where I feel like I'm struggling to hold on to my faith? How can I trust God's power to sustain me through these challenges?
• How can I put on the armor of God this week, and stand firm against Satan's schemes? What specific actions can I take to protect myself from his attacks?
• Reflect on a time when you felt like giving up in your faith. How did God show up and sustain you through that difficult season? What can we learn from those experiences about holding on to our faith?