Key: Resist

RESIST the devil and establish Christ’s victory

The team accepted spiritual warfare as a daily reality. They sought to grow in the disciplines of personal prayer and group intercessory prayer to wage war more effectively.^[1] They were encouraged remembering Jesus’ words to His 72 workers, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to…overcome all the power of the enemy….” [2]

Jesus Christ already won the victory! However, Stephanas didn’t want his team to make the mistake of assuming that Christ’s victory meant they would not encounter suffering. They were all aware of the kinds of things Paul and his team went through—imprisonments, beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, etc. Is this related to a higher spiritual price from pushing back the darkness?[3] Whatever the cause, suffering is a common factor in pioneering church planting movements.

Workers intent on church planting movements must always be on their guard, to watch, fight, and pray.

[2] Luke 10:18-19

[3] Rev. 12:11-12