496 Years Later, Faith Alone! Grace Alone!

Reformation Sunday is celebrated as close to October 31 as possible.  Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the Church Door at Wittenburg on October 31, 1517.

Our Wonderful Pentecostal/Charismatic Movement and the Assemblies of God are a product of the Protestant Reformation.

Instead of providing the full outline, I've chosen 3 venues to alert you to the value of the Reformation.

AUDIO, listen on the Internet a radio program done by www.apologetics.com   This is for thinkers!

2 Hour Teaching Radio Program on the Reformation, done in 2008.

95 Theses of Martin Luther

Watch The Luther Trailer from 2003, then Watch the Movie 

Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly illustrate the principle of faith alone and grace alone.  Enjoy your faith today and be thankful for the Reformation.

The Testimony, the Treasure and the Triumph

Introduction

The Church @ Colossae was placed in a culture of confusion.  People were quick to run to the latest mystical teacher or performer to try to discover the newest experience or religious expression. They had mixed the pagan practices of their culture with Jewish law and Christian practice. As a result they had no joy, they were slipping into immorality and dysfunction and they were dependent on the false teachers that created and unrealistic and depressing worldview.

They were confused.

America resembles the Church at Colossae

Today, we are in a culture that has devalued the Bible as irrelevant and discounted Christ as anything more than a necessary religious option in case of difficulty or problems.  Our rich heritage of Christianity in America is eroding before our very eyes. 

While churches are closing and suffering low attendance, the restaurants, malls and entertainment venues of sports and recreation have replaced Jesus with idols of pleasure and personal satisfaction.

We do not have to settle for a Baal worshipping, narcissitic culture.  It does NOT have to be inevitable. 

 Paul wrote to the Colossians to encourage and build them up about what they already had in Christ.  

What He referenced 2000 years ago now applies to us. 

In Christ You have a Testimony, a Treasure and a Triumph.  Turn to Colossians 1:3

Colossians 1:3–2:15 (ESV)

The Testimony  1:3-14

³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, ⁵ because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ⁶ which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, ⁷ just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf ⁸ and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. ⁹ And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. ¹¹ May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. ¹³ He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

The Treasure  Colossians 1:15-2:5

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. ²¹ And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, ²² he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, ²³ if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. 

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, ²⁵ of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶ the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ²⁷ To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹ For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. ¹ For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

Jesus used this same word for treasure θησαυρός

when He said:

“19   “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Matthew 6:19–20 ESV

Paul continues....

⁴ I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 

The Triumph  Colossians 2:6-15

⁶ Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. ⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, ¹⁰ and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. ¹¹ In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. ¹³ And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴ by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.

You have a testimony, you have a treasure and you can triumph.

List of Kings of Israel and Judah

This is for my students in Old Testament Literature and those who care.  There are 2 very important concepts in learning to value and appreciate the Old Testament.

The first is Geography.  You have to have a basic understanding of the land of the Bible.

There are 3 parts to the fertile Crescent represented by this map.  1. Egypt   2.Palestine/Israel   3. Mesopotamia

The Second is Chronology.  You have to understand when things happened behind the text of the Old Testament.

Today I discovered a nice tool in Accordance Bible Software where you could select a timeline area, and it would create a list with dates and Scripture references.  I'm posting it here so the Scriptures will be hyperlinked. (Thank you Reftagger)

ISRAEL from United Monarchy to Exile[1]

                        David -1012/1011 to -972/971 (2Sam. 2-1Kings 2)

                        Solomon -971 to -931 (1Kings 3-11)

Kings of Judah

                        

Rehoboam -931/930 to -913 (1Kings 14:21-31)

                        Abijah, Abijam -913 to -911/910 (1Kings 15:1-8)

                        Asa -911/910 to -870/869 (1Kings 15:9-24)

                        Jehoshaphat -872/871 to -848 (1Kings 22:2-50)

                        Jehoram -853 to -841 (2Kings 8:16-24)

                        Ahaziah (Judah) -841 (2Kings 8:25-29)

                        Joash -835 to -796 (2Kings 12)

                        Amaziah -796 to -767 (2Kings 14:1-22)

                        Uzziah, Azariah -792/791 to -740/739 (2Kings 15:1-7; 2Chr. 26)

                        Jotham -750 to -732/731 (2Kings 15:32-38)

                        Ahaz -735 to -716/715 (2Kings 16)

                        Hezekiah -729 to -687/686 (2Kings 18-20)

                        Manasseh -697/696 to -643/642 (2Kings 21:1-18)

                        Amon -643/642 to -641/640 (2Kings 21:19-26)

                        Josiah -641/640 to -609 (2Kings 22:1-23:30)

                        Jehoahaz (Judah) -609 (2Kings 23:31-35)

                        Jehoiakim -609 to -598 (2Kings 23:36-24:6)

                        Jehoiachin -598 to -597 (2Kings 24:8-17)

                        Zedekiah -597 to -586 (2Kings 24:18-25:7)

Kings of Israel

Jeroboam -931/930 to -910/909 (1Kings 11:26-14:20; 2Chr. 10:2-16; 13:1-20)

                        Nadab -910/909 to -909/908 (1Kings 15:25-32)

                        Baasha -909/908 to -886/885 (1Kings 15:33-16:7)

                        Elah -886/885 to -885/884 (1Kings 16:8-14)

                        Omri -885/884 to -874/873 (1Kings 16:15-28)

                        Ahab -874/873 to -853 (1Kings 16:20-22:40)

                        Ahaziah (Israel) -853 to -852 (1Kings 22:51-53; 2Kings 1)

                        Joram -852 to -841 (2Kings 3:1-3)

                        Jehu -841 to -814/813 (2Kings 9-10)

                        Jehoahaz (Israel) -814–813 to -798 (2Kings 13:1-9)

                        Jehoash, Joash (Israel) -798 to -782/781 (2Kings 13:10-13)

                        Jeroboam II -793/792 to -753 (2Kings 14:23-29)

                        Zechariah (Israel) -753 to -752 (2Kings 15:8-12)

                        Menahem -752 to -742/741 (2Kings 15:17-22)

                        Pekah -752 to -732/731 (2Kings 15:27-31)

                        Pekahiah -742/741 to -740/739 (2Kings 15:23-26)

                        Hoshea -732/731 to -723/722 (2Kings 17:1-6)

---

[1] Dan Langston, Ph.D. SAGU, 9/14/13, developed for Old Testament Literature students from Accordance Bible Software timeline tool. 

The Deity of Jesus

This past Sunday, our message was on Why We Believe.  We focused on the Assemblies of God doctrine number 3, The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Below are the subheadings with the respective scripture portions for further study and reflection.  May the Lord bless you as you focus on His word.

  His Virgin Birth

Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Luke 1:31
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Luke 1:35
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

His Sinless Life

Hebrews 7:26
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
1 Peter 2:22
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

His Miracles

Acts 2:22
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

His Substitutionary Work on the Cross

1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

His Bodily Resurrection from the Dead

Matthew 28:6
He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Luke 24:39
See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
1 Corinthians 15:4
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

His Exaltation to the Right Hand of God

Acts 1:9
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
Acts 1:11
and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Acts 2:33
Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
Philippians 2:9–11
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hebrews 1:3
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 

Unselfish Praying

Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray.  When His disciples asked him how to pray, He answered. In Luke 11:1-10 you see His response.  Prayer works when nothing else will. While serving on the faculty  @ SAGU, I had the privilege of leading prayer teams around campus during a two-year prayer emphasis led by then President of the University, Dr. Delmer Guynes.  As church members came from around the region to pray, unselfishly for our campus, things begin to change.  There was an enrollment increase that lasted for 10 years.  There were hiring and decision-making miracles.  God was moving in our chapel services.  Around the campus, prayer was changing things.

I've seen God work when we decide to pray.  Whether it's a personal burden or problem, or that of your church or family, why not bring it to Jesus.


“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.””
(Mark 11:22–25 ESV)

The miracle in this passage is not just that the believers get what they ask for, (certainly in accordance with His will.  Why would you want anything but the will of God?), but it extends as FAR as answers to prayers for forgiveness.  It's called GOOD NEWS for a reason.

Pray now.  Pray tomorrow. Make the decision to let God into your life and find an amazing life purpose.

Consider the high comparison that Jesus makes between the privilege of relationship with Him and trying to succeed on the world's terms:


“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”(John 10:10 ESV)

If you are already a believer, consider taking your prayers to the next level.  Join the 7:14 Movement

Prayer Resources can also be found @ http://prayer.ag.org

This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday!  Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit.  He told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they are endued with power from on high.  Today, I'm putting in links to another blog post and a new set of resources from the Assemblies of God.


The other blog, Holy Spirit Resources contains links, Scriptures and several sermon links to messages on the Holy Spirit.  I believe that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for every believer, regardless of your denomination and it is available today.  Will you hunger and thirst for righteousness and find in Him all that you need for meaning and purpose in your life?

Here is link for 2013 emphasis from the Assemblies of God.

http://www.holyspirit.ag.org 

Or just check out these Scriptures

Acts 1:7-8

Acts 2:4

Acts 10:44-46

John 7:37-39

You might also want to read about the first outpouring of the Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy about Jesus in

Acts 2:1-42

It's for today, It's from Jesus, and It's for you.

Ask and receive that your joy may be full.

The End of the Devil

C.S. Lewis was right about the devil.  He said in Screwtape Letters that there are generally too approaches to the demonic.  One is to be overly obsessed with them.  The other is to act as if they don't exist.  Neither approach is reasonable.

The Bible is not objective about the work of Satan.  It is purely one-sided.  :-)  He is the enemy of God.

I don't have a need to give you every verse reference about the Devil. With the help of Accordance Here are are few:

Satan  (53)

1 Chr 21:1  Then  Satan stood against Israel

Job 1:6  Lord, and  Satan  also came

Job 1:7  Lord said to Satan, “From 

you come?” Satan answered the Lord

Job 1:8  Lord said to Satan, “Have 

Job 1:9  Then Satan answered the Lord and said

Job 1:12  Lord said to Satan, “Behold

hand.” So Satan went out from 

Job 2:1  Lord, and Satan also came among

Job 2:2  Lord said to Satan, “From 

you come?” Satan answered the Lord

Job 2:3  Lord said to Satan, “Have 

Job 2:4  Then Satan answered the Lord and said

Job 2:6  Lord said to Satan, “Behold

Job 2:7  ¶ So Satan went out from the 

Zech 3:1  Lord, and  Satan  standing at 

Zech 3:2  Lord said to Satan,  “

you, O Satan! The Lord

Matt 4:10  gone,  Satan! For  

Matt 12:26  And if Satan casts out Satan, 

Satan casts out Satan, he is 

Matt 16:23   behind me, Satan! You are

Mark 1:13  tempted by  Satan. And he 

Mark 3:23  How can Satan cast out Satan

How can Satan cast out Satan?

Mark 3:26  And if Satan has risen up against

Mark 4:15   they hear, Satan immediately comes and

Mark 8:33   behind me, Satan! For you 

Luke 10:18  I saw Satan  fall like

Luke 11:18  And if Satan also is divided against

Luke 13:16  Abraham whom  Satan bound for eighteen

Luke 22:3  Then  Satan entered into  

Luke 22:31  behold,  Satan demanded to have 

John 13:27  the morsel,  Satan entered into him

Acts 5:3  why has  Satan filled your heart

Acts 26:18  the power of Satan to God, 

Rom 16:20  will soon crush Satan under your feet

1 Cor 5:5   this man to Satan for the destruction

1 Cor 7:5  so that Satan may not tempt

2 Cor 2:11  not be outwitted by Satan; for  we are not

2 Cor 11:14   wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as

2 Cor 12:7  a messenger of Satan to harass me

1 Thess 2:18   again—but Satan  hindered us

2 Thess 2:9   the activity of Satan  with all

1 Tim 1:20  handed over to Satan that they may 

1 Tim 5:15  For some have already strayed after Satan.

Rev 2:9   not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Rev 2:13   was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Rev 2:24  deep things of Satan, to you

Rev 3:9  the synagogue of Satan who say that

Rev 12:9   the devil and Satan,  the 

Rev 20:2   the devil and Satan, and  

Rev 20:7  ended,  Satan will be released

Satan’s  (1)

Rev 2:13  dwell,  where Satan’s throne is. 

The reason for the post, however is to talk about his end.

There will be a day when the Devil will go away.  Death will be swallowed up in victory 
(1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

his end is inevitable.  his destruction is certain.  This was our Scripture reading @ Bethel this past Sunday. Be blessed to read of  his termination.

9 And  the great dragon was thrown down,  that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan,  the deceiver of the whole world— he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.  10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now  the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers  has been thrown down,  who accuses them day and night before our God.  11 And  they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for  they loved not their lives  even unto death. 

Spiritual Warfare

Here is a sermon preached @ Bethel on 3/3/2013.  There is a real Devil and Spiritual Warfare is taking place constantly.  The word of God gives many examples to help us deal with the Christian warriors assessment of the battle we are in.

Remember that when you click on a Scripture reference, you can click "More" and see the reference in a different version other than the ESV if you prefer.

Spiritual Warfare

Introduction

At the Memorial service for the Oklahoma City bombing, before 911, Billy Graham began his remarks by referring to one of the mothers whose children had died in the daycare:  “Dr. Graham, why would God let this happen?”....to which he replied I don’t know why God would let this happen, but I know why it happened.  It was Sin.  HE went on to describe how mankinds insistence to sin has caused pain, misery and destruction. Romans 3:23

Today, If you ask that question,...you’ll find....there is a fatalism that simply says 

problems just happen and there is no cause and effect with evil.

The world has developed a  deaf  ear  to the reality of Spiritual warfare.  

This is true even in the church

What does the Bible say about Spiritual Warfare?

 There is a real Devil. He wants to send you and I to a real hell. He is antagonistic against God and all who serve Him.  He’s out to kill us.  If he can’t kill us he will make us miserable and destroy our families, our relationships, finances, careers and our joy. 

On the other hand.....

The Bible assures us of this one fact.  Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

There are realities about Spiritual warfare that we must know and understand 

1. Spiritual Warriors have Good Intelligence

Jesus was speaking.....

Luke 22:31   “Simon, Simon, behold,  Satan demanded to have you,   that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but  I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again,  strengthen your brothers.” 

1 Pet 5:8  Be sober-minded;  be watchful. Your  adversary the devil  prowls around  like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 

2 Corinthians 2:10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,  11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for  we are not ignorant of his designs.  

Paul was talking about the Antichrist when he said:

2 Thessalonians 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God,  proclaiming himself to be God.    

 1 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 

2. Spiritual Warriors have the Best Weapons

In Iraq, preparing for a memorial service, with another chaplain.....soldiers were moving around and setting up, and an M16 was sitting by a chair.  The Chaplain in charge said:  “Uh, SGT, left your gun over here.  The 2-3 soldiers standing nearbly stopped talking stared at him and one female soldier rolled her eyes and said “It’s not a gun, Chaplain it’s a weapon”

Soldiers know their weapons 

a. Salvation Ephesians 6:17 and take  the helmet of salvation, and  the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 

b. Word of God Hebrews 4:12 For  the word of God is living and  active,  sharper than any  two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and  discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  

2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.

c. Holy Spirit

Luke 11:11 What father among you, if his son asks for  a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then,  who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father  give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Romans 5:3 Not only that, but we  rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering  produces endurance,  4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  5 and  hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love  has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 

3. Spiritual Warriors use right tactics 

 James  4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  

Spiritual warfare is not that hard....RESIST! AND HE WILL FLEE

Jude 9 But when  the archangel  Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing  about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said,  “The Lord rebuke you.”  

4. Spiritual Warriors are connected to the Commander

Before King David would go up against the Philistines....he inquired of the Lord.

2 Samuel 5:19 And David  inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”  20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.”  Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.  21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. 

2 Samuel 5:22   And the Philistines came up yet again  and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.  23  And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.  24 And  when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself,  for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”  

Later in the NT, 

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest  prayer for him was made to God by the church. 

Acts 12:6   Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers,  bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.  7 And behold,  an angel of the Lord  stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell.  He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And  the chains fell off his hands.  8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and  put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”  9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but  thought he was seeing a vision.  10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city.  It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.  11 When Peter  came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that  the Lord has sent his angel and  rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 

you can read on....but Jesus breaks every fetter.

Paul describes how  equipment and the connection to the Commander make for victory:

Ephesians 6:10   Finally,  be strong in the Lord and in  the strength of his might.  11  Put on  the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against  the schemes of the devil.  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, against  the spiritual forces of evil  in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore  take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in  the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  14 Stand therefore,  having fastened on the belt of truth, and  having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  15 and,  as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  16 In all circumstances take up  the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all  the flaming darts of  the evil one;  

Ephesians 6:17 and take  the helmet of salvation, and  the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  18 praying  at all times  in the Spirit,  with all prayer and supplication. 

To that end  keep alert with all perseverance, making  supplication for all the saints,  19 and  also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth  boldly to proclaim  the mystery of the gospel,  20 for which I  am an ambassador  in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. 

Do You want to be effective in Spiritual Warfare? Do You want to not only have courage but see results?  Take this Good News WITH you.  Get Connected to the Commander!

Bring your vessels....not a few. Elisha and the widow in 2 Kings 4