Gen. 28

Introduction

• "Shock and Awe" has been a phrase we have heard many times in reference to the war with Iraq.
• I am sure this description of the war was chosen not only for military reasons, but also to have a psychological impact on the enemy.
• I recently heard one of our Generals explain a little more in detail what the name implies.
• "Shock and Awe" not only denotes the massive amount of fire-power that our military will be able to deliver, but also the precision with which they can deliver it.
• A target can be hit that exists next to an apartment building...the target destroyed, but the apartment building not touched or damaged. Many of these weapons can strike within feet of the designated target.
• This past week I was in prayer for our military and for those living in Iraq when, unexpectedly, the Lord spoke these word to me-"I am about the bring a season of 'Shock and Awe' upon My church.
• I have been asking the Lord what this means, and I want to share with you today what I sense He is saying-I'm not sure this is all that He is saying, but it is a part. I will continue to seek Him concerning these words.

I. WE ARE ENGAGED IN BOTH A SEASON OF NATURAL AND SPIRITUAL CONFLICT THAT WILL CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY AND THE CHURCH.

A. The natural conflict is very obvious.

1. Embedded newspersons are a part of all military branches, both on land and at sea.
2. Reports come to us almost instantly by television, internet and radio about the conflict.
3. Videophones broadcast live pictures via satellite of the conflict as it progresses.
4. There can be no doubt that we are engaged in a real war-we can hear and see it very vividly.
5. We hear both the good and the bad almost as soon as it happens.
6. The enemy coalition forces are facing is both ruthless and evil.
a. He abides by no rules of war, i.e., deception, chemical warfare.
b. He has no respect for even his own people, i.e., human shields, killing those who refuse to escape

B. We must not be mistaken: there is also a spiritual battle taking place as well.

1. All that we are witnessing is in the Bible...wars and rumors of wars.
2. We must be aware there is a spiritual dimension to all that we are witnessing in the natural-this is a war of good and evil-and ultimately against Israel.
3. Islam is not just a religion, but it is a strong principality and power.
4. The biblical principle is "first the natural and then the spiritual."

II. MOST WARS IN OUR RECENT HISTORY HAVE BEEN FOUGHT OVER IDEOLOGIES.

A. Revolutionary war-taxation without representation.
B. Civil war-issues of states rights and slavery.
C. World war I and II-fascism, i.e., Hitler and Mussolini
D. Korea and Vietnam-communism.
E. This conflict is about removing an evil leader from power, but it is about much more-there are strong implications that have to do with one of the major world religions-Islam.
F. Most of the Arab nations are Islamic and factions of this religion are very much opposed to both Christians and Jews.
G. For these nations there are many religious overtones to the present conflict-Americans and British are seen as Christian nation (which is highly doubtful in reality) and, of course, Israel is their hated neighbor.

III. WHAT DOES "SHOCK AND AWE" MEAN FOR THE CHURCH?

A. Two aspects of "SHOCK."

1. There are going to be more visible transactions taking place in the area of prayer.

a. Just as Jacob saw the angels ascending and descending into heaven (represents the prayers of the church), we will see more visible manifestations of answers to prayer.
b. For some, this is going to be a shock because of the types of answers we are going to see.
c. Prayer will be the "smart bombs" that will begin to destroy the works of the enemy.

2 Corinthians 10:4
4 -- for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

d. Longstanding evil is going to fall before the power of God.

2. We are being called to a higher level of spiritual awareness and a greater degree of commitment to God's purposes-victory over the enemy.

a. We are living in serious times.
b. God is looking for faithful men and women.
c. The Lord of hosts (Lord of the armies) will remove from leadership and membership those who have motives that are not pure.
d. The days of speaking against God's anointed are coming to an end.
e. This is a time to recognize that Jesus is serious about building His church because it is His army that will bring defeat to the enemy.
h. The fear of God is going to return to the house of God.

B. This is the season of "AWE."

1. We will be awed by the faithfulness of God in keeping His word.

Genesis 28:13-15
13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants.
14 "Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
15 "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

a. Every word He has promised will come to pass-now is not the time to give up-in the midst of battle it is often easy to quit.
b. He will be with us and keep us in the time of battle.
c. The gates of hell will not prevail against the church.
d. Even though the battle is extended, God's purposes will be accomplished.

2. We will be awed that we have lived to see the "house of God" being restored as He intended it to be.

Genesis 28:17
17 He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

3. We will be awed by the power that comes as we come into agreement with God's plan and purposes.

Conclusion

• There has been no time in history as exciting as the days in which we are living.
• There will be a battle, but we can be assured, the church of Jesus Christ will be triumphant.
• We can say with confidence that the enemy will fall.
  

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