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WHY CHURCH? BATTLE READY – THE TIME IS NOW!

Pastor Sherry Cook NLC 6/29/2025

The Kingdom calls for, Impact, not just Church attendance.

• Matt 11:12: From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of

heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

WHY CHURCH?

• Saved - WHERE WE RAISE OUR HANDS/ENLIST – SERVING AND

LEADERSHIP

• Discipled – WHERE WE CONNECT AND GROW WITH FELLOW BELIEVERS;

GET OUR BATTLE BUDDY/ FOXHOLE PARTNER.

• Trained - WHERE WE RECEIVE OUR EQUIPMENT/LEARN TO FIGHT - WE L

OUR OPERATING MANUAL (THE BIBLE) AND UNDERSTAND THE MISSION

POINT #1: Build Before the Storm Comes - The Time is NOW for Growth &

Discipleship: Eph 6:17 tells us the Word of God is the “sword of the Spirit.”

Heb 10:24–25 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and

good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but

encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

• (Prov 27:17 iron sharpening iron. 2 Tim 3:16-17 ESV All Scripture is breathed

out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for

training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for

every good work.

POINT #2: It’s Time to Recruit! The Time is NOW for Evangelism (Matt 9:37: Then

he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

(Eph 5:15-16 says: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

• Gal 5:25: Keep in step with the Spirit. When God says move, He means, move

with a sense of urgency; do it NOW! (With URGENCY The quality of being very

important and needing immediate attention).

• 2 Cor 6:2 – “Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

• John 4:35 – “The fields are white for harvest.”

Eph 5:17 says: Vs. 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as

wise,

Think of the Acronym SAFE: Support, Affirmation, Fruit of the Spirit, &

Encouragement

S – Support - Show the love of Christ and give grace.

A - Affirmation: Identity & discipleship

F – Fruit of the Spirit – Are you a walking fruit basket?

E –Encouragement –- encourage them to come as they are Acts 1:8 –You will be

My witnesses… to the ends of the earth.

POINT #3: Ready or Not, the Battle Has Begun – The Time is NOW for Spiritual

Warfare: 1 Peter 5:8-11: 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil

prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him,

standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers

throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the

God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have

suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and

steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone

to devour (vs 8).

• (Psalms 144:1) Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war,

my fingers for battle.

• Deut. 20:4 tells us: For the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for

you against your enemies, to give you the victory.

• Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

•Proverbs 18:10 (ESV): 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Psalms 91 tells us the Lord is

our refuse and our fortress –10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the

righteous man runs into it and is safe.

POINT #4: Get Ready to be Sent - Formation & Mission Training:

Ephesians 4:4 - You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same

direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.

• Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together

in unity!

• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other

up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if

two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm

alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

Life Application/Call to Action: Are we battle ready OR battlefield absent?

Remember, God has positioned you for this moment. Don’t waste it.

• Join the Body – Accept, Rededicate, Join

• Build the Body – Stay strengthened! Commit to staying fellowship and community

• Share the gospel – tell your story!

• Fight the good fight – make sure you stay READY!

• Do it now. The Time is NOW!