Sermon Recap:

Scripture tells us in II Corinthians 12:1-4 that there are 3 heavens. Read this passage aloud.

This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I[a] was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up[b] to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

We could also call the three heavens three dimensions. The first Heaven or dimension is right here on earth. It's what we can literally see with our eyes and touch with our hands. Let me jump to the third heaven or dimension which is God’s throne. There is no evil, sin, sickness, death, loss or sadness in this realm.

The Second heaven is the realm between where we are and the throne room of God. This is the spiritual realm where spiritual battles rage over people and the earth. This is the realm we need regular insight into. Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) says, For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Here is the same scripture in the (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Often we assume nothing is happening if we cannot see it. But it’s not hard to understand that there is a lot going on that we do not see. Just because you can’t see the grocery store across town, does that mean no one is shopping there? Absolutely not, yet this is how so many Christ followers have chosen to live their lives. We are saved, filled with God’s Holy Spirit, and walk faithfully, but we are oblivious to the schemes and strategies of the enemy who are at work in the heavenly realms. We all have to realize at some point that Ignorance isn’t an excuse. We learn to be led by the Spirit of God. We must learn to rely on and depend on the wisdom and revelation of the Spirit and God’s Word in our lives. And we must acknowledge that there is a very real battle going on that we can not see!

Now on a side note this is nothing to fear! We know we serve a much more powerful God who has already secured our victory on the Cross! But we still need to be aware of the enemies' schemes and tactics so that we can come against those in prayer with the might and power of the Lord.

Key Scripture

Read through these passages together:

Ephesians 1:17-21

Proverbs 4:5-7

Ephesians 6:12

Discussion Questions

Discuss together, pushing yourself toward transparency. The more we are authentic and humble with one another, the more we can grow in Christ.

Why is gaining wisdom, knowledge and understanding so important for the believer?
What steps do I need to take to start seeing as God sees?
What Scriptures are important to pray over my life and my family's lives each day?

Prayer
In the name of Jesus, I ask you Father to give me wisdom and discernment to know how to pray and counteract the schemes of the enemy. Give me new levels of understanding to know what the enemy is up to and what your will is to take him out. I declare today the victory that Jesus secured for us on His Cross and the Holy Spirit whom He has given to us. I have an all access pass to the kingdom of Heaven through Christ Jesus my Lord! May I walk closely with you embracing your ways and your will. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Life Application

Ask the Lord to give you supernatural knowledge and understanding when the enemy comes to attack your life or your family.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal his strategy to counteract these attacks and render them ineffective and void.
Don’t dwell on the battle, you don’t even need to think about it, until the battle comes to you. Think of God's faithfulness, His goodness, His holiness, His friendship. But when the battle does come we must always be ready with the truth of God’s Word and the Spirit of faith and understanding. We always counteract the lies of the enemy with God’s Promises.

Don’t Forget

Join us in daily prayer and fasting during the month of January
Share your testimony with someone this week!

Additional Resources

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Week 5: Seeing what God Sees