Jesus had to share our humanity, because that gave Him authority to defeat the devil. The power of the devil came through human disobedience and sin. By paying the penalty for sin, Jesus destroyed his authority. Forgiveness of sin translated into defeat of evil powers and authorities.
Satan’s PLAN was defeated to stop the promised Messiah from fulfilling His mission from God the Father on behalf of the human race here on Earth, and that mission of God was to take full punishment for each and every person’s sins, which He DID by being crucified on the cross, and the visible proof of that victory was that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead three days later, and many spirits who had been waiting for this moment in time were released from captivity and were allowed to follow Jesus into the heavens!
The world is not man's eternal destiny, but the kingdom of God. Man cannot become too attached to the goods that are linked to a perishable world.
We find unceasing cries for "peace," "love," "toleration," and "unity." For what purpose? So that the Church might present a united front in order to present the gospel to the lost millions. What is hindering the battle for souls?
The kingdom of God is not food and drink. It is righteousness, peace, and joy which come by the powerful working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The one who serves Christ in this way—depending on the work of the Spirit for all the help you need and renouncing all self-reliance—pleases God and manifests His kingdom in the church and extends His kingdom in the world.
The words of our prayer
meaningful in the context of our worship today
the charge for the congregation, for each of our hearts
to fight against evil, no matter where we find it
a unison prayer, on Memorial Day
to not rest on the past
but to march on
to work as we may
to fearlessly contend against evil
with the aid of God.
This is our prayer.
The transformed life in Christ is our focus, releasing His power and presence to transform society physically, socially, spiritually, intellectually in establishing His Kingdom.
