Believer's Authority, Discernment, Marriage, and End-Times Preparation

Key Points

• The church today lacks authority, identity, dominance, and character, with 80% of Christians having no spiritual discernment according to a former Church of Satan leader.
• Walking in authority means being under authority and living in obedience to God's will without second-guessing yourself.
• Christians must pray for their pastors and leaders as commanded in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Romans 15:30, and Hebrews 13:17, since leaders are responsible for souls and will give account to God.
• Believers should demonstrate spiritual growth through personal responsibility in prayer, Bible study, fasting, and vigilance to God's things rather than expecting others to carry their spiritual burdens.
• A personal testimony was shared about confronting a dishonest business owner who took church money for t-shirts, demonstrating how walking in authority means standing firm without resorting to threats or violence.
• Spiritual acceleration involves experiencing supernatural surge in faith and breakthrough advancements through increased prayer, fasting, and obedience to God.
• Marriage difficulties represent a major crisis in the church, with Christian divorce rates matching those of non-believers, requiring attention to communication, finances, and intimacy.
• Studies show that 43% of church attendees watch pornography, and lack of intimacy destroys marriages when couples feel lonely, emotionally disconnected, or frustrated.
• Healthy intimacy should occur three to four times per week and includes touching, appreciation, and emotional connection, leading to better physical health, mental health, reduced stress and anxiety.
• Technology addiction, particularly phones, disconnects families from reality and prevents genuine connection, as demonstrated by a husband who dressed as a phone to get his wife's attention.
• Delilah spirits are coming to target both men and women emotionally, with today's men often being worse than women in terms of emotional manipulation and disconnection.
• Couples experiencing marital issues should first seek God and then seek proper help, not confide in friends who spread their business around.
• Strong families must be protected from the devil's infiltration through naysayers, and couples should not share intimate details with friends of the opposite gender.
• Current societal conditions reflect end times prophecy where right becomes wrong and evil becomes good, with AI technology setting up systems for the antichrist and dark times approaching like the days of Noah.

Summary

Believer's Authority and Spiritual Discernment

• Pastor introduces a teaching series on Believer's Authority with the goal of triggering spiritual growth in the congregation

• Former satanic leader testimony reveals that 80% of Christians lack spiritual discernment, which is the ability to perceive spiritual truth from error
• Many people come in Christ's name but are not truly from Christ, requiring accurate discernment to avoid false prophets and teachers
• Church today lacks authority, identity, dominance, and character compared to biblical standards

Biblical Foundation from Mark Chapter 4

• Scripture reading covers Jesus calming the storm where disciples questioned "Who can this be that even the wind and sea obey him." Disciples had witnessed many miracles previously but still lacked understanding of Jesus' true identity and authority

• Jesus rebuked both the wind and his disciples for their fearfulness and lack of faith
• Modern church worships and talks about God but doesn't truly know Him, similar to the disciples' situation

Operating Under Authority and Divine Protection

• Operating in authority requires being under authority as a fundamental principle

• Former satanic leader's testimony describes how Holy Spirit instructed him to turn in his gun for protection, demonstrating faith over physical weapons
• Historical Azusa Street revivals showed God's power causing gunmen's weapons to jam when they tried to enter
• Some places the Holy Spirit doesn't want believers to go, and persistence against God's will leads to trouble without proper intercession

Walking in God's Will and Obedience

• Walking in authority is defined as walking in God's will without second-guessing oneself

• Many Christians struggle with doubt when receiving prophetic words instead of aligning themselves to receive God's blessings
• Israelites turned an 11-day journey into 40 years due to disobedience and lack of faith
• Believers should prepare for what God promises rather than making the process complicated and frustrating

Personal Growth and Spiritual Maturity

• Believers must take responsibility for their prayer life, Bible study, fasting, and vigilance in spiritual matters

• Progress and evidence of growth should be visible in believers' lives rather than remaining spiritual babies indefinitely
• People often expect others to pray for them while neglecting their own prayer responsibilities
• Physical healing requires both faith and practical obedience to medical advice and lifestyle changes

Marriage Crisis in the Church

• Christian divorce rates match those of non-believers, indicating a serious problem requiring attention

• Lack of intimacy is identified as a major factor destroying marriages, causing loneliness and emotional disconnection
• Couples often lose sight of their relationship foundation after having children, focusing on blessings while neglecting each other
• Communication, finances, and intimacy are the three major areas causing marital breakdown

Intimacy and Relationship Health

• Studies show that intimacy 3-4 times per week improves physical health, mental health, reduces stress and anxiety

• Church attendance includes 43% who watch pornography, creating a significant spiritual and relational issue
• Couples should prioritize touching, appreciation, and physical connection beyond just sexual intimacy
• Balance is needed between caring for children and maintaining spousal relationships since children eventually leave

Technology and Disconnection Issues

• Modern couples are more connected to phones than to each other, creating relationship problems

• Social media and constant phone use prevent real connection and family interaction at meals and home
• Previous generations survived and thrived without phones and excessive technology, often resulting in larger families
• Boundaries with technology use, such as turning phones off at 8 PM, help restore relationship priorities

Spiritual Warfare and End Times Preparation

• Delilah spirits (both male and female) are coming to target believers through emotional manipulation and disconnection

• Devil's plan involves turning people against God's word and creating confusion about biblical principles
• End times characteristics include delusion where right becomes wrong and evil becomes good
• Church weakness creates no threat to Satan's kingdom, while strong families face targeted attacks

Biblical Order and Leadership Examples

• Jesus never spoke ill of His Father and demonstrated God's love, power, and identity consistently

• God operates in order from Genesis to Revelation without asking for human opinions
• Current generation's confusion stems from lack of proper examples and leadership from believers
• Details matter in demonstrating godly character and setting examples for the next generation

Next Steps

• Church must submit completely to God to avoid losing families and children in increasingly dark times

• Believers need to get on the same page with God's word regarding marriage, family structure, and spiritual authority
• Preparation for difficult times ahead requires strengthening spiritual discernment and maintaining biblical standards despite cultural pressure

Marriage Crisis in the Church

• Christian divorce rates match those of non-believers, indicating a serious problem requiring attention

• Lack of intimacy is identified as a major factor destroying marriages, causing loneliness and emotional disconnection
• Couples often lose sight of their relationship foundation after having children, focusing on blessings while neglecting each other
• Communication, finances, and intimacy are the three major areas causing marital breakdown