Spiritual. LEADER S GUIDE IN THE BATTLE FOR THE LOST. by Chuck Lawless

Transcription

1 Spiritual W A R FA R E IN THE BATTLE FOR THE LOST A Pastor's Guide to Defeating the Enemy as You Mobilize for Evangelism by Chuck Lawless LEADER S GUIDE

2 Meet DR. CHUCK LAWLESS For the past 20 years, Dr. Chuck Lawless has studied, written and taught about spiritual warfare. Dr. Lawless is Dean and Vice-President of Graduate Studies and Ministry Centers at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, where he also serves as Professor of Evangelism and Missions. In addition, he is Global Theological Education Consultant for the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Lawless was awarded an MDiv and a PhD in Evangelism/Church Growth from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, where he also served as professor and dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism. Prior to that, he was pastor of two Ohio churches. A conference leader and author of several books, including Discipled Warriors, Putting on the Armor, Mentor, and Nobodies for Jesus, Dr. Lawless has a strong interest in discipleship and mentoring. He is also president of the Lawless Group, a church consulting firm. He and his wife, Pam, have been married for more than 20 years, and they live in Wake Forest, NC. Books by Dr. Lawless: Dr. Lawless, speaking at a previous Church Systems Check-Up and Boot Camp led by Nelson Searcy. Dr. Lawless, speaking during chapel at Union University in Jackson, TN

3 MEET DR. NELSON SEARCY Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, serving in ministry for more than 25 years and consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 50,000 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching, helping them break common growth barriers like 125, 250, 500, 1000 and beyond, all while maintaining personal life and ministry balance. For more accelerated growth, pastors also participate in Nelson s Senior Pastor, Evangelism, Stewardship, Assimilation and Advanced Coaching networks. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as The 50 Most Influential Churches and The 25 Most Innovative Leaders. He is the author of over 85 church growth resources and 15+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life and Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact. Nelson is the recipient of the prestigious Donald A. McGavran Award for Outstanding Leadership in Great Commission Research. His continued mission is to help church leaders around the world cooperate with God in creating healthy, thriving churches. He divides his time between NYC and South Florida. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander. THE EIGHT SYSTEMS OF THE CHURCH: Assimilation Evangelism Leadership Ministry Small Groups Stewardship Strategy Worship Planning New release! Books by Dr. Nelson Searcy:

4 Spiritual W A R FA R E IN THE BATTLE FOR THE LOST Part 1

5 INTRODUCTION WHAT SATAN REALLY WANTS Begin by thinking about the people you know who are not followers of Jesus. 1. Ephesians 2:1-4 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. Our biggest problem is that we are children of wrath. Two life changing words: But God. Nelson Searcy 2

6 2. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. If our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. Strategies and schemes Ephesians tells us that we re battling against principalities and powers. Nelson Searcy 3

7 The Enemy keeps unbelievers in darkness by blinding them with: Pride Pleasure Deception Fear Distraction Misdirection Lies The Devil is blinding people to the Gospel. Nelson Searcy 4

8 You may be trying to reach people who: Believe there is no God. Believe that they can go to Heaven without God. Believe that they re so bad God will never love them. Believe they can always get right with God tomorrow. Believe there are multiple ways to God. Are having a really good time in life as it is. 3. Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. The good news we are to share: God has saved us from the darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son. Nelson Searcy 5

9 4. 2 Timothy 2:25-26 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. Prior to following Christ, we are caught in the Devil s trap. Nelson Searcy 6

10 5. Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God s people, who are set apart by faith in me. We are called to take the Gospel into the kingdom of the Enemy. Nelson Searcy 7

11 IMPLICATIONS FOR EVANGELISM: 1. Evangelism is a war. Every time we share the Gospel, we are entering the Enemy s territory. You have become light in the darkness and the darkness is coming after you. Sometimes people struggle with evangelism because of fear. Nelson Searcy 8

12 2. The Enemy will do all he can do to distract the church from lostness and evangelism. The Enemy is not alarmed if our churches are only growing by getting somebody else s sheep. Be careful that transfer growth in your church does not lull you to sleep evangelically. Nelson Searcy 9

13 3. Believers are the targets of attack. Though we are on the winning side, that doesn t make the battle any less real. Why does the Enemy come after us? Because we are God s singular plan to get the Gospel to our neighbors and the nations. Nelson Searcy 10

14 The only plan that God has given us is to be the light in the darkness by proclaiming the Word of God to the world. The Enemy will try to pull us out of the battle through: Temptation Hidden sin Division False teaching Nelson Searcy 11

15 Challenge: If you really want to find out where the Enemy is working in your life, answer this question: What are your secrets? The Enemy seeks to divide us because when we re fighting against each other, we are less concerned about a lost world. You need somebody praying for you proactively for the Enemy not to win in your life. Nelson Searcy 12

16 4. Prayer is critical to the process. Prayer should not be an add-on strategy for evangelism; it should be the foundation of what you re doing. When we share the Gospel with people in the domain of darkness, we ve now exposed them to the light and put them in the battle. We better be praying for them. Nelson Searcy 13

17 5. The armor of God matters. Acts 19:11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. Challenge: Take the Gospel into the darkness in such power that Hell knows you by name! Nelson Searcy 14

18 Spiritual W A R FA R E IN THE BATTLE FOR THE LOST Part 2

19 WHY THE ARMOR OF GOD MATTERS Put on the whole armor of God so that you can stand up against the schemes of the Devil. Ephesians 6:10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 1. The armor is God s armor, not ours. Pray at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication. Nelson Searcy 15

20 It s God s strength and might that we wear when we put on His armor. The Bible is not a book about the Devil. The Bible is a book about a God who conquered the Enemy. Nelson Searcy 16

21 2. The armor is about Christian living, not about simply praying it on every day. Ephesians 1-3: Focused on theology, helps us understand our identity in Christ. Ephesians 4-6: Focused on our behavior, how we walk in Christ. Nelson Searcy 17

22 Paul addresses four areas of our life: 1. Our personal walk 2. Our family life 3. Our church life 4. Our workplace Paul says if you want to defeat the Enemy, you walk in truth. You wear the breastplate of righteousness. Nelson Searcy 18

23 Other images of evangelism: Gospel of peace Shield of faith Helmet of salvation Sword of the Spirit Live the way God tells you to live and you will win. Obedience defeats the Enemy. Nelson Searcy 19

24 3. The armor is the means God has given us to engage and defeat the Enemy. Nelson Searcy 20

25 4. The Enemy wants us to: mess up give up get puffed up split up shut up CONSIDER: Where are you most vulnerable? Nelson Searcy 21

26 THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP 1. New believers are a threat to the Enemy because: A new believer is on fire for Jesus A new believer still knows a lot of lost people Satan attacks new believers through: Ø Doubt Ø Personal distractions Ø Temptations Ø Loneliness Nelson Searcy 22

27 When we reach new believers and don t disciple them, we are telling them to go fight the war by yourself. It s no wonder they lose the battle. The new believer must put on the full armor of God. Nelson Searcy 23

28 2. The armor of God is about being a disciple of Christ. There is a distinct difference between telling somebody to do something and teaching somebody to do something. Discipling people is offensive spiritual warfare. We are preparing the warriors to live out their faith. Nelson Searcy 24

29 3. We must wear the full armor of God. The belt of truth truth is found in the Word. The sword is the Word. You can t separate the two. The breastplate of righteousness. All pieces are connected to the Word. Nelson Searcy 25

30 4. Wearing the armor of God assumes a strategy. Ask yourself, where do you want your new believers to be three years from now? What do they believe? What do they know? How are they living? How are they invested in the congregation? What s your plan to get them there? Nelson Searcy 26

31 5. To not disciple others is to send them into the battle unarmed. CONSIDER: What is your strategy to equip new believers before sending them into battle? GETTING STARTED: Invest in somebody! Walk with your new believer from day one. You be a warrior and train others to be a warrior. Nelson Searcy 27

32 RELATED RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY REACHING THE UNCHURCHED Discover what's working NOW for local church evangelism Two-hour seminar + complete transcript and listening guides In this high-level training, that he recorded live at one of his private coaching events, Nelson Searcy will share with you what's working NOW for local church evangelism. You ll learn the proven strategies and systems that will help you revamp your evangelism system, create a culture of evangelism in your church, and ultimately reach more people for Christ! In this new practical toolkit for reaching the unchurched, you will discover: How to define and identify the unchurched and the unique challenges you face today in reaching them Where to start immediately if you want to increase the evangelistic temperature of your church One of the most powerful ways to refocus your church outwardly and jump-start your evangelism system (this MUST be on your church calendar!) Where responsibility ultimately starts in connecting with the lost What many unchurched people are lacking, even seeking, that you can provide (in large amounts!) An obscure yet essential tool for charting the journey of a new believer and what it reveals about the strategies needed to reach them Why and where language matters most (the unchurched may need more explanation here) A personal evangelism method that is critical to maximizing with your team The actual ABCs of planning an effective evangelistic event A surprising yet effective tool to mobilize large groups of people for evangelism Proven methods for people to connect with their unchurched friends One of the easiest groups to reach and when you should be ready to reach out every time And much more! It s time to recognize that as more and more people are checking that None box and not associating with any religion whatsoever we have to adjust our approach in how we reach the unchurched. Includes: Two hours of audio training, complete transcript, fill-in-the-blank listener s guide, leader s guide, plus surprise bonuses! Available: Fully downloadable $ Three-CD set $ To Learn More or Secure Your Resource Visit:

33 F O R A F O R A F O R A RELATED RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY THE FINISHING WELL SEMINAR Discover seven principles for a ministry that lasts! Three-hour seminar + complete transcript and listening guides Well done, my good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21) These encouraging words from Jesus are what every pastor wants to hear. Especially when the path we re on seems long, treacherous and difficult to navigate. Ministry can indeed be a challenging race, full of potential hurdles to overcome and stumbling blocks to avoid. Nelson Searcy will help you clearly identify those hurdles and stumbling blocks so that you are never caught off guard. You ll discover: What failure really means for pastors (not the definition the rest of the world knows) The 6 barriers to finishing well The top two failures for pastors in the area of money (hint: greed is the center of all issues) The four subtle sins that can slowly erode your life and ministry The single best way to circumvent sexual failure (it s not what you think!) Eight areas for self-evaluation and where you need to challenge yourself The pull in ministry to be average and how to fight it with every ounce of your being Seven ways to avoid sexual landmines that could torpedo your life and ministry Five simple ways to nurture a growth mindset and how this stops you from stumbling A four-step approach to avoiding money failures The best way to start your day to succeed in spiritual battle And Much More! In his normal no holds barred approach, Nelson not only identifies the issues but challenges each of us to build defenses against each threat by: Revealing to you the visible AND hidden landmines that the world, the flesh and the Devil place in your path to keep you from succeeding. Discussing our own proclivity to sin and how we can stand strong in Christ. Equipping you with the tools you need to avoid these minefields and keep moving forward in ministry. By the end of the resource you will have new insights to why and how to finish well and a restored commitment to hearing Jesus say, Well done, good and faithful servant. Includes: Three hours of audio training, complete transcript, fill-in-the-blank listener s guide, leader s guide, plus surprise bonuses! Available: Fully downloadable $ Four-CD set $ FINISHING WELL To Learn More or Secure Your Resource Visit: T H E T H E $ V A L U E! S E M I N A R S E V E N P RINCIPLES M I N I S T R Y T H AT L ASTS TRANSCRIPT B Y N E L S O N S E A R C Y www. C h u r c h L ead e r I n s i g h t s. c o m www. R e n e g ade P a s t o r s. c o m $ V A L U E! FINISHING WELL S E M I N A R SEVEN P RINCIPLES M I N I S T R Y T H AT L ASTS B Y N E L S O N S E A R C Y LEADER S GUIDE www. C h u r c h L ead e r I n s i g h t s. c o m www. R e n e g a d e P a s t o r s. c o m T H E $ V A L U E! FINISHING WELL S E M I N A R S E V E N P RINCIPLES M I N I S T R Y T H AT L A S T S B Y N E L S O N S E A R C Y LISTENER S GUIDE www. C h u r c h L e ade r I n s i g h t s. c om www. R e n e g a d e P a s t o r s. c o m

34 Additional Resources Available from Nelson Searcy THE SPIRITUAL LIFE of a PASTOR Faith, Prayer, Fasting Revitalize Your Spiritual Life to Build a Stronger Ministry Three-hour seminar + transcript, listener s and leader's guides and more! As a pastor you re called to connect others to Christ you guide others in their spiritual walk. So you cannot ignore your own. There is no greater calling, no greater mission to build the church and reach more people for Christ. But to lead your people, you must continue to strengthen your own spiritual life. As pastors we wage spiritual warfare on a daily basis and the enemy doesn t sleep. You have the tools to combat those forces and fulfill your mission faith, prayer and fasting but you must sharpen them daily. Join Dr. Elmer Towns on an in-depth examination of all facets of developing your spiritual life. You have never heard faith and prayer discussed, dissected and explained with such passion, humor and deep understanding as shared by Dr. Towns. And of course, with wonderful, humorous anecdotes and stories from his life in ministry! This is an exclusive teaching that Dr. Towns gave during a private four-hour talk for Nelson Searcy s Advanced Coaching Network. And now it is available to you, complete with Dr. Towns detailed student notes and presentation materials. This is a spiritual awakening for pastors through the teachings of Dr. Towns you will be inspired and reinvigorated for your life in ministry! Why is developing The Spiritual Life of a Pastor so critical? You must continue to strengthen your faith so that you can be: A better leader A better spouse A better pastor A better person of God The foundation for building a great church is faith your faith in God. You can never stop developing it. Recharge your spiritual life with these teachings from Dr. Towns. Your ministry will be stronger for it. SECURE YOUR COPY TODAY - VISIT

35 Additional Resources Available from Nelson Searcy THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT SEMINAR Twelve Energy Equations to Maximize Your Life and Ministry Three-hour seminar + transcript, listener s and leader's guides and more! Ministry is demanding and many pastors are coping with a constant state of exhaustion. When you re running on empty, it makes it very hard to pursue Godly goals! When your energy is low, you simply produce less. And just maybe you d rather be producing, well, MORE. Maybe there are MORE things you believe God wants you to do in ministry but you simply do not have the energy to follow through right now. This low energy epidemic is poisoning our ministries and robbing us of the best work we can be doing for the Kingdom! Rest is a gift that God gives us so that we can carry out our mission. Psalm 127:2 reminds us, It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Join pastor and church growth strategist Nelson Searcy on a discovery of twelve energy equations that will increase your productivity for maximum impact in ministry! Because more energy equals more productivity. When you re in a constant low energy state, you re not prepared to deal with the constant spiritual battles and challenges that you face in ministry. You re more vulnerable to temptations that can torpedo your good work. Remember the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus warning to his disciples before he would find them falling asleep again and again: Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! - Matthew 26:41 (NLT) It s something they don t teach you in seminary how to manage your energy while dealing with the day-to-day demands of ministry. It s why Nelson became a student of energy management. And how he discovered that energy management may be as important, if not more important, than time management. Nelson has been asked again and again in his coaching networks Nelson, how do you get it all done how do you have the energy to keep fighting these battles both as a pastor and coach? Why do you seem just as energetic at the end of a long conference day as you did when you started teaching? How do you produce the number of books you do at the rate that you where do you get the energy from? And now Nelson Searcy shares his secrets for increased productivity in his BRAND NEW resource, Gain More Energy: Twelve Energy Equations to Maximize Your Life and Ministry. SECURE YOUR COPY TODAY - VISIT

36 Enjoy the Sabbath that God commanded you to receive THE POWER OF THE SABBATH As a church leader, you have the unique opportunity to cooperate with God to transform people s lives and make a difference for eternity. So why are you so tired, stressed and unfulfilled? Sure, God never promised that ministry would be easy, but you didn t think it would be miserable either! What if your obedience in one specific Biblical command holds the key to reduced stress, increased efficiency and renewed enjoyment of your life and ministry? In The Power of the Sabbath, Nelson Searcy will help you understand what the Bible says about honoring God by observing the Sabbath, and how you can experience the blessing and peace of mind that comes with your obedience. In this resource, you ll learn: How honoring the Sabbath will increase your ministry efficiency and effectiveness Why your current weekly routine may be stealing your joy in life and ministry The true, Biblical definition of the Sabbath (and the misconceptions that keep us from obedience) How the Sabbath can be a blessing to you, your family and your church A systematic approach to obeying God with your Sabbath (and the impact it will have on all aspects of your life) One surefire tactic to help you overcome physical and mental burnout How a few key minutes on your Sabbath can drastically increase your effectiveness for the next six days How to challenge yourself from time to time to unplug from energy-robbing and attention-stealing technology Which monthly measuring tool will help you evaluate the health of yourself, your staff, your church systems and, most importantly, your relationship with God A new way to approach your vacation time (and why your family will love you for it!) Don t let sin rob you of peace of mind, ministry effectiveness and the joy of pursuing God's calling on your life. SECURE YOUR COPY TODAY - VISIT

37 Explore the NEW Renegade Pastors Coaching Network Your Path to Abandoning Average and Maximizing Growth in Your Church! Below is an overview of the Coaching Ladder - learn more about the benefits that await you at each level. RENEGADE PASTOR SILVER RENEGADE PASTOR GOLD Choose to Abandon Average: H At the heart of the Silver level is a focus on abandoning average to fulfill your calling, while achieving personal growth and ministry-life balance; includes 2 monthly calls. Monthly LIVE Leadership Briefing Call with LIVE Q&A Your don t-miss call with Nelson, jam-packed with the latest leadership lessons,encouragements, challenges and pitfalls to avoid. Monthly Equipping Interview Call A one-hour interview call with key pastors, writers, theologians and secular thought leaders. Open to all Pastors, Church Planters and Ministers Membership Welcome Kit upon joining 7 Commitments of a Renegade Selected book by Nelson Searcy Pastor Resource (7 CDs) Renegade Pastor T-shirt Two classic Church Growth 7 Commitments pocket card Champions reports And much more! Immediate Coaching Hub access Mailed Monthly Bonus Kit featuring: 16+ page printed all content newsletter 6x per year Church Growth Champions biographical report 6x per year Renegade Pastors in-depth book summaries Monthly Resource Giveaway Contest Monthly Growth Points feature with Dr. Gary McIntosh MP3 Audio Files of both the Leadership Briefing and Equipping Interview Calls All Silver Benefits Plus: 12 Monthly Senior Pastor Focused Online Coaching sessions Quick-Start Phone Call After Your First Session H At the heart of the Gold level is an in-depth focus through 12 monthly sessions on the 8 systems of a healthy church to break through the barriers keeping you from growing. Open to Senior Pastors, Church Planters, Campus Pastors and future Lead Pastors 4x Per Year Special Gold Mailing All Bonus Kit features from Silver plus CDs of the Leadership and Briefing calls Exclusive Gold Level Address for Faster Response and Access Priority Q&A on All Calls and webinars Coaching Hub Access to 6 months of Non-Coaching Session Archives Gold Only Discounts for Live Events and Webinars Online Private Membership Hub Access In your password-protected membership site, you ll have access to exclusive benefits like recordings of the monthly calls, members bonus kit archives, in-depth book summaries and more! Exclusive Renegade Pastors access to contact Nelson Searcy and the team VIP support from RPN team via and phone Exclusive Access to Renegade Pastor Webinars Annual 3-Day Renegade Pastors Conference exclusively for members Renegade Pastor rate for all live events, including Church Systems Checkup and Boot Camp 30% or More Discount on All New or Existing Resources Special Meals and Breaks at Live Events (where available) Lowest VIP Rate for New Resource Releases Automatic Upgrade to Platinum (at current Gold rate) Upon Completion of 12 core sessions Plus much more! Turn the page over to see the other two levels on the ladder!

38 Your New Renegade Pastors Coaching Ladder (cont.) RENEGADE PASTOR PLATINUM RENEGADE PASTOR TITANIUM All Gold and Silver Benefits Plus: Deep Dive System Specific Online Coaching Focused On: (Pick One) Assimilation (7 sessions) Stewardship (9 sessions) Evangelism (12 sessions) Worship Planning & Preaching (NEW - # of sessions TBD) Small Groups (8 sessions) Executive Pastor (12 sessions) Worship Leader (12 sessions) H At the heart of the Platinum level is an intensive focus on one of six specific systems or areas with in-depth training on each; will progress from one system to another. Note: Upgrades from Gold automatically begin with Assimilation (although you may choose another system). Those beginning with Platinum may choose any system to start, with future systems automatically continuing your membership. Open to all Pastors, Campus Pastors, Church Planters and Church Leaders (laity and ordained) On-going Coaching Hub Access to All Previous Coaching Sessions Completed Coaching Hub Access to 12 months of Non-Coaching Session Archives Platinum-Only Discounts for You and Your Spouse at All Live Events and Webinars Special Meals, Breaks and Lounges at Live Events (where available) Priority Consideration for Titanium Upgrades Plus much more! All Silver Benefits Plus All Completed Gold and Platinum Coaching Sessions: 5x Per Year, Two Days of Intensive, Personalized In-person Coaching with Nelson Searcy (the only level with in-person coaching) H At the heart of the Titanium level is personalized, in-person coaching with Nelson and access to ALL NEW resources for FREE plus exclusive recordings, training and gifts only provided to Titanium members. Limited Size Group (approx. 30 Senior Pastors) Exclusive Training, Recordings, Books and Resources Provided Only to Titanium Members Guest Coaching from Time to Time by Top Authors, Pastors and Professors All New Release Resources Provided FREE VIP and Emergency Phone calls with Nelson Searcy Lowest Platinum Rate Available for Staff and Volunteers Book Co-author and Endorsement Opportunities Lowest Rates for All Events Plus FREE Spouse Ticket Provided VIP Event Seating, Registration and Recognition from Stage Special Meals, Events and Private Lounge Access at Events (where available) Free Attendance at All Webinars Unlimited Hub Access to ALL Archives and All Previous Coaching Sessions Completed Your Coaching Path to Continuous Growth! Explore all the benefits of the Renegade Pastors Network. Our new Coaching Ladder clearly shows the main focus of each level and your path to growing and continually moving up. Your place on the ladder directly ties to your ministry growth! To learn more about each level, go to: Nelson Searcy - NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION