The Timothy Conference

T H E T I M O T H Y C O N F E R E N C E

B. The battle is not yours personally , but the Lord’s; church planting is simply his people responding together God’s commands as he leads and empowers by the Holy Spirit.

(Exodus 14:13-16, ESV) And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. [14] The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” [15] The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. [16] Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.

C. Only God-called people should apply for church planting: you cannot effectively face spiritual darkness in your own name and power; only those called and gifted by God are authorized to represent him in the battle .

1. The sons of Sceva, Acts 19.13-17.

2. Singing saints: Paul and Barnabas at Philippi, Acts 16.19-33.

D. Jesus Christ is the Lord of the harvest; don’t confuse your role and responsibility with his.

1. He alone determines where his warriors serve; he alone reserves the right to dispense his troops where and when as he wills, John 21. 20-23.

(John 21:20-23, ESV) Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” [21] When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” [22] Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” [23] So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

2. The Lord Jesus Christ possesses all authority and power over the enemy; we only represent his will and desires in the fight, Matthew 28.18; Philippians 2.9-11.

(Philippians 2:9-11, ESV) Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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