Pastor Andy · 19 July 2026
Our battle is not against flesh and blood — from Ephesians 6:12: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places." The pastor challenged the congregation to stop fighting people and visible things, and to recognise the real spiritual battle being fought in unseen realms.
God heard your prayer the first day — from Daniel 10:12: "From the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words." The angel Gabriel was carrying God's answer to Daniel but was hindered by the spirit of Persia. Archangel Michael was sent to break through. The Holy Spirit is not in Persia — He is right here in your heart. God hears your prayer the very first day you pray with humility.
Humility unlocks the answer — Daniel grabbed the heart of God by humbling himself. The pastor shared personally how when his business collapsed and every bank turned away from him, he finally heard the voice of his Master clearly — because he had been humbled. Humility is not weakness; it is the key that opens heaven.
Don't let the enemy stop the momentum — from Nehemiah 4:1-8, when the walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt, Sanballat and Tobiah mocked: "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall." But Nehemiah prayed and the people kept building until the wall was joined together to half its height. The enemy always conspires when the gaps begin to close — but prayer and watchfulness keep the momentum going.
Jesus prayed for you in John 17 — the pastor referenced John 17 where Jesus prayed to the Father not to remove the disciples' problems, but to keep them safe through them — "that not one of them that You have given Me might be lost." Jesus is still praying for you today, that you will not lose hope, direction, or momentum.
Resist the devil — from 1 Peter 5:8-10: "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith." And: "After you have suffered a while, the God of all grace will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." The suffering is only for a while — but you must resist. Resistance is an act of faith.
The power of praying in tongues — the pastor shared that when his concentration in prayer began to fail, the Holy Spirit directed him to pray in tongues. As he did, the momentum of prayer increased powerfully. He challenged those who dismiss tongues, noting that Paul himself said: "Sometimes I sing in the spirit, sometimes I sing in tongues, sometimes I speak in my tongue, sometimes I speak in the spirit." Speaking in tongues is a golden nugget the devil has stolen from many churches.
God freely gives all things — from Romans 8:31-33: "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all — how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" The church must take hold of the all things God has promised and resist every attack of the enemy against their finances, health, and calling.
Jealousy is a momentum killer — the pastor warned that jealousy from inside and outside the church will try to stop what God is doing. Do what you do, and do it well. Let nothing steal your momentum.
You cannot force someone into salvation — from John 6:44: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." The pastor made a sobering point: some people have sat in church for 20 years but have never truly met Jesus. They get saved every Sunday but return to the world because their hearts were never ready. The sign of truly knowing Jesus is hunger for Him and the change He brings. We must stop pushing people into decisions they are not ready for.
Believe and Trust — from Romans 10:9-10, the pastor closed by distinguishing between believing and trusting. Many believe but few truly trust. He urged the congregation to ask the Holy Spirit for conviction and a heart that is ready to receive Jesus — not just a decision, but a transformation.