Storm the Gates of Hell!
(Mid-week message for House Church and individual use: preached 10/18 – 10/24/2020)
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
(Colossians 4:2-4, NASB)
Now, please allow me to tell you a story. It is recorded here in the Bible, in 2 Kings 13:14-19. Let me read it to you, and then please let me explain how this bit of history applies to you.
“Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows. And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them. And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.” (2 Kings 13:14-19)
I. Storm the gates of Hell with thanksgiving!
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” (Colossians 4:2, NASB)
A. “Continue in prayer”
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NASB)
B. “Watch … with thanksgiving”
“O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:26)
“Happy is that people that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 144:15, last verse in this Psalm)
“Praise ye the Lord…” (Psalm 146:1)
“Praise ye the Lord…” (Psalm 147:1)
“Praise ye the Lord…” (Psalm 148:1)
“Praise ye the Lord…” (Psalm 149:1)
“Praise ye the Lord…” (Psalm 150:1)
II. Storm the gates of Hell with support for those on the front!
“Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:” (Colossians 4:3, NASB)
A. “Withal praying also for us!”
“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:1-4)
B. “Praying … for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:18-20)
“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.” (Acts 4:29)
III. Storm the gates of Hell for that needed breach in its ranks!
“That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:4, NASB)
A. Pray for the Word of God, and especially the Gospel, to be manifested (made real) to the listener!
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:38-39)
B. Pray for the speaker (whoever he or she may be) to have the Spirit of God speak through them exactly what needs to be said!
“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:40-41)
Conclusion
“And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; and saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.” (Mark 14:32-34)
[Mark 14:35-39 records our Lord’s actual prayer.]
“And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.” (Mark 14:40-42)
“For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.” (Psalm 18:29)
OUTLINE:
Storm the Gates of Hell!
(A Message to Members of the Body of Christ)
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:2-4, NASB)
I. Storm the gates of Hell with thanksgiving!
II. Storm the gates of Hell with support for the front line!
III. Storm the gates of Hell for that needed breach in its ranks!
“For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.” (Psalm 18:29)
WORSHIP:
I am Praying (Lyrics) – The International Staff Songster
Opening:
What a Friend We Have in Jesus (460)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Nockels, Hymn with Lyrics, Contemporary)
Message: