Yes We Can!

I was asked to publish my notes from yesterday's sermon. So here they are:

Today, as we celebrate our Veterans who have defended our country valiantly, I want you to know that a battle still rages in America. I am not talking about a battle at some other place in the world, but right here in this church.

There is a battle going on in the life of the person sitting next to you. Turn to your neighbor and say “You better wake up!”

In fact there is a battle going on in your life as well. Neighbor, turn back to the person that spoke to you and tell him, “You better wake up!”

Friends if you are here today and you are a believer in Jesus Christ you are in ENEMY OCCUPIED TERRITORY, do you understand me? I come to tell you this morning that America is in a Spiritual War this morning and we are losing the fight! As one very prominent American leader said recently, “America is no longer a Christian nation.”

I agree with that statement and I submit to you that it is time that this changes! Being an old English teacher, I love listening to political speeches. If you will indulge me for a moment, I want to borrow a theme from a great speech from the last Presidential Campaign. I think you might recognize it.

Friends, our struggle today is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces in heavenly realms.
We are told that we, as Christians cannot overcome these forces.
But I tell you Romans 8:37calls us more than conquerors through the power of Jesus Christ therefore…YES WE CAN!

People say that this book I hold in my hand is just an old outdated document and that we Christians cannot claim it to be the absolute truth.
But I tell you by the authority of Jesus’ Words in John 17:17, YES WE CAN!

Many will tell us that we cannot really believe that Jesus was born to a virgin.
But I tell you, based on Luke 1:26-38…YES WE CAN!

Some will say that though Jesus was a good man and even a prophet, you Christians cannot possibly claim He lived a sinless life.
I tell you based on 2 Corinthians 5:21…YES WE CAN!

Still others will say, “Ok he may have died on the tree. But you Christians cannot believe that Jesus rose from the grave."
Oh dear friends by the authority of God’s Word…YES WE CAN!

Satan will tell you, "Jesus may have done all of those things, but you cannot possibly think God would want to save YOU after all you've done."

But my Bible tells me that "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Therefore can we claim that Jesus wants to save us as sorry as we may be?...YES WE CAN!

Some will say that we Christians cannot possibly think that there is only one way to Heaven.
But Jesus said "I am THE way, THE truth and THE life, no man can come to the Father exept by me" John 3:16 says that, "God loved the world so much that He gave his only begotten son that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Can we claim that God, Jesus is the only way to Heaven?…YES WE CAN!

Goliath told the people of God “You cannot defeat me” David said “I come in the name of the Lord” and together with Him…YES WE CAN!

The prophets of Baal told Elijah you cannot possibly bring fire from Heaven. Elijah said, Boys step back I have God on my side and together with HIM…YES WE CAN!

My dear friends, Satan’s going to try to tell you that you can’t defeat him. The battle cannot be won. He’ll say that we as Christians in America cannot bring Jesus into our homes again, into our schools again, into our nation again. He’ll say, “Sinners, liars, thieves, such were you” you cannot possibly be effective for Christ.

Folks when Satan tries to remind you of your past, you remind Him of His future and tell him that though we can do nothing on our own, we serve a risen Savior who is in the world TODAY, and through the power of Jesus name (say it with me) YES WE CAN!

Oh dear friends, I heard an old, old story…of how a Savior came from glory. How he gave his life on Calvary to save a wretch like me. I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood’s atoning. Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

O victory in Jesus,My Savior, forever.He sought me and bought meWith His redeeming blood;He loved me ere I knew HimAnd all my love is due Him,He plunged me to victory,Beneath the cleansing flood.