CFC Singles for Christ
CLP TRAINING
1st Year Formation Track
TALK NO. 1: EVANGELISM AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Speaker’s Outline
I. The Situation in the World Today
A. There are two kingdoms opposed to each other – the kingdom of darkness
under Satan and the kingdom of light under Jesus Christ. The world is in
Satan's grip (1John 5:19b). And his kingdom includes not only those who are
evil, but also those who are uncommitted. By being such, they serve Satan's
purpose.
B. Jesus has mounted a rescue operation, an attack against Satan's kingdom.
It involves bringing people from darkness to light. It is taking territory from
Satan. Satan does not stand still. His dominion and his power over people is
threatened. He undertakes defensive action. This spiritual battle is
continuing.
C. All people are born into this battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of men.
More specifically, we in SFC, having joined God's kingdom, are in the thick of
the fight. Because God uses us as instruments for other men's redemption,
we become a direct threat to Satan's dominion. As we evangelize and reach
out to other singles, especially through a CLP, we actively enter into battle.
D. Evangelism is spiritual warfare: Ephesians 6:12.
E. Being combatants, we need weapons and protection. We need means for
offense and defense.
II. Our Spiritual Weapons
2 Corinthians 10:3-5. We are waging God's battle.
God gives us the following offensive weapons:
A. Commitment (to Christ' cause).
1. Leading us to lives of righteousness, purity, holiness, 2 Corinthians 6:7
2. We don't need to be saints as yet, but just have a passion for God's
righteousness and a hatred of evil.
3. Have purity of motives and desires.
a. Serve for the glory of God, not our own.
b. Guard against the danger of pride.
c. Have humility. Know that without Jesus' victory on the cross, we can't
succeed.
4. We will be ineffective if we are not righteous. Matthew 7:3-5.
B. Zeal, Singlemindedness of Purpose, Perseverance
1. Live totally for the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:15.
2. Philippians 3:7-8.
C. The Word of God
1. A sword! Ephesians 6:!7b. Hebrews 4:12.
2. In the CLP, we speak God's word (in the talk and follow-up in the
discussion group).
3. God's word has power. 1 Thessalonians 1:5.
D. Spiritual Gifts
1. 1 Corinthians 12 and other passages.
2. Some applications:
a. Wisdom - to answer questions, to lead discussion.
b. Discernment - to know where a person is at.
3. Tongues and praise.
III. Our Protection
Ephesians 6:13-18. The armor of God.
It is God's provision alone which will give us adequate protection. Let us consider
the points of attack by the devil, and how the armor of God can protect us.
A. Truth. Protection against lies and errors.
1. Satan is the father of lies.
2. He will try to make us doubt God's word (e.g. You're too sinful to serve.);
or falsely accuse us, or malign God's character (e.g. God is not a loving
God; He does not love you).
3. Rest on the truths of God's love, God's power, etc.
B. Justice, or righteousness. Protection against evil and sinful desires.
1. If Satan does not succeed by lies, he will try bombarding our minds with
evil thoughts.
2. Resist these temptations.
3. Note: Temptations are not sin unless entertained.
C. Gospel of peace. Protection against an easy and lazy life.
1. If Satan cannot disturb us, then he will try to make us as comfortable and
cozy as possible, so that we won't disturb him.
2. Beware of living a "carpet slipper Christianity", wherein one journeys to
heaven in first class comfort.
Such persons have laid down their arms and are no longer concerned to
attack and invade enemy-held territory.
3. We need to get our footgear on, leave the comforts of home, and go out
after Satan's captives. Have zeal to propagate the gospel.
D. Faith. Protection against unbelief.
1. Doubts assail us. Fear of failure can cripple our action. The nagging
question: Can I do it?
2. We need to have faith in God's promises. Have faith that this is God's
work. Hebrews 13:5b-6.
3. We need to realize that we are acting not by our own power but by God's.
E. Salvation. Protection against:
5. The word used for salvation means both physical as well as spiritual
well-being.
6. Satan will try to make you sick; (if you have a GG,) make you and your
GG fight; create misunderstanding in your families; and, may even try to
get you killed.
7. But we have God's protection.
8. Before leaving your home, pray. Put on the "crash helmet" of salvation.
F. Word of God
1. Both a weapon and protection.
2. For CLP participants, stress daily Scripture readings and recommended
books.
G. Prayers
1. Pray at every opportunity.
2. Different kinds :
a. Personal Prayer
b. Group prayer (at various times during the CLP)
c. Intercessory prayer
d. Fasting
IV. Conclusion
Evangelism is spiritual warfare.
Four points to stress:
A. Guard against two extremes (1) the view that there is no devil and (2) the
view that all negative things or happenings are attributable to the devil.
B. Remember that Jesus has already won the victory in this fight against Satan.
And the God who enlists us in his army also trains, equips, and leads us.
C. James 4:7. We have power to rout the devil, but such is premised on our
submission to God.
Importance of righteousness, faith, dependence on God.
D. 2 Timothy 2:3. As good soldiers, we can expect hardships and difficulties. We
are to bear them and overcome them.
When you accepted Jesus as Lord, you signed up for God's army. In this war,
there are no non-combatants. Since the time you joined SFC, you have been in
boot camp, being trained for the fight against Satan.
Now we are having a CLP. A major battle is on!
_________________________
Note: Reference material is "Spiritual Warfare" by Michael Harper
CFC Singles for Christ
CLP TRAINING
1st Year Formation Track
TALK NO. 1: EVANGELISM AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Participant’s Outline
I. The Situation in the World Today
A. There are two kingdoms opposed to each other – the kingdom of darkness
and the kingdom of light.
B. The whole world is under Satan's dominion, but Jesus has mounted an attack
against Satan's kingdom.
C. All people are born into this battle. Specifically, we in the CFC-SFC are in the
thick of the fight, as we evangelize and reach out to other couples.
D. Being combatants, we need weapons and protection. We need means for
offense and defense.
II. Our Spiritual Weapons
2 Corinthians 103-5. We are waging God's battle.
A. Righteousness. Purity of life, holiness. 2 Corinthians 6:7
B. Zeal. Singlemindedness of purpose. Perseverance.
C. 2 Corinthians 5:15. Philippians 3:7-8
D. The word of God. Ephesians 6:17b. Hebrews 4:12. 1 Thessalonians 1:5
E. Spiritual gifts.
III. Our Protection
Ephesians 6:13-18. The Armor of God.
A. Truth. protection against lies and errors.
B. Justice or righteousness. Protection against evil and sinful desires.
C. Gospel of peace. Protection against an easy and cozy life.
D. Faith. protection against unbelief.
E. Salvation. Protection against calamity and accident.
F. Word of God.
G. Prayer.
IV. Evangelism and Spiritual Gifts
Four Points to Stress
A. Guard against two extremes: (1) that there is no evil; and (2) that all negative
happenings are attributable to the devil.
B. Jesus has already won the victory in this fight against Satan.
C. James 4:7. We have the power to rout the devil, but such is premised on our
righteousness and submission to God.
D. 2 Timothy 2:3. As good soldier, we can expect hardships and difficulties.
V. Suggested Readings: "Spiritual Warfare: by Michael Harper.
