STOP THEM BEFORE THEY STOP YOU

SERMON: STOP THEM BEFORE THEY STOP YOU

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Isaiah 54:17
Supporting Texts: Ephesians 6:12, Matthew 11:12

INTRODUCTION:
In the spiritual journey of life, there are forces that aim to stop us from fulfilling our God-given destiny. These forces, whether seen or unseen, are determined to hinder our progress and derail us from achieving the purpose for which God created us. As believers, we must be aware of these forces and take decisive spiritual action to stop them before they stop us. Just as soldiers prepare for battle, we must be equipped with spiritual weapons and strategies to overcome every opposition that stands in our way. This sermon focuses on identifying these opposing forces and how to overcome them.

1. RECOGNIZING THE ENEMIES OF YOUR DESTINY

a) Spiritual Forces of Darkness:
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of darkness. These spiritual forces aim to stop us from advancing in God’s purpose.

b) Human Agents of Wickedness:
Sometimes, the enemy uses people to hinder our progress—whether through jealousy, slander, or deliberate attacks on our character and success. Psalm 35:1-3 calls on God to contend with those who contend with us.

c) Negative Circumstances:
Challenges such as financial difficulties, health problems, and personal setbacks can be tools the enemy uses to stop us from fulfilling our destiny. We must recognize these as potential roadblocks and address them in prayer.

Biblical Example: Nehemiah faced opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah as he sought to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4:7-9). He recognized them as enemies of his mission and took action through prayer and vigilance.

2. THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

a) Taking the Battle to the Enemy:
Matthew 11:12 tells us that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. We must engage in spiritual warfare to stop the enemy from stopping us. Prayer is a powerful weapon in our spiritual arsenal.

b) Wearing the Full Armour of God:
Ephesians 6:13-17 outlines the spiritual armour we must wear to stand against the enemy. The helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, and the sword of the Spirit equip us to fight and overcome every attack.

c) Speaking God’s Word in Battle:
Revelation 12:11 tells us that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Declaring God’s promises in the face of opposition is key to stopping the enemy’s plans.

Biblical Example: David fought Goliath, not just with physical weapons, but with the power of spoken faith. He declared victory over Goliath even before the battle began (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

3. STAYING SPIRITUALLY VIGILANT

a) Watch and Pray:
Jesus instructed His disciples in Matthew 26:41 to watch and pray so they would not fall into temptation. Vigilance in prayer helps us to stay spiritually alert and stop the enemy before he can act.

b) Discern the Enemy’s Strategies:
2 Corinthians 2:11 warns us not to be ignorant of the devil’s devices. We must ask God for discernment to recognize the enemy’s strategies and act swiftly to counter them.

c) Guard Your Heart:
Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts, for out of it flow the issues of life. We must protect our thoughts, emotions, and faith from being influenced by the enemy’s lies and deception.

Biblical Example: Jesus was spiritually vigilant when tempted by the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He recognized the enemy’s tactics and countered them with the Word of God.

4. THE POWER OF DECISIVE ACTION

a) Stop the Enemy Before He Gains Ground:
Proverbs 4:27 tells us to stay on the path of righteousness and not turn to the right or left. We must be swift in our spiritual actions to stop the enemy before he gains a foothold in our lives.

b) Use the Power of God’s Authority:
Luke 10:19 declares that Jesus has given us authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. We have the authority to command every force of darkness to stop in its tracks.

c) Walk in Boldness and Faith:
Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to approach God’s throne of grace with boldness. Boldness in prayer and faith allows us to stop the enemy with confidence, knowing that God is on our side.

Biblical Example: Esther took decisive action to stop Haman’s plot against the Jews (Esther 4:16). Through fasting, prayer, and boldness, she was able to stop the destruction of her people.

5. GOD’S PROMISE OF VICTORY

a) No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper:
Isaiah 54:17 assures us that no weapon formed against us will succeed. God promises to defend us and give us victory over every adversary.

b) The Lord Fights Your Battles:
Exodus 14:14 declares that the Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. When we trust in God, He takes over the battle and guarantees our victory.

c) Victory is Assured in Christ:
1 Corinthians 15:57 says, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." In Christ, we are more than conquerors, and nothing can stop us from fulfilling our destiny.

Biblical Example: Joshua led the Israelites to victory over their enemies in the promised land. God fought for them and stopped every opposing force (Joshua 10:12-14)

CONCLUSION:
To stop the enemy before he stops you, you must be spiritually vigilant, engage in warfare, and take decisive action using the authority and power that God has given you. The forces that seek to stop your progress are real, but greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. As you remain steadfast in faith and bold in your approach, God will grant you victory over every opposition.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Father, give me the strength to stop every enemy of my destiny before they stop me.

2. Lord, open my eyes to discern the strategies of the enemy.

3. Father, empower me to engage in spiritual warfare with boldness and authority.

4. Lord, destroy every weapon formed against me in the name of Jesus.

5. Father, protect me from every plot of the enemy, both seen and unseen.

6. Lord, let every plan of the enemy against my life be exposed and defeated.

7. Father, I command every force of darkness to stop in its tracks in Jesus' name.

8. Lord, fight my battles and give me victory over every adversary.

9. Father, help me to remain spiritually vigilant and alert to the enemy’s tactics.

10. Lord, give me the grace to walk in the authority and power You have given me.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

1. I declare that no weapon formed against you shall prosper in Jesus' name.

2. Every plan of the enemy to stop your destiny is cancelled in Jesus' name.

3. The Lord will fight your battles and give you victory on every side.

4. Every force of darkness standing against your progress is defeated in Jesus' name.

5. You will walk in the power and authority of Christ and stop every attack of the enemy.

6. The enemy’s strategies against your life will fail in the name of Jesus.

7. I declare that every force working against your family is destroyed in Jesus' name.

8. You will fulfil your destiny and nothing will be able to stop you.

9. The hand of God is upon you, and you will triumph over every opposition.

10. I declare that you are more than a conqueror through Christ, and you will walk in victory.

This sermon calls believers to take a proactive stance in stopping the enemy's attacks, using the authority and power that God has given them.