Taking Territories

The service began by reflecting on the lessons from the previous week's powerful and glorious conference. One of the key lessons was that, as Christians, we must not remain in a defensive position. We are called to advance, take territories and engage in spiritual warfare through prayer, faith and obedience to God's instructions. The emphasis was on living righteously, avoiding sin and positioning ourselves to fulfil the purposes of God.

The teaching emphasised that taking the Kingdom of God requires determination, spiritual aggression and perseverance. Being spiritually aggressive does not mean behaving recklessly or violently towards people. Rather, it means being determined, intentional and powerful in prayer and spiritual warfare.

Christians should not simply accept situations as they are. We are called to confront opposition through prayer and faith and advance into the territories God has given us.

Jericho was presented as an example of taking territory according to God's strategy. Joshua had been given the assignment, but he still had to follow God's instructions before the walls came down. The key lesson was that God may give us the territory, but we must still obey His strategy to possess it.

The Church was encouraged to ask God for revelation and strategy concerning the territories we are called to influence.

We were reminded that our struggle is not ultimately against people. Behind many situations and conflicts there can be spiritual forces at work. Therefore, instead of attacking people, Christians must learn to identify and address the spiritual issues through prayer.

This understanding should change how we respond to anger, conflict, opposition and difficult situations. We should avoid making people the enemy and instead pray strategically.

The service placed strong emphasis on the power of speech. In Genesis 1:3, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Life can be transformed when people begin to speak according to God's Word.

The Church was encouraged to keep declaring God's promises and speaking life until there is manifestation. The illustration of two flower pots was used: one was consistently spoken to positively while the other was spoken to negatively, with the resulting difference demonstrating the potential influence of words.

The encouragement was: if there is something you are believing God for, keep speaking God's Word concerning it. It was also taught that consistent repetition can establish a mindset and become part of one's way of thinking and living.

The teaching emphasised that everyone who comes to church has a role as an intercessor. The example of Joshua and the Israelites going around Jericho demonstrated that spiritual warfare requires strategy, obedience and perseverance. The Church was encouraged not to remain passive but to become strategic in prayer and to actively participate in advancing God's Kingdom.

The importance of carrying out God's assignments with sincerity and diligence was emphasised. Whatever we do for God should not be done deceitfully or carelessly. We were encouraged to give ourselves fully to prayer and spiritual assignments, recognising that we are serving the Lord.

The example of Gideon's army was highlighted. Although Gideon initially had 32,000 men, God reduced the army to 300. The lesson was that victory does not depend on numbers but on obedience, unity and God's empowerment. The few people who are committed and united can accomplish significant things when they hear God's instruction and act together.

The congregation was reminded that people often desire harvest but do not enjoy the process of sowing. Similarly, many people want results without investing the necessary time, energy and prayer. In biblical times, people invested time in building altars and seeking God.

In the same way, when God gives us an assignment, we must make time to pray, intercede and wage spiritual warfare. The current assignment is not only about seeing immediate results but about faithfully sowing into the territory so that a harvest can eventually come.

The Church was challenged to recognise that we have been positioned within our communities for a purpose. Our assignment is to influence lives and bring people to Christ. Even winning one soul matters greatly to God. The examples of the lost sheep and the prodigal son demonstrated the value God places on one person returning to Him.

The goal is not necessarily to bring everyone into one particular church. If someone is won to Christ and later becomes established in another Bible-believing church, the Kingdom of God has still advanced.

The example of Joshua and Jericho was connected to Life Portal International Church and the territory in which it has been planted. Just as Joshua had an assignment concerning Jericho, LPIC has an assignment concerning its territory.

The Church was encouraged to pray strategically for the community, families, marriages, businesses and individuals within the territory. The congregation was reminded that the enemy will oppose the advancement of the Gospel because souls being saved and lives being transformed represent the advancement of God's Kingdom.

The congregation was encouraged: “Do not be afraid nor be dismayed.” God's people must approach their assignments with boldness rather than timidity. The teaching reminded us that wherever God has instructed us to step, He can give us the territory. The strategies recorded in Scripture can teach us how to approach the battles and assignments we face today.

This principle was also applied to personal areas such as marriage, business, family and ministry. Whatever challenges we face are temporary, and we must continue to trust God and engage in prayer.

The congregation was instructed to prepare for a Week of Prayer. Specific prayer instructions will be communicated, and members are encouraged to participate actively and consistently. The focus will be on strategic prayer, spiritual warfare, taking territories and winning battles according to God's instructions.

The Church was encouraged to understand that while we are fighting God's battles, God is also able to address the battles concerning our own lives.

We are called to advance, not remain in defensive mode. God gives territory, but we must obey His strategy to possess it. Spiritual warfare should be directed against spiritual forces, not people. Our words must agree with God's Word. Everyone has a role in intercession. Prayer requires consistency, strategy and perseverance. Unity is more powerful than numbers when God is involved. There must be sowing before there can be a harvest. The Church has an assignment to win souls within its community. Boldness is required when confronting spiritual opposition. We must not be afraid or dismayed. The coming week is dedicated to strategic prayer and spiritual warfare.

The message of the service was a call to take territories. The Church was reminded that we are not merely spectators in the Kingdom of God. We have been given assignments, territories and responsibilities. Through prayer, obedience, unity, boldness and the declaration of God's Word, we must advance the Kingdom.

Just as the priests blew the trumpets and the walls of Jericho came down, the Church must continue to sound the trumpet of the Gospel. As we pray, intercede and proclaim Christ, we trust God to break down walls of resistance and open the way for lives to be transformed.

The congregation was encouraged to pray for the person next to them to become a soul winner and to prepare for the coming Week of Prayer. Shalom.