18 Nov It’s Time to Rise Up – Pastor Cheryl Dixon Colburn

Spiritual Warfare Victory Overview

Pastor Cheryl Dixon Colburn delivers a powerful message about spiritual warfare and overcoming life’s storms through faith in Christ. Drawing from her personal testimony of losing her husband seven years ago and stepping into senior pastoral leadership, she emphasizes that believers are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of darkness. Using the dramatic showdown between Moses and Pharaoh’s magicians as her foundation, Pastor Colburn reveals how Satan attempts to deceive believers between miracles – in the quiet moments when doubt creeps in. She teaches that while the enemy may seem powerful, God’s power always prevails, as demonstrated when Aaron’s rod swallowed the magicians’ rods. The core message centers on understanding our identity in Christ, recognizing that we are seated with Him in heavenly places, making all storms and enemies under our feet. Pastor Colburn provides practical warfare strategies including speaking God’s Word aloud, resisting the devil immediately when negative thoughts arise, and maintaining focus on Christ rather than circumstances.

Spiritual Warfare Victory Outline

• 0:00 – Personal Testimony and Opening Prayer: Pastor Colburn shares about losing her husband and stepping into pastoral leadership
• 5:30 – Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Teaching from Ephesians 6:12 about not wrestling with flesh and blood
• 10:15 – Resisting the Enemy’s Tactics: Practical steps for recognizing and resisting Satan’s mental attacks
• 15:45 – Our Position in Christ: Revelation of being seated with Christ above all storms and enemies
• 20:30 – The Moses and Pharaoh Showdown: Biblical example of spiritual warfare and God’s ultimate victory
• 28:00 – Between the Miracles: How Satan attacks during quiet moments between God’s interventions
• 33:20 – Aaron’s Rod Swallows Their Rods: God’s power always overcomes Satan’s counterfeits and deceptions

Scripture References

Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Ephesians 1:21-22, Exodus 7:10-12, Exodus 7:20-22, Psalm 118:17, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 8:37, 1 John 4:4, Revelation 20

Key Takeaways

• People are not your enemy – spiritual warfare is against demonic forces, not flesh and blood.
• God’s Word is voice-activated and must be spoken aloud to defeat Satan’s lies and attacks.
• The enemy attacks most fiercely between miracles when we’re vulnerable to doubt and discouragement.
• Believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places, making all storms and enemies under our feet.
• Resist the devil immediately when negative thoughts arise – don’t allow mental torment to take root.
• God’s power always overcomes Satan’s counterfeits, just as Aaron’s rod swallowed the magicians’ rods.
• Your story isn’t over regardless of current circumstances – Jesus is the ultimate victor.

Spiritual Warfare Victory Notes

Pastor Cheryl Dixon Colburn opens this powerful message by sharing her personal journey of unexpectedly becoming senior pastor after her husband’s sudden death seven years ago. This testimony establishes the credibility of someone who has walked through devastating storms yet emerged victorious through Christ. Her vulnerability creates an immediate connection with anyone facing unexpected life changes or overwhelming circumstances.The foundation of spiritual warfare is laid through Ephesians 6:12, where Paul clearly states that our battle is not against people but against spiritual forces of darkness. Pastor Colburn emphasizes that the enemy operates through oppression, cruelty, and deception, seeking to devour believers who are unprepared or unaware. The key to victory lies in being well-balanced, sober-minded, and vigilant at all times, not just when we feel like it.A crucial revelation emerges about our position in Christ. Drawing from Ephesians 1:21-22, she teaches that Jesus is far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and we are seated with Him in heavenly places. Since Christ is the head and we are the body, and all things are under His feet, this means storms and enemies are literally under our feet. This isn’t mere positive thinking but spiritual reality based on what Christ accomplished through His death and resurrection.The Moses and Pharaoh narrative provides a masterful illustration of how Satan operates today. When Moses and Aaron performed miracles, Pharaoh’s magicians duplicated them through demonic power. This created confusion and doubt about God’s supremacy. Pastor Colburn reveals that Satan uses this same strategy today – he allows circumstances that seem to match or counter God’s work in our lives, hoping to create doubt about God’s care and power.The critical insight concerns what happens ‘between the miracles.’ While we celebrate God’s victories and breakthrough moments, the enemy camps in the quiet spaces between these victories. He whispers lies about God’s care, questions His timing, and suggests that our prayers aren’t being answered. This is precisely when believers must be most vigilant and speak God’s Word most boldly.Pastor Colburn provides practical warfare strategies that have sustained her through personal tragedy and pastoral challenges. When negative thoughts arise, she immediately speaks against them: ‘No devil, in Jesus’ name. I will live and not die and declare the works of God.’ She emphasizes that God’s Word is voice-activated – it must be spoken aloud to be effective against Satan’s mental attacks.The climax comes when Aaron’s rod swallows the magicians’ rods, proving that while Satan may have power, God’s power is supreme and final. This principle applies to every believer’s situation – no matter how powerful the enemy’s attack appears, God’s power within us is greater. The enemy’s time is short, his destination is sealed, and his defeat is certain through Christ’s finished work.

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