Kenneth Hagin once went to preach in Church that was not growing. As he was ministering, he looked up and saw a huge ape clinging to the ceiling; it was a demon.
He rebuked the devil and commanded it to leave the Church. It dropped from the ceiling and started leaving. Kenneth Hagin insisted on it leaving the Church premises completely.
So the demon fled and entered a nearby night club. The following day, that night club had burnt down!
From that time, the Church started growing.
Dr. Yonggi Cho went to Japan to start some ministry work there. He settled in his hotel room.
Then, a huge black snake physically charged at him; he contended with the snake for a long time, binding it and wrestling in the realm of the spirit.
It was after such an epic victory over the devilish serpent that the work in Japan spread all over the nation!
Bishop Emmanuel Nterful recounted these fierce battles in his message on the final night of the Deliverance and Intercession Conference 2016.
Bishop Matthew Addae-Mensah encouraged the brethren to realize that it is through conferences that we grow because we are exposed to Scriptural truths.
Bishop Nterful then taught on 'Why we must intercede for Church Growth'.
He explained that the word 'intercede' comes from the Latin 'interceder' which means 'to intervene', 'to interfere' or 'to mediate'. God wants us to become intercessors who stand between the people of God and Satan to bring the will of God to pass (Isaiah 59:16).
God needs intercessors in the Body of Christ; He has called every minister to intervene against the devil's plans.
When we intercede, we come between God and men to modify the course of events. We are able to modify history.
When we intercede, we are situated between things. God has called every minister to be situated between wolves and the sheep (John 10:7).
There are demonic entities that want to come between the sheep and God. But God wants us to stand in the gap and cry before Him. Moses always stood in the gap for the Israelites.
God wants us to fight with our spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:3-6), one of which is the weapon of intercession.
Every pastor must have an army of people who pray for him/her all the time.
Bishop Nterful related one of Rick Joyner's visions in which there were hordes of demons that were riding believers. These were demons of pride, self-righteousness, jealousy, greed, etc. There are demonic armies marching against the Church. He recommended the 'Final Quest' by Rick Joyner to the congregants.
He intimated that aside preaching, counselling and visiting, pastors must also engage in intercession.
The following are seven reasons why you must intercede for the Church:
1. We must intercede for the Church because the gates of hell have targeted the Church to destroy it (Matthew 16:18).
He explained that the gates of hell represent of assault of the powers of darkness on the Church.
You need to rise up and fight through intercession; that's how to advance (Joshua 9:1-2; Deuteronomy 2:22-24).
When you're doing ministry, you're taking lands from Satan.
You need to fast and pray.
2. We must intercede for the Church because there are many enemies against the preaching of the Gospel.
Preaching is powerful; the only thing that can change men is preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21).
Wherever God has put you is a great door for the Gospel to reach the lost, but there are many enemies against it (1 Corinthians 16:8-9).
After Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Holy Spirit, they faced opposition from Elymas, the sorcerer, who did not want the governor to hear the Gospel and be saved. But Elymas was struck blind (Acts 13:6-11)!
There was also a demon-possessed fortune telling slave girl who followed Paul and Silas about. Paul cast the devil out of her and that's where trouble broke out and they were thrown in prison.
But thanks be unto God! At midnight, they prayed and worshipped the Lord and there was an earthquake, the foundations of the prison shook and the doors flew open. This eventually led to the salvation of the whole household of the jailer.
(Please study Acts 16:16-31).
3. We must intercede for the Church because demons of strife have been released to destroy the growth of the Church.
Reading from James 3:14-16, the man of God taught that strife and envying hinder fruitbearing.
We can only bear fruit in peace; the blessings of the Lord are released when the brethren dwell together in unity (Psalm 133).
If we are united, nobody can stop us (Genesis 11:6).
4. We must intercede for the Church because demons of sin and evil have been released against the Church.
It was reported commonly in the Corinthian Church that there was sexual immorality among the brethren (1 Corinthians 5:1).
Sin has caused powerlessness in the Church; where there is sin, God cannot dwell.
We can only have fellowship with Jesus Christ in the light (righteousness) not darkness (evil/sin) [1 John 1:7].
The evil kills the power of God. We must intercede against of fornication, idolatry, etc.
"A lot of prayers are not heard because of iniquity," he said.
5. We must intercede for the Church so that the enemy will not plant tares among the wheat (Matthew 13:24).
When you're relaxes, the enemy comes to plant tares among the wheat in your field.
The devil is you adversary; your archenemy (1 Peter 5:8).
He bemoaned, "Many pastors don't pray anymore; they're now using strategies/gimmicks."
Then he proffered a more excellent way, "That's why we need to hear the voice of God through prayer; one word from God can turn your Church around for good."
The point is that no pastor an build the Church; it Jesus who builds it through us. Therefore, we must follow His lead.
6. We must intercede for the Church because the Church has been infiltrated by false teachers, apostles and prophets (Matthew 24:11).
He warned pastors to be very careful the type of prophet invite to the Church. He encouraged them follow their history first; by their fruit you shall know them.
When you invite the right minister to your Church, your Church us blessed and strengthens after they have left.
Don't just invite anybody to your Church!
Pray so that the Church will be delivered from false prophets.
He charged pastors present to intercede and raise up intercessors.
7. We must intercede for the Church because of wicked Government officials and false religious who persecute the Church.
In Acts 12, Herod killed James. Then he imprisoned Peter but the Church prayed for him 'without ceasing'. And then angel came to Peter's rescue. Peter was freed as a result of the of the Church.
He challenged attendees to saturate their Churches with prayer.
He also us to pray for revival, for a greater anointing, and for thousands upon thousands.
The early Church was a praying Church; persecution provoked the Church to pray (Acts 4:22-33).
He concluded by saying, "If you pray and wait upon the Lord, something will happen. Bring back prayer to the Church. Raise up people to pray."
Everyone was so stirred and filled with the Spirit, calling upon the Lord for spirit of supplication and intercession.
It was simply excellent and full of glory!
Gloryyyyyyyy!!!!!
Get copies of the messages preached from the Phenomenal Faith Cathedral at GHS 5.00 per copy and listen over and over and over and over again, acting on what you hear!
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