Spiritual Warfare: Corona vs Christ
As Christians we need to practice spiritual warfare.
James Greer
Mar 15, 2020 32m
In this sermon Pastor James talks about spiritual warfare and tells us that most fear is fake. We can claim victory over fear in Christ and in His word. This is just a battle, the war is not over and when it is, Christ will win! Corona doesn't stand a chance against Christ who is worthy of many crowns. Video recorded at Pineville, Louisiana.
TranscriptionmessageRegarding Grammar:
This is a transcription of the sermon. People speak differently than they write, and there are common colloquialisms in this transcript that sound good when spoken, and look like bad grammar when written.
This is a transcription of the sermon. People speak differently than they write, and there are common colloquialisms in this transcript that sound good when spoken, and look like bad grammar when written.
James Greer (00:00):
We're doing some things a little bit different, you know, there is the Corona virus that's spreading and so we're trying to do some things different. The seniors are in building E. They're watching us live and we're doing the best we can do to do the right things. We're trying to make everything as sterile as possible. We're not passing the offering plate, but you can sure give your offering at the end of the service. There'll be a bucket in the back. For the first time in probably in 30 years, I'm not going to go to the door and greet everybody, which is really strange for me because I love to hug. A while ago my daughter walked in and I tried to give her the elbow bump. She said, there's no way buddy. See that that might work for some, you're giving me a hug. And so we, we hugged.
James Greer (00:44):
So, it's okay some people, I understand if you choose to watch online, I love it because. Hey, for the first time I'm sitting here looking at some of the people, my goodness gracious. Sherry, Jennifer, Miss Pat Jackoat. Did you know she watches every single Sunday? Hey Pat. Cindy said, Hey, Pat. And Brittany, you all know Trace and Brittany. They didn't, they couldn't have it there today, but Brittany's wise, I'm still her pastor. I love you. And she's watching. Andy, I'm praying for you. He knows who that is. And it just goes on and on and on. Pam and her husband. So, I'm kind of doing it, I'm going to do it a little different. I'm going to start learning how to do some interacting while I'm preaching, while they're on Facebook. I'm going to try. I'll be doing good to use this and do it now.
James Greer (01:41):
But, one of the things I want you to know is the President asked us to have a national day of prayer. So, what I'd like to do is, in 1 Timothy 2 says this, pray for our kings and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence, for this is good and it's acceptable in the sight of God. So, let's pray for all those in authority. And let's pray that God gives wisdom on how to get a cure for this virus, okay? God, we just thank you for you're the King of Kings and the Lord. Lord, you're the one that's in control. We pray for our President and all those in authority. We pray for those that are trying to find a cure for this virus, God, and you give them the insight. God w pray a hedge of protection around our church, our people. God, this is Holy ground. God, we plead the blood of Jesus Christ. We thank you for the day and what you're going to do. It's in Christ's name we pray. And everybody said, Amen.
New Speaker (03:00):
Now listen, what I did was, it was the beginning of spiritual warfare and man, I had swords and I was going to be swinging them all over the place and it's going to be fun and, I changed the message though. This is still spiritual warfare, but I call it Corona versus Christ. Because every time you think of Corona, you ready? I want you to think of Christ. Every time you think of the Corona virus, I want you to think of, Amen? Because see, if you're not careful, what you think about is what you worship. And dude, I don't want to be worshiping Corona, I want to worship Christ. Some of you all think more about Christ this week than you have in months. Our verse to remember this week, I want everybody, if you have to, to write it down, put it in your card. Whatever you do and put it in your pocket is, 2 Timothy 1:7 it says this, for God has not given us a spirit of what? God is not giving us a spirit of what? Fear, but a power and of love and of sound mind. So, what I want you to do this week, every time you start thinking about the Corona virus because man, I'm telling you can't watch TV. You can't listen to the radio. That's all everybody's talking about. Amen? I want you to think about Christ. Carry it in your pocket if you have to. So, this week everybody's memory verse is 2 Timothy 1:7, and we can do that.
James Greer (03:45):
See, to overcome fear, we have to have a mind, a sound mind. To have a sound mind, we have had the mind of Christ in the matter. And we do that by having his word, not Corona. Stress and fear is really nothing more than a false perception that you're in control. Hey, aren't we finding out how little control we really have? See, when you get all stressed out, when I get all stressed out, what I'm really doing is thinking I'm in control of the situation. I'm in control of that particular person. And the truth is, I'm not in control. You're not in control. We're not in control. See there, I'm not even control that. But, so what happens is we start getting stressed out and we have fear because we have a false perception that we're in control. And then the more, you ready? The more we try to control it, the more out of control we get, the more stressed out we get. I'm going to give you a free insight. You all ready? Amen. You're not in control. If you go home with one thing, say, Oh, I'm not in control. You're not control of the virus. You're not, but guess who is in control? You're not in control, but Christ is in control.
James Greer (04:46):
In Revelation 4:11 it says, he created all things and by him they exist. He created everything and by him everything exists. Step number one today, step number one, when we fear, first of all, remember most fears fake. I had somebody call me this week. I'm telling you, they were freaking out. What if this happened? What if that happened? What if, I mean just crying and just freaking out, before it ever happened? I said, what if it doesn't even happen? And you're sitting here freaking out. Fear can be fake. Amen? So, in all cases, look to Christ. look to Christ in his word. Let fear, this is good if you're listening. Let fear cause you to refocus on Christ.
James Greer (06:15):
I'm doing a seven day devotional. You'll get it next Sunday. So, you need to come next Sunday. Man, if you come in person next Sunday, you get it. Now for you all watching online, it's okay. Wow, wee! Hey Janiece, Jonathan, Hunter, get after it brother. I mean were just growing and growing. Man, I've got so many people watching online. It's unbelievable. I'm going to start counting you all as being at church. But anyway, it's pretty good. So, we all have times of fear. Let the fear cause you to refocus. I'm writing a seven day devotion for you all next week. It's Christ versus Corona. And I'm talking about how fear can cause you to refocus. Can you all imagine Moses when he walked up and saw a burning bush? That would cause you a little fear. Hey man. God was good at getting his attention, to give him one of the greatest ministries that he's ever had. Let fear cause you to what? Refocus.
James Greer (07:16):
Did you all know this? The word Corona, what it means. It means one liking to a crown. Now I heard everybody right and said it means the crown. No, no, no, no. It's one liking to a crown. He's not the real crown. He's one like a crown. There's only one worthy to wear the real crown and crowns, that's Christ. Amen? So it means one likened to a crown, in that appropriate one likened to a crown.
James Greer (07:44):
Have you ever seen any one thing get so much attention in the whole life? Never. We've never had a state of emergency where it went all the way across the country that everything's happening. They shut schools down, they shut everything down. I mean, have you all gone to the grocery store? Holy Moses. You'd think there was a state of emergency. Why does everybody so worried about toilet paper? You could live without toilet paper, but you got to have water. I understand that, but toilet paper, it just dries up. It's so bad. I went to look for toilet paper. I got lots of it at home, I went and bought some more. Just because everybody else was buying it. I mean, there's those things you could use if you had to it. But anyway, it just makes you wonder what's going on.
James Greer (08:26):
There's only one worthy and revelation tells us you're worthy oh Lord, to receive honor and glory and power. Who's worthy? God's worthy, Amen? Not everybody else. Okay, and did you know in Matthew 27:29 it said, when Jesus was about to be crucified, they took him and they twisted a crown of thorns on him. They put it on his head and a reef in his right hand and they bowed on their knees before him. They mocked him and they said, hail king of the Jews. They were making fun of him. They were making fun. You're the King. Let me tell you, he's going to come back and when he comes back, he's going to be the King of kings.
James Greer (09:18):
It's about to be Easter and we're going to celebrate. Amen? We're going to celebrate. No matter what happens, we're going to celebrate whether we celebrate online or we celebrate in person. We're still going to celebrate. We're going to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His death, they twisted, they put thorns on him, on his head. They put him on a cross. He gave up his life. People said no, they killed him. No, no, no, no. He gave up his life. They put him in a grave. All that's true. Amen? But that's not the only truth. Just as true as that he died and he went in to a grave, is that he defeated death, the grave. They could not hold him. Jesus is not dead, but he is alive. Now let me tell you something, just as much as Jesus, the death, the burial, and the devil could not hold him. If you're a Christian, you ready? If you're a Christian, the death, the grave and the devil cannot hold you. Amen? Thank you. All right.
James Greer (10:44):
1 Corinthians 15:54 you ready? So, when this corruptible has been put on in corruption and this moral has put on immorality, does that mean I can become immortal? Maybe. Then shall be brought to pass. When I get saved, when I die, the same is written. Death shall be swallowed up. Oh, victory. I love this next part. You all ready? Oh, death wears us thing. Oh, Haiti's where is your victory? You all want me to paraphrase that for you? Amen? You all want me to paraphrase it? To hell with the devil. I like that better, don't you? Oh to hell with the devil and death. Jesus gave his victory over the whole thing and everybody said, Amen. You can understand that better. Amen? I love James' translations. Anyway, and so it says this, if we are incorruptible and immoral, so why do we fear? Paul understood that Paul actually calls death gain. They went on and said, Oh, sting, oh the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law, but it goes on after that, but thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord, who? Jesus Christ. Then he finishes up and says, therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain for the Lord.
James Greer (11:50):
Okay, ready? Step number two, you all ready? Remember this, step number one is let fear drive you to Christ. Every time you think of Corona, think of Christ. Step number two, remember this, we win or we win. If you're a Christian, you're going to win. As a Christian. Oh, we win against the Corona, the government, the devil or anything else, including death. We win. You win, or we what? We win. Man, it is great to be a Christian because what? We win. Hey Pam. And so we win. We win when we get the Corona under control. We win when it's not under control. And I want you to know how, when you learn that you win, how you live. I asked Janet and Tony if I could use this picture of them and it was kind of early this morning and they said yes. And I've got a picture of Janet catching some fish. Look at those fish. She just, I love that smile, baby. I love you. Now what you all might not know is, as is sweet as she is and all of the fish she caught is. You win or you win. Amen? She does have cancer. Amen? And I'm going to tell you, she's had a real serious surgery, still has the staples.
James Greer (13:34):
I'm going to read a verse that describes how you live. It's 2 Corinthians 12:7 and it says this, and lest I should be exalted above measures, that's Paul. And so abundance of revelation, a thorn in the flesh was given me as a messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I be exalted above measure. Okay, there's something going on in my life that I want to change concerning these things. I pleaded with the Lord three times that they might depart. Now, I think no matter what you're going through, if you're having a hard time and you're suffering, I think we should ask God to remove it. Amen? And I can assure you, we have prayed for Janet. We have prayed that Janet would be healed. We pray that God would remove the cancer, but we don't know that God's going to do that, right? But, we do know verse nine is true, but God said my grace is sufficient for you and I know it. She's living it out and she, and so people don't know what that is.
James Greer (14:29):
I've preached this for 30 years, so I want you to know you can look at it, and my grace is sufficient, my strength is perfect in weakness. It does not mean you don't suffer. It does not mean you don't have hard times. It does not mean you don't cry. It does not mean you don't suffer, but it means that you have a strange strength in your weakness. Therefore, most gladly, I would rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ rests upon you. Well, you want to see what the power Christ looks like. Look up there. Amen? Give her a hand. That's what it looks like. Therefore, I take pleasure in my infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, my distresses, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak. Then he is what? You know what I wrote underneath that? Pain and suffering is inevitable, and many times we don't have a choice. Misery is optional. Wow! I know. Everybody else said, yeah, yeah. I don't know what you're going through. I may not, but she does. She'll teach you how to live in suffering.
James Greer (15:53):
There is Sue, Val and Kenny. Kenny has had his last treatment of cancer this week and he's going to get his x-rays on Monday. So, we're praying for him too. Okay.
James Greer (16:23):
Paul wants to explain how we win or we win. Amen? Philippians 1:20,21 tells that. He says, according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be what? Ashamed. So, remember that. He said, I don't want to be ashamed, but with all boldness he wants to be bold. As always, so now also Christ will be magnified. So there's a few things Christ says, I don't, I mean, Paul says, I don't want to be ashamed. I want to have boldness. I want him magnify Christ in my body, whether I live or whether by death. Then he says this, verse 21 Paul sums life up. He said, when you really understand the Christian life, are you all ready? Paul says, for me to live is what? For me to live is Christ. There's the answer for me to live is? So, if we're going to live, we will live for Christ. Amen?
James Greer (17:25):
But if we die, it's gain. Wow! Win-win. Thank you. Win-win. Paul said for me, it's win-win. What are you going to do? Kill me. Kill me, I'll go to heaven. Don't kill me. I'm going to live for Christ. I want you to know as a Christian, if you're living for Christ, it is a what? Win-win. Amen? Paul said, I don't want to ashamed of Christ. Do you? Amen. Romans 1:6-8 says, for I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Why? For it is the power of God to salvation, to everyone who believes to the Jews first and then to the Greek. See, when you're not ashamed of the gospel, when you're not ashamed of Christ, I guess, are you all ready? Thanks to Corona virus you're going to have many opportunities not to be ashamed.
James Greer (18:13):
You're going to have more opportunities next week than you've had in your lifetime. You've never had opportunities like you have. See, when you're not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, you all ready? You get the honor and privileged to experience the power of God, which means the mighty miracle working God, to salvation means to deliver and save. Everyone who believes and commits. In other words, you got the honor and privilege to other people come to you when they're fearful. You've got the honor and privilege not to be ashamed of Christ and bring the mighty miracle working power to help deliver them from their fear. That's good Brother James, man, you all are going to be on fire. Amen? So listen, when people start talking about Corona, you start talking about, Amen. You're getting it. Amen.
James Greer (19:08):
Your daughter's watching, want to tell her hi? Carla, Tyler, Amy. Tyler, your mother's with us and she's smiling. She just calls it my fish. I'll put it on her, baby. She's at church. I'm just saying. Anyway. She said she loves you. Oh, she just got off. No, she didn't need it anyway. Okay. I am kind of liking this too much. Anyway, anyway, when they start talking about that, you can just simply say something like, man, I know there's a concern. It's right to be concerned. It's right to be careful. Amen?
James Greer (19:44):
But, 2 Timothy 1:7 is our verse this week. For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. You understand it says us. You can bring that person in with you. If they believe it, they can start experiencing it. I'm so glad my faith stands in Christ, not in Corona. Do you understand opportunities for boldness that you get? It goes, first-time says, don't be ashamed.
James Greer (19:55):
The second thing Paul said is, he wanted to be bold. Journey Church, I want us all be bold. I want us to be bolder than we've ever been in our entire life. Amen? When I say bold some people said, that's just not my personality. This is not a personality about you. This is about Christ and his word. Amen?
James Greer (20:19):
Third, he said, I want Christ to be magnified. Great. He said, Christ will be magnified. The problem today is most people want to magnify themselves instead of Christ. This is what happens when people start getting freaked out, instead of showing their faith. You're freaking out, instead of your faith. You're simply magnified in yourself instead of Christ. I don't want you to freak out. I want you to have faith in Christ. Amen? Magnify him instead.
James Greer (21:31):
Third simple step, remember this, we are in a battle, but the war is not over. We are in a battle, but the war is not over. Christ will win the war. I can promise you he will. He always has and he always will. Revelation 19:11, hey Tracey, Davis, anyway, Revelation 19:11, I am liking this thing, I am going to get me one of those little holders for the phone, okay, Revelation 9:11 says this, now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. He might have been a servant when he came, and a shepherd, but he is fixing to be a warrior. Jesus comes back, he's King of Kings and he's Lord of the Lord. Guess what his eyes were? His eyes were like a flame of fire. On his head there were many crowns. Corona is like a crown, but the only the King of Kings and Lord of lords is worthy of the crowns. And he had a name written that no one knew except himself and he's going to give it to us.
James Greer (22:25):
He was clothed with a robe dripping in blood and his name is called what? The word of God. You need to remember that his name was called the word of God. And it dropped down to verse 16 and it says this, and he has in his robe and his thigh, his name was written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. See, there might be a battle going on, but I can tell you the Corona might be likened unto a crown, but there's only one person worthy to wear and handle the real crown and his name is Jesus Christ. All right. Corona was like, he might be fighting, but he hasn’t got a fighting chance. The truth is, Christ is going to win. He is the one worthy. When I say crown, I'm talking about the only one that's worthy of our honor and our praise and our glory, is a healthy fear of God, not Corona. Amen?
James Greer (23:14):
So, in in some closing thoughts, I want you to remember this. He said he's clothed in dripping blood and his name is call the word of God. Victory over fear of the Corona virus is Christ. It comes from the word of God. If there's ever a time you need what we call a never again list. Most of you have it. If you don't, there should be some back, in the welcome center and go back there and get you one. It's never again will I confess fear, I can do all things through Christ. Never again will I worry, I'll cast all my cares on him. And so what I want you to do this week, is I want you to take the never again list and whatever area it is in your life, you quote the scripture back instead of letting your mind run away with you. Amen? So if you need one, just go back there and get you one because the Bible says, and they overcame him, the devil, the flesh and fear by the blood of the lamb and the word of this testimony, and they did not love their life. So, remember there's only one King of Kings and there's only one Lord of Lords, and his name is Jesus Christ. Do you believe there's only one King of kings and one Lord of lords? Amen? Let's live like it. Amen? Don't worship Corona, worship Christ. All right?
James Greer (24:37):
Don't worship Corona, worship Christ. All right? This is what we're going to do this week. I want you to do this. I want us to take this corona virus and make it work for the good of Christ. It's here. You can't instantaneous remove it, but we can apply Romans 8:28 that says, and we know all things, not some things, all things.
James Greer (25:05):
Janet, I don't wish you had cancer. If I had the power, I would remove it. I don't. I see that you and Tony had learned how to make it work for Christ. You all probably touch more people since you've got that, than in any other time in your life. Not saying it's good, it just, it's happened. You've taught us how to live out suffering. I've never seen it happen. We've got others doing it. Fred's doing it. I mean, we've got people, I've never seen it in all the years of my ministry. I don't want it for you all, but I thank God that you are doing it and that we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God.
James Greer (25:49):
It said that it was always good. He said it works it out for good, and those that are called according to his purpose. So, what I'd like for us to do, we have the greatest opportunity I think that we've ever had in the history to be the light in darkness. When it said in Matthew 5:14 through 16 when it said, you are the light of the world. Christians, it didn't say you might be. It didn't say you should be. He said, you are, a city that is set on a hill can't hide. Guess what Christians? You've got to come out of hiding, nor do they light a lamp and they put it under a basket. See, I believe one of the reasons so many Christians suffer anxiety is God's trying to, you all ready? God's trying to come out and you're trying to shove it down. But, on a lamp stand. And it gives light to all those in the house. So that says, now he says, so let your light so shine therefore before men that they might see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.
James Greer (27:00):
What's our verse for the week? God didn't give you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind. Turn your worry into worship. Turn your Corona virus to Christ. When people talk to you about worry and fear, it's your opportunity to be the light. Talk to them about, for God hadn't given you a spirit of fear, given us a spirit of fear, us as you and the person your witness to, bring them into the peace and the power of God. Because let me tell you this. See if you're saved, if you're serving, if you surrendered, you ready? You can be secure no matter what's going on in your life. If you're not saved and you're not serving and you're not surrender, you'll spend your life scared. Lot of scared people right now, you don't have to be scared.
James Greer (27:56):
Listen, you can't be saved, serving, and surrender. He can't be if you're saved, if you're serving and surrender, you're ready? You cannot be scared. It's impossible, because surrender means you become preoccupied and you're completely dependent upon Christ. You can't be preoccupied and completely dependent on Christ and scared. You can't have fear in here. If you have fear, you need to hear from God. It's impossible to have fear while you're hearing from God at the same time, it's impossible.
James Greer (29:24):
In fact, Joshua had a new commandment from God. He said, you're fixing to face some things that most people would fear, and God said in Joshua 1:9 he said, have I not commanded you? Can I say something? God has a command for you, it's not a suggestion. He said, be strong. Be of good courage. Do not be afraid. This for me, this for you. It's a commandment to go out this week, nor be dismayed. Why? For the Lord your God, he's with you wherever you go. Man, we got the King of kings and the Lord of lords, he wants us to go out and he wants to be a light and he wants to be different. He wants us to magnify the Lord. This is the greatest opportunity to be a witness for Christ that we've ever had in our entire life. Be a witness. Amen? It's not a suggestion. It's a commandment. We shouldn't be like the rest of the world.
James Greer (29:40):
If you're here today and you don't have the Lord of lords and the King of kings, today is the day to surrender your life to Jesus Christ. You don't know that you're going to have it tomorrow. I know you have it today. Now for me, it's a little bit strange today. I'm a give an invitation, but I'm not going to come to the front. Never done that before. You should have information cards. We're going to have somebody come to the front. You're going to have these. There's a next step card. There's never an easier way in your entire life. Some of you need to take it out and say, today is a day I want to accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior and you just check it. Some of you never been publicly baptized and you need to check it. Some of you need to start tithing, some of you need to start serving, some of you need join the church. Man, would today be a great day. Some of you that are online, you can now join that way. You can do it right there while you're watching.
James Greer (31:15):
Now you can give your life to Jesus Christ or you can go to us on jcpineville.com and it tells you how to fill it out, but I don't want anybody not to have the opportunity to let Jesus be the Lord of lords and the King of Kings. I want you not to be afraid. I want you to be the light of the world and I want it to start right now today. So if you stand, I'm going to pray with you. I'm going to pray for you. Richie is going to come to the front. He'll pray with you, he'll pray for you. I'll be here. You can bring the card, you can put it on the altar or you can have one of these guys, one of these people pray with you and to pray for you. Okay?
James Greer (32:09):
Father, you're a great God, man. I'm so thankful. I'm thankful for one, those that are here, this sanctuary. I thank you for the seniors there. I thank you for the Alexandria campus. God, I thank you for all those that are online touch hearts today. God cast out fear and doubts, discouragement. God help us to obey your commandment in Joshua 1:9. Help us to be strong, help us to be of good courage. You told us, do not be afraid. Don't be dismayed. Why? Because the Lord, capital L. O, R. D, the one that's in control, the God that made the heaven and earth, that you're with us and you're going to be wherever we go, God help us be a light. Help us be a witness like never before. Help us to magnify you. Help us to experience that power, not being ashamed of the gospel like never before. Now God, those that need to join the church. Let the day be today, where they want to come to the front where they want to fill the card out. They can bring the card to the front or they can turn it in to the back. But God, we want to enjoy your fruit like never before. We're going to magnify you. We're going to take what looks like bad and we're going to turn it around to something good. God we will give you the honor, the glory and the praise. May they need to be baptized. God, whatever, you lay it on their heart. I pray now, God, that you'd have your will and your way. It's in Christ's name. I pray and everybody said, Amen.
Recorded in Pineville, Louisiana.
We're doing some things a little bit different, you know, there is the Corona virus that's spreading and so we're trying to do some things different. The seniors are in building E. They're watching us live and we're doing the best we can do to do the right things. We're trying to make everything as sterile as possible. We're not passing the offering plate, but you can sure give your offering at the end of the service. There'll be a bucket in the back. For the first time in probably in 30 years, I'm not going to go to the door and greet everybody, which is really strange for me because I love to hug. A while ago my daughter walked in and I tried to give her the elbow bump. She said, there's no way buddy. See that that might work for some, you're giving me a hug. And so we, we hugged.
James Greer (00:44):
So, it's okay some people, I understand if you choose to watch online, I love it because. Hey, for the first time I'm sitting here looking at some of the people, my goodness gracious. Sherry, Jennifer, Miss Pat Jackoat. Did you know she watches every single Sunday? Hey Pat. Cindy said, Hey, Pat. And Brittany, you all know Trace and Brittany. They didn't, they couldn't have it there today, but Brittany's wise, I'm still her pastor. I love you. And she's watching. Andy, I'm praying for you. He knows who that is. And it just goes on and on and on. Pam and her husband. So, I'm kind of doing it, I'm going to do it a little different. I'm going to start learning how to do some interacting while I'm preaching, while they're on Facebook. I'm going to try. I'll be doing good to use this and do it now.
James Greer (01:41):
But, one of the things I want you to know is the President asked us to have a national day of prayer. So, what I'd like to do is, in 1 Timothy 2 says this, pray for our kings and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence, for this is good and it's acceptable in the sight of God. So, let's pray for all those in authority. And let's pray that God gives wisdom on how to get a cure for this virus, okay? God, we just thank you for you're the King of Kings and the Lord. Lord, you're the one that's in control. We pray for our President and all those in authority. We pray for those that are trying to find a cure for this virus, God, and you give them the insight. God w pray a hedge of protection around our church, our people. God, this is Holy ground. God, we plead the blood of Jesus Christ. We thank you for the day and what you're going to do. It's in Christ's name we pray. And everybody said, Amen.
New Speaker (03:00):
Now listen, what I did was, it was the beginning of spiritual warfare and man, I had swords and I was going to be swinging them all over the place and it's going to be fun and, I changed the message though. This is still spiritual warfare, but I call it Corona versus Christ. Because every time you think of Corona, you ready? I want you to think of Christ. Every time you think of the Corona virus, I want you to think of, Amen? Because see, if you're not careful, what you think about is what you worship. And dude, I don't want to be worshiping Corona, I want to worship Christ. Some of you all think more about Christ this week than you have in months. Our verse to remember this week, I want everybody, if you have to, to write it down, put it in your card. Whatever you do and put it in your pocket is, 2 Timothy 1:7 it says this, for God has not given us a spirit of what? God is not giving us a spirit of what? Fear, but a power and of love and of sound mind. So, what I want you to do this week, every time you start thinking about the Corona virus because man, I'm telling you can't watch TV. You can't listen to the radio. That's all everybody's talking about. Amen? I want you to think about Christ. Carry it in your pocket if you have to. So, this week everybody's memory verse is 2 Timothy 1:7, and we can do that.
James Greer (03:45):
See, to overcome fear, we have to have a mind, a sound mind. To have a sound mind, we have had the mind of Christ in the matter. And we do that by having his word, not Corona. Stress and fear is really nothing more than a false perception that you're in control. Hey, aren't we finding out how little control we really have? See, when you get all stressed out, when I get all stressed out, what I'm really doing is thinking I'm in control of the situation. I'm in control of that particular person. And the truth is, I'm not in control. You're not in control. We're not in control. See there, I'm not even control that. But, so what happens is we start getting stressed out and we have fear because we have a false perception that we're in control. And then the more, you ready? The more we try to control it, the more out of control we get, the more stressed out we get. I'm going to give you a free insight. You all ready? Amen. You're not in control. If you go home with one thing, say, Oh, I'm not in control. You're not control of the virus. You're not, but guess who is in control? You're not in control, but Christ is in control.
James Greer (04:46):
In Revelation 4:11 it says, he created all things and by him they exist. He created everything and by him everything exists. Step number one today, step number one, when we fear, first of all, remember most fears fake. I had somebody call me this week. I'm telling you, they were freaking out. What if this happened? What if that happened? What if, I mean just crying and just freaking out, before it ever happened? I said, what if it doesn't even happen? And you're sitting here freaking out. Fear can be fake. Amen? So, in all cases, look to Christ. look to Christ in his word. Let fear, this is good if you're listening. Let fear cause you to refocus on Christ.
James Greer (06:15):
I'm doing a seven day devotional. You'll get it next Sunday. So, you need to come next Sunday. Man, if you come in person next Sunday, you get it. Now for you all watching online, it's okay. Wow, wee! Hey Janiece, Jonathan, Hunter, get after it brother. I mean were just growing and growing. Man, I've got so many people watching online. It's unbelievable. I'm going to start counting you all as being at church. But anyway, it's pretty good. So, we all have times of fear. Let the fear cause you to refocus. I'm writing a seven day devotion for you all next week. It's Christ versus Corona. And I'm talking about how fear can cause you to refocus. Can you all imagine Moses when he walked up and saw a burning bush? That would cause you a little fear. Hey man. God was good at getting his attention, to give him one of the greatest ministries that he's ever had. Let fear cause you to what? Refocus.
James Greer (07:16):
Did you all know this? The word Corona, what it means. It means one liking to a crown. Now I heard everybody right and said it means the crown. No, no, no, no. It's one liking to a crown. He's not the real crown. He's one like a crown. There's only one worthy to wear the real crown and crowns, that's Christ. Amen? So it means one likened to a crown, in that appropriate one likened to a crown.
James Greer (07:44):
Have you ever seen any one thing get so much attention in the whole life? Never. We've never had a state of emergency where it went all the way across the country that everything's happening. They shut schools down, they shut everything down. I mean, have you all gone to the grocery store? Holy Moses. You'd think there was a state of emergency. Why does everybody so worried about toilet paper? You could live without toilet paper, but you got to have water. I understand that, but toilet paper, it just dries up. It's so bad. I went to look for toilet paper. I got lots of it at home, I went and bought some more. Just because everybody else was buying it. I mean, there's those things you could use if you had to it. But anyway, it just makes you wonder what's going on.
James Greer (08:26):
There's only one worthy and revelation tells us you're worthy oh Lord, to receive honor and glory and power. Who's worthy? God's worthy, Amen? Not everybody else. Okay, and did you know in Matthew 27:29 it said, when Jesus was about to be crucified, they took him and they twisted a crown of thorns on him. They put it on his head and a reef in his right hand and they bowed on their knees before him. They mocked him and they said, hail king of the Jews. They were making fun of him. They were making fun. You're the King. Let me tell you, he's going to come back and when he comes back, he's going to be the King of kings.
James Greer (09:18):
It's about to be Easter and we're going to celebrate. Amen? We're going to celebrate. No matter what happens, we're going to celebrate whether we celebrate online or we celebrate in person. We're still going to celebrate. We're going to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His death, they twisted, they put thorns on him, on his head. They put him on a cross. He gave up his life. People said no, they killed him. No, no, no, no. He gave up his life. They put him in a grave. All that's true. Amen? But that's not the only truth. Just as true as that he died and he went in to a grave, is that he defeated death, the grave. They could not hold him. Jesus is not dead, but he is alive. Now let me tell you something, just as much as Jesus, the death, the burial, and the devil could not hold him. If you're a Christian, you ready? If you're a Christian, the death, the grave and the devil cannot hold you. Amen? Thank you. All right.
James Greer (10:44):
1 Corinthians 15:54 you ready? So, when this corruptible has been put on in corruption and this moral has put on immorality, does that mean I can become immortal? Maybe. Then shall be brought to pass. When I get saved, when I die, the same is written. Death shall be swallowed up. Oh, victory. I love this next part. You all ready? Oh, death wears us thing. Oh, Haiti's where is your victory? You all want me to paraphrase that for you? Amen? You all want me to paraphrase it? To hell with the devil. I like that better, don't you? Oh to hell with the devil and death. Jesus gave his victory over the whole thing and everybody said, Amen. You can understand that better. Amen? I love James' translations. Anyway, and so it says this, if we are incorruptible and immoral, so why do we fear? Paul understood that Paul actually calls death gain. They went on and said, Oh, sting, oh the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law, but it goes on after that, but thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord, who? Jesus Christ. Then he finishes up and says, therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain for the Lord.
James Greer (11:50):
Okay, ready? Step number two, you all ready? Remember this, step number one is let fear drive you to Christ. Every time you think of Corona, think of Christ. Step number two, remember this, we win or we win. If you're a Christian, you're going to win. As a Christian. Oh, we win against the Corona, the government, the devil or anything else, including death. We win. You win, or we what? We win. Man, it is great to be a Christian because what? We win. Hey Pam. And so we win. We win when we get the Corona under control. We win when it's not under control. And I want you to know how, when you learn that you win, how you live. I asked Janet and Tony if I could use this picture of them and it was kind of early this morning and they said yes. And I've got a picture of Janet catching some fish. Look at those fish. She just, I love that smile, baby. I love you. Now what you all might not know is, as is sweet as she is and all of the fish she caught is. You win or you win. Amen? She does have cancer. Amen? And I'm going to tell you, she's had a real serious surgery, still has the staples.
James Greer (13:34):
I'm going to read a verse that describes how you live. It's 2 Corinthians 12:7 and it says this, and lest I should be exalted above measures, that's Paul. And so abundance of revelation, a thorn in the flesh was given me as a messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I be exalted above measure. Okay, there's something going on in my life that I want to change concerning these things. I pleaded with the Lord three times that they might depart. Now, I think no matter what you're going through, if you're having a hard time and you're suffering, I think we should ask God to remove it. Amen? And I can assure you, we have prayed for Janet. We have prayed that Janet would be healed. We pray that God would remove the cancer, but we don't know that God's going to do that, right? But, we do know verse nine is true, but God said my grace is sufficient for you and I know it. She's living it out and she, and so people don't know what that is.
James Greer (14:29):
I've preached this for 30 years, so I want you to know you can look at it, and my grace is sufficient, my strength is perfect in weakness. It does not mean you don't suffer. It does not mean you don't have hard times. It does not mean you don't cry. It does not mean you don't suffer, but it means that you have a strange strength in your weakness. Therefore, most gladly, I would rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ rests upon you. Well, you want to see what the power Christ looks like. Look up there. Amen? Give her a hand. That's what it looks like. Therefore, I take pleasure in my infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, my distresses, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak. Then he is what? You know what I wrote underneath that? Pain and suffering is inevitable, and many times we don't have a choice. Misery is optional. Wow! I know. Everybody else said, yeah, yeah. I don't know what you're going through. I may not, but she does. She'll teach you how to live in suffering.
James Greer (15:53):
There is Sue, Val and Kenny. Kenny has had his last treatment of cancer this week and he's going to get his x-rays on Monday. So, we're praying for him too. Okay.
James Greer (16:23):
Paul wants to explain how we win or we win. Amen? Philippians 1:20,21 tells that. He says, according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be what? Ashamed. So, remember that. He said, I don't want to be ashamed, but with all boldness he wants to be bold. As always, so now also Christ will be magnified. So there's a few things Christ says, I don't, I mean, Paul says, I don't want to be ashamed. I want to have boldness. I want him magnify Christ in my body, whether I live or whether by death. Then he says this, verse 21 Paul sums life up. He said, when you really understand the Christian life, are you all ready? Paul says, for me to live is what? For me to live is Christ. There's the answer for me to live is? So, if we're going to live, we will live for Christ. Amen?
James Greer (17:25):
But if we die, it's gain. Wow! Win-win. Thank you. Win-win. Paul said for me, it's win-win. What are you going to do? Kill me. Kill me, I'll go to heaven. Don't kill me. I'm going to live for Christ. I want you to know as a Christian, if you're living for Christ, it is a what? Win-win. Amen? Paul said, I don't want to ashamed of Christ. Do you? Amen. Romans 1:6-8 says, for I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Why? For it is the power of God to salvation, to everyone who believes to the Jews first and then to the Greek. See, when you're not ashamed of the gospel, when you're not ashamed of Christ, I guess, are you all ready? Thanks to Corona virus you're going to have many opportunities not to be ashamed.
James Greer (18:13):
You're going to have more opportunities next week than you've had in your lifetime. You've never had opportunities like you have. See, when you're not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, you all ready? You get the honor and privileged to experience the power of God, which means the mighty miracle working God, to salvation means to deliver and save. Everyone who believes and commits. In other words, you got the honor and privilege to other people come to you when they're fearful. You've got the honor and privilege not to be ashamed of Christ and bring the mighty miracle working power to help deliver them from their fear. That's good Brother James, man, you all are going to be on fire. Amen? So listen, when people start talking about Corona, you start talking about, Amen. You're getting it. Amen.
James Greer (19:08):
Your daughter's watching, want to tell her hi? Carla, Tyler, Amy. Tyler, your mother's with us and she's smiling. She just calls it my fish. I'll put it on her, baby. She's at church. I'm just saying. Anyway. She said she loves you. Oh, she just got off. No, she didn't need it anyway. Okay. I am kind of liking this too much. Anyway, anyway, when they start talking about that, you can just simply say something like, man, I know there's a concern. It's right to be concerned. It's right to be careful. Amen?
James Greer (19:44):
But, 2 Timothy 1:7 is our verse this week. For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. You understand it says us. You can bring that person in with you. If they believe it, they can start experiencing it. I'm so glad my faith stands in Christ, not in Corona. Do you understand opportunities for boldness that you get? It goes, first-time says, don't be ashamed.
James Greer (19:55):
The second thing Paul said is, he wanted to be bold. Journey Church, I want us all be bold. I want us to be bolder than we've ever been in our entire life. Amen? When I say bold some people said, that's just not my personality. This is not a personality about you. This is about Christ and his word. Amen?
James Greer (20:19):
Third, he said, I want Christ to be magnified. Great. He said, Christ will be magnified. The problem today is most people want to magnify themselves instead of Christ. This is what happens when people start getting freaked out, instead of showing their faith. You're freaking out, instead of your faith. You're simply magnified in yourself instead of Christ. I don't want you to freak out. I want you to have faith in Christ. Amen? Magnify him instead.
James Greer (21:31):
Third simple step, remember this, we are in a battle, but the war is not over. We are in a battle, but the war is not over. Christ will win the war. I can promise you he will. He always has and he always will. Revelation 19:11, hey Tracey, Davis, anyway, Revelation 19:11, I am liking this thing, I am going to get me one of those little holders for the phone, okay, Revelation 9:11 says this, now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. He might have been a servant when he came, and a shepherd, but he is fixing to be a warrior. Jesus comes back, he's King of Kings and he's Lord of the Lord. Guess what his eyes were? His eyes were like a flame of fire. On his head there were many crowns. Corona is like a crown, but the only the King of Kings and Lord of lords is worthy of the crowns. And he had a name written that no one knew except himself and he's going to give it to us.
James Greer (22:25):
He was clothed with a robe dripping in blood and his name is called what? The word of God. You need to remember that his name was called the word of God. And it dropped down to verse 16 and it says this, and he has in his robe and his thigh, his name was written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. See, there might be a battle going on, but I can tell you the Corona might be likened unto a crown, but there's only one person worthy to wear and handle the real crown and his name is Jesus Christ. All right. Corona was like, he might be fighting, but he hasn’t got a fighting chance. The truth is, Christ is going to win. He is the one worthy. When I say crown, I'm talking about the only one that's worthy of our honor and our praise and our glory, is a healthy fear of God, not Corona. Amen?
James Greer (23:14):
So, in in some closing thoughts, I want you to remember this. He said he's clothed in dripping blood and his name is call the word of God. Victory over fear of the Corona virus is Christ. It comes from the word of God. If there's ever a time you need what we call a never again list. Most of you have it. If you don't, there should be some back, in the welcome center and go back there and get you one. It's never again will I confess fear, I can do all things through Christ. Never again will I worry, I'll cast all my cares on him. And so what I want you to do this week, is I want you to take the never again list and whatever area it is in your life, you quote the scripture back instead of letting your mind run away with you. Amen? So if you need one, just go back there and get you one because the Bible says, and they overcame him, the devil, the flesh and fear by the blood of the lamb and the word of this testimony, and they did not love their life. So, remember there's only one King of Kings and there's only one Lord of Lords, and his name is Jesus Christ. Do you believe there's only one King of kings and one Lord of lords? Amen? Let's live like it. Amen? Don't worship Corona, worship Christ. All right?
James Greer (24:37):
Don't worship Corona, worship Christ. All right? This is what we're going to do this week. I want you to do this. I want us to take this corona virus and make it work for the good of Christ. It's here. You can't instantaneous remove it, but we can apply Romans 8:28 that says, and we know all things, not some things, all things.
James Greer (25:05):
Janet, I don't wish you had cancer. If I had the power, I would remove it. I don't. I see that you and Tony had learned how to make it work for Christ. You all probably touch more people since you've got that, than in any other time in your life. Not saying it's good, it just, it's happened. You've taught us how to live out suffering. I've never seen it happen. We've got others doing it. Fred's doing it. I mean, we've got people, I've never seen it in all the years of my ministry. I don't want it for you all, but I thank God that you are doing it and that we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God.
James Greer (25:49):
It said that it was always good. He said it works it out for good, and those that are called according to his purpose. So, what I'd like for us to do, we have the greatest opportunity I think that we've ever had in the history to be the light in darkness. When it said in Matthew 5:14 through 16 when it said, you are the light of the world. Christians, it didn't say you might be. It didn't say you should be. He said, you are, a city that is set on a hill can't hide. Guess what Christians? You've got to come out of hiding, nor do they light a lamp and they put it under a basket. See, I believe one of the reasons so many Christians suffer anxiety is God's trying to, you all ready? God's trying to come out and you're trying to shove it down. But, on a lamp stand. And it gives light to all those in the house. So that says, now he says, so let your light so shine therefore before men that they might see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.
James Greer (27:00):
What's our verse for the week? God didn't give you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind. Turn your worry into worship. Turn your Corona virus to Christ. When people talk to you about worry and fear, it's your opportunity to be the light. Talk to them about, for God hadn't given you a spirit of fear, given us a spirit of fear, us as you and the person your witness to, bring them into the peace and the power of God. Because let me tell you this. See if you're saved, if you're serving, if you surrendered, you ready? You can be secure no matter what's going on in your life. If you're not saved and you're not serving and you're not surrender, you'll spend your life scared. Lot of scared people right now, you don't have to be scared.
James Greer (27:56):
Listen, you can't be saved, serving, and surrender. He can't be if you're saved, if you're serving and surrender, you're ready? You cannot be scared. It's impossible, because surrender means you become preoccupied and you're completely dependent upon Christ. You can't be preoccupied and completely dependent on Christ and scared. You can't have fear in here. If you have fear, you need to hear from God. It's impossible to have fear while you're hearing from God at the same time, it's impossible.
James Greer (29:24):
In fact, Joshua had a new commandment from God. He said, you're fixing to face some things that most people would fear, and God said in Joshua 1:9 he said, have I not commanded you? Can I say something? God has a command for you, it's not a suggestion. He said, be strong. Be of good courage. Do not be afraid. This for me, this for you. It's a commandment to go out this week, nor be dismayed. Why? For the Lord your God, he's with you wherever you go. Man, we got the King of kings and the Lord of lords, he wants us to go out and he wants to be a light and he wants to be different. He wants us to magnify the Lord. This is the greatest opportunity to be a witness for Christ that we've ever had in our entire life. Be a witness. Amen? It's not a suggestion. It's a commandment. We shouldn't be like the rest of the world.
James Greer (29:40):
If you're here today and you don't have the Lord of lords and the King of kings, today is the day to surrender your life to Jesus Christ. You don't know that you're going to have it tomorrow. I know you have it today. Now for me, it's a little bit strange today. I'm a give an invitation, but I'm not going to come to the front. Never done that before. You should have information cards. We're going to have somebody come to the front. You're going to have these. There's a next step card. There's never an easier way in your entire life. Some of you need to take it out and say, today is a day I want to accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior and you just check it. Some of you never been publicly baptized and you need to check it. Some of you need to start tithing, some of you need to start serving, some of you need join the church. Man, would today be a great day. Some of you that are online, you can now join that way. You can do it right there while you're watching.
James Greer (31:15):
Now you can give your life to Jesus Christ or you can go to us on jcpineville.com and it tells you how to fill it out, but I don't want anybody not to have the opportunity to let Jesus be the Lord of lords and the King of Kings. I want you not to be afraid. I want you to be the light of the world and I want it to start right now today. So if you stand, I'm going to pray with you. I'm going to pray for you. Richie is going to come to the front. He'll pray with you, he'll pray for you. I'll be here. You can bring the card, you can put it on the altar or you can have one of these guys, one of these people pray with you and to pray for you. Okay?
James Greer (32:09):
Father, you're a great God, man. I'm so thankful. I'm thankful for one, those that are here, this sanctuary. I thank you for the seniors there. I thank you for the Alexandria campus. God, I thank you for all those that are online touch hearts today. God cast out fear and doubts, discouragement. God help us to obey your commandment in Joshua 1:9. Help us to be strong, help us to be of good courage. You told us, do not be afraid. Don't be dismayed. Why? Because the Lord, capital L. O, R. D, the one that's in control, the God that made the heaven and earth, that you're with us and you're going to be wherever we go, God help us be a light. Help us be a witness like never before. Help us to magnify you. Help us to experience that power, not being ashamed of the gospel like never before. Now God, those that need to join the church. Let the day be today, where they want to come to the front where they want to fill the card out. They can bring the card to the front or they can turn it in to the back. But God, we want to enjoy your fruit like never before. We're going to magnify you. We're going to take what looks like bad and we're going to turn it around to something good. God we will give you the honor, the glory and the praise. May they need to be baptized. God, whatever, you lay it on their heart. I pray now, God, that you'd have your will and your way. It's in Christ's name. I pray and everybody said, Amen.
Recorded in Pineville, Louisiana.
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