In Chapter 26, Section 14, Don Stubblefield emphasizes the importance of praying for the global Church and the advancement of God's kingdom, as outlined in Ephesians 6:18 and Matthew 6:10. He warns of Satan's continuous efforts to obstruct the Church's mission and spread false teachings, citing the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Stubblefield highlights the persecution faced by the Church and the need to be ready for suffering, referencing 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 and Matthew 5:10-12. He discusses the danger of internal threats like false leaders, as seen in 3 John 9-11 and Acts 20:27-31, and urges vigilance against false doctrines, referencing 2 Peter 2:1-3 and Romans 16:17-18. Stubblefield calls for prayer for the Church to grow in knowledge and discernment, underscoring the need for steadfastness in faith, supported by Colossians 1:21-23 and Galatians 1:8-9. He concludes with a personal anecdote about resisting false gospels, reinforcing the importance of prayer and awareness in protecting the Church.

Our duty and desire should be to pray for the Church of God throughout the world as mentioned in Ephesians 6 18 and for the advance of His kingdom on earth and the Lord's Prayer and teaching the disciples He said that kingdom come that will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6 verse 10. Satan, the arch enemy of our soul and the arch enemy of God, is continually striving to obstruct the work of the church and spreading the gospel. The Great Commission which Christ gave in Matthew 28, 18 through 20, we're to carry the gospel to all of the nations, teaching them to observe all things that Christ has brought out and baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This should be our desire and that the gospel will be advanced more clearly each and every day.

We're living in a dangerous time and Satan we can see as handy work right now, I believe, and what he is doing to the persecuted church throughout the world. We can't even imagine some of the things they're going through, and that's why we should be praying for him every day. We could preach that point that we're going to be suffering here and so we need to be ready for that day should it ever come. We certainly don't look forward to it, but if it comes we're to be ready for it. The more effective the church is in advancing the gospel, the more sure it will be that it will be the bullseye of the arch enemy, Satan.

A couple of passages that come to mind. Let's turn to 2nd Corinthians chapter 4, verses 8 through 11. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed. We are perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed, always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body for we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus sake that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. And then let's turn to Matthew 5, 10 through 12, A part of what are known as the Beatitudes.

A blester they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when man shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. The arch enemy of our soul, Satan is especially insidious in using those in the church, even leaders, in his goal of destroying the advance of the gospel. Let's turn to 3 John 9-11.

I wrote unto the church, But diatrophes who loveth to have their preeminence among them receiveth this night. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, preying that is boasting against us with malicious words and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren and forbiddeth them that would and casteth them out of the church, excommunicating them for receiving those that he didn't personally agree with, even true believers. I had a note from the New Geneva Study Bible on this passage that the cooperation and love that should be normal among Christians had been broken by the behavior of diatrophes who abused his position of leadership in the congregation by attacking other Christian workers. Evidently, diatrophes regarded other Christian teachers as threats rather than as co-workers. Proud and selfish, he turned away, traveling evangelists and punished with excommunication those who welcomed them.

Which brings to mind two or three more passages. Let's turn to Acts chapter 20, 27 through 31, and Paul's address to the elders of the church at Ephesus, for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseas to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.

Therefore watch and remember that by the space of three years I seize not to warn everyone night and day with tears." And then let's turn to 2nd Peter 2, 1 through 3. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who probably or secretly shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." And then let us turn to Romans 16 verses 17 and 18. Now I beseech you brethren mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

We should be praying the church will grow in its knowledge of God's Word, that it will recognize false doctrine in all its forms and shapes when it comes out. Let's turn to Colossians 1, 21 to 23. And you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblemmable and unreprobable in His sight. If you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, whereof I, Paul, am made a minister." And then one other passage, Galatians 1, 8, and 9. 8 and 9.

But though we are an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, So say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that she have received, let him be accursed." I think of that in connection with Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. I remember years ago when God brought me to faith in Christ. Right after that, In a matter of a day or two, I had Jehovah's Witnesses knocking on my door continuously. And I believe it was the work of Satan trying to draw me away from the true faith.

And I guess that Maybe they got the message because I haven't heard from them in about 10 or 15 years. But we need to be praying for the church that it will grow in the knowledge of God's Word and to be able to recognize these errors when they come about. We should be praying for the church throughout the world too. And with that I believe I will wrap it up for this session.