Day 13 - Being Prepared by Pastor Philip Olubakin: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Praying in the Spirit: Beyond the Limits of Your Doubts

One of the special things about praying in tongues is that it allows prayer beyond the limitations of doubt. You cannot doubt what you do not understand. You cannot disbelieve in what you cannot comprehend. So when you pray in the Holy Spirit, you pray beyond the ceiling of your own unbelief. You pray beyond the limits of your imagination.

Spend more time praying in the Holy Spirit. It strengthens the spirit and charges you up for life and destiny.

Mark 13 — The Signs of the End

Mark 13:7-10

Jesus began to speak about what to expect before the end of the world. He said there would be wars and rumours of wars — but those are not the end. Nations rising against nations, earthquakes in diverse places, famines and troubles — these are the beginning of sorrows. We have seen all of these. They are happening.

But one of the most important statements Jesus made is in verse 10: "And the gospel must first be published among all nations."

Jesus cannot return until the gospel has been preached everywhere. This is why the enemy works so hard to suppress the preaching of the gospel — he knows that before Jesus returns, every person must have had an opportunity to hear.

The good news is only good news if it gets to people on time.

If someone hears after they die that they could have known Jesus, that they could have been saved — that knowledge would be unbearable for them. And you hold the message they need.

Who are your friends going to spend eternity with? Are the people you do business with, eat with, travel with — are they headed for heaven or hell? You know. They may not.

Persecution Is Part of the Package

2 Timothy 3:12

If you are going to live righteously, you will suffer persecution. It is not a possibility — it is a certainty. There are people who have lost jobs because they refused to falsify documents. People who have lost business opportunities because they refused to compromise. That is persecution, and it is normal.

If the entire world loves you and nobody is opposing you, examine your walk with God.

The moment you take a clear side for God, the enemy takes a clear side against you. If everyone is comfortable with everything you say and do, something is not right.

Beware of False Signs

Mark 13:21-23

Jesus warned that many would come saying "here is Christ" or "there is Christ," and would show signs and wonders to deceive — if possible, even the elect. The elect can be deceived. People of God can be pulled away by counterfeit signs.

This generation is already seeing multitudes swayed by fake miracles. The instruction is to be watchful and to test everything.

Nobody Knows the Hour — But Be Ready

Mark 13:32-37

Of that day and hour, no man knows — not even the angels. Only the Father. But the command is clear: watch, be watchful. Jesus is coming back. He is coming with his reward. The length of the delay does not change the certainty of his return.

Do not use the delay as license to live carelessly. The master will come. The only question is what state he will find you in when he does.