Are you struggling with entrenched sin in your life?

Do you feel like you are defeated by your weakness, moral failings, and lusts on a daily basis?

It could be you are trying to fight your battle against sin unarmed. You are like a soldier in full uniform marching off to war without his weapons. You look the part. You are determined. You have great intentions. Yet, you are simply not much good. You have nothing to fight the battle with.

You cannot fight sin on your own merits. You desperately need Jesus to do the real heavy lifting.

You need the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit to make any difference in this world. Will power, determination, and the right attitude do nothing on their own to vanquish our enemy. It is only God’s empowering that turns the weakness of man into the weapons of God.

Even the most disciplined man’s intentions and abilities are worth nothing in a spiritual battle.

Fighting Evil Unarmed

The Seven Sons of Sceva found this out the hard way in the Book of Acts. They were sons of a Jewish priest in the city of Ephesus. They claimed to be exorcists. Paul was also in the city at this time doing great works. He drove out many demons through the power of Jesus. It was only God working through Paul that caused them to flee. The Sons of Sceva missed this important point.

History tells us Jewish exorcists like these would invoke names from the past to try to drive out evil spirits. They ordered the demon to depart in the name of David or Solomon and then crossed their fingers and hoped it would work. They were unsuccessful but the interactions were also generally uneventful. They were often charlatans and fakes out to take advantage of those in distress.

Things appear to go well for them until the Sons of Sceva encountered the man in Acts 19. The Bible sets out they decided to up their game a bit this time. They thought they would follow the pattern of Paul’s successful exorcisms. They added the name of Jesus to their act. They did so without understanding it or being born again themselves.

Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Acts 19

The Sons saw there was clear evil that needed to be confronted. They were aware of others being freed from demon possession by Paul invoking Jesus. They knew the words Paul said when fighting his battles. They tried to drive the evil out of the man with the name of Jesus involved. Yet, the Sons of Sceva failed miserably. They did so because “took it upon themselves” to rely on someone else’s Jesus. God was not with them. He was not leading them.
They did not know Jesus themselves. They had no relationship with Him. They certainly did not rely on Him. His name was just as dead and empty to them as Solomon’s. It is obvious they did not have His power working through them. Jesus was just part of a spell or formula to be followed, not the maker of Heaven and Earth, King of King, Lord of Lords.

Who Are You?

The Sons of Sceva had all the looks of being ready for the battle but no way to fight it. Even worse, they spoke the name that always causes a reaction among the enemy. They suffered as a result.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

The evil spirit knew the power of Jesus. Demons tremble at His very name. The name guarantees that the Sons of Sceva had the attention of the evil spirit. It is clear they were trying to oppose the spirit.

The same thing occurs when you set out to conquer a stronghold of sin in your life. When you set your heart on expelling the enemy from your home and heart, you get the attention of that enemy. Satan does not go down easily. He is not afraid of any simple man. You need to bring much more to the fight if you are expecting defeat evil.

But who are you?
Great question from the demon. Who are the Sons of Sceva to order him around? They have no power over the demonic realm. They have no inherent ability to conquer sin. Their flesh is corrupted by sin. Humanity cannot conquer sin. That job belongs to Jesus alone.

If you are struggling with a sin stronghold, do you think you can conquer it on your own?

Applying will power or your force of personality just brings more of you to the equation. You are the problem to begin with, right? More of your flesh involved just opens the door to more attacks from the enemy.

This is what happens with the Sons of Sceva. They get the evil spirit’s attention with the name of Jesus. They are intent on driving the demon out. Yet, when the demon looks at them it becomes obvious that Jesus is not with them. They are relying solely on their own strength and planning.

No Jesus means no power.

This means they stand defenseless before the powers of darkness.

The Backlash of Sin

16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

I am sure you have been here before. We all have. This is what sin does to us all.

You build up the courage and determination to face your sin. You tell yourself repeatedly this stronghold is gone from your life. You are done! Yet, a short time later you have been thrashed by it, have been completely exposed and flee in terror. What is the problem?

I know Jesus, I know Paul who was filled with Jesus as he took on sin, who are you…all by yourself?

You can be a Christian and still take on sin on your own. You can go to church and take on sin on your own. You can be a deacon, minister, or pastor and still take on sin on your own. The result has been the same since the Sons of Sceva. Sin sees you are fighting alone, beats you up, strips you bare, and sends you running filled with shame and guilt. You are powerless on your own to fully defeat sin. The great news is you are not on your own if you are in Jesus.

Jesus does not mean for you to fight this way. When He is about to ascend after the Resurrection, He gives the disciples clear instructions. Jesus says He has all the power in heaven and earth. His going to heaven but He is sending another just like Himself, the Holy Spirit, to be with them. He will give the disciples power to fight the battles they need to win in life. The word used for power is the one from which we get dynamite and dynamic. This is the type of strength they are given.

Importantly, Jesus tells the disciples to go to Jerusalem and do nothing until this happens. These are the Apostles and other amazing men and women of God. They walked with Jesus and already did great miracles themselves. Jesus orders them to not try to do anything without the Holy Spirit. They are powerless with Him. The Holy Spirit comes with power on Pentecost. He is the power behind the billions of lives changed since that time.

It is the same for believers today. Jesus working through His Holy Spirit is the way to change our lives. We must seek His power, His protection, and His deliverance from the evil that besieges us today – just like the demon-possessed man 2000 years ago. Our good intentions and plans are just as worthless as those of the Sons of Sceva. I know I don’t feel very powerful on many days. I don’t feel dynamic or filled with dynamite. Yet, this is exactly where we need to be if we really want to be delivered. It is when we admit that we are weak and without power and truly call on the One who is that things change.

Are you struggling with sin?
Are you defeated by addiction, pain, and lusts?
The bad news is you cannot fight this battle alone. The great news is Jesus promised to do it for you.

Have you called upon the power of God?
Have you repented before the Most High God and let Him destroy your stronghold?
If you haven’t – today is the day of Salvation! Call on Him today!

The Shift – Part 1
By 'MarkO' Ossenfort
October 2022

As we enter into this last part of 2022 – the Fall Season and Last Financial Quarter, we are in an interesting place in time and life on this Earth.
We are exiting the reality of COVID's impact on the entire planet.
We are doing our best to get 'Back to Normal' – whatever that was in 2019…
2 MASSIVE shifts happened since 2019.
Social Gathering and Rules to Gather
Financial – money moved and we are now seeing the impacts of this move

Every life is affected globally. There is nowhere to escape…

So, the question in my heart and many others is, what does the USA and the Globe look like and what is the 'New Reality' we are to live and survive in look like?
Also on my heart, what does the Post COVID Christian Church look like?
But top of mind on ALL is what does it look like to make money and (for now) where we can migrate to better our lives, Worship, and live as a family?
As someone who was raised in Upstate New York in a farming country, I have a unique perspective on this.
And, as I have learned over my years on this Earth, others have unique perspectives.
My search first started with the question:

What does the Post COVID Church look like?
Like many, I had a preconceived idea and theory. But, wisdom prevailed and I sought out 'Experts' and others asking the same question. The best was gathering (as we can now!) with over 10,000 others seeking an answer to the same question.
I attended an Exponential Conference in Orlando, FL in the Spring of 2022.
There I was introduced to many who thought as I did, plus, new or different ways to answer this question…
I also found a common understanding and acceptance of this fact – The Church will NEVER be the same Post-COVID.
Attendance is at best in a healthy Christian Church at 50% live attendance compared to 2018-2019 attendance.
This reality affects primarily the social fabric of every community not to mention the 'Math' side of running EVERY Church.
After all, we have physical buildings to pay for and maintain that used to be occupied for more than Sunday services.
Then the real tragedy in all of this – the social impact!
People are scared into staying home and avoiding people.
People are then confused as to the truth with so many experts in health saying opposites.
Coupled with a Government suppressing anything outside of their message.
Can you blame ANY person or group of people for questioning and seeking the REAL truth???

So, here we are in the Fall of 2022.
What is the reality of today, and, what is the best reality I can create for myself and my family?
This is the first key question we will discuss here. I say discuss as I am writing my thoughts, data, and conclusions fully expecting to hear back from those reading this, hearing on a Podcast, or responding to this in Video.
I will start with the reality of today as the starting point.
Social Gatherings are getting back to some familiarity – at least here in Florida where I am currently
Church attendance at most churches that survived is 50-60% of 2018-2019 levels
Church buildings are scarcely used
Costs of operations have not lowered or stopped but rather increased
Delivering a message in this time as to Biblical or personal opinion is watched, condemned, and/or censored
Non Profit organizations have the IRS (an arm of the US Government) now as a weapon to control day-to-day activities let alone speech
The best and Worst part of all – all are asking What is Truth?
Best because as Christ's Followers – we have the answer
The worst is so many are not believing ANY answer or truth!

As I am surveying the horizon now and looking ahead, I am reminded of seeing Kirk Cameron in the movie Monumental. NOTE – if you have NOT seen this, WATCH IT ;)
Kirk brought up a great point!
Today's Christians are seeing the end and all is going to Hell in a hand-basket. Not doing anything is a self-fulfilling prophecy!

So, what to do…
I am proposing ideas and conclusions from MY research and active work.
Your part is to check out the truth and facts I present, look inside YOUR Heart, and, what is YOUR part in your community and Country? As a citizen of Heaven and as a citizen of your Country?

I am going to start at a beginning I believe to be the center – The Christian Church…

The first question to tackle is the one with the greatest amounts of answers. And, all answers are correct to some extent…
Question – 'What is the Christian Church?
This question needs to narrow down to some extent to start the conversation...
Specifically the Western Christian Church.
This narrowing down is critical as Christ Followers around the globe have different answers due to cultural and political history added to tradition.

This is where my experience with 10,000+ people in Orlando, FL gathering at the Exponential Conference in 2022 took form!
All agreed on the reality of the day. All agreed on the Mission. All agreed on the challenges. And, all agreed something HAS TO BE DONE!
Interestingly, there were only 3 'flavors' or schools of thought that were discussed!
Revive the existing Church
Start over – smaller Church
Forget it all – Micro Church as in the Book of Acts
To my surprise, all 3 were valid solutions, and, all 3 have a place in the Western Church!

At the core of my discovery at the Conference was meeting Jim from an organization DCPI – Dynamic Church Planters International.
This was the focus and solution I was seeking!
PLANT Churches.
A planted church could be a reviving of a Church, Start Over Church, and/or Micro Church (Network)
From this meeting and relationship with Jim, Sow In The Word was born and launched.

In September 2022 I attended a DCPI Training Session (Live and in person!) on Church Planting Essentials.
In this training, I was brought back to basics and also (as part of the training) was asked to pray over what God has for me to do – with this knowledge and my life.

Sew In The Word was what was revealed and an entire organization was born!

Sew In The Word is to be a gathering of Men, Women, Young, and Old to Produce Products, Mentor, be Mentored, and Learn the Word – Disciple.

A Community has a reason and purpose to gather
A Community can create products to sell
Mentorship has a place
The Word is taught – verbal and practical
Discipleship is taught and lived
A Church now exists, or, can grow around new gathering
Reproduce this success in any Community in the US and across the Caribbean

MarkO serves as the Founder and Leader of Sow In The Word based in Orlando, FL for the US and Puerto Rico for the Caribbean.
You can learn more and join their mission at Sow In The Word