Larry Neville ministers a prophetic Calvary Church in Hong Kong. They are at an epicenter of Spiritual Warfare. The enemy is working overtime to try to hinder or stop the church in Hong Kong. One example is how the city was completely shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic for over 3 years. No other city in the world was closed for that long. Hong Kong is also an epicenter for the Endtime Harvest of Generations.
The Spiritual Warfare over Calling and Destiny
I want to make a statement to you: What God Starts, God Finishes.
The first time I came to Hong Kong, we were pastoring with Sammy Mores in Manila, Philippines. I came here for three days with one goal: to pray and ask God how we could be a part of what He was doing and going to do in this great city.
I have been involved in every step of this church. We partnered to send John McGovern and his family to China and then here. We sent John Malcolm from Singapore when he was a teenager to help with the new church plant. I have been here with you more than 40 times over the years. So, I am not a guest speaker today or someone who is simply passing through. I have been a part of this church longer than anyone here.
I could have written what Paul wrote to the Philippians:
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:3-6, NKJV)
Paul had confidence that what God started, He would finish. This is not just a nice theological concept—it is a reality proven through time, experience, and the enduring power of faithfulness. Looking at the church's journey in Philippi and our journeys, we see three crucial lessons: the power of faithfulness, the necessity of perseverance through challenges, and the promise of God’s reward.
1. The Power of Faithfulness
Paul’s relationship with the Philippian church began through divine direction. In Acts 16, we read about Paul’s missionary journey where he planned to go in one direction, but the Holy Spirit redirected him. Then, through a vision, Paul saw a man from Macedonia pleading, "Come over and help us." He obeyed, and Philippi became the first city where he preached in that region.
Paul did not immediately see results. Instead, he met Lydia, a businesswoman who became the first convert and opened her home to Paul and Silas. Then, a demon-possessed slave girl was delivered, and shortly after, Paul and Silas were thrown into prison after casting the demon out of her.
“A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.” (Acts 16:22 NLT)
Beaten and shackled, they sang and praised God: “Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” (Acts 16:25-26, NLT)
When the jailer saw what happened, he was going to kill himself, but instead, Paul led him to Jesus along with his entire family.
These early converts—Lydia and her family, the former slave girl, and the jailer and his family—formed the foundation of the Philippian church. What began with a vision and obedience to God's call became a thriving community of believers who supported Paul’s ministry for years. In my mind, I can see Paul writing to them, thinking about each of these early converts in Philippi, who were no doubt the leaders of that church, as he wrote:
“So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:7, NLT)
If you read the rest of chapter one, Paul goes on to remember various times of struggle, concluding this chapter with:
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” (Philippians 1:27, NLT)
I wonder why he wrote that when the first part of the chapter was so personal and filled with words of his love for them. That leads me to my second point.
2. Critical Challenges During Difficult Times
Every believer, every church, and every spiritual leader faces spiritual warfare. The church in Philippi was no exception. Paul knew the church in Philippi faced challenges and difficult times. He wrote to encourage them:
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Philippians 2:5, NLT)
“Do everything without complaining and arguing.” (Philippians 2:14, NLT)
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.” (Philippians 4:1-3, NLT)
The Christian life is a fight of faith. The enemy will always oppose God’s work, especially in places of strategic importance. Philippi was a crucial city for spreading the gospel in the Roman world; Hong Kong is one of the world’s modern spiritual epicenters. The spiritual warfare here is tangible. Challenges have been relentless, from protests in the streets a few years ago to the prolonged impact of the COVID shutdown—no other country was closed for that long. Yet, just as Paul was not ignorant of the enemy’s schemes, neither should we be.
We are constantly challenged to stand firm in the faith during intensified spiritual warfare. Jesus asked three disciples—Peter, James, and John—to pray with Him as He went a short distance to pray. What did they do? They fell asleep and later denied and deserted Him.
Paul urged the Philippians to remain steadfast, to keep fighting together for the faith, and to embrace the mind of Christ, who humbled Himself and endured suffering for the sake of God’s plan. Likewise, we must embrace the challenges, knowing God uses them to shape us for His purpose.
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36, NLT)
3. The Promise of God’s Reward
Paul had every reason to doubt, to question whether the sacrifices were worth it, but he remained confident:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28, NKJV)
Even in hardships, even in seeming delays, God is working. Mary and Martha wanted a healing for their brother Lazarus, but Jesus planned a resurrection. What they thought was a delay was a setup for a greater miracle. Just like David, God has a purpose for your life. Like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, His plan is much better than yours.
Paul’s life testified to this truth. He faced persecution, shipwrecks, imprisonments, and betrayals, yet he could confidently say that God was working all things together for good. So, embrace life's wilderness experiences because God has a new harvest season in store for Calvary Church of Hong Kong.
God is not finished. The best is yet to come!
Larry Neville
FREE E-Message Download
Comments