Sermon Recap

In 'Hold On To It,' Pastor Chet Pete opened with a powerful reminder that just as a football player who catches the ball immediately becomes the target of the defense, so too does every believer become a target the moment God anoints and blesses them. Drawing from John 10:10 and 2 Samuel 5:17, Pastor Chet challenged the church to not just receive what God gives, but to intentionally hold on to it — whether that's freedom from addiction, a marriage, a financial blessing, or the anointing of God on their life. Using the story of King David, Pastor Chet highlighted a powerful pattern: every time David was anointed, an attack followed. After David was anointed king over all of Israel, the Philistines immediately mobilized to come against him. Rather than rushing into battle in his own strength, David went down to the stronghold — the cave of Adullam — to inquire of the Lord. Pastor Chet used his own personal story of stress during a home sale to illustrate how easy it is to rely on our own wisdom and exhaust ourselves trying to solve problems without ever bringing them to God. A central theme of the message was the principle: 'Before you go up, go down.' Going down to the stronghold means choosing to seek God's presence, perspective, and direction before engaging the battle. Pastor Chet emphasized that the stronghold isn't just about getting God to do what we want — it's about getting God himself, His peace, His comfort, and His clarity on what He wants to do in and through our lives. Pastor Chet closed by challenging the congregation to go on the offensive in their faith — to hit the enemy before he hits them. Practically, this means not waiting until life falls apart to get connected. Joining a small group, serving on a team, tithing, and pursuing community are not things the church wants from you — they are protections the church wants for you. When you are surrounded by godly community and living with kingdom purpose, the enemy loses his foothold.

Key Points

• 1

  You are anointed and called by God, and every time there is elevation or anointing in your life, expect an attack — the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy what God has deposited in you.

• 2

  Before you go up, go down — David's first move before battle was not strategy but surrender, going down to the stronghold to inquire of the Lord rather than fighting in his own strength.

• 3

  Going to the stronghold shifts your focus from who is attacking you to who is backing you — time in God's presence replaces fear and stress with His peace, direction, and confidence.

• 4

  David hit the enemy before the enemy hit him — believers are called to go on the offensive in their faith, not just react to attacks but proactively pursue God and kingdom community.

• 5

  Getting connected through small groups, serve teams, and giving is not something the church wants from you but for you — godly community is a spiritual protection that cuts off the enemy's ability to isolate and pick you off.

• 1

  Pastor Chet used the football analogy — the moment you catch the ball, you become the target. Can you think of a time in your life when God blessed or elevated you and an attack followed shortly after? What was that like?

• 2

  David was anointed three times before becoming king over all of Israel. How does it encourage you to know that God may need to remind you of your anointing multiple times on the journey to your promise?

• 3

  Pastor Chet shared that after every anointing in David's life, there was an attack. How does knowing this pattern help you respond differently when opposition comes after a breakthrough?

• 4

  The principle 'before you go up, go down' is about seeking God before engaging in battle. Be honest — when faced with a stressful situation, is your first instinct to go to God or to figure it out yourself? What makes it hard to go to the stronghold first?

• 5

  Pastor Chet confessed he spent months stressed about his house sale without ever truly bringing it to God in prayer. What is something you have been carrying in your own strength that you need to bring to the Lord?

• 6

  He said, 'Going to the stronghold takes your mind off who is attacking you and puts it on who is backing you.' How does this perspective shift change the way you face your current challenges?

• 7

  David inquired of the Lord and then immediately obeyed when God said 'go' — and David threw the first punch. What would it look like for you to go on the offensive in your faith right now rather than just defending?

• 8

  Pastor Chet challenged the congregation that small groups, serve teams, and tithing are protections the church wants FOR you, not things they want FROM you. What has held you back from taking one of those steps, and what would change if you took it?