Podcast Summary: Worship is Our Weapon of Warfare, Part 1

Times Square Church - Sermons | Pastor Claude Houde | July 20, 2025

Overview

This episode, delivered by guest speaker Pastor Claude Houde, explores the spiritual principle that worship is not just a form of praise, but a divinely given weapon for spiritual warfare. Pastor Houde draws from extensive pastoral experience, biblical narratives, personal testimony, and practical teaching to encourage believers to reclaim and deepen their understanding of worship as both adoration and spiritual battleground. This is the first of a two-part message, emphasizing that worship is for every believer—regardless of strength or circumstance—as a means to manifest God’s authority, overcome fear, and stand firm amidst spiritual attack.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Honoring Spiritual Leadership and Legacy

• Times Square Church’s legacy was celebrated, honoring past and current pastors (David Wilkerson, Carter Conlon, Tim Dilena) and their vision for global outreach (00:50–04:15).
  • "Can we be grateful, profoundly grateful for the generations of pastors and shepherds that God has given us in Times Square Church that care for souls..." – Pastor Claude (03:05)
• Reflection on Ezekiel 34:2–6 regarding shepherds who do not care for the lost, contrasted with TSC's vision for reaching souls.

The Nature and Importance of Worship

• Worship is central to the heart of God and defines believers (05:00–08:00).
  • "Nothing defines us more than our worship. Nothing is more directly the fulfillment of God's deepest desire for us." — Pastor Claude (06:10)
• Critique of how worship in many churches has become a spectator activity rather than active participation.
• True worship, according to John 4:23–24, is "in spirit and in truth":
  • Genuine, authentic, not ritualistic or emotionalism.
  • Involves a regenerated human spirit communing with God.
• Worship is the only thing believers offer to God that isn’t given first by Him (06:25).

Different Types of Worship (09:50–13:10)

• Outlines various worship styles: liturgical, ritualistic, performance-based, legalistic, egocentric, emotional, cultural, and “replacing worship.”
  • Warning against shallow or “buffet-style” faith.
  • “No, he is seeking those that will worship him in spirit and in truth. Could you say yes please?” (13:05)
• Illustration: Pastor Claude reads a prayer generated by ChatGPT.
  • Points out its lack of spirit, relationship, and life (14:35–17:00).
  • "Some of you are thinking ChatGPT prays better than me. But is this present worship? No. It's words from a machine. There's no heart. There's no affection. There's no devotion. There's no truth. There's no life behind it..." (16:25)

Worship as a Weapon

• Psalm 149 explains that worship is more than praise; it's a supernatural weapon (17:55–23:10).
  • Verses 1–5 talk about celebratory worship; verses 6–9 shift to warfare.
  • "Worship is more than a song. It's a spiritual, supernatural sword. It is not only for blessing, it's for battle, is for breakthrough." (20:20)
• This privilege is for "all saints"—not special or elite believers.
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-4: Weapons of our warfare aren’t carnal but mighty in God.

Living Out Worship as Warfare

• The pattern of transformation in worship: From singing songs to wielding spiritual authority (23:15–27:15).
• Psalm 68:25–27: Worship both blesses God and commands us to be mighty.
  • "Your God commands you to be mighty." (24:30)
  • CeCe Winans anecdote: "She understands that. Worship ... your God commands you to be mighty, not in your own strength." (24:50)
• Worship should activate and renew everything God has done for us—salvation, peace, victory, gifts (26:00).

Deep Dive: 2 Chronicles 20 – Jehoshaphat’s Story

(27:20–end)

Principle #1: Worship Reminds Us in Spiritual Warfare

• Jehoshaphat faced an unexpected, enormous attack despite a season of blessing (29:00–36:30).
  • "Do you need to be reminded that you are in a spiritual warfare? ... The blessing is always on the other side of fire." (35:10)
• In intense fear, he set himself to seek the Lord, modeling that worship is the “best disinfectant for the soul” (36:15).

Principle #2: Worship Realigns and Renews Us

• Worship realigns our spirits to God, moving us from panic to promise. It’s not denial; it’s dependence.
• Warnings against bringing down your guard and fighting the wrong fight (38:30–40:00).
  • "Jehoshaphat is risking everything, risking losing everything by fighting the wrong fight with the wrong alliance, the wrong project, the wrong relationship. Jehoshaphat set his heart in chapter 20 to seek God because he had been marked for life..." (39:15)
• Worship recalibrates us—reminding us of God’s faithfulness and what He’s done before.

Worship is a Thermometer and Thermostat

• Worship reveals the state of the heart and can redirect its direction (44:20).
  • “Worship is a spiritual thermometer because worship reveals the real condition of your heart. It’s a thermostat because worship can redirect the currents of your soul.” (44:45)
• Personal anecdote: controlling temperature at home mirrors how worship can “heat up” a cold soul or “cool down” anger (45:00).

Speaking to the Soul

• Psalm 42:5–7: Instead of listening to the discouraged soul, speak truth to it (47:30).
  • "You don't listen to your soul. You learn to speak to your soul. And in worship, we speak to our soul..." (48:10)

Worship Bridges Earthly Circumstance and Divine Purpose

• Worship brings believers from their present fears into God’s presence and will (51:00).
• Personal story of physical affliction and miraculous healing after worship-filled surrender (52:50–57:20).
  • "I went to bed that night and lying down in my bunk in Bible school, I just was praying in the spirit ... I woke up the next day ... there was nothing. ... it's been 41 years, not another infection." (55:50)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On artificial worship:

  • “God is not seeking artificial worship. He's seeking those who will worship him in spirit and in truth.” (16:45)

• On worship as warfare:

  • “Worship is not an escape from reality. It's an entrance into a higher reality.” (43:40)
  • “Worship is your weapon of warfare ... to manifest his authority, bind enemy kings and execute the verdicts and victories that have been promised to us.” (22:00)

• On speaking to your soul:

  • “Hey, my soul, you will worship the Lord. ... as you worship the Lord, his billows of peace ... fill your soul.” (48:15)

• Personal testimony:

  • “When the lion charges, don't run. Plant your feet, lift your voice, and praise, manifest his authority.” (53:45)
  • “What God has given birth to, he will protect.” (50:45)

Important Timestamps

• (00:50) Honoring Pastors and Church Legacy
• (05:00) Why Worship Matters Most
• (10:10) Styles and Pitfalls of Worship Today
• (14:35) ChatGPT’s Prayer vs. Heart Worship
• (17:55) Psalm 149: Worship for Warfare
• (29:00) Jehoshaphat: Fear and Seeking God
• (33:35) Worship in Times of Blessing and Attack
• (44:45) Worship as Thermometer & Thermostat
• (47:30) Speaking to Your Soul (Psalm 42)
• (51:00) Worship as Bridge and Restoration
• (52:50) Pastor Claude’s Healing Testimony
• (61:10) Call to Worship and Ministry Time

Application and Closing Exhortations

• Call for Response:
  • “This is my call. The call is simply to worship. Would you lift your hands and begin to... Oh, Lord Jesus, bring me, bring me into that dimension where I can exercise your authority in Jesus name.” (1:04:00)
  • Encouragement for everyone, regardless of position or experience, to worship as a means of setting their heart on God.
  • Worship together, pray for one another, and “manifest God’s authority” in every area of life.

Action Steps for Listeners

• Understand worship as both adoration and a tool for spiritual warfare.
• Live out worship daily—in home, work, and church—not just as a ritual or performance.
• In times of fear or spiritual attack, set your heart to seek God rather than running or giving in to panic.
• Speak truth to your soul in worship, recalling God’s faithfulness.
• Commit to growing in genuine, “spirit and truth” worship.

(This summary covers Part 1 of "Worship is Our Weapon of Warfare." For further teaching, listen to Part 2 in the series.)