Spiritual Warfare

Keep Your Guard UP!

How REAL is spiritual warfare? Well, how real is heaven? How real is God? If one is a professing believer in Jesus Christ, who has chosen to reveal Him self through His word, should we not also believe what we read from His word about the realities of the Spiritual Warfare going on all around us that is very real, although we cannot see, or taste, or touch it. I would dare to say that we sometimes can see the effects of the spiritual war, we hear of the effects of the spiritual war, and it sometimes hits us in the form of our emotions, or physical well being, and of course our very soul.

However, a caviot, its possible to think too little, or not believe that the spiritual war is going on on one hand, and others believe and give too much of their lives in pursuit of being involved in the spiritual realm, even through pagan beliefs and practices, and attempt to do it in Jesus’ name, which is just as dangerous for the individuals involved.

I know and love some who don’t believe there is an enemy, and even more who don’t believe that there is an enemy or enemies, the ones who follow and I’d say worship the enemy, and this is a huge problem, because it means there are many people who may be on our “team” team Jesus, or believe that they are, but are walking around, unaware and moments away from being blindsided in their faith.

I believe this is one of the reasons so many people are very passionate about wanting to study the book of Revelation. At least, this is the reason I am choosing to believe there is a strong attraction to the studying of what will happen in the end times, for the purpose of being ready, being equipped, for what is to come. They are a people who are wanting people to know what they believe and be ready for spiritual battle when the time arises.

I’m thankful to those people who are so moved by their love for others that they share and want to share all the more about the time being soon, not knowing exactly when the end will occur.

And so the title of this sermon is “Keep Your Guard UP!”

1.) You can’t keep your guard up, if you don’t believe you need to guard yourself.

Because the enemy is still at work. We live in the between time, Christs first coming and his second, the return in glory.

EXAMPLE of football. If you are going to play, you need to know how, and if you know how, you need to know why. If you don’t keep your guard up, you leave yourself exposed, like I did in the first game of HS football I played.

Demons - They have some information/insight that we don’t, they may have more information, but it is not all knowledge, it is not complete. Hence what they ask Jesus after being cast out in....

Ephesians 6:10–20 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

We MUST be

Believe

Prepared

ON GUARD

Spiritual Warfare is REAL!

War in the Tribulation

Revelation 12:7–12 KJV 1900

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

War after Christ ascended

1 Peter 5:8 NASB95

8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Galatians 1:4 NASB95

4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

War in the Gospels

Mark 1:21–28 KJV 1900

21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. 28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

Christs’ ministry was marked by the miracle of exorcism.

There is POWER in HIS name

Luke 10:17–24 KJV 1900

17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. 23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Appointed and equipped for warfare!

Matthew 10:1–8 NASB95

1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

We are in the last days, although we don’t know how many more last days we get, we are to hear that we NEED TO BE READY.

And we are told by Paul that we are living in the present evil age.

Spiritual Warfare is not a term used in the Bible. It is a term that was created to describe a Biblical reality. Similar to Trinity.

War in the Old Testament

Daniel 10:10–13 NASB95

10 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

We MUST

Believe

Be Aware

Prepared

Obedient

TRUTH RIGHTEOUSNESS GOSPEL OF PEACE FAITH SALVATION WORD OF GOD PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 6:10–20 NASB95

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:18 NASB95

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Should we pray out of the Spirit? Do we pray prayers that are not God’s will?

I am free.

Praying in the Spirit

Speaking in the Spirit

Living in the Spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:20–21 KJV 1900

20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Spiritual Warfare According to Jesus

Mark 1:21–28 NASB95

21 They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.

Mark 1:39 NASB95

39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.

Jesus’ ministry was characterized in part by His actions in VS 39

Jesus’ teachings and examples show that only a life governed by faith and prayer can repel the threat by evil spirits.

Mark 5:1–20 KJV 1900

1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. 14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

Observations

Jesus spoke to the demons, not the man

Jesus has authority

The spirits have spiritual realm knowledge, but not all knowledge (they were perplexed at Jesus, timing.

The enemy and his forces (separate, de-humanize, deprave, abuse, torture, kill)

The stuff of the spiritual realm is scary - hence the response of the people.

Ironically in this story, the people who were unaware who Jesus was, they were scared of Him. They were so scared about what happened, that they weren’t able or at least willing to embrace Jesus. They didn’t or couldn’t tell that what Jesus did was good.

And we have that problem today because.

We have false teachers teaching false doctrine about the spiritual realm/warfare.

We have people that are producing or manufacturing spiritual warfare events to gain notoriety, money, or influence of others.

We have some that rely completely on their intellect and don’t believe that the war is going on or they make light of it.

And in all these cases, these people are not ON GUARD. They are not ready for the battle they are already in. Everyone is in the battle, sometimes in more precarious situations than others, but we aren’t out of the battle until after the second coming of Christ and He has set all things right.

It is said that we are to OVERCOME. This is a word that communicates having victory through a struggle, like a wrestling match, like in the first scripture we read together

Revelation 12:10–11 KJV 1900

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

1.) They WON by Christs’ sacrifice

2.) Their testimony of Christs’ sacrifice

3.) And not being lovers of their life - they loved God more.

Revelation 21:6 KJV 1900

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Romans 8:18–25 KJV 1900

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

KEEP YOUR GUARD UP

According to Revelation