Who is the enemy?
Spiritual Warfare • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Why do we need to study Spiritual Warfare?
Well, we are currently at war!
There is a dire necessity for the people of God to prepare for tis conflict!
God has not left us uninformed on the subject.
Also there are things that happen in our lives that outside of a Spiritual warfare context we will not understand.
Today I want to consider who our real enemy is, and its not society, its not liberals, its not even other churches!
Paul informs us in 2 Corinthians 4:1-4
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,
2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Are you ready for the message God has for us today?
Cool let’s dig in!
Our enemy goes by many names and descriptions in scripture
Our enemy goes by many names and descriptions in scripture
The Names:
Adversary — 1 Thessalonians 2:8.
The Devil — 1 Peter 5:8.
Beelzebub — Matthew 12:24.
Belial — 2 Corinthians 2:15.
The Tempter — 1 Thessalonians 3:5.
Evil One — 1 John 5:19.
The Accuser — Revelation 12:10.
These names indicate that he is not a friend to people.
He is a false god in this world, yet people unknowingly worship him.
Who do you think people worship when they worship anything other that God the Father!
Whose influence do you see in the sudden rise of pagan and demonic rituals at concerts and music awards show?
The names Satan goes by indicate his connection to pagan idolatry, worship of self, and all things opposed to God.
God has also given us Descriptions:
The Serpent — Genesis 3.
The Dragon — Revelation 12.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Angel of Light — 2 Corinthians 11:12-15
2 Corinthians 11:12–15 (NASB 2020)
12 But what I am doing I will also continue to do, so that I may eliminate the opportunity from those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
Ponder what Paul is telling us about Satan!
There is a great deal of false teaching going on in our world, it is so subtle and people not on their guard are taken completely by surprise!
Jesus also calls Satan the ruler of this world — John 16:7-11
7 But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment:
9 regarding sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10 and regarding righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you no longer are going to see Me;
11 and regarding judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
The fact that Jesus calls Satan the ruler of this world implies some level of authority and organization.
Now that authority is of course not greater than God!
Where does Satan come from?
Where does Satan come from?
Sometime ago a cosmic rebellion occured.
13 “You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared.
14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 “You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you.
16 “By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, you covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire.
17 “Your heart was haughty because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I threw you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they may see you.
18 “By the multitude of your wrongdoings, In the unrighteousness of your trade You profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth In the eyes of all who see you.
19 “All who know you among the peoples Are appalled at you; You have become terrified And you will cease to be forever.” ’ ”
The fall of Tyre’s king is compared to the great cosmic rebellion in presence of God led by Satan
In this rebellion a vast number of angels exercised their free will and chose to resist God — Revelation 12:9
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
These angles have only one master and it is not God!
Today Satan and his angels, now called demons continue their evil agenda against God and His people — 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
Our conflict with Satan in this war touches every single area of our life: families, relationships, churches, neighborhoods, communities, and our jobs.
There is not one part of our existence over which the evil one does not want to maintain or reassert his demonic influence.
This is why Jesus needs to reign in our life!
He is the only one who can and has overcome — 1 John 4:4
4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
There maybe a question that comes to your mind, “How could such a rebellion happen in the presence of God?”
That is a question that can only be answered by God Himself.
It is not told to us in scripture — Deuteronomy 29:29
29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, so that we may follow all the words of this Law.
What scripture does tell us
What scripture does tell us
Develop the thought — “I wonder if we have desensitized ourselves about Satan’s deceitful ways,”
Going back aways to Dark Shadows
There was even 20 years ago a cartoon God, The Devil and Bob where God (looked like Jerry Garcia voiced by James Garner) and others.
Recently Supernatural, Lucifer, Agatha All Along, rise of witches, occult, demons TV shows are everywhere
The occult and supernaturalism has become so much a part of Western culture — Living near Manitu Springs, Colorado
Consider Revelation 12:7-9
7 And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war,
8 and they did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
This Chapter does reveal a great deal (LOOK IN THEIR NOTES):
Satan rules over a kingdom of rebellious angels — vs. 3-7
Satan’s Kingdom opposes the Kingdom of God — vs. 3-7
Satan’s rebellion was defeated by Michael the Archangel, who serves as the commander of God’s angels — vs. 7-8
Satan and his angels have been dethroned from their place in heaven — vs. 9
They were cast down to the earth bringing sorrow to mankind — vs. 9-12
The kingdom of Satan is one of intense hatred against the people of God — vs. 13-17
The activity of these rebellious angels is identical with evil spirits and demons found throughout scripture!
We cannot explain why it happened, but we know that it did.
The rebellion brought intense conflict in all realms of this world and in the heavenly places!
What happens in the heavenly places affects what happens in the world!
Conclusion
We believe that the Holy Spirit is real, we need to believe that Satan is real.
He is the ruler of this world and has an influence here!
He exudes that influence over people and the nations.
However, his only power over people is what they give him!
This true for both non-believers and believers!
Satan does not like to be called out — Develop!
Yet we must except that spiritual warfare is a reality of this fallen world and we must be prepared to stand on the battle field!
What are you going to do based upon what God has said?
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