Untitled Sermon (8)

This Present Darkness

Ordain Robbie Next week

Parents if you have children please send them to children's church this morning. The subject I am speaking on this morning may be a little much for them.

I have heard before that a pastor ought not preach from things that he is going through personally or pull from things that move him devotional. I have never really understood why. Today’s message is one that I do not like to talk about, I try to avoid as much as I can jut simply because not everything revolves around this subject that I am going to be speaking on, the subject of spiritual warfare. I never want something to become my go to subject just because I have experienced lots of it, or because I don’t have anything else to preach on. Neither is the case this morning. But something happened after church Sunday that I feel like you need to hear and listen because it involves you.

Now last Sunday we had Bobby and his wife Rali with us from the country of Bulgaria. And after church we were spending time together and I was just sharing with them some of the struggles that we have had as a church here recently and just sharing some of the bizarre things that have happened over the last year. I mean things that have come as a gut punch to me and my family. Perfectly times things from the hand of the enemy that has really taken the wind out fo our sails.

THINGS LIKE LAST SUMMER WE HAD THE COWBOYS OUTREACH MINISTRY GOING....

Let me give you a few things

Cowboys ministry- Trained a team of evangelists..... the last time we had the outreach we ran into sex traficking here in the parking lot. That was the last time we did it. And all the people on the ministry team except for Robbie and Danita… are no longer with us.

Childrens workers- we lose them pretty regular

Youth workers… Lose them pretty regular.

Givers to our ministry.... When somebody really answers the call of God to really start giving to the ministry… It’s usually not long until we lose them.

I am a little hesitant to ordain Robbie as elder. The first Elder that we ordained, about a week after we ordained Him was hit with something crazy that took him from our church.

Last Wednsday when I got out of Church, after having a great time and fruitful time here with those that came. I went home filled with joy, and then I get on Facebook and somebody posted a hurtful post that I know was directed at me, directed at my heart.

Now you could say well maybe its just from poor leadership… Perhaps.... Or maybe there is something more sinister at work. Something more diabolical that we are facing? What if all of these perfectly timed attacks, were not just unlucky coincidences, but what if there was something more at work?

NOw let me take you back to last week. We have had a wonderful time with Bobby and Rali, and we had a time of prayer together just praying for one another, praying for the church. Very sweet time with fellow believers. And then we took the Lords supper together, and continued in worship and the Lord began to give Bobby a word. And He said to me CJ (in that NBolivian accent, with an extremely humble and loving demeanor. He said I feel like the opposition that you are facing is not from the inside right now, but from the outside, and the word that He was hearing from the Lord was the Word Witchcraft

And he shared that He felt like there is a group of witches that are actually coming against the church. Now understand I am not that guy that gets bizarre and wacky out there, but i do believe that we are living in dangerous days.

But once He said this thing about witchcraft, immediately there was a presence in my house that wasn’t from the Lord and we began to pray .

I want to challenge everyone to read a book with me that I am currently reading now. Its like $8 on Kindle, but it has been eye opening to me. Its By Frank Peretti, and its called This Present Darkness

In Mere Christianity, in the chapter he so rightly titled “The Invasion,” C. S. Lewis tried to clarify our situation: One of the things that surprised me when I first read the New Testament seriously was that it talked so much about a Dark Power in the universe— a mighty evil spirit who was held to be the Power behind death and disease, and sin. The difference is that Christianity thinks this Dark Power was created by God, and was good when he was created, and went wrong. Christianity agrees . . . this universe is at war.

Eldredge, John. Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive (p. 17). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Until we come to terms with the fact that we are at war weill not understand life.

it will always be a mystery to us, it will always be something relegated to the annals of things that we just can’t and wont be able toi understand. Most people go through their Christian walk never gaining insight, never equiping their spiritual armory to handle these situations.

And in this Book that I am challengin you to read, it is a story about a small college town and a small church there. And crime is increasing, suicide along with all sorts of other things are taking place. And in this small church there are people inside of it trying to divide and remove the pastor. It shows the human side of things but it also shows what is happening in the spiritual realm as well and how demons attack and thrawt and destroy people. but it also shows how angels of God are involved

SHOW THE PICTURE- I LIKE THIS PICTURE . IT SHOWS KIND OF A FOG AROUND THE LITTLE CHURCH, AND CAN I TELL YOU THAT IS HOW IT FEELS A LOT OF THE TIME!

A few months ago- perhaps last year I preached a message called the Fog of War. Preached From Nehemiah, The fog of war is term used in military that happens whenever a unit is in the midst of the battle. Perhaps their convoy got hit with an RPG and now there is fire and debris everywhere. Your ears are ringing, and your vision is blured, your equalibriousm is all off and you are dazed and confused.

In that instance you have the choice of life or death, you can get everything reigned in and get it back topgether or you can lay down and die, but those are the only two options.

Any Christian that is really on the battlefield will experience this. and the Problem is most believers are not equiped to recognize things for what they are. i’m not talking about becoming a looney tune, a mature believer is one that is skilled in many spiritual areas, have learned to hone in their spiritual instruments and are aware when the enemy arises

When God's PEOPLE HAVE THE mind TO work, THE DEVILS PEOPLE HAVE A MIND TO WRECK

When nehemiah was commissioned by God to return to Jerusalem,

FIRST LETS TALK ABOUT YOUR ADVERSARY

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Ephesians 6:10–13 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

ePHESIANS 6

Ephesians 6:10-

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive I. Our Adversary

It has always been the purpose of our enemy to pull the veil of darkness across his kingdom, and his cleverest ruse is to make people believe that he does not exist at all. And there are many people today, including one theology professor that I had when I was in college, who did not even believe in an actual, literal, personal devil. He said that the devil was the personification of evil, or some sort of a figure of speech, or simile, or whatever, but there was no such thing as a real devil. Well, of course, the devil’s behind that business, because if people don’t believe in the devil, they’re not going to make any preparation for defense, and therefore they’re going to go by default

Ephesians 6:10

A. First He is Subtle

First He is Subtle

When Nehemiah was attempting to build the wall the Enemies of God said, you won’t know where we are coming from! We’re coming suddenly, swiftly and secretly. All throughout Scripture Satan is desribed as a serpent. I have lived in the country most of my life, but you know I can probably only tell you a hand full of times that I have ever seen a snake! Why is that? Because I wasn’t looking and because a snake is subtle.

In the Book This Present Darkness when the Demons are gathered together they Demon in charge is constantling counceling subordinate demons to not attack in such a way as to be discovered. He is called the prince of darkness for a reason. He is not only darkned spiritually, but he operates in the dark.

Thats what it means by the schemes of the Devil. The schemes, the plans the subtle but extremely calculated way to destroy cuhrches, families and individuals.

B. He is Spiritual

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

He is subtle in His deceptions. But He is also a Spirit and He is Spiritual.

Many kids today are seduced in tto the world of the supernatural, into the world of witchcraft and the occult. They are being seduced through different mediousm. Through movies like Harry Potter and twilight, through gaming, through shows like Supernatural and Legion and Lucifer. Listen the devil is subtle, he will say aaww this is harmless fun. This is ok and there is a seductive power at work there.

The Occult is running rampant in America. We are living in an age of religious pluralism and religious confusion. A day in which up is down and down is up. And kids aren’t equiped to navigate these waters . And you need to understand that there are spiritual forces of evil

THE DEVIL HAS HIS MINISTERS

2 Corinthians 11:15 KJV 1900

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2 Corinthians

THE DEVIL HAS HIS DOCTRINES

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

1 Timothy 4

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive A. He Is Subtle

He has his whole system of theology. The devil’s not against theology; the devil is for theology. You read in 1 Timothy chapter 4, verse 1, of “doctrines of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1) Now, you think about it. Satan is called a “god.” He has an unholy trinity. He has a church. He has ministers. He has doctrines. Why, there are even sacrifices offered to the devil. You read in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 20, about sacrifices that are offered to the devil. (1 Corinthians 10:20) You see, the devil never appears as the devil; he appears as an angel of light.

In fact He has already seduced man with his doctrines. The Bible predicts in the last days, not only will there be a one world goverment, and a one world economy, but there will be a one world religion. And it will be a sin to speak out agaisnt sin, a crime to speak out against perversity, and a death sentence to say that Jesus Christ, is the only way to be saved. Friends mark my words, that day is coming, and it will suprise everyone whw quickly it comes when things get there. There will be a major acceleration of these things when Jesus comes back for the church.

And so many are being seduced by false doctrines today, The devil has always wanted to be worshiped as God. he is not anti religious at all. You say well is he against atheism. At the end of the day he doesn’t care for anybody and he doesn’t care how he drags people to hell, but he would much rather have converts than casualties any day. His desire is to take the world back to the days of the Old gods

And because He is Spirit, that is where the war needs to take place.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

He loves it when we attack flesh and blood. He loves it when I get into a knock down drag out with the cults. He loves it when we attack and picket the abortioners. he wants us to go and attack the dug and sex traffickers. I am not saying we should not take a stand against these things. I am saying that is not where the real battle is being waged! It is being waged in the spiritual and the spiritual is where we must fight!!

HE IS STRONG

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive A. He Is Subtle

He has his whole system of theology. The devil’s not against theology; the devil is for theology. You read in 1 Timothy chapter 4, verse 1, of “doctrines of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1) Now, you think about it. Satan is called a “god.” He has an unholy trinity. He has a church. He has ministers. He has doctrines. Why, there are even sacrifices offered to the devil. You read in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 20, about sacrifices that are offered to the devil. (1 Corinthians 10:20) You see, the devil never appears as the devil; he appears as an angel of light.

lOOK AGAIN AT VERSE 12 aGAINST THE RULERS, THE AUTHOIRIES, COSMIC POWERS OVER THIS PRESENT DARKNESS— WHAT DOES THAT SAY TO US. hE HAS Authority - Great Authority.

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive C. He Is Strong

You know, the Bible says concerning Michael the archangel that he “dared not bring a railing accusation against the devil,”—I’m talking about a mighty archangel—“but he said, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan.’ ” (Jude 1:9) And

Now Look at our armor

Belt of Truth-

He is a devil of deception. I a world that is infactuated with entertainment, it is getting harder and harder to find sober minded people, that have a firm grasp on things.

Feet shod with the readiness of the gospel

Ephesians 6:15 ESV

and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Now Satan will also atack you with discouragment. He will try to put anything and everything in your path to make you stumble. .

B. He is Spiritual

Parents I need to warn you that there are deadly philosophies and teaching that are floating around every where. Your kids are learning them in the School House, and to be honest they are probably learning them in a lot of Church houses.

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive C. Satan Will Attack You with Discouragement: Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

And, you see, what does Satan do? Why, he sows the battlefield with thorns. He sows the battlefield with briars. He sows the battlefield with sharp stones and stumbling blocks—and all along the Christian’s pathway. Friend, it’s not an easy pathway. There are all kinds of things—stumbling stones, and thorns, and briars along the way—but you are to have “the preparation of the gospel of peace” upon your feet. That means, no matter what happens, no matter how many thorns in the pathway, no matter how many briars, no matter how many pitfalls that Satan plants for your feet, every one of them does not cause you to be discouraged; they cause you to shout and praise God. As Brother Peter Lord said, “Count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations: just say, ‘Praise God!’ ” The peace that God gives.

Prayer mapping-

I want to start

Today I see families all around that are falling apart. Many of you have loved ones that are unraveling at the seems and theur life is coming apart. Many of you know people that are dominated by addiction. Many have teenagers or older kids who are jsut out of control. And so many are just shooting in the dark

HOw to intercede for loved Ones

Focus in God’s Unfailing Purpose for Them

2. Focus on God’s Unfailing Provision for them

3.Focus on God’s Unrivaled Presence in Them

Ephesians

Rogers, A. (2017). How to Intercede for Your Loved Ones. In Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive (). Signal Hill, CA: Rogers Family Trust.