Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRO:

This following story is told by Leroy Eims about the time when he was serving in the Marines in the South Pacific during World War II: "Shortly after we hit the beach, our armored amphibious tank took two artillery shells broadside.

We immediately evacuated our disabled vehicle and darted from hole to hole toward the enemy airstrip, which we were to take.

“Rulers” - Paul mentioned the rulers (Political leaders and the powerful) because they seemed so successful and wise.

Yet, because they rejected the gospel of Christ, they were actually foolish.

When Christ returns, all of their accomplishments will come to nothing.

Powerful people seem to have all they desire, but they will suffer the judgment of God one day because they have rejected the true wisdom of God in Christ.

"The sergeant began to check on us to make sure that we were OK.

He crawled over to me and asked, `You all right, Eims?'

In battle, it’s essential to know your enemy.

Unless we know who the enemy is, where he is, and what he can do, we have a difficult time defeating him.

Not only in , but throughout the entire Bible, God instructs us about the enemy, so there is no reason for us to be caught off guard.

Who is the Devil?

"I answered, `Yeah, I'm OK, Sarge.'

A murderer from the beginning.

There is no truth in him (Father of lies)He is a bully - “Resist the devil and he will flee from you ()“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” ()He uses different approaches and looks for our weak places.Our enemy is not flesh and blood but spiritual forces of evil ().

"He looked at me and asked, `Eims, where is your helmet?'

The Devil in Action - He Goes after Everyone

Temptation of Adam and Evil (“We shall be as God”)Jesus’ three temptations ()Satan entered into Judas before his betrayal ()“Simon, Simon, look out!

Satan has asked to sift you like wheat” () “Satan filled your heart to lie” (Annanias and Sapphira) () The devil attacks all of us

"I felt the top of my head and answered, `Must be in the tank, Sarge.'

II.

Examples of Standing

  A.

David had an unshakable faith in God.

Saul tried to kill him, and David hid in a cave.

Even so, he wrote “My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast” ().

"`Where's your duty belt?' Our duty belts carried ammunition for our rifles, a canteen of water, and a bayonet.

B.

Joseph stood against moral compromise.

“After a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, ‘Come to bed with me’ ” ().

“She caught him by his cloak and said, ‘Come to bed with me.’

But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house” (v.

12).

Joseph followed the instruction Paul wrote later in to flee sexual immorality.

"`Must be in the tank, Sarge.'

C.

Stand against political forces (, ).

   1   Peter and John have healed the lame man at the gate Beautiful in Jerusalem.

"`As a matter of fact, Eims, where's your rifle?'

He looked at me with disgust and pity.

Because of our hasty departure from the amphibious tank, I was dressed about the same way that I would be dressed for a game of volleyball.

And there I was, hopping from hole to hole, from tree to tree!

This story reveals the truth about the modern church.

Most Christians have forgotten that the Christian life is not a playground, but a battlefield.

As a result, very few of the Lord's people are armed, equipped and ready to wage spiritual battle.

Whether we ever believe it or not, we are engaged in spiritual warfare.

If we are to be successful in our work for the Lord Jesus, then we must be prepared for that battle and be ready to go to war.

This morning we are going to answer the question: How can we be prepared for the spiritual battle we face daily?

2   The counsel called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus

I) Evaluate the ENEMY (v11-12)

In battle, it’s essential to know your enemy.

Unless we know who the enemy is, where he is, and what he can do, we have a difficult time defeating him.

Throughout the entire Bible, God instructs us about the enemy so we will not get caught off guard.

A) His’ Story

The Devil was named “Lucifer, son of the morning,” and he was cast down because of his pride and his desire to occupy God’s throne.

Consequently, he was cast out of Heaven.

Names of the Devil:

“Devil” - means “accuser” (He accuses God’s people day and night before the throne of God)

“Satan” - means “adversary” (He is an enemy of God)

He is called the “tempter,” “murder,” “liar”

He is compared to a “lion,” “serpent,” “angel of light,” “the god of this age.”