THE CHRISTIAN AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Memorial Drive 8/11/19 THE CHRISTIAN AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE Various Texts … WHY I’M HESITANT TO BRING THIS MESSAGE FEARS … • Fear In Others • Personal Fears • Fear Over Possible Division … WHY I NEED TO BRING THIS MESSAGE • THE RESPONSIBILITY: Sharing the Whole Counsel of God’s Word Acts 20:27 Paul declared “the whole purpose of God” Titus 2:1 Titus was to speak all that was fitting for “sound doctrine” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture” is inspired and profitable • THE CULTURE: In Rapid Decline Listed among “the deeds of the flesh” is “sorcery/witchcraft”, greatest afront to God The more we gut truth as a culture, the more we open ourselves to demonic deception! The further we decline into the abyss of drug and alcohol abuse as a culture, the more we open ourselves up to powerful, malevolent spirits that prey on mental and spiritual passivity! The angrier our culture becomes, the more we open the door to Satan and his workers. • THE DAY: End Times and Increased Satanic and Demonic Work ◦ Scripture Emphasizes A GREATER DECLINE IN LATER DAYS 2 Peter 3:3-4 KNOW THIS … in the last days I Timothy 4:1 The Spirit EXPLICITLY SAYS … in later times 2 Timothy 3:13 Things will proceed FROM BAD TO WORSE Jude 17 You OUGHT TO REMEMBER … in the last time Revelation 12:12 The devil knows that he has ONLY A SHORT TIME ◦ The Decline Is NOT MERELY REGIONAL Revelation 16:13-14 “spirits of demons” go out to “THE WHOLE WORLD” Revelation 12:9 The devil … deceives THE WHOLE WORLD I would suggest that the scope of his interest and work IN THE PARTICULAR DAY Revelation 12 and 16 speak of reflects not merely a FUTURE interest but an ONGOING pattern! I Corinthians 4:4 Satan is “the god OF THIS WORLD” I John 5:19 The “WHOLE WORLD” lies in the power of the evil one ◦ At The HEART OF DECLINE IS DECEPTION John 8:44 The devil is a “LIAR” and “THE FATHER OF LIES” I Kings 22:19-23 God used “a DECEIVING SPIRIT” for His purposes 2 Timothy 4:12 Some will pay attention to “DECEITFUL SPIRITS and DOCTRINES OF DEMONS” 2 Timothy 3:13 People will “DECEIVE” and “BE DECEIVED” ◦ The Deception Will Engage Both the Culture AND THE CHURCH Jude 3-4 Christians must “CONTEND FOR THE FAITH” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 Some won’t “ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE” I Timothy 4:1 Some will “FALL AWAY” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Some will even hold to “A FORM OF GODLINESS” • THE MINISTRY COMMAND: Implicit In Shared Authority Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus declared that “ALL AUTHORITY” had been given to Him The expression of His authority not only on the earth but in the heavenly places lays a significant foundation for Paul’s words in Ephesians 6 when he writes to Christians! Ephesians 6:12 We struggle against “WORLD FORCES OF DARKNESS” and “SPITUAL FORCES OF WICKEDNESS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES” • THE MINISTRY PARADIGM: Active Engagement Luke 10:1 Jesus “APPOINTED 70” to go out in ministry Luke 10:17-19 They returned: “THE DEMONS ARE SUBJECT TO US in Your name” and Jesus declared “I HAVE GIVEN YOU AUTHORITY” Luke 10:22 “ALL THINGS have been handed over to Me by my Father” (Including authority) ◦ The 70 Were Not Apostles With Special “Apostolic Authority” Luke 10:21 The Father was “pleased” to share with “INFANTS” ◦ They Shared In Christ’s Authority Over Satan’s Work and Demonic Activity ◦ This “Shared Authority” That Undergirded Ministry to Those That Were “Demonized” Was “Pleasing to the Father” • THE NEED: Inside and Outside the Church How can we NOT be engaged in helping folks come to freedom? While the thief comes to “steal, kill, and destroy” Jesus said “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” If CHRISTIANS won’t or can’t help people come to freedom, THEN WHO? Next: Can a Christian come under demonic control in any significant way? Why the confusion?