Victory in the Battle
Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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Victory in the Battle
Victory in the Battle
What do I want them to know? We are in a spiritual battle against the principalities of darkness and how to have victory
Why? There is life in victory and death in defeat
What do I want them to do? Be strong in the Lord, Put on the Armor, Know the schemes lies of the devil
Why? to have victory
ME/WE
We are in a battle
We are in a battle
What is our battle against? What is the battle that the Bible repeated says we are in?
It is against politicians? The church of Ephesus could have made this claim because their government and governmental leaders were tied to the worship of Artemus....our battle is against the governmental authorities
Or is our battle against a person (a friend, family, or foe?) Our battle is against our friend Sarah because of what she is doing. Paul had this Ephesus when Demetrius the blacksmith opposed and rallied a crowd to get Paul why? because the blacksmiths were losing $$$ people were becoming Christians stopped worshipping Artimus and therefore stopped buying idols and as a result causing Demetrius and other blacksmiths to lose money.
Does Paul say my battle is against the governing authorities? Does Paul say my battle is against Demetrius?
Does Jesus say my battle is against Rome and Pontius Pilate?
NO....
What does Paul say who are battle is against
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.
Do we see what Paul says there: Our battle is not against flesh and blood (people and politicians) but instead against principalities of darkness.
Our battle is against principalities or darkness
Principalities of darkness can use people and politicians…like Pharaoh was used by principalities or darkness, Hitler, people in the pornography industry,
They do not always use PEOPLE AND POLITICAL RULERS....PRINCIPALITIES OF DARKNESS DO NOT JUST Operate IN people and kings and rulers… they operate in supernatural ways, ways that we cannot see but we can feel…how many know what I am talking about?....our modern church often has a problem with this....the church until about 1800’s was always on board with this. They believe in the principalities of darkness operating in supernatural ways, but what change the game for us was enlightenment ideas swept into the church and SUPERNATURAL SWEPT OUT OF THE CHURCH
AND THE PRINCIPALITIES OF DARKNESS ARE FINE WITH THIS.
Principalities of darkness can use just themselves Paul says 1 Thess 2:18 that it was Satan that prevent him from going to Thessalonica...
SATAN the principle of darkness
We do not know how this manifested itself to Paul, but it happen and still happens, you see it through out the Bible were demons show up....we see in Daniel 10:13 that an angel of the Lord was hindered 21 days from coming to Daniel because of demon and he did not have victory until the angel Michael came to free him.
But a little warning
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”
― C. S. Lewis
NOT TOO MUCH THAT THEY ARE EVERYWHERE or TOO LITTLE THAT THEY ARE NOWHERE..
Friends it crucial for us to know we are in a spiritual battle
Why?
Because knowing what battle we are in (it’s spiritual), who we are fighting (principalities of darkness), and what the strategy of the the one we are fighting (schemes of the devil), determines how we fight
It will do me no good if I think I am wresting match if I am going to war.
I could be the best wrestler in the world and get annihilated because I was not ready for war.
The same is for us if we use human ways to battle and not SPIRITUAL WAYS TO BE BATTLE WE WILL LOSE
GOD
This is what Paul wants the church in Ephesus to know, his final instructions....I need you to know that you are in a spiritual battle.
I want you to know how you win in this battle and how to fight in this battle and how the enemies strategy.
How do we defeat the principalities of darkness in our lives? Whether this comes from people or in supernatural ways How do we have victory?
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.
What does Paul say?
Be strong in Pete, be strong in my power, be strong in my power or strength,
or does he say be strong in Bonnie? Or be strong in Sorin?
NO IT SAYS BE STRONG IN THE LORD
2. Put on the whole armor of God and be praying in vs 18.
God has equipped you supernatural with His weapons, you did not earn them for the spiritual battle you are in.
These are the same weapons you see Jesus carry and they are referenced in Isaiah in several locations.
Eph 6:13-17
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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
3. We are to stand against the schemes the Devil
μεθοδεία, ας f: crafty scheming with the intent to deceive—‘deceit, scheming.
The Devil is not dumb, he is crafty,
Gen 4:7
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
He is not distant ....he is crouching at your door....he is a preditor…he is not not waiting until your walls
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
He is coming to get you and it is not on your time line.... not when your ready
And sometimes he disguises himself as a angel of light….sometimes he appears good, but he is a wolf in sheeps clothing.
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
What is the scheme he likes to use
LIES
Because as John 8:44 He is the father of lies
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
He has bait (lies) and switch....He tries to BAIT you and switch you.
He shows you one thing and right after you say yes…he give you another..
Why would he do that?
This is what happened in the garden of Eden
What is the switch?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
THE ENEMY IS TRYING TO KILL, STEAL, AND DESTROY YOU MAINLY PHYISCALLY??? NO SPIRITUALLY
What are the lies he is trying to get your to believe fall prey to?
The weather? Believe it is going to be sunny…Believe this is the year for the Browns
NO, there are 4 major lies that we see come up over and over in scripture and THERE ARE OTHER WAYS
WE ARE GOING TO UNPACK THESE
BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO KNOW THE LIES, WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DEFEAT THE LIES
How do we defeat the lying lion?
PUTTING ON THE BELT OF TRUTH
GOD’S WAYS ARE NOT BEST OR IT’S OK TO BREAK THEM EVERY ONCE IN WHILE
HAS ANYONE BEEN TEMPTED WITH THIS?
- it is just one click
it is just one lie
it is just one tweet, or FB post that is over the liNE…YES, IT IS RUDE..no big deal....
It is just one sexual encounter
PLUS GOD WILL FORGIVE, THAT IS WHAT HE DOES
TO SHOW HOW THIS WORKS LETS READ PROV 7 WHERE IT TALKS ABOUT THE PLOY OF SEXUAL SIN, BUT THIS CAN HAPPEN WITH ANY SIN
With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him.
All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast
till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.
And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths,
for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng.
Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.
DO YOU SEE WHAT PROVERBS SAYS? IT IS LITTLE BY LITTLE....THE ENEMY LEADS US....
HOW DO ATTACK THIS LIE?
LISTEN TO WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS....
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
GOD’S WORD SAYS HIS WAY IS NARROW, THERE IS NO ROOM FOR BUDGING THAT LEADS TO LIFE.....SATAN ALWAYS WANTS US
We put the belt of truth on and say no way Satan, not today, I know where this is going
REV 12:10
2. TRUST MAN
Trust whatever man says
We are seeing this today....
Somebody comes to you and says did you hear about......where did you hear that? MSNBC or FOX NEWS or TWITTER said ____
Here’s the deal, is what our media say is always false? No, nor is it always true
THE MEDIA IS NOT THE GOSPEL
THE MEDIA IS PAID TO PAID TO BE TRUTHFUL....it is paid for to get likes and listeners....do you know what receives more like and listeners and therefore money? I encourage you to watch the Social Dilemma and it movie by presidents and vp who formerly worked for FB, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER.....
And we are also not to trust our friends implicity
Look at what the belt of truth says.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
Jesus did not trust people completely
But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.
He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
Man is not to be where our ultimate trust is to be… but the enemy always wants us to
This also means our ultimate trust is not to be politicians....we are not trust them implicitly....they are not God....they are not our savior
3. WHAT THE WORLD, THE ENENMY, AND WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT YOU IS CORRECT
What disposition are the worlds that the world, the enemy, and I say about myself???? Pete you are awesome, you are so wonderful, How many of us jump out of bed and say I am awesome.
Rev 12:10 He is the accuser of the brethren
We have thoughts coming at us on consistant basis saying you’re not good.
Do you know when this happens the most, when we believe the first lie…we follow the enemies ways…We follow it and not and bam the enemy says “I thought you were a Christian, Christians don’t do that…God must hate you now.”
You are horrible person....
IS THIS HOW GOD SEES US????
NO
WHAT DOES GOD THINK OF US?
What is the foundation lie that we tend to believe that Paul speaks against
22 times in Ephesians and 216 times in the Bible and 300 times sinner is used it is never
YOU’RE A SAINT WHO STILL STRUGGLES WITH SIN
He doesn’t just do this this with our identity but with other lies
I believed I was not smart enough to matter.....It was not until I read the truth of scripture that says we are all gifted that changed me and preachers preached that God wants to us me....
I believed I was not tall enough to be datable....all girls wanted was tall dark and handsome…where is that in the Bible....
A belief doesn’t have to be truth to be powerful to be true
Or I was talking to a friend yesterday who is making a big career move that requires his family to move to another country and he is replacing a person who was a giant there and....he the enemy keeps saying you made the wrong decision...
If God led you to it he will lead your through it....this does not mean this will easy
The way we attack this entrapment is with the Word and His promises
We hear something that seems out of place we question it with the Word and we are also in the Word and hear the Word because we have blind spots....
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
and we in community
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
our brother or sister in Christ comes to us
Know the truth and it will set you free
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
4. God is not good or He has forgotten you
Enemy every say this to you?
Job’s story
God has forgotten you....
He does this when we are happy, joyful and everything is good?
No, look at all the bad things that are happening in your life and your world....but you say what about the good things....oh think about those
How do we attack this?
We remember God’s past faithfulness and goodness in our lives....Over and over we told n scripture to remember God’s past faithfulness
We remember how God led us out ____ situation and provided for us and answered our prayers
And then we also turn to scripture
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
What do we do when we are worried?
But on the belt of truth and pray
When we are worried to move to truth....What does scripture say say
Ps 46
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
God has not abandoned us or forsaken us.
This is my Father's world:
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!
the enemy wants to say it is hit world but it is God’s world
GOD IS STILL REIGNING....DO NOT LET THE ENEMY FOOL YOU....GOD WINS
US
Where are you at today? What lie or lies the enemy trying to get you to believe?
Be strong in the Lord
Put on the belt of truth
and Stand