Under Attack
Under Attack • Sermon • Submitted
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Under Attack
Under Attack
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Since the dawn of creation and the first man and woman breathed their first breath, there has been an enemy...
An enemy that is not only devious, he is deadly...
It was in the Garden that Adam and Eve met their Arch Nemesis…
Satan
Serpent
The Devil...
Adversary
Accuser of the brethren
The dragon
That old serpent
the god of this world
Beelzebub - prince of the devils
Roaring lion
prince of the power of the air
Liar
father of lies
Murderer
Prince of devils
tempter
Wicked one
Eve was deceived and Adam willfully plunged humanity into sin...
But from the beginning of man… we have had an enemy...
From the beginning, we have been under attack
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Under Attack
Under Attack
As Christians, we face 3 enemies
The World
The Flesh
The Devil
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The World refers to the system around us that is opposed to God
The Flesh refers to the old Adamic / natural / sinful condition.
This nature - sin nature is also opposed to God - like the world we are in...
The Devil refers to the one who is called out as our adversary…
enemy
antagonist
foe
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
In the coming weeks, we are going to be looking at some of the attacks…
Spiritually
Physically
Emotionally
“The devil is a formidable enemy that we will not defeat on our own”
If we are to have victory, and victory is available to us...
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Ephesians 6 we find 4 topics that are addressed that will help us have victory in our daily lives
The Enemy
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Devil - diabolos -
Slanderer; accuser
This is a real adversary -
Intelligence
Military Intel
CIA - Central Intelligence Agency
We seek to learn about our enemies, so we know how to navigate and combat them...
Knowledge is power
The Leader
He as a created being was cast out of heaven because of His pride and insurrection
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Many mysteries surround this enemy, but one thing is certain - One Day - He will be cast into hell...
The Helpers
Principalities
Powers
Rulers of the darkness of this world
Spiritual wickedness in high places…
Places of:
Power
Prestige
Persuasion
The Enemy
The Equipment
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Girdle of Truth 14a
The girdle holds everything in the armor together
Truth holds everything together
When a believer is not truthful
allows lies to invade their life - there is nothing to hold everything together...
If we don’t have our loins girt with truth, then we will not be able to wield the Word of truth -the sword of the Spirit
Breastplate of righteousness 14.b
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
When holiness is not the testimony of the believer, the accusations easily come… and are believed...
The breastplate of righteousness - protects our heart from the evil
It doesn’t mean that we will not be hurt or injured, but we are protected from the onslaught that sinfulness sets us up for.
Feet Shod - Gospel vs15
Gospel is what brings peace
Peace between God and man
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
We are ministers of peace -
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The Shield of Faith 16
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Roman shields of the day were often 2’x4’ wooden shields- wrapped in a thick leather
Faith spoke of here is not a Saving Faith, but a Living Faith
Helmet of Salvation vs 17
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
“When God controls the mind, Satan cannot lead the believer astray” Warren Wiersbe
The Truth is in Jesus
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Salvation and the Knowledge of the Savior
The Sword of the Spirit 17.b
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
the use of a physical sword dulls and dings the edge and makes it less efficienct
The use of the Word of God - the Sword of the Spirit, and it is sharpened...
The Word of God and the principles found within the pages of scripture is what we are to use in this spiritual warfare -
not our might
not our power
not our mind
not our intellect
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.
The Enemy
The Equipment
The Energy
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Pray always
Pray with all prayer
supplication
intercession
thanksgiving
Pray in the Spirit
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Pray with your eyes open - watching … aware vs 18
Pray with perseverance -
Pray for all saints -
The Enemy
The Equipment
The Energy
The Encouragement
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
We are not alone!!!!
The Lord is faithful -
He will never leave us nor forsake us...
He also gives us each other
Other ministers
Other believers
Other comforters...
We are Under Attack -
Put on the whole armor of God...
Not a part / piece
IT all works together & IT ALL WORKS!!!
Pastor, what’s coming next?
more of the same?
more of worse?
What about the pandemic / diseases / death
What about war / rumors of wars?
What we do know - Is that the Lord has already won the battle...
If you are saved - you are on the winning side… & He has given us the armor to fight these battles...
If you are not saved - behold today is the day of Salvation