End Times Battle Plan 3

I Peter 1:6-7

Lesson:

We know that Satan has no legal right to harass Christians. Yet we know he does, sometimes with severe intensity over time. Two prime biblical examples are Job and Paul.

JOB

In Job's case, God allowed the trial for two reasons. One was to demonstrate to the devil

that he was not omnipotent or omniscient. Satan believed that if God were to withdraw certain

protections from Job, Job would "curse God and die." God knew Job's character better and had no doubt about the results-

-which is an incredible testimony to Job!

But Job was not perfect. He had a dangerous flaw that, if not refined away, could have yielded far more significant damage than Satan inflicted. This is the second reason God allowed the trial-to surface Job's most significant character flaw: Job harbored self-righteous pride.

One of the most quoted verses from Job is nearly always quoted for the wrong reason. The first half of Job 13:15 states in the King James,

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him."

What a testimony, right? "But I will maintain mine own ways before him."

What Job is really saying is, "Yes, I trust God. But I know I'm right, and I'm going to argue

my case to His face. He can kill me if He wants, but I'm still going to have my say!" How would you react if your teenager or a worker you supervised were to speak to you like this? If Job

really trusted God, wouldn't he have just shut up? How often have you ever said something like, "I know God loves me, but I just hate how He shows it." We say things like this with a chuckle, but I don't think God is laughing.

By the time Job comes to the end of his ordeal, his tune and tone have changed: Job 42:2-6

Job 42:2–6 KJV 1900

2 I know that thou canst do every thing, And that no thought can be withholden from thee. 3 Who is he that hideth counsel Without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: But now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent In dust and ashes.

What Satan intended as harm for Job, God allowed for Job's good. Job suffered, and in the process, the quality of true humility and reverence before God was refined into his character.

What a wonderfully ironic defeat of Satan's intentions!

2 Corinthians 12:6–9 KJV 1900

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

BELIEVERS TODAY

Yielding to the Lord is always paramount in spiritual matters. Both Paul and Job understood a fundamental truth: We must allow our Lord to be sovereign. God is sovereign-absolutely over every area of our lives. Because of His nature, He will never allow His sovereignty to cause us harm.

In Christ, we have full authority to resist Satan and force him to leave our presence. Yet, at the same time, we must be willing to accept our Lord's sovereign purpose for allowing us to experience the battle, even if it is prolonged. No matter how fierce the battle becomes, no matter how much pressure Satan brings to bear, from the human perspective, it seems otherwise; we will remain triumphant as we utilize what God has provided.

Ephesians 6:10–14 KJV 1900

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. 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;

How are we to be strong?

Review/Conclusion:

A few years before his death, someone challenged Francis Schaffer, a great twentieth-century theologian, with a provocative question. Schaffer was battling cancer, and the whole world knew it. The visitor asked him how he viewed his illness: Was it against God's will? His answer came without hesitation and was to the point: "Who am I to question where God puts me or what He allows in my life?"

Whenever we encounter a challenging circumstance, even when we perceive the Enemy is behind it, Schaffer's words should come back to us. James said,

James 1:2–4 KJV 1900

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

LESSON 3: Who We Are

Scripture for Meditation:

So God created man in his own image, in the

A Beginning Prayer:

Who I am is provided from You and rests You.

Thank You for securing my identity in a living creature that moves on the ground. Your image and grace. Let Your glory shine in my life, allowing others to be blessed by who and what You have made me. Amen."

Knowing who we are in biblical terms--the way God sees us--is critical to our ability to deal effectively as Christians. It is foundational. The fact that we are creations of God should be enough to assure us of the high value we possess before Him.

He cares for every aspect of His creation, and Christ declares -

Matthew 10:29–31 KJV 1900

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

In fact, before we were born, God took infinite pains to interest Himself intimately with every detail of our existence:

Psalm 139:13–16 KJV 1900

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; And in thy book all my members were written, Which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

And an even more profound revelation of our immense value before God is found in the very beginning of His Word:

Genesis 1:26–27 KJV 1900

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

WHO ARE YOU?

• You are made in the image of God, granted authority, and blessed by God (Genesis 1:26-30).

Genesis 1:28–30 KJV 1900

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

• You are a person of great value and dignity, granted the dignity of personhood before the Lord, and are equal with others (Genesis 2:15-25).

• As have all people, you have inherited a sinful condition resulting from the fall of man (Genesis 3:1-13). Among other things, to be sinful means you inherited a nature that wants to sin (Romans 5:12-21; Galatians 5:17-21; Colossians 3:5-8).

• You are redeemed if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord.

Redeemed persons are lifted above condemnation and are of great value:

A. They are spiritual persons (John 3:6; 1 Peter 2:9-10).

B. They are holy persons (1 Corinthians 1:2; Colossians 3:12; Hebrews 10:10, 14).

C. They are gifted persons (Ephesians 4:7; Romans 12:6-8).

D. They are valuable persons (Isaiah 43:1, 4; Colossians 3:12; Romans 5:8).

E. They are persons loved and graced by God John 15:9-10; 17:23).

F. They are chosen for important service (1 Peter 2:5-9).

Look up and write out each Scripture reference in the section just above. Then, write a one- or two-sentence statement of what it means to you for each item. Finally, write out a one-paragraph Personal Value Statement expressing how you believe God values you based on what you know to be true from His Word and your experience.

Write your Personal Value Statement below:

While we are incredibly valuable before God, we are also incredibly fallen. Our very nature is sinful from birth because of the fall--the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). In the beginning, man was created perfect in every way - physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. However, using the free will implanted by God, first Eve and then Adam chose to disobey God and, as a result, allowed Satan to gain a foothold within all of creation. Immediately after Adam and Eve fell under the influence of sin in the garden, all creation also fell; every molecule and atom is affected by the degenerative rust of sin.

Do you believe those of the world who are not biblical Christians view themselves and others as inherently good or bad? Why or why not?

Because of the Fall, we are now susceptible to pain, toil, disease, and various afflictions and sufferings. Our senses and capacities are bent toward pursuing self-interest and evil. Without God's intervention, our minds cannot know or serve Him. Our emotions are corrupted and deceitful. These are only a few consequences we are now exposed to because of the fall.

Circle T for True or F for False, and then discuss your answers:

Some parts of creation are not affected by the fall.

Sin is behind all diseases.

Some parts of my life (my total being) are not affected by the fall.

I cannot know God unless I'm enlightened by the Holy Spirit.

Being sinful is not necessarily being evil.

The Fall infected genes, molecules, atoms - all of creation with sin.

I can be good without God's help.

GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PLAN

While the fall in the garden was tragic, we see the evidence of redemption at work throughout the history of God's dealings with mankind. Throughout the Old Testament stories, God patiently, painstakingly, and persistently teaches and exhibits mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation with His people. The culmination of this activity is in the redemptive power of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which was then sealed at Pentecost.

Redemption reverses the effects of the fall and, through the given grace of God, ushers us into His presence. Here, in Him, no longer lost but found, the process of our regeneration begins;

John 3:5–8 KJV 1900

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.