Romans Series (2)

Man at the center vs God at the center.

Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

Measure of Faith is not manufature but its God given.

Four times think is mention in this verse in the greek.

There are two major ways we can think.

We can think of ourselves more highly then we ought to think.

This verse is showing that we have a temptation to think more highly then we ought to.

Muhummad Ali one of the worlds greatest boxers. was on a plane and the flight attendant told him he had to put on his seat belt. And his response was super man don’t need no seat belt. And she responded superman dont need no plane either.

Satan wanted to be like God. Satan couldn’t think out side of what God has created. Satans mind only can think of the confines of Gods creation.

Satan could say I want to create and be in power a create time and space and material in his own natural way. He was to limited in his ability to be able to do that.

So Satan wanted everything that is Gods.

Sometimes our view of God can be so limited. WE view God as if He is an option.

The five I wills of satan.

Isaiah 14:13 “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;”

Isaiah 14:14 “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’”

I will ascend into heaven. Satan was talking about the third heaven. 2 Cor 12:1-4 Though satan was the highest ranking cherub he still didn’t have access to the third heaven. So satan dwelt someone lower then the third heaven. And satan wanted to ascend there.

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. This could be speaking about angelic host or the literal stars. Rev. 12:4 “His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.” but also the universe the second heaven

Satan request has been noted. He is now recognized to be the god of of this world.

Satan has a kingdom in the heavenly realm.

Matt 12:26 “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?”

Eph 2:2 “in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,”

Though satan has authority he doesn’t have to have authority over you.

Col 2:13-15 “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”

3. I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north.

The mount- is referring to divine government here on earth.

e congregation is speaking about the children of Israel,

The Messiah was to come through the people of Israel so Satan wanted to be the Messiah

4. I will ascend to the heights of the clouds.

there are 150 references about clouds in the Bible. 100 of those references speak about divine glory God appeared on the clouds.

Ex 16:10 “Now it came to pass, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.”

Satan want all the glory and praise.

5. I will be like the most High

Satan had no other form of greatest to compare his life to.

Like man is limited to time, and space.

Satan was limited in power and excess. It wasn’t like satan could create another universe or another heaven where he could reign . He only could reign in the confines under which God has allowed him to operate.

Think Sober-

Be honest about your evaluation of yourself.

In other words stay in your lane .