I've Been Married To Your Sister For Over 48 Years

Sermon for 10/11/2009

Ephesians 6:10-13 (Emphasis on vs. 12)

Introduction:

A few minutes before the services started, the church people were sitting in their pews and talking. Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church. Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from the evil one. Soon everyone had exited the church except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew without moving, unconcerned to the fact that mankind’s enemy was in his presence. So Satan walked up to the old man and said, “Don’t you know who I am?” The man replied, “Yep, your Satan.” “Aren’t you afraid of me?” Satan asked. “No, sure ain’t” said the man. “Don’t you realize what I can do to you?” asked Satan. “I know what you can do to me,” replied the old man. “And you’re still not afraid?” asked Satan. “Nope.” A little perturbed, Satan asked, “Well, why aren’t you afraid of me?” The man calmly replied, “Well, I’ve been married to your sister for over 48 years.”

WBTU:

A. We need to have a healthy respect and understanding of the Devil.

B. From 2002- The New York Times reported a study about the diminishing belief in the devil among Americans. 2/3rd of Americans do not believe in the devil as a living entity. In a randomly selected survey of over 1,000 Americans, pollsters asked whether they agreed that Satan is “not a living being, but a symbol of evil.” 62% agreed with the statement. We need to understand that Satan is real and evil is real and that he is our #1 enemy as Christians.

C. For some years many people have claimed that there is no such thing as evil. However, when 9/11 happened almost no one disputed the claims of the President. “America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature.”

D. The devil is the originator and perfecter of evil. He leads a kingdom in opposition to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Thesis: About the devil we need to know the 4 “P”s, the 3 “D”s and how we can overcome him.

For instances:

I. The 4 “P”s

1. Personality- Know your enemy

Look up and read Isaiah 14:12-15

Look up and read Ezekiel 28:12-17

Look up and read Revelation 12:7-12

2. Position

A. The devil is a prince.

1. Prince of the demons.

2. Prince of this world. From Revelation 12 he has a lot of control.

B. The devil is a ruler-

1. (Eph 2:2 NIV) in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

2. (1 John 5:19 NIV) We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

C. The devil wants to be God

1. God is all knowing. Satan knows a lot but not everything- Calvary

2. God is everywhere at all times. Satan gets around and his Kingdom is present but Satan cannot be everywhere at all times.

3. God is all powerful. Satan is powerful but God is all powerful.

3. Power

A. The devil has power over:

1. People without Jesus Christ

a. (2 Cor 4:4 NIV) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

b. (Acts 10:38 NIV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

2. Circumstances and situations- (1 Th 2:18 NIV) For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again--but Satan stopped us.

3. Nations-

a. (Dan 10:12 NIV) Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. (Dan 10:13 NIV) But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

b. (Rev 18:23 NIV) By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.

B. The devil has power but nothing compared to God and Jesus Christ.

4. Purpose

A. Accuse. Last week we talked about temptation. The devil comes and tempts us and here is the sickening part, after we have fallen he accuses us. “You are not good. How could you be so stupid?” He brings up our failures time and time again. He kicks us when we are down and laughs in our face. “I got you right where I want you.” Revelation 12:10 says that he is our accuser.