Storming The Gate Of The Enemy(NIV)
In ancient and biblical times, most people lived in large cities. These cities were defended by huge walls. The gate was the weakest part of the city’s defense. They were usually made of wood or metal. If you could storm and occupy the gate you could capture the city.
Some city’s defenses built 2 walls around a city. If an attacker breached the outer wall, they would still have a 2nd to breakthrough. All walls and gates had towers for lookouts and soldiers to be stationed at.
2 Samuel 18:24
2SA 18:24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone.
As warfare technology advanced, so did the technology of defense. So city’s built gates with twists and turns to them. This would cause an attacker to have to reroute themselves. By causing an attacker to reroute themselves it causes them to do in military terms what is called “exposing the flank”. All soldiers of ancient times carried a shield in the left hand and a sword in the right. If a soldier turned to the left he was basically defenseless especially against arrows. (Get volunteer to hold the shield and sword)
Satan works in the same way. If he can get us to turn just a little bit from the path, he sees an opening for attack. An exposed flank is very dangerous for any soldier or army.
ILLUS-Little Round Top/Gettysburg/Col. Chamberlain
As Christians, being part of Gods army it is our mission and the Church’s mission to war against the enemy. Gates are a defensive weapon, they are not an offensive weapon. If the church takes a stand or an offensive against the Hell, then hell cannot withstand our offensive.
Matthew 16:18
8 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
A favorite technique of the some army’s was to attack the foundations of city walls and fortifications. They would cover engineers with their shields, walk up to the walls and dig down to the foundations. The removed support of dirt or timbers made the walls weak. The Devil works the same way by weakening the foundations of our faith will lies and deceit.
If we know the Devil is a liar, if God said he’s a liar, them why do we believe him?
Because our foundation of faith has been weakened by assault after assault, and defeat after defeat.
Defeats
Abraham Lincoln failed in business and lost 13 political elections before becoming President.
Walt Disney was fired from a job because he “lack imagination and creativity”
Bill Gates when pitching the idea for Microsoft was told “what would anybody want with a computer in their house?”
If we resist him, the Devil, we defeat him!
James 4:7
JAS 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
When he flees, he will retreat to his stronghold, his refuge. Follow Satan to his refuge and take the battle to him.
Where does Satan wage most of his war? In your mind!
ILLUS-Speaking Into Your Ear/ Go on offensive
Rebuke the Devil, shake him off, put him under your feet and stomp him into the ground. He wouldn’t hesitate for a second to do the same thing to you.
In our battle, both in our minds and in the world, how do we prepare?
If your going to war you need to be prepared and trained. In history, any army that is not well trained or prepared has been defeated when faced with a superior enemy.
1 Put on your armor
Ephesians 6:11
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
This is the best equipment given to us by God.
2 Have your weapons attached to these truths
your faith in God to be in battle with you
your faith is your shield against the Devil
Ephesians 6:16
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
3 Lock shields with your fellow Christians
Don’t fight your battles alone. There is strength in numbers. A shield, beside a shield, beside shield forms a protective wall. Together we can breach the gates of Hell but not on our own.
ILLUS-Squad size attack formation
4 Be fully prepared, fully equipped, and fully armed for the battle ahead.
“Spiritual Streaker”-doesn’t know the word of God, doesn’t pray, doesn’t have any righteousness, the Devil beats them down repeatedly(weak or have no shield). They think everything will be ok just because they are saved. Ephesians 6:11 “the full armor”.
5 Be armed with a sword-God’s word
Hebrews 4:12
HEB 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
When Jesus comes back, he will use “The Word” to lay waste to Satans army.
Revelation 1:16
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
To be ready for battle-be read up, praised up, and raised up!
We are called into this battle for righteousness when we are saved. By overcoming and winning this battle, we will be rewarded in Heaven.
Revelation 2:7
REV 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Is this battle worth fighting for you?
Is this battle worth fighting for your marriage?
Is this battle worth fighting for your kids?
Is this battle worth fighting for God?
