Recognizing the Enemy
- God or the World #1 - Ephesians 6:10-13
Where God is at work, the Devil is as well. Most all of us have heard that statement before. The statement is oh so true in context. The next two Sundays, we are going to focus on the strategy of Satan to bring you and I down. We are going to look at his arsenal and look into God’s arsenal for the proper defense to defeat our greatest enemy.
TEXT
10 Be strong in the Lord and in His power
11 Put on the whole armor of God. Withstand the wiles of the Devil
12 Wrestle against powers and the darkness of this world
13 Be strong in the Lord and in His power.
Who are we fighting? Satan
What about Satan?
Ezekiel 28:12-19
King of ancient Tyrus was used as an illustration of type of Satan Himself
I. Satan was created in perfection
a. Surpassing in beauty
b. Superlative in wisdom
c. Great in authority
d. Had a tremendous amount of honor
II. Satan was corrupted through Pride (15-19)
a. God created a holy angel and gave the angel the power of choice.
b. Instead of choosing God’s way, he chose pride.
c. Isaiah 14
i. Lucifer, son of the morning – became Satan because of his choices
ii. Determined to be the most high
iii. Reality – lowest of the low because pride is the most devilish attribute anyone may possess.
III. Satan continues with power
a. He has power on earth through deception and craft
7 Ways to notice the enemy: Story of Legion –
Mark 5:1-9
1. Preoccupation with death
a. John 10:9-10
b. Rock music of today’s kids
i. “Autopsy, Grim Reaper, Suicide Kings”
2. Rebellion against authority
a. A spirit of utter defiance
3. Uncleanness
a. Satan removes all sense of dignity and decency.
i. Our media - what’s the best commercials?
ii. Our language
iii. Our movies – what are the themes?
ILL – Cow manure in brownies
4. Restlessness and Sadness
a. World is heartbroken and under siege
b. Peace from a bottle, internet, pill, or a syringe
c. Our choice can cause heartaches and pain.
5. Drugs, Alcohol
6. Separation from Family and Friends
7. Hostility to Jesus
a. Illustration of a girl in an airport.
IV. Satan is condemned
a. When Jesus died on the cross, Hell had a holiday. When He arose, Jesus destroyed the power of death!
i. Colossians 2:6-15
ii. “Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world” – 1 John 4:4
There are two kings in the world today.
King of Kings
King of Terror
Why follow a loser?
Today, we have seen ways of Satan working. . .
His methods and his motives
Believer, have you ever had any of these symptoms to pop up in your life? Buddy I have! How did I get rid of these symptoms? – Pray – repent – confess to God all of your faults.
How can rid our lives of such symptoms?
Pray – Study God’s Word – be Faithful and Committed to doing all for Christ
Colossians 3:23-24
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Jesus Christ.”
How can we rid our church of Satan?
Prayer – Intense Bible Study – Total Commitment from everyone
How can I turn from Satan and turn to God?
Totally surrender your life to God today – don’t wait until tomorrow – it could be too late.
