Victory over the Devil Series
Satan’s System
Eph. 6:12
May 27, 2007 (p.m.) FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor
Introduction
A An uninformed army is an army in peril.
1 The enemy is delighted we don’t preach about him.
a He is more organized than the Mafia.
b His operation is so intricate/efficient that it would make Al Quaida look like a backyard children’s club.
2 Tonight we’ll look at Satan’s system as we assess two areas:
a His organization & his offense
b For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12 (NASB)
aa Four main divisions in his system
bb Let’s pray
I Satan’s organization
A Principalities (Greek arche: "beginning" or "principality")
1 Principal is the head of a school, the most vital fact in a case is the principal fact.
a In Scripture "principalities" seems to refer to political powers that influence government, legislators, lawmakers, etc.
b Be certain Satan is watching political campaigns, races, issues...to impose his influence.
aa Gay marriage, abortion, religious freedoms
bb Nativities in the center of town
2 In Daniel 10, Daniel is fasting for 3 weeks, praying, & God sends and angel, vision.
a Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 "Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future." Dan 10:12-14 (NASB)
aa The angel was stopped/preoccupied by the Prince of Persia.
bb Some would say "Satan", quite possibly one of these principalities.
cc Notice the strength of the principality! The angel needed reinforcements from Michael!
b Only through Michael’s prevailing strength & prayers of Daniel did the vital message get through.
c WAR!
B Powers (demons): Greek dynamos
1 In this case, "one who has powers or ability"
a They work to carry out the desires of the principalities who work under Satan himself.
b There are several references (common) to principalities & powers.
aa For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers... Romans 8:38 (NASB)
...far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Eph 1:21 (NASB)
...so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. Eph 3:10 (NASB)
bb Christ is superior to them! ...and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority... Col 2:10 (NASB)
When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Col 2:15 (NASB)
2 These powers are demons under Satan’s control.
a Real, intelligent personalities in the spirit world who attack men in the areas of feelings, thoughts, & body.
b They ridicule, defame, distract, divide, & depress among all people.
c The devil is not omnipresent, but each demon is an extension of his character.
C Rulers of the darkness of this world.
1 The word "might" is a part of the 3rd group.
a These are lesser spirits which operate in context of a system of authority within Satan’s organization.
b Possible initiate & propagate every conceivable false teaching, occult, etc.
aa Fortune telling, witchcraft
bb Every false religion
2 These spirits are working overtime on this present generation.
a Drawing people not away from religion
b Drawing them away from the one true God!
D Spiritual wickedness is high places
1 "Wicked spirits in heavenly places."-proper translation
a "Dominions"
b These spirits’ responsibilities extend to every city, village, home, institution, government, & person.
c Every area has an evil spirit assigned to it.
2 Also may include weather in a region (Satan has left nothing out).
3 It’s possible the enemy has demons who are responsible for various/specialized schemes.
a Physical (attack the body)
b Psychological (adults, children)
c Elements
d Machines
He’s organized so he can attack (transitional sentence).
II Satan’s offense (perhaps the earliest book was Job, the only document of its age still in existence). First words inspired by God to men.
A The devil accuses Job (he’s the accuser)
1 We will learn a few things about the devil in our text.
a He has access to the heavenly places. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. Job 1:6 (NASB)
b The Lord asked Satan "Whatcha been doing?" The LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it." Job 1:7 (NASB)
c Satan has the right to come before God, & even contradict Him!
aa God actually brings up Job. The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." Job 1:8 (NASB)
bb Satan implied that Job was a saint for profit. Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 11 "But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face." Job 1:9,11 (NASB)
B The devil attacks Job.
1 The devil was allowed to attack Job’s possessions.
a Look what happened: Sabeans invaded the land, killed his servants, & stole his animals, Chaldeans came in 3 groups & stole Job’s camels & the servant who was keeping them.
aa A storm came & killed every one of Job’s kids at a family get-together at the oldest boy’s house.
bb Remember, the enemy can control the weather.
b Job’s calamities were not coincidence-under attack.
2 When things go wrong in your life on multiple fronts, who is to say you’re not under demonic attack?
3 These attacks don’t work, so the devil attacks Job’s body (only with God’s permission!)
a Does it work? NO!
b The devil goes to Job’s wife. Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!" Job 2:9 (NASB)
aa All the devil had to do was disprove Job’s love for God, so he’d win the argument.
bb Job would be disillusioned & God discredited.
4 If the devil can’t defeat you directly, he’ll defeat someone whose defeat will defeat you.
a Job’s wife was attacked & defeated by the enemy.
b She listened to the accusations against God until she believed them herself!
C The devil harasses Job (Satan does not know mercy).
1 The enemy sees his best method to get at God is through a man that God loves.
a A man’s down, property gone, children dead, health depleted, wife deceived/defeated-Satan will not give up.
b Satan sends Job’s friends to harass him.
aa Satan’s no where to be seen, heard...but he’s there!
bb He works through others!
2 Satan’s offense of accusing, attacking, & harassing is exposed...he is still doing it!
a He used it with Jesus in the wilderness temptations.
aa First temptation, Satan accused Him of not being the Son of God. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." Matt 4:3 (NASB)
bb Second temptation, Satan repeated the insinuation. ...and said* to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ’HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ’ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’ Matt 4:6 (NASB)
cc Third temptation, Satan tears his mask off, "Worship me!"
b Angels come & minister to Jesus.
3 ...so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. 2 Cor 2:11 (NASB) Paul warns us (they are all over Scripture!)
a The devil is a deceiver, perverter, imitator, a lawless one, subversion, diversion, & perversion are included in his wiles.
b He divides, distracts, depresses, & seeks to destroy.
c Jesus said, "The thief cometh not but to steal, kill, & destroy."
d He attacks the world, nation, the church, the home, & individuals.
4 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB)
Satan’s attacks are certain, but his attacks come in various ways (transitional sentence).
III These three approaches are different & require different strategies.
A Temptation (flesh, world, temptations from the devil).
1 Flesh
a Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11 (NASB)
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Tim 2:22 (NASB)
b The watchword for temptations of the flesh-FLIGHT
2 World (world tries to suck us into material possessions, stuff)
a For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4 (NASB)
b The watchworld for overcoming the world-FAITH
3 Devil will attack us directly.
a We’re urged to "fight the good fight" (1 Tim. 6:12), "stand against the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:1), "resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
b The watchword against temptations from the devil-FIGHT
B Put these together, & there is a picture of a balanced life of Christian victory.
1 Flight (flesh), Faith (world), & Fight (temptations from the devil).
2 We’ll learn more about overcoming in weeks to come.
Notice to Sermon Central Users:
My name is Mike Fogerson, and I pastor a Southern Baptist Church in Chester, Illinois. I have been a long-time user of Sermon Central and truly appreciate its content and contributors. Some of the best sermons I’ve ever preached have been reworked material from this website. As you use the material from my sermon bank, understand that it is work that has been done from not just myself, but from hundreds of other pastors as well. If you see part of your message, or a bunch of your message with my name on it and this upsets you, please email me and I will quickly respond and cite you as the main source. My intent is not to claim someone’s work as my own. I am disclaiming up front that I use the resources from Sermon Central and appreciate the tool. I simply want all those who use my work to know that some of these messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit working through other pastors. Because I do use the messages of other pastors I waive all claims of originality or origin of creativity for the messages posted under my messages. I pray God blesses your preaching ministry for the glory of His Kingdom.
Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
