Lord of the Dung Heap
The Battle Within
Video – show video of the spiritual warfare skit
Option One:
Scene opens with a battle weary figure being lead in on a horse. Once he is helped down he says the following narrative in character with music overlay.
Option Two:
Play video clip of a battle scene from Lord of Rings (faded or filtered, a fogged effect so that it doesn’t steal away their attention) with music overlayed (Track 10, The Dream of the Island (reprise), by Jeff Johnson, off the CD "Similitudes", ©1990 Sola Scriptura Songs, Ark Records) and narrate in character. ALSO have the written words overlay onto the video as the narrations takes place (the audience will read along so to speak).
A Warrior Speaks (narration)
There is a war waging even now as we speak. It’s a terrible war of eternal proportions that some in ignorance can not see, many refuse to acknowledge, and even more simply chose to ignore. It is a war that leaves children as orphans, wives as widows, and men crippled with fear. It is a war that leaves hideous scars and at times even claims the most valiant of soldiers. It is a war of sacrifice, a war of suffering.
This is not a war over absolute power over the world, but for dominion of the afterlife. It’s not a war over land disputes or material gain, but for the souls of men. It’s not a war against the Taliban or extreme Muslim radicals, but against the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness.
I have lost many a good friend to this war. Even worse, some of my family is still held captive by our enemies. But all is not lost. There is still time. Although the battle grows more intense, we know that the end drawing near. The enemy is losing ground. Victory is imminent.
That is why I am here tonight. Not to bring fear to your hearts because of this treacherous war, but to offer you hope of our coming victory. Battles may be going on around us, but the all conquering King is in us. We need not fear our enemy of darkness or his unholy legion. Yes his armies are many and his power real, but he is no match for our King. He may call himself a lion, an angle of light, or even Lord of the darkness - but to me he’ll always be - Beelzebub, Lord of the dung heap.
•If option 2 has been used, you can now ride in on the horse as the music fades, lights slowly come up, and smoke machine billows
I bring greeting from the Shire. The Hobbits, and especially Frodo bid thee well. As you know, Frodo is still in Hollywood filming the last of the Lord of Rings Trilogy, so unfortunately he couldn’t be here tonight. Lucky for you, he sent me in his stead. I am Owen, son of Jehovah, King of Heaven and Earth.
Of course you know that this whole Lord of the Rings stuff is fantasy and make-believe. However, the point that we’re trying to bring to the surface here tonight is very real. There is a spiritual battle taking place all around us, 24/7. You can plead ignorance or even ignore it, but the truth remains. You are right in the middle of this war.
Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 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. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (NIV)
Unseen War - Recognize your enemy
You may not be able to see it, but it’s real. The battle for your soul began even before you were conceived. John 10:10 tells us that our enemy has come to steal from your life, to kill and destroy you in everyway. This is not a fantasy story. It’s not make-believe. In fact, it’s taking place right here, right now. We need to acknowledge that and recognize our enemy.
1. Mistaken Identity – Our battle is NOT against each other
Don’t waste your time fighting each other.
*Some of you are fighting our church leadership.
2. Invisible Enemies – The Devil and his demons
Devil – “accuser”; Satan – “adversary”; Beelzebub – Lord of the dung heap
A. Your enemy has many disguises. Paul knew this. He said, “Satan masquerades as an angle of light” (2 Cor. 11:14)
B. Your enemy is cunning and he schemes against you.
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).
“For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor 2:11).
C. Your enemy is powerful
“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
3. Accommodating Compromise
To often we accommodate “crap” to enjoy life (put temptations in crap pile)
* Compromise – we let down our guard
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov. 4:23).
When we begin to compromise our morals we become content with “crap”
Illustration: Candy in the crap pile
(We literally had a huge pile of dung on the stage and at this point uncovered it. We then asked for volunteers to come and put their hands in the crap and pick out the candy - idividually wraped jolly ranchers.)
Weapon of War
2 Cor. 10:3-5
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Since we know that this battle is not against flesh and blood but rather in the spiritual realm, we need spiritual weapons to fight the devil and maintain our victory. These spiritual weapons are called the “whole armor of God”. “Whole” (or “full”) means that we need every piece to make it a full set and be effective.
1. Belt of Truth – Beelzebub (Satan) is the father of lies, God is the author of truth
The belt, or girdle, holds the rest of the armor together and in place, especially the Sword. That is what the truth of God’s Word does for the Christian.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness – Beelzebub is the accuser, but Christ has acquitted us by dying on the cross for our sins. Christ is our righteousness. (Ex: Frodo’s second near death experience with a pitch fork)
3. Feet Fitted with the Gospel of Peace – Beelzebub want to bring destruction to the world, God desires to bring peace. (sandals w/ little hobnails for better footing)
A. We must be at peace with God and each other if we are to defeat the devil.
B. We must be prepared to share this Gospel of Peace to the world
4. Shield of Faith – Beelzebub is looking for unprotected areas, weaknesses, where he can attack, God is giving us faith to walk day by day. (huge shield, 4’x2’, interlocking w/ others on their way into battle)
5. Helmet of Salvation – Beelzebub wants to destroy us and drag us to hell, God wants to give us eternal life in salvation. Beelzebub wants to pollute our mind, God wants to renew it.
6. Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God, our only offensive weapon; used in close, hand-to-hand combat.
A. In order to use it, we must know it.
B. In order to use it effectively, we must live it. (ex – Jesus being tempted)
Casualties of War
The story of David and Bathsheba(2 Sam. 11-12)
1. David’s Downfall – He took off his armor
When we take off our armor and return to our palace, we are in greater danger than when we’re on the battlefield. (W. Wiersbe)
2. David’s Demise – He believed a lie (sin does not equal happiness)
3. David’s Decision – He gave into sin (it was his free choice)
4. David’s Despair – He lost his son (you reap what you sow)
* We bring this message to you because of our desire to see the prophecy about YOU fulfilled.
* Pastor Tim shared with us last night about a prophecy that was given over this building by Mike Bickle, almost 2 years ago. The prophecy was showing three waves of increase. The first part stated that we would fill this building to capacity. The second part said we would see such growth that we would have to knock down our walls and build an addition, and very soon afterward it again would be filled. The third part was almost as if we were in a new location because of such incredible growth.
* There was another prophecy that was delivered not to long ago about God sending revival to our church and having it start within our youth. He reaffirmed that word again through Betty Kingsly two months ago, telling us that God has not forgotten, He is getting ready to pour out His Spirit, and we need to be ready.
* TWO different words of prophecy came last night during our prayer meeting here in this room where 20 some people were gathered to pray for YOU and this building. One dealt with the spiritual warfare we spoke of tonight, as the enemy is trying to destroy what God desires to do in our youth. The second was like a vision, where a woman saw a veil or shroud of sorts covering this building. We could see the lost and hurting around us, but they couldn’t see us because of this veil. Then as we marched around this room 7x last night, she said she saw it fall to the ground.
* I am excited about what God wants to do here in St. Joseph, in this church, in this youth ministry, and in you as an individual. I believe that God will fulfill His word. However, I understand that many battles will be fought and sacrifices made in order for this to happen.
• We need to fight this unseen war!
o Not against each other
o Against our deceiving enemy, Beelzebub
o Never accommodating compromise, don’t eat the candy in the crap pile
• We need to put on the FULL armor of God – everyday is a battle, everyplace is a battle field
o Belt of Truth – don’t live with the lies of the enemy, walk in God’s truth
o Breastplate of Righteousness – there is no condemnation for you past, Jesus has acquitted you of your guilt, walk in victory
o Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – be at peace with God and each other so that you can effectively share His message
o Shield of Faith – allow God to build faith into you daily life and link up with others to fight the battle
o Helmet of Salvation – get the “hell” out and allow God to reknew your mind, change your thinking.
o Sword of the Spirit – learn it, live it! Use God’s Word to advance His Kingdom here on earth.
• Don’t be a casualty of war.
Altar: (worship team come)
Who will fight? Who will commit to stand their ground? Who will put on the full armor of God and join me in this battle for St. Jospeh, for our church, for our youth group? Will you? Come and join me at this altar. Let’s stand together with our shields of faith locked together and march into battle.
Lord of All Things: The Fellowship of the Light
Lord of All Things: The Two Powers
Lord of All Things: The Return of Our King
