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.
2. We might say to ourselves, “I should not have done this. I will go to Jesus and He will help me.” The devil says to us, “No, don’t do that. You are not good enough to go to Jesus. He won’t help you.” We say, “What about Jesus’ mercy and grace. Surely he will help me.” The devil tries another tactic. “You don’t need Jesus. You can defeat this thing on your own. Just trust in yourself and everything will be just fine.” So the devil leads us astray. Revelation 12:9 says he leads the whole world astray.
3. He is filled with fury because he knows his time is short- Revelation 12:12. He has lost every battle with God and now he is like those insurgents in Iraq who know they have been defeated but they are going to take out as many soldiers as they can.
4. (Job 2:9 NIV) His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"
II. The 3 “D”s
1. Devil is a great Deceiver
A. (John 8:44 NIV) You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
B. (2 Cor 11:14) Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
C. (Heb 11:24 NIV) By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. (Heb 11:25 NIV) He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.
2. Devil is a divider of people
A. Satan is the master of the divide and conquer tactic.
B. “Don’t trust those people. Remember what that person did to you.”
C. Before Andrew Jackson became the 7th President of the US, he served as a major general in the Tennessee militia. During the War of 1812 his troops reached an all time low in morale. As a result they began arguing, bickering, and fighting among themselves. It is reported that Old Hickory called them all together on one occasion when tensions were at their worst and said, “Gentlemen! Let’s remember, the enemy is over there!” His reminder would be appropriate for the church today.
D. (1 Pet 5:8 NIV) Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
E. Lion doesn’t attack the whole flock; he attacks those that are separated from the flock.
3. Devil is a destroyer
A. (John 10:10 NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
B. He wants to steal our salvation.
C. He wants to destroy our testimony, destroy the church and all that is good and holy.
D. He wants to kill us and take us with him to hell- murderer. Misery loves company.
Conclusion and invitation:
A. How do we overcome the devil? We don’t. Only thing more powerful that Satan is Jesus Christ. (1 John 3:8) reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
B. (Rev 12:11 NIV) They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
C. (2 Tim 2:3 NIV) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 2:4 NIV) No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.
D. (Eph 6:10 NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
