Supernatural Pt 1- Spiritual Warfare
(from a sermon series by Craig Groeschel- Supernatural)
First week of a series on the supernatural.
Talk about- supernatural-how it fits into-natural world.
Two common mistakes:
1. An over emphasis on the supernatural
See the demonic in everything- a demon in every bush.
Car accident-blame it on-devil-not paying attention
Fail a test- Satan’s fault (did not study).
2. An under emphasis on the supernatural
Some doubt that there is a world beyond the natural.
Some Christian’s admit there is a spiritual world but it does not affect their life- Jesus is my Lord.
In this series-biblical understanding of-spiritual world-
this week- look at the supernatural in- big picture.
next week- reality of the presence/power of- HS.
finish the series- talk about demons and angels.
2 Cor 10:3-4
We live in a physical world, but there is a spiritual world where a battle is raging- darkness and light.
We cannot fight spiritual battles w/natural weapons-
we serve a supernatural God, live in a supernatural world, and
God has given us supernatural weapons.
We engage in spiritual battle- with humility, in faith, using prayer/Word of God.
Eph 6:10-12
We have a real spiritual enemy- Satan- he is planning, plotting, and scheming to hurt you.
If you are in a battle, your battle is not against other people, the government, Hollywood, your boss.
Your battle is against- powers/principalities.
What you see is not all there is!
There is a real spiritual world around us.
The spiritual world may not be seen with the natural eye, but it does spill over/affect the natural world.
If you are in the middle of a battle and you feel it might be a spiritual conflict, remember this:
1. You are not alone in your battles
2 Ki 6:15-17
God gave the servant a glimpse into- spiritual world.
2. Your prayers are far more powerful than you realize
Perhaps you are struggling- feel prayers not working.
Dan 10:12-14
God heard Daniel’s prayer- Daniel did not know it.
God released heavenly forces to bring- answer- Daniel.
What we see in the physical is not all that there is.
What does the devil do?
Look at five actions of Satan towards people:
1. He blinds the minds of unbelievers
Perhaps you are here today- do not believe God is real.
Satan is trying to blind your mind to the truth.
2 Cor 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2. He steals God’s Word from you
Have you ever felt like God was speaking to you through His Word-next day it was completely gone.
Mtt 13:19 “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
When hear truth- do not understand- Satan- steal away.
3. He sets traps to ensnare you
Have you ever had a problem w/rodent (raccoon) in your attic- set trap to capture them.
There is an enemy setting traps- you are the raccoon.
If you have an area of weakness in your life you are trying to get free from- ever notice how temptation comes at the right time to trap you?
2 Tim 2:24-26
The devil tries to take us captive to do the devil’s will.
Satan blinds our minds and steals God’s Word to trap us into destructive life styles.
4. He fights to stop you
Have you ever read the Word/heard a teaching- decide you need to respond and make some changes?
Hear a word about finances- decide you must get out of debt. What happens, the next day your car breaks down and requires major repairs.
You are discouraged from the Word God spoke to you.
1 Thess 2:18 For we wanted to come to you- I, Paul, more than once-and yet Satan hindered us.
Satan tried to block the work of God.
5. He plans to destroy you
1 Pet 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Satan is looking for weaknesses in our lives so he can devour us- he wants to destroy our-marriage/families/finances/health/walk w/God.
What we see with the natural eye is not all there is-
spiritual battle between Kingdom of light/darkness.
How do we engage in this spiritual battle?
Eph 6:13-18
How do we do spiritual warfare? It starts w/the head-
First we put on the- Helmet of Salvation
You are not saved because you are good.
You are not saved by your works but only by the grace of God as we put our trust in Jesus Christ- faith.
When we understand this our mind is protected and the enemy cannot snatch us out of God’s hand.
Our head is protected because- the helmet of salvation.
Next we put on the- Breastplate of Righteousness
Breast plate of righteousness protects- deceitful heart.
We are not righteous because we are good-
there is no one righteous.
Our best attempt of righteousness is but filthy rags.
Because we have put on-breast plate of Righteousness, when God sees us- He sees-righteousness of Christ.
He does not see our sin.
Lk 15- prodigal son- what did his father do? He put a robe around his son, he did not see his sin.
When God sees us- sees- breastplate of righteousness.
Next, we take up the- Shield of Faith
Why do we have negative thoughts?
The enemy comes to convince us-
you are a failure, you will always be sick,
your marriage will always be bad,you will always be broke.
You put up the Shield of Faith-
I do not believe the accusations of the devil-
instead I believe I am who Christ says I am.
He says-
I am- over comer by-blood of the lamb/testimony,
greater is He who lives in me than in the world,
God has plans to bless/prosper/give hope/future,
God is working in all things to bring about good to
those who are called according to His purpose.
Next we strap on the- Belt of Truth
The belt of truth sets us free- Satan is a liar/deceiver.
The truth buckled around your waist holds your weapon and prepares you to run into battle.
You run into battle with- Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Your feet are planted in the peace of God, a supernatural peace beyond human reason.
You can experience calmness while others- in turmoil.
Our weapon is the- Sword of the Spirit (Word of God)
If you do not know God’s Word you cannot wield your sword to defend yourself as Jesus did in Mtt 4-
How did Jesus fight back? He quoted scripture/resisted the devil, Satan left fled- angels came- ministered.
Now, your front is covered but your back is exposed.
You need other believers to help you-to guard your back, to pray for you,encourage you, hold you accountable, to correct you, to stand with you.
Last but not least- Pray at all times in the Spirit
As a believer you have access to God Almighty and can go boldly into His presence through prayer.
Conclusion
We do not fight for victory, we fight from victory.
Jesus has already won the battle.
1 Jn 4:4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
Give us eyes to see and understand the reality of life.
If you recognize that you are in a spiritual battle and you would like help- raise your hands- I will pray.
Pray
When we resist the enemy he must flee.
There is a battle going on in the spiritual realm and you are the prize.
If you do not know Christ-understand-you are the prize
Satan wants to keep your mind captivated in darkness so you cannot see the power of the truth-to set free.
If you do not now Jesus, pray with me.
