Supernatural Pt 3: Satan and His Demons
Introduction (adapted from a series by Craig Groeschel- Supernatural)
We are in- third week of series called- Supernatural-
1st week- reality of the supernatural
2nd week- power and the presence of the HS.
Next week examine the role of Angels in our lives.
This week- look at the role of Satan and his demons.
Mk 5:2-4
Regular man, possessed of a demon, but had a supernatural power and no one could subdue him.
Mk 5:5
Interesting- what do we see hurting people doing to themselves today- cutting themselves. Why?
We have- spiritual enemy- mission is to- steal, kill, and destroy.
Mk 5:6-20 tell the rest of the story
In this age of enlightenment do we really believe demons are real? Absolutely!
People have more encounters w/demonic than- realize.
i.e. couple of times- disturbing dream- woke up- sense of dread/fear- something demonic was in the room oppressing me- struggled to speak the name of Jesus and command the demon to leave.
The spirit world is very real.
Today- broad look at the purposes - forces of darkness.
Where did Satan come from?
Satan was not always a bad guy.
Years ago- beautiful angel- Lucifer- Morning Star.
Satan became jealous of God/wanted to be like God.
Instead of saying like Jesus- Father your will be done- Lucifer said- I will, my will be done.
Isa 14:12-14
God said- NO-you will not-no one can ever be like me.
Man struggles today w/the same issues- believing we are higher than God and that our ways are better.
God cast Lucifer out of heaven- 1/3- angels fell w/him.
Most believe these became what- Bible calls demons.
Rev 12:7-9 (Ezek 28:12-17)
Lucifer- was cast down to the earth and now we have this source of darkness we must deal with.
Caution: We must realize that not every bad thing in our lives is the result of demons/demonic activity.
We live in a fallen world- the just and the unjust will experience the affects of the fall.
What do demons do?
Look at four things demons do:
1. Demons influence the leaders of nations
Where can you have the greatest influence over the largest numbers of people- control leaders.
Explains why- so much darkness over some nations.
Behind those leaders there may be demonic forces working to bring about the will of Satan.
(explain the context ) Dan 10:13 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.
Behind the scenes in the spiritual world demonic forces try to influence the leaders of governments.
That is why we had the holocaust and today we see genocide, and persecution of Christians.
2. Demons desire to inflict suffering on you
Imagine: little boy/girl trying to throw themselves into a fire or jump into a pool to drown themselves.
Mtt 17:14-18
Jesus- confronts- demon- trying to destroy a child.
Jesus speaks to the demon and sets the boy free.
If this is true for a little child, what might the demonic want to do to you and I?
I do not say that to produce fear- Satan- author of fear.
But it is important- we have an understanding of the reality in which we live so we an avoid deception.
Demons want to kill everything that matters to God.
3. Demons scheme to lure you away from God
They study you, they search your weaknesses.
They will do anything to lure you away from God …
-put you on a college campus w/liberal professor- challenges your belief system,
-greed, unforgiveness, pornography.
1 Tim 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
4. Demons want to paralyze you with fear
They want you to go through life worried, anxious- concerned about- children, school, health, finances.
2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
Spirit of fear- very real spirit- comes from the evil one.
Satan/his demons hate you and want to take you out.
Battling the darkness
You must be ready to battle/to do battle God’s way-
three things we need to know:
1. Do not treat the enemy lightly
Jude 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Michael- arch angel- did not take the enemy lightly-
he did not do battle directly w/Satan.
He knew his power not sufficient- it was God’s battle.
Act 19:13-16 seven sons of Sceva- tell the story
One demon possessed man beat up seven men so badly that they left the house naked and bleeding.
Never treat-enemy lightly-know your level of authority
2. Do not flirt with darkness
Never play with the forces of darkness-
séances, Ouija boards, horoscopes, tarot cards.
Deut 18:9-12
Never flirt w/darkness- computer games/movies.
3. Do not fight with your power but with God’s authority
Important concept because our power is never enough.
We must fight in the authority of God through the name of Jesus Christ.
Mtt 10:1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
Jesus did not give His disciples His power, he gave them authority to battle in His name- Jesus Christ-
it would be God’s power and God’s battle.
i.e. If I walk out in the street and decided to stop traffic, people would look at me and wonder, “who is that guy and what does he think he is doing.” Why? I do not have the authority. But if I was a police officer, I have the authority and I am backed by the power of the government that stands behind me.
When we do battle- do not battle in our own strength.
We battle in the authority of the name of Jesus Christ.
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 (Rom 8:31).
In His authority/power we can have victory.
Enemy- wants to steal, kill, destroy-everything of God.
He wants your family, finances, health, walk w/God.
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.
You must battle in- authority of who we are in Christ.
You- fight with faith- put on spiritual armor, and
take the offensive with the Word/prayer.
How did Jesus battle with the enemy-
Mtt 4:1-11 tell the story
Satan came to Jesus after fasting for 40 days- perhaps trying to catch Him in a moment of weakness.
Jesus battled Satan with the written word of God.
Satan came back three times- does not give up easily.
There is an unseen world as real as the one we see.
Some important considerations when doing battle
Ja 4:7-8
Here is how we do battle-
1. Submit yourself to God
There are some here, if you were honest, you would acknowledge that your are not submitted to God.
Others may be partially, but not wholly submitted.
You have no authority/place from which to do battle with the enemy if you are not submitted to God.
2. Resist the devil
If necessary, verbally resist the devil-
command him to take his hands off of your-
life, family, marriage, finances, health.
Finally- draw near to God/He will draw near to you.
Conclusion (worship team come on up)
Perhaps you feel like you under spiritual attack today.
God wants to teach you how to use His spiritual armor and how to take up the Word of God and prayer.
If you feel you are under some type of spiritual attack, raise your hands so I can pray for you.
PRAY
Some here who do not know God may sense that there is a spiritual battle going on for your life right now.
Satan- trying to convince you- God thing is nonsense.
The HS of God is trying to draw you to Him and Satan is resisting the work of God in your life.
The reality is- God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on a cross so your sins can be forgiven and
you can experience the eternal life of God.
Jesus Christ died on a cross- three days later he was-
raised up out of that grave,
appeared to over 500 people,
ascended to heaven, and
is now seated at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for you.
If this is you, please pray with me.
