Intro: Video intro from sermon Spice – Spiritual Warfare
What are the three biggest mistakes you can make in warfare?
1) Not knowing you enemies strategy 2) Not having a strategy of your own 3) Not knowing you are at war.
Paul has told us about riches of being in God’s family and now we close his letter to the Ephesians with the responsibilities we have as his children. He gives us a solid strategy to face and foil our enemy Satan.
I. Strategy: Know you are in a spiritual war
Does it surprise any of you today as followers of Jesus that we are in an all-out war? It has been said that the Christian life is a battle ground not a playground. So Paul says,
• In light of all that God has done for you.
• In light of the glorious standing you have as a child of God.
• In light of His great plan of the ages that God has made you part of.
• In light of the plan for Christian maturity and growth He gives to you.
• In light of the conduct God calls every believer to live.
• In light of the filling of the Spirit and our walk in the Spirit.
• In light of all this, there is a battle to fight in the Christian life.
Why is it a good sign that you are fighting battles as a Christian? Because it usually means you are maturing and Satan is attacking. C. H. Spurgeon used to say, “Satan never kicks a dead horse!” We must know that we are involved in battle. Today we don’t need sermons that make us comfortable we need a call to arms. We are at war. There is no more time for playing around. We need a reality check. We must know who to fight.
II. Strategy: Know who you are to fight (Ephesians 5:11) “for our battle is not against flesh and blood.”
A) People are not the problem
One of the enemy’s greatest strategies is to get us to focus our energy and effort on the wrong target. The struggle we face is not political, social, economic or religious. His point is that the relationships we have are not the battleground. When we allow people to become the problem then we are clearly ignoring God’s clear commands and teaching from the Bible.
Galatians 6:1-2 (read) – Restore
Matthew 18:15-17 – Forgive without limit
Matthew 22:36-40 – Seek restoration
When we allow the enemy to divide and distract us we are directly disobeying God. The clear teachings in this book of Ephesians and the Bible is unity so we can face the enemy together.
Dr. David Jeremiah “Physical conflicts have spiritual roots.”
Ephesians 2:14 makes clear, The very work of the cross of Jesus was to tear down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles. Jesus is always seeking to restore and unite!
Ephesians 4:2 Makes clear we are to accept one another in love – no condition given!
Ephesians 4:32 (read) The atmosphere of the church is controlled by the thermostat of love and forgiveness.
Genes Simmons (a Jew) while speaking of the conflict in Isarel, “It’s about mothers and their children.”
B) Satan is the enemy
The enemy has been called the sinister minister the doctor of division, the dean of distraction, the don of destruction. The names given to Him in the Bible are Satan which means adversary. Devil which means accuser of the brethren. Abaddon and Apollyon, which means destroyer. (Revelation 9:11) Beelzubul (Matthew 12:24) means lord of the flies, or lord of the idol sacrifice.
1) Don’t inflate Satan’s abilities
We give Satan way to much credit for the chaos we bring to our own lives. Who is God’s opposite? (If Satan no!!) God has no opposite and its certainly not Satan. Satan is a fallen angel who cannot create or control. He can manipulate, distort and destroy. Blaming the Devil and his demons is a way that many do not take responsibility for their actions.
Galatians 1:4 – we are rescued from the Devils dominion and power now.
2) Don’t ignore Satan’s abilities
Satan is powerful. Don’t ignore the fact that he used to be the chief anointed cherub. He has power to steal, kill and destroy. If you have not been born again by confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior you are open to anything demonic.
If you are a child of God greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
What is Satan’s most powerful weapon? John 8:44 Lies. Jesus called Him a liar and the father of lies. False teaching that appeals to the flesh and human pride. Pride keeps us from forgiving, humbling, serving, obeying God.
Satan lies to us to lead us into sin. He makes it seem and sound appealing. When in truth it is a trap that will leave us in imprisoned to our own lusts and desires. He comes as an angel of light attractive but ultimately deadly. Daniel 10:5-6 reveals how the power of the enemy is active against God’s angels and people.
The book of Job shows us Satan’s power to initiate murderous terrorist attacks, Job 1:13, 15, 17, to send lighting to hit specific targets Job 1:16, to send a tornado force wind on a particular house Job 1:18-19, and to physically attack a person with boils Job 2:7. Don’t underestimate his power. But don’t allow this to cause you needless fear and worry. God is still in control of Satan’s action and future. Remember the most evil, hateful action and event in history, the crucifixion, carried out by Satanic influence accomplished God’s ultimate purpose defeat the devil and save men.
Satan has success at times because we fight with the wrong weapons and we forget His future.
3) Don’t ignore Satan’s future
Satan is a defeated foe!! Hebrew 2:14-15 (read) The only way Satan can have a foothold or a beachhead in our lives is if we give it to him. Ephesians 4:27 makes that clear. Revelation 20:10 tells us of his ultimate defeat and punishment.
III. Strategy know how you are to fight
A righteous spirit filled life and lifestyle close the door on the devils plans.
A) Take on the Lord’s Strength
Unless we see our weakness we will never need or desire the strength of Jesus. Where there is no cross there can be no crown.
What the devil wants us to see as obstacles Jesus wants us to see as opportunities to depend on His strength. How do we take up the Lords’ strength?
1) Submit to God (James 4:7-8)
Submission is a matter of the will. It is seeing the revealed truth of God and doing it! God’s strength becomes part of us as we live the way he commands. So Paul is really challenging us to take our place under God’s authority This is where revival begins. It begins in the hearts of believers as we allow the Holy Spirit to pour the life of Jesus into us.
Would you be willing to pray this no matter the cost? “Lord bend me so that I will humbly submit to your will not matter what that means for my career, my reputation, my family.
2) Resist the Devil
Matthew 4 Jesus resisted the devil with truth. The devils main weapon is deception. Our main weapon is truth. Remember the truth will set you free but it will hurt you first.
B) Take up the Armor
We must be properly prepared to face the enemy. God provides the armor we must put it on.
C) Take your Stand
Make sure you know where you stand!! Our main strategy is to trust!!
1) The finished work of Jesus
2) The faithful promises of God
3) The fellowship and power of the Holy Spirit
D) Take down the devils lies (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Our best strategy is to live the truth. The truth always trumps the lies of Satan. God promises we will be able to stand if we don’t compromise the truth. If we live righteously according to His truth.
