Discovery…Spiritual Warfare
Selected Scriptures
Introduction-
This mourning we will begin a series I am calling Discovery.
I pray that it will be a time that we discover things about God and about ourselves.
Discovery can be things we did not know
Things that we were seeking and then found
Things that we find only because God has put it in front of us and we have to grab unto it.
Some topics of discovery
God
Ourselves
Purpose
Holy Spirit
Holiness
Ministry
Being a child of God
Salvation
The Bible
Spiritual warfare
This mourning we will begin with spiritual warfare.
You would think that I would start with God, but I am not. Because, I believe people sense they are in a battle and they do not know who the enemy really is.
Most do not know what to do about it.
You will discover that God is involved in us discovering all of these things not indirectly but intentionally.
The next thing is to clarify the definition of spiritual warfare.
I think people go to the extremes but most do not have a clue on what it is.
Some see the devil in everything evil, and everything that does not go their way. This is not only a false way to look at things but is also a dangerous way to look at it.
The other is to not realize that spiritual things are happening around you.
To be blind of them or not acknowledge it only puts us in harm’s way or fighting battles that we are not meant to fight.
So let’s start with a definition of spiritual warfare-
The best one that I found is this-
“Spiritual warfare is the cosmic war of good verses evil. That battles are fought daily between God and Satan. Between Christian church and the world ruled by our spiritual enemy, and within every child of God, between the Holy Spirit and the lust of the flesh.”
Billy Graham explains that we live in a perpetual battlefield, and since the fall of Lucifer, there has been a battle to control. (I think the new series starting entitled Lucifer is just an example that most do not believe or acknowledge that we are in a spiritual battle and that it is no laughing matter.)
So for a moment, humor me- you and I are in a spiritual battle in which there is not a seen enemy, yet it is very real everyday of our lives.
(1)The spiritual battle for your soul and the spiritual attack on your walk with God.
(2) Battleground is again within us and is the battle of who is going to be in charge of your lives.
God as our professed savior or ourselves.
The gratification of what we want to do which often goes against what God wants for us.
2 two separate but real battles that go on everyday.
Let’s start with the spiritual battle for your soul.
The battle between God who loves you, and Satan who desires to destroy you.
It is more complicated then the milk commercial that has the devil on one shoulder and the good angel on the other, and the one that you listen to wins.
Satan is a created being.
At a time before time, God created Lucifer and gave him great authority in the kingdom of God. He was a powerful angel, but a created being. He rebelled against God and decided that he wanted to be God and establish his own kingdom.
The bible very clearly tells us who he is, what he attempted to do, where he is, and what will happen to him.
Though the bible declares it war, the winner has already been determined, and the devil knows his fate and attempts now to take as many as he can with him by deception and lies.
Satan has not always existed- he is a created being.
He holds no power over God.
God thrust him out of heaven and if he had any power against God, he would have taken back.
Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28 gives us account of Satan being thrust out of heaven because of his rebellion and what will be his fate the day the Lords returns.
You will be like God is the biggest lie and the biggest tool Satan uses to destroy mankind.
Satan original sin was pride, self gratification, rebellion against a holy God.
He sought to exalt himself above God Almighty.
Ezekiel 28:17- “Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor; so I threw you to the earth;”
That sounds a lot like people today.
I will be like God.
I will do what I want.
I will move God off the throne and put myself there.
Satan did not fall alone. He created rebellion and 1/3 of the angels fell with him.
Satan comes from the Hebrew word meaning “adversary” or “opposer”
he is a constant opposer to the things of God.
He cannot win. He opposes the people of God from realizing the authority we have as children of God empowered by the Holy Spirit of God dwelling inside of us. (Another sermon, another day)
1 peter 5:8-
“Be alert and sober of mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
To understand this verse, the enemy of your soul roaring like a lion, within the power of God is a toothless lion that just roars making a lot of noise. He is defeated.
The Bible holds nothing back
Calls him a murderer and a liar.
He is called a deceiver.
He is the ruler of this age, a destroyer of all things good.
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 co. 4:4)
We cannot defeat Satan in ourselves.
He is a powerful foe, but we can defeat him in the power of Jesus Christ.
There is a name that is above every other name and that name is Jesus Christ.
“Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is lord.”
That is a fact Jack!
He may roar like a lion, but one day soon, he will be bound for eternity.
He may be able to defeat me, but he cannot defeat my Lord and my savior.
We need to know who we are in Jesus Christ.
We need to know who the enemy is!
The person sitting next to you is not the enemy, your neighbor is not the enemy.
Eph 6:12-
“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.”
In this world, we will have battles, but God has given us the power to overcome and His name is Jesus Christ.
He has given us the power of the Holy Spirit to give us victory.
Zech 4:6-
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.”
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Joshua 1:9
“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Phil 4:13
‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Eph 6:11
“Put on the whole armor of God, so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
When you have done all that you know to do, stand firm! We say it, do you believe it!
There is an enemy of your soul- there is a God who wages war against him and He will give you victory.
As we close this Mourning,
we need to understand that God loves you, Satan wants to destroy you, but we serve a God that not only enables us to be victorious, but His Holy spirit dwells within believers and empowers them to live the life that He desires for us.
We will be looking at that in detail next week.
Amen.
