Scripture: Luke 4:18
Title: “God’s S.W.A.T. Team”
"Special Weapons And Tactics"
Introduction: All too often we see splashed across our daily news programs where someone has been taken hostage.
The enemies of the human race have discovered the strength of using terror to get what they want without working for it.
Manipulation through fear has become a very powerful and effective tool in the hands of terrorists. This is not a new tactic. Satan has been using this tool ever since he was cast out of heaven. (Isa. 14:12)
The Weapons & Tactics terrorists use tactics to take and hold the hostages until they get what they want are things like, guns, bombs, knives, threats of death or mutilation and so forth.
Satan uses the same process that terrorists use to hold the human race hostage.
I. WEAPONS & TACTICS – Satan also has an arsenal of weapons and tactics at his disposal to hold captive many precious people against their will.
1. Propaganda – Satan is referred to in the book of Revelation as the “accuser of the brethren" Rev.12:10 – Jesus said in John 8:44, referring to the devil, “for he is a liar, and the father of it.” – These are the very tools that worked on Adam & Eve in the very beginning of time. “ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Gen. 3:5 – “Ye shall not surely die” Gen. 3:4
2. Sin – Breaking God’s rules.
This is where sin starts!) – Notice all the things that followed the “Original Sin.”
3. Worry – Notice the very next thing Adam & Eve did after they broke God’s rule. “They sewed fig leaves together to make them aprons” because they knew “Guilt” for the first time. – Then “Adam and his wife “hid” themselves “from” the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.”
– They were ashamed to be in the presence of God for the first time in their lives. – Separation from God is the number one “GOAL” of Satan!
4. Bondage – Satan specializes in keeping people tied up. – Sickness is probably one of the most effective weapons used to prevent people from being free. – Fear is a very powerful weapon used by the devil to paralyze people from enjoying life.
5. Confusion – This comes about through false information or just not knowing what is right or wrong.
Are you TIRED of being in JAIL? – Are you TIRED of being held HOSTAGE? – Are you TIRED of being ATTACKED? – Are you TIRED of being WOUNDED?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FREE?
How did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, get free when they were thrown into the fire?
1. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego along with Daniel were prisoners in Babylon.
2. They would not BOW DOWN to the idols of the land nor eat the food and drink their wine.
3. They stood FIRM in their BELIEF and CONFESSION in God.
4. They had been BOUND, “Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.” Dan. 3:20 – The very thing that was intended to destroy them set them free! – The FIRE only burned off the BONDAGE! – When the king looked into the fiery furnace he saw three men LOOSE and walking around. Dan. 3:25
How did DANIEL survive the LION’S DEN?
1. Daniel got into TROUBLE because of his REFUSAL to obey the King’s law to PRAY only to the King for a period of thirty (30) days. Dan. 6:7
2. Even after Daniel knew of the LAW being passed he CONTINUED to PRAY only the Lord God three (3) times a day. Dan. 3:10
3. Daniel was caught in the ACT of praying by those who didn’t like him. Dan. 6:11
4. Even though the King respected and loved Daniel the LAW was the LAW. Dan. 6:15
5. Everything that Daniel was and believed and stood for went with him into the den of lions.
6. Even the King believed that Daniel’s God would deliver him from the lions. “The king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” Dan 6:20
7. God sent and angel and protected Daniel while he was in the den of lions.
How to GET OUT of PRISON!
1. Peter had been thrown into PRISON for simply being an ACTIVE Christian. Acts 12:1-3
2. The King was a people pleaser. Acts 12:3
3. Peter was placed under arrest and chained to a soldier to assure he would not escape. Acts 12:7
4. But because Peter was a Christian and his life was right with God he was ENTITLED to be DELIVERED.
5. This is a BIGGIE, the CHURCH was PRAYING without CEASING! – Acts 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
6. DIVINE INSTRUCTION showed up in the form of an Angel. Acts 12: 7 “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”
7. Peter OBEYED the Divine Instruction!
8. “Rise up” – Stand up, take a stand!
9. When Peter STOOD UP the “Chains” fell off to the ground!
10. The Angel told Peter to GET DRESSED! (And he did)
11. The Angel INSTRUCTED Peter to FOLLOW him, (And he did) Acts 12:9
12. As Peter followed the Angel the Big Iron DOOR opened to them and they went through it to the OUTSIDE. – To freedom. (Peter went to the Church where PRAYER was being made for him.)
OUR WEAPONS
2 Cor. 10:3-4 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
As we use the weapons of God we receive God’s mighty help which is greater than anything man has.
We have access to the MIGHTIEST ARSONAL of all because we are Christians.
1. God’s Word – More powerful than any two-edged sword.
2. Prayer – Opens prison doors.
3. Confession – We will not bow down to the world’s idols. – All things are possible to the person who believes.
4. Living a Christian life – God honors a person that will do this.
5. Taking a STAND for the right things according to God’s Word.
