Invasion Time
Text: 1 Peter 5:8
Introduction: Message Bible: "Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping." The situation of the Church today places our world in a strategically-challenged position. I believe too many in the Church, in fact too many churches, are in this "napping" position today. What that means is they simply aren’t prepared, aren’t being watchful, for Satan’s onslaught. Because of this, we leave ourselves and others vulnerable to Satanic attack. On the battlefield, sentries are posted around the camp. Their job is to stay awake and alert - to protect the others from an invasion. If that sentry fails by napping, the entire squadron could be lost. Church, we have a tremendous responsibility to fellow believers, as well as non-believers to stay alert, to stay vigilant, to stay watchful in order to overcome and remain victorious in the ensuing battle.
I believe part of this "napping" condition I’m talking about is due to the fact that we are convinced that we are on the defense. We are convinced that we can’t control the plays; we simply must be ready for whatever the play may be and then do the best we can to slow it down or stop it. The church spends much of its time formulating defensive strategies in preparation for the oncoming battle. We need to develop the attitude that we don’t really care what the devil intends to do because the Great Commission has handed us the ball and has placed us on the offense. If we will learn to carry the ball effectively, it won’t matter what kind of plans Satan attempts to develop because we remain in control.
John G. Lake said: "The real Christian is a royal fighter. He is the one who loves to enter into the contest with his whole soul and take the situation captive for the Lord Jesus Christ." I am a royal fighter. I intend to go into the battle head-on and win. Because of this superior position we’ve been placed in through Jesus Christ, we can be Satan’s worst nightmare right now.
Consider this, if you will: Satan allows his strategies to become known so that we will react or respond accordingly. This gives him the upper hand and places him in a position of control. Remember: any time you are not in control, he is. We must come to realize that we are an overcoming body of people that has been blood-bought, Spirit-filled and divinely commissioned in order that all He has spoken can be brought to pass. Any time we find ourselves planning and strategizing according to Satan’s planning, we are clothing ourselves in the wrong mentality.
I said all that to say this: Spiritual warfare is unavoidable! Simply ignoring the subject will not make it go away; it simply places you in a position to be defeated. Therefore I want to take a few moments and look at some biblical secrets of war in order to prepare us to be victorious.
Biblical Secret of War number 1.
1. God Knows What You Can Handle
- Ex 13:17 - "When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war."
A. God knew what the people were able to deal with.
B. God knows what you and I are able to handle.
1. He will not allow us be taken into a battle which would cause us to turn and run.
2. He only leads us where we are prepared to go.
Application: Now this doesn’t necessarily mean that we will not turn and abandon the battle placed before us, but it does mean that we are abandoning a battle which with God’s help and guidance, we could have won. God will not allow us to be taken further than we are spiritually mature enough to handle. God knows what you can handle. Trust in Him.
Biblical Secret of War number 2.
2. God Is Not Intimidated By Satan’s Antics
- Ps 23:5 - "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
A. Satan’s tricks and tactics in no way intimidate God.
1. God remembers the day He created Satan as Lucifer.
2. God remembers the day Jesus defeated Satan on the cross.
3. God looks forward to the day when Satan’s ultimate defeat comes.
B.God understands that our intimacy with Him in front of Satan frightens Satan.
1. Direct intimacy with God strengthens us.
2. Direct intimacy with God encourages us.
Application: The key to overcoming, to winning the conflict, is to remain in close intimacy with God. God is the ultimate winner along with those who remain bound to Him. God is never intimidated by any of Satan’s little antics or threats.
Biblical Secret of War number 3.
3. Refusing to Fear Terrifies the Enemy
- Ph 1:28 - "not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is evidence of their destruction, but of your deliverance--and this is from God."
A. A confident heart is a sure sign of the enemy’s ultimate destruction and our present victory.
B. Our lack of fear of him causes fear to arise within him.
Application: We must learn to rely upon the promises of God, the faithfulness of God, and the abilities of God in order to bring fear to the enemy. When we place our complete trust in God, there is no place for fear and when we do not fear, fear arises in Satan.
Biblical Secret of War number 4.
4. Submission Results in Triumph
- Ja 4:7 - "Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you."
A. Submission is difficult for humans.
1. It involves yielding to the power and authority of another.
2. It involves surrendering ourselves over to another’s control.
B. To triumph, we must submit - place our complete confidence and trust in God and His abilities.
Application: As we learn to submit ourselves fully to God, we begin to realize that the resources of heaven are at our disposal. These resources grant us the power to overcome; the power to be victorious; the power and ability to take a stand and resist Satan in all things. It is His resources that make us able. Submit to God that you may be triumphant.
Biblical Secret of War number 5.
5. Remain on the Offensive
- Mt 16:18 - "...the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
A. "It" is the Church - the universal body of Christ.
B. The Church has been authorized and empowered to attack.
1. We have taken a defensive position for too many years.
2. By doing so, we give Satan the offensive and thus place ourselves in that position of always being under his attack.
Application: As a part of His Church, I have orders to attack - attack every stronghold he creates, attack every wall he builds up, attack every device he attempts to erect around about me. I have no reason to fear him. He is defeated. Church, take an offensive position and remain there.
Biblical Secret of War number 6.
6. God Enjoys Seeing Satan Defeated
- Ps 105:24-25 - "The LORD made His people very fruitful; He made them more numerous than their foes, whose hearts He turned to hate His people and to deal deceptively with His servants."
A. God made the children of Israel to increase greatly while they were in Egypt.
1. This increase brought fear among the Egyptians.
2. This increase caused a hatred to rise up against the Israelites.
B. It is God who increases and strengthens us.
1. As He does, it stirs up the devil’s hatred towards us.
2. God doesn’t do this to create trouble for His Church but rather because He enjoys watching those created in His image bringing defeat upon the devil.
Application: You are God’s ambassador - His delegate on this earth. As such, you have vested within through Jesus Christ the power and authority to walk all over Satan. God delights in the victories that we as His children gain in our daily struggles with the devil. God enjoys seeing Satan defeated.
Biblical Secret of War number 7.
7. Praising God Destroys the Powers of Hell
- Is 42:11-13 - "Let the desert and its cities shout, the settlements where Kedar dwells cry aloud. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy; let them cry out from the mountaintops. Let them give glory to the LORD, and declare His praise in the islands. The LORD advances like a warrior; He stirs up His zeal like a soldier. He shouts, He roars aloud, He prevails over His enemies."
A. Our personal ministry unto God is one of life’s most important privileges.
1. Praising God honors God.
2. Praising God bilds us up.
3. Praising God destroys the powers of hell.
B. As we learn to live a life of praise, we will begin to witness more and more victories happening alll about us.
Application: It is amazing to consider the fact that I can praise Him and as I do, I will be overflooded with a sense of peace and security. He has already destroyed the powers of hell on my behalf and as I praise Him, He begins to reveal this to me more and more.
Conclusion: Satan sits waiting for us to slip off into a napping state. He is poised to pounce - ready at any moment to slip in and gain the upper hand. But, I have determined that I will no longer give him the upper hand. As I continue on in this life, I become more convinced and assured that I will not be defeated because I am God’s child. I will submit to God. I will resist Satan and his tactics.
I am a part of the "Church," His body - built upon the authority of Christ, empowered from on high, victorious because of what Christ has already done for me. I refuse to be defeated any longer.
Do you still struggle through every day? Do you often wonder if God even cares? God has given us principles to victory. Apply these principles to your life and find victory today. Spiritual warfare is unavoidable but victory is ours.
You can hear this sermon and others by going to our website at: www.corministry.com.
