Spiritual Warfare Series

Supernatural Pt 1- Spiritual Warfare

(from a sermon series by Craig Groeschel- Supernatural)

First week of a series on the supernatural.

Talk about- supernatural-how it fits into-natural world.

Two common mistakes:

1. An over emphasis on the supernatural

See the demonic in everything- a demon in every bush.

Car accident-blame it on-devil-not paying attention

Fail a test- Satan’s fault (did not study).

2. An under emphasis on the supernatural

Some doubt that there is a world beyond the natural.

Some Christian’s admit there is a spiritual world but it does not affect their life- Jesus is my Lord.

In this series-biblical understanding of-spiritual world-

this week- look at the supernatural in- big picture.

next week- reality of the presence/power of- HS.

finish the series- talk about demons and angels.

2 Cor 10:3-4

We live in a physical world, but there is a spiritual world where a battle is raging- darkness and light.

We cannot fight spiritual battles w/natural weapons-

we serve a supernatural God, live in a supernatural world, and

God has given us supernatural weapons.

We engage in spiritual battle- with humility, in faith, using prayer/Word of God.

Eph 6:10-12

We have a real spiritual enemy- Satan- he is planning, plotting, and scheming to hurt you.

If you are in a battle, your battle is not against other people, the government, Hollywood, your boss.

Your battle is against- powers/principalities.

What you see is not all there is!

There is a real spiritual world around us.

The spiritual world may not be seen with the natural eye, but it does spill over/affect the natural world.

If you are in the middle of a battle and you feel it might be a spiritual conflict, remember this:

1. You are not alone in your battles

2 Ki 6:15-17

God gave the servant a glimpse into- spiritual world.

2. Your prayers are far more powerful than you realize

Perhaps you are struggling- feel prayers not working.

Dan 10:12-14

God heard Daniel’s prayer- Daniel did not know it.

God released heavenly forces to bring- answer- Daniel.

What we see in the physical is not all that there is.

What does the devil do?

Look at five actions of Satan towards people:

1. He blinds the minds of unbelievers

Perhaps you are here today- do not believe God is real.

Satan is trying to blind your mind to the truth.

2 Cor 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2. He steals God’s Word from you

Have you ever felt like God was speaking to you through His Word-next day it was completely gone.

Mtt 13:19 “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

When hear truth- do not understand- Satan- steal away.

3. He sets traps to ensnare you

Have you ever had a problem w/rodent (raccoon) in your attic- set trap to capture them.

There is an enemy setting traps- you are the raccoon.

If you have an area of weakness in your life you are trying to get free from- ever notice how temptation comes at the right time to trap you?

2 Tim 2:24-26

The devil tries to take us captive to do the devil’s will.

Satan blinds our minds and steals God’s Word to trap us into destructive life styles.

4. He fights to stop you

Have you ever read the Word/heard a teaching- decide you need to respond and make some changes?

Hear a word about finances- decide you must get out of debt. What happens, the next day your car breaks down and requires major repairs.

You are discouraged from the Word God spoke to you.

1 Thess 2:18 For we wanted to come to you- I, Paul, more than once-and yet Satan hindered us.

Satan tried to block the work of God.

5. He plans to destroy you

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.

Satan is looking for weaknesses in our lives so he can devour us- he wants to destroy our-marriage/families/finances/health/walk w/God.

What we see with the natural eye is not all there is-

spiritual battle between Kingdom of light/darkness.

How do we engage in this spiritual battle?

Eph 6:13-18

How do we do spiritual warfare? It starts w/the head-

First we put on the- Helmet of Salvation

You are not saved because you are good.

You are not saved by your works but only by the grace of God as we put our trust in Jesus Christ- faith.