This Means War

“This Means War!”

SHOW DVD CLIP FROM THE MOVIE, PEARL HARBOR…OF INITIAL BOMBING

We Are In A War

In 1941 – the world was at war. And America had an enemy, though she tried her best not to believe or think about it. BUT – regardless of what they thought or believed - the empire of Japan had very specific plans, plans to inflict great harm on America.

YOU KNOW - I think the images in the clip from the movie Pearl Harbor are very powerful and very telling - people waking up on Sunday morning, kids playing ball, guys fishing on a pier, men sleeping in their bunks, little girls running with angels wings on…

These people, where living as if they had no enemy, as if they had nothing to fear – but despite what they thought, despite their chosen ignorance, there was a very real enemy planning their destruction. AND the devastation that was Pearl Harbor – has been a powerful symbol for over 60 years. A symbol of what can happen when we are unprepared and choose to ignore even the possibility of an attack.

IN LIKE MANNER - you and I have an enemy, this church has an enemy, your marriage has an enemy – your children have an enemy – you have an enemy… an enemy that is even now making plans for your destruction… LISTEN – just as Japan for months before Pearl harbor sat in their war room – satan & his fallen angels sits in his.

AND PLEASE – don’t blow me off or think I am making this stuff up – BECAUSE in the book we talked about last week (in the bible) – this truth is clearly stated… Right now I want to share with several passages of scripture that speak of this enemy.

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.” Jn 10:10

CIRCLE; steal, kill & destroy…

LISTEN - that is what the thief, that is what your enemy, that is what satan wants to do to your life , and the lives of those you love (steal, kill & destroy) AND as we look around us – it obvious that he is doing a pretty good job accomplishing that purpose.

CHECKOUT – what Paul says in Ephesians 6 about this enemy;

“A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” Eph 6:10-12 (NLT)

In these verses, Paul makes it quite clear that we are in a fight, that we are in a struggle (as the NIV words it) a struggle NOT against flesh & blood, BUT against the devil; against an unseen enemy, against a wicked an enemy, against an enemy with mighty powers of darkness, against an enemy who has many strategies and tricks up his sleeve – all designed to trip you up and knock you down…and destroy you.

PETER – also talked about this enemy. Unfortunately it was an enemy that Peter knew from personal experience, it was an enemy that at times even got the best of Him. That is why Peter warns us in 1 Pe 5:8 to;

“Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” 1 Pe 5:8 (NLT)

LISTEN – the devil IS your great enemy (‘the devil is my great enemy’). AND he prowls around like a roaring what? A roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Do you see that picture? A lion in the bushes, watching his prey – looking for those who are weak or straggling behind. AND when he finds what he is looking for he pounces and devours them…

AND UNDERSTAND – satan is good at what he does… he has been doing for 1,000 of years to billions of people. And that lion - is watching you right now – in fact, he’s been watching you – waiting for that moment….

The final passage I want to look at that talks about our enemy is Revelation 12:17

“Then the dragon became angry at the woman, and declared war against the rest of her children – all who keep God’s commandments and confess they belong to Jesus.” Rev 12:17

Do you see what Jesus is revealing to us in his Revelation? LISTEN – satan (the dragon) is very angry - WHY? because the blood of the lamb – because Jesus Christ defeated him on the cross… And since there is nothing more that he can do to Jesus, satan NOW - turns his fierce anger against the church (the woman) – against all those who keep God’s commands and who confess that they belong to Jesus…