1/19/2014
2014 —Year of Ministry
Spiritual Battle Pt 1
The Powers of Good & Evil Are at Total War
Ephesians 6:12 …we strive not (only) against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The Nature of the War is Spiritual
Revelation 12:7-9 There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
The Battle Here Centers Around God’s Desire to Save Human Souls
2nd Corinthians 4:4 …the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of people who don’t believe, he (the devil) keeps (actively strives to) the light of the glorious gospel of Christ (Who is the image of God) from saving their souls!
God Made a Covenant to Save Souls
Genesis 13:16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.
Genesis 15:5 God took Abraham outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars–if indeed you can count them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Satan Actively Battles Against This Promise
Matthew 16:21-23 Jesus explained to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Accomplishing God’s Plan For Salvation Requires Total Fearlessness
Mark 10:32-34 Jesus led the way to Jerusalem, & the disciples were astonished, & those who followed were afraid. He took the Twelve aside & told them what was going to happen to Him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” He said, “the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests & teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death & will hand Him over to the Gentiles, who will mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him & kill Him. Three days later He will rise.”
Satan Switches Targets
Luke 22:31-34 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you return, strengthen your brothers.” Peter replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me.” —…The devil seeks whom he may devour
The Enemy Sought to Destroy the Savior Before He Was Born by Genocide against God’s People
Revelation 12:13-17 The dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, so he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her where she would be taken care of out of the serpent’s reach.
His Uses Verbal Tactics of Attack & Deceit
Revelation 12:13-17 From his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.
His Eye is Fixed on the Church
Revelation 12:13-17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring–those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
(This Means the People of God in every age in every church all around the world)
The Enemy Originated Death
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
1st John 4:2-6 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.