Upperhand

on the

Underworld

The Basics (November 21st, 2004)

Generally, each message is a part of a series, that deals with applying the Bible to real-life issues.  Don't worry if you've missed part of a series.  Each Sunday will work together with the other messages, or can stand alone to help you deal with the things life brings each day.

The Believer's Authority (November 28th, 2004)

You have to know your enemy, part 1 (December 5th, 2004)

where nobody stands alone

You have to know your enemy, part 2 (December 12th, 2004)

Play clip of Nutty Professor (the clip at the end of the movie, where Sherman is trying to come through and defeat Buddy) - All of us have a battle within to become and to act as our true self. - Paul speaks of this in his letter to the church of Ephesus: Ephesians 6: 10 – 12 Sermon Series: Getting an Upperhand on the Underworld Title: The Basics, week 1 ** Pray Ephesians 6: 10 – 12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.} I. Fundamentals of the Soldier a. Ephesians 6: 11 i. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  b. The knowledge of spiritual warfare is fundamental i. What is spiritual warfare? c. This is an important question, because “spiritual warfare” means different things to different people. i. The term itself is not found directly in scriptures, but the concept is taught by Paul. ii. Along with the previous scripture, the concept is found in 2 Corinthians 10: 3 – 5 1. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. {We are} destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and {we are} taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, d. Spiritual warfare is the putting aside of passive attitudes towards faith which keep us from commitment and cause us to pursue only those things that will benefit us. e. Spiritual Warfare is a pro-active approach to our faith. i. When we actively resist the devil his hosts harass us. ii. We actively pursue spiritual disciplines that will make us stronger and better prepared. II. Focus of the Soldier a. Ephesians 6: 12 i. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.} b. A spiritual warrior has an alertness to the activity of the enemy. i. This alertness is by no means fear or paranoia 1. We are not to fear the opposition. 2. Who do we work for? a. The Creator or the Creation? b. Who has greater power? ii. What is the activity of the opposition? 1. He blinds the minds of unbelievers a. II Corinthians 4: 3 – 4 2. He assaults believers to get them to turn away from the freedom’s found in God’s grace a. Ephesians 6: 12 b. Zechariah 3: 1 c. Galatians 3: 1 – 2 3. He tempts men to sin a. Genesis 3: 1 – 6 b. 1 Chronicles 21: 1 c. Matthew 4:1 c. A spiritual warrior knows he must bring spiritual discipline into his thought and actions. i. Prayer at all times without ceasing 1. Philippians 4: 6 a. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 2. Colossians 4: 2 a. Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with {an attitude of} thanksgiving; ii. If he allows these areas to be compromised, he will not be affective in resisting the enemy. iii. Sin always give the adversary an advantage 1. Ephesians 4: 28 d. A spiritual warrior knows his inheritance in Christ. i. Revelation 2: 10 1. 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. ii. He knows God’s promises and is not easy prey to the lies and deceptions of the enemy, who tries to call these promises and inheritance into question. iii. He understands the lie is the enemy’s language and his most effective weapon. III. Fashion of the Soldier a. Ephesians 6: 10 i. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might b. This is a commitment of your conduct within spiritual warfare. c. What should your conduct be? (5 things) d. A New Attitude i. Romans 12: 1 – 2 1. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect e. A Greater Focus i. Matthew 10: 38 1. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. ii. Our Focus should be on what Jesus did for us and trying to live by His example of love. f. A Necessary Discipline i. 1 Corinthians 9: 27 1. but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. ii. 1 Timothy 4: 7 – 8 1. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;  for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and {also} for the {life} to come. g. A More Balanced Biblical World View i. There are those that like to live by that one favorite verse. 1. 2 Timothy 3: 16, 17 a. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. ii. Those that pull one verse out of its grammatical, historical, and symbolic context. 1. 2 Timothy 2: 15 a. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. iii. There are those that claim that they do adhere completely to the Word, but their deeds prove otherwise. 1. Matthew 7: 21 – 23 a. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven {will enter.}”Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'  "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' h. Personal Accountability i. Why is Personal Accountability needed? 1. Proverbs 27: 17 (NASB) a. Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another 2. When a member of the body falls, then it hurts the body. 3. If a member of the body is influenced by spiritual warfare, then it influences the body. a. 1 Corinthians 12: 12 i. For even as the body is one and {yet} has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ ii. A True warrior in Christ holds themselves accountable with other men, so that they iron may be sharpened. IV. Invitation a. Spiritual Warfare exists whether we acknowledge it or not because our enemy is going to attack. b. What are you going to do about it? c. Are you going to ignore it like it does not exist? i. Then the enemy has won, and will continue to get you with temptations and sin. d. Or are you going to quit being a slave to the enemy and fight the fight and never quit? i. Are you going to give your all to Christ and fight the fight or are you gonna just give up and let the enemy win?

Getting an Upperhand on the Underworld Title: The Believer’s Authority What gives us the power, audacity, or confidence to be the Christians that we need to be? One thing you can’t do is show fear, you have to have good reflex, be faster. If you loose respect for the challenge then you will loose your step while running. You may think that they are small and you can manage them, no you can’t. To win the challenge you must think like your challenger. How can I be confident in what I do? - On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. ** Pray Matthew 28: 18 – 20 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Thesis: In order to exercise any kind of authority, one must represent a source that is ready and able to back up the represented authority with an adequate reserve of power. I. God is calling you to exercise spiritual authority. (v. 19) a. The Calling of Authority (The Calling to Exercise Authority) What we are called from and called to: I. Called from labor to rest (Matt. 11:28) II. Called from death to life (1 John 3:14) III. Called from bondage to liberty (Gal 5:13) IV. Called out of darkness into light (1 Pet. 2:9) V. Called from bondage to peace (1 Cor. 7:15 VI. Called to the fellowship of His Son (1 Cor. 1:9) b. The disciples i. Luke 9: 1, 2, 6 c. The seventy – two i. Luke 10: 19 d. All Believers i. Matthew 28: 18 – 20; Mark 16: 17 – 20 e. All Believers i. Romans 16: 20 f. All Believers i. James 4: 7; 1 Peter 5: 8, 9; Ephesians 6: 10 – 18 For centuries people believed that Aristotle was right when he said that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth. Aristotle was regarded as the greatest thinker of all time, and surely he would not be wrong. Anyone, of course, could have taken two objects, one heavy and one light, and dropped them from a great height to see whether or not the heavier object landed first. But no one did until nearly 2,000 years after Aristotle's death. In 1589 Galileo summoned learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then he went to the top and pushed off a ten- pound and a one-pound weight. Both landed at the same instant. The power of belief was so strong, however, that the professors denied their eyesight. They continued to say Aristotle was right.  Bits & Pieces, January 9, 1992, pp. 22-23. II. Jesus tells you to know the conditions of spiritual authority a. The Conditions of Authority (The Conditions Necessary to Exercise Authority) b. Confidence in Jesus Christ i. Matthew 16: 16, 18, 19 1. 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." One day this man was walking across campus laden with books and briefcase. He passed by a fast food stand, and ordered something to eat and a milkshake to wash it down. He balanced it all on top of his briefcase and began looking for an empty table at which to sit. While looking, the milkshake got the better of him, and he bent down without looking in order to take a sip from the straw. The straw missed his mouth and ended up in his nose. Embarrassed, but not at a loss, he thought that if he straightened up the straw would stay in the shake. But when he lifted his head, the straw came out of the shake and remained in his nose, dripping the milkshake down the front of his suit. In a moment, all his confidence evaporated. - If your confidence evaporates in yourself during lunch, you are able to leave the restaurant.  If you confidence is lost in the Savior then you can loose your eternal soul and the fruit of your life reaching other people for Christ. c. Unity – of belief and purpose i. Matthew 18: 19 1. 19 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. d. It is extremely important to understand correctly what the Lord is saying about the conditions of exercising spiritual authority. i. Many assume they have full discretion authority to personally exercise. ii. That is not what is being said by the Lord. 1. There is no such doctrine found in Scripture entitled: name it claim it. 2. Actually the Scripture says something quite contrary to the name it claim it doctrine. a. Matthew 16: 19 i. 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." b. Matthew 18: 18 i. 18 "Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. iii. We must always be seeking God’s will in each instance before exercising authority in Jesus’ name. 1. Otherwise we would be acting in our own authority. III. Only God will bring about spiritual authority in your life We accompanied our son and his fiancé when they met with her priest to sign some pre-wedding ceremony papers. While filling out the form, our son read aloud a few questions. When he got to the last one, which read: "Are you entering this marriage at your own will?" he looked over at his fiancé. "Put down 'Yes,'" she said. a. The Manifestation of Authority b. How does the power of God manifest itself in our lives to give authority to our actions? i. Matthew 16: 19 1. 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." 2. We have the power to bind and loose what God has already bound or loosed. 3. The Key: a. Knowing God’s will and not being led by our own desire. 4. The 1st method of manifestation a. Acknowledging God’s will in your life instead of your own will. ii. Matthew 12: 28 1. 28 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 2. We can minister in power 3. The 2nd method of manifestation a. Demonstrating the presence of God’s Kingdom IV. Do not resist God’s authority for your life a. The Resisting Conditions of Authority (Conditions that resist spiritual authority) What NOT to Buy Your Wife (Conditions of Christmas Buying for your Wife) Although the only person a man usually shops for is his wife, the whole experience is a stressful one. Many a man has felt extreme frigid temperatures for a long period based on a poor present decision. As a veteran of these wars, I'm still not sure what to buy my wife, but I'll pass on what not to buy her: 1. Don't buy anything that plugs in. Anything that requires electricity is seen as utilitarian. 2. Don't buy clothing that involves sizes. The chances are one in seven thousand that you will get her size right, and your wife will be offended the other 6999 times. "Do I look like a size 16?" she'll say. Too small a size doesn't cut it either: "I haven't worn a size 8 in 20 years!" 3. Avoid all things useful. The new silver polish advertised to save hundreds of hours is not going to win you any brownie points. 4. Don't buy anything that involves weight loss or self-improvement. She'll perceive a six-month membership to a diet center as a suggestion that's she's overweight. 5. Don't buy jewelry. The jewelry your wife wants, you can't afford. And the jewelry you can afford, she doesn't want. 6. And, guys, do not fall into the traditional trap of buying her frilly underwear. Your idea of the kind your wife should wear and what she actually wears are light years apart. 7. Finally, don't spend too much. "How do you think we're going to afford that?" she'll ask. But don't spend too little. She won't say anything, but she'll think, "Is that all I'm worth?" Herb Forst in Cross River, NY, Patent Trader, in Reader's Digest. b. Matthew 17: 19 – 21 i. Lack of faith c. Mark 6: 4 – 6 i. A community of unbelief d. Galatians 4: 9, John 8: 34, 35 i. The practice of sin e. 2 Corinthians 2: 11 i. The tricks of Satan (hindered through deception, attacks, etc.) V. God’s authority is committed to your authentic felt needs a. The Divine Commitment of Authority (God’s Authority committed to Human Needs) b. Moses i. Exodus 14: 15ff 1. Parting the Red Sea c. Elijah i. 2 Kings 2: 7 – 8 1. parting the water in the Jordan River d. Elisha i. 2 Kings 6: 17, 18 1. Praying blindness upon the enemy e. Paul i. Acts 13: 11 1. Pronounced blindness upon Elymas, the sorcerer f. The Promise i. Acts 1: 8 1. Power from the Holy Spirit 2. How do you tap into this power? a. Pray and Bible Study g. The Testimony i. Romans 15: 18, 19 1. 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. VI. Invitation a. His authority was made flesh to give us a chance to overcome the difficulties of the world. b. He loves us so much that He will use His authority to fight off our enemies and troubles.

Play – Elf Clip starring Will Farrell when he is launching snowballs at the bullies (Chapter 10  00:51:19 – 00:53:40) When under attack, it is not the time to learn to fight or know about the attacker.  You need to know about these things before the fight. Getting an Upperhand on the Underworld Title:  You need to know your enemy, part 1 ** Pray When you think of villains and enemies, who comes to your mind? Ephesians 6: 11 (NASB) Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. General Patton of WWII, “A country never won a war by having their soldiers die for their country, they won it by getting the other poor busters to die for theirs. - We will not win out day to day battles sacrificing our lives, but we will win when the enemy sacrifices for his. - We have to know our enemy For us to be fully prepared to rumble with our adversary, we must study him: I. Where did he come from?  (Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Colossians 1:16) a. First, we should see that God was in the beginning, not Satan. b. Second, we should see that God made everything, not Satan. c. Third, we should see that God made Satan. i. Which is greater? The Creator or the creation??? 1. Ezekiel 28: 12 – 19 – speaks of God’s creation 2. Ezekiel speaks in this passage of the king of Tyrus, but also describes Satan. a. God, the creator made(literally “set”) Satan to be full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 3. God covered him with every precious stone – the apparel of the high priest. a. Satan had tabrets (timbrels) and pipes (flute or horn) built into his body. i. to lead the heavenly hosts in worship of God. God designed music for the purpose of worship. Satan was Heaven's worship leader. ii. Lucifer lead music in heaven 1. He knows how to use it to manipulate. 2. Music Lover ask:  Would I listen to this if Jesus was sitting right here? 3. Would I listen to it if my wife or husband were next to me? 4. Would I listen to it if my kids were in the room? 4. Satan was perfect in his ways, his thoughts and actions from his time God created him. a. Then iniquity was found in him – perverseness. b. Satan began to look at his beauty and focus his attention on himself. i. Pride comes before the fall. 1. It is when we begin to focus on ourselves, when all things begin to self destruct. 5. Because of Satan's iniquity (perverseness / pride) and his spreading of that iniquity, God will judge him with fire. 6. Isaiah 14: 12 – 14 a. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:  I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High" 7. There are five "I will's" listed.  This is the indication of pride, being boastful, and foolish. a. 1. "I will ascend into heaven" = he assumes to take the house of God. 2. "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God"  = this may indicate taking authority over the angels (Job 38:7). 3. "I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation = this may refer to the temple (Daniel 11:37, II Thessalonians 2:4). 4. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds (literally "cloud") = the cloud may be a covering of God (Exodus 13:21). 5. I will be like the most high = he assumed to take the place of God. 8. Satan says ‘I will” and God says, “You won’t” 9. Isaiah 14: 15 – 17 a. "Yet thou shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.  They that see thee shll narrowly lookupon thee, and coonsider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That make the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?" b. Who is the speaker?  Who is still in control?  It is God!  God will bring judgment upon Satan.  When Satan's judgement is revealed people will marvel, not at his power, but the deceptiveness in appearing to have power. II. What is his identity? a. When you identify evil, what faces / names come to mind? b. Names for the Enemy – a liar has many identities / names i. Abaddon = so called (Hebrew : Destroyer) =  Revelation 9:11 ii. Accuser of the brethren  = Revelation 12:10 1. Those that entertain gossip LISTEN: a. when accusations come against a Christian, Satan is there. iii. Adversary = (one who stands against) I Peter 5:8 iv. Angel of the bottomless pit = Revelation 9:11 v. Antichrist = (the one against Christ) I John 4:3 vi. Apollyon = (Greek: Destroyer)  = Revelation 9:11 vii. Beelzebul = (god of the flies, dung god) Matthew 12:24, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15 viii.  BEELZEBUB – which means “god of the flies” 1. Flies are carriers of various diseases, some of which are deadly. a. Demons also cause various diseases or infirmities 2. Flies fly in the air. a. Satan is the prince of the powers of the air. 3. Flies show up right before a rain or change in the weather. a. Demons appear to attack right at the point God is making a change. 4. Flies distract us and harass us. a. Demons do the same. 5. Flies infect open wounds. a. Demons do the same with emotional wounds. 6. Flies are attracted to that which is spoiled and refuse. a. Demons are attracted to pornography and the unclean. 7. Flies are attacted to and spoil our food. a. Demons come to kill, steal, and destroy. 8. Flies often bring the fear of harm. a. Demons greatest tool is fear. 9. Flies bite us inflicting pain and sometimes causing bodly harm. a. Demon may also bite and cause physical torment. 10. Flies sometimes eat and kill plants intended for our food. a. Satan is described as the devourer. 11. Flies find the smallest of openings and enter into our houses. a. Demons also find the small opening and enter into us. 12. Flies often just buzz around us. a. Satan is described as a roaring lion. ix. Belial = II Corinthians 6:15 x. Devil = (false accuser, devil, slanderer) Matthew 4:1, Luke 4:2, 6, Revelation 20:2 xi. Enemy = Matthew 13:39 xii. Evil spirit = I Samuel 16:14 xiii. Father of all liars (a liar) = John 8:44 xiv. God (god) of this world = II Corinthians 4:4 xv. Great red dragon = Revelation 12:3 xvi. Lucifer = (Roman rendering of morning star) = Isaiah 14:12 1. Lucifer is the original name given to the devil.  The term "Lucifer" means the "shinning one".  This is interesting because we can see that God created Lucifer (Satan) to reflect God's glory.  However, now he only appears as an angel of light, but is the angel of darkness. xvii. Man of sin = II Thessalonians 2:3 xviii. Murderer  = John 8:44 xix. Old serpent = Revelation, 12:9, Revelation 20:2 xx. Power of darkness = Colossians 1:13 xxi. Prince of this world = John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11 xxii. Prince of the power of the air = Ephesians 2:2 xxiii. Ruler of darkness = (understood as) = Ephesians 6:12 xxiv. Satan = (Hebrew = adversary, Greek = accuser) I Chronicles 21: 1, Job 1:6, John 13:27, Acts 5:3,  Acts 26:18, Romans 16:20 xxv. Serpent = Genesis 3:4, 14, II Corinthians 11:3 xxvi. Son of perdition = (destruction, ruin, waste, loss) = John 17:12 xxvii. Tempter = Matthew 4:3, I Thessalonians 3:5 xxviii. Thief = John 10:10 xxix. Wicked one = Matthew 13:19, 38 c. The unholy trinity is the devil, the beast, and the false prophet = Revelation 20:10 d. He is the commander of evil spirits. e. What are evil spirits? i. Evil Spirits (Daniel 8: 10; Matthew 25: 41; Luke 10: 18; Revelation12: 3 – 4, 7 – 9) 1. They were created by God in that God created everything. 2. They were with God as angels = Job 38:7 ("sons of God") = Angels. 3. Fallen angels became evil spirits. 4. Jude 6 a. They left their first estate (as angels). 5. Genesis 6: 4 a. They intermarried with women. f. How do you know when your intuition, emotion, dream is not from God? i. 6 Characteristics found in Job 4:12-21. 1. the spirit appealed to his desire for special revelation (verse 12).  This is what the serpent did with Eve in the Garden when he said, "You will become as gods, knowing good and evil." 2. The spirit came in the night, evidently the form of a nightmare (verse 13). a. As if hiding in shadows or secrecy. 3. The approach of the spirit was intimidation (verses 14-15).  Fear is not God's approach to Believers.  God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.  Whenever people were fearful of angels, the angels said, "Fear not." 4. There is an obscurity of the form (verse 16).  We do not find obscurity in the appearance of angels in Scripture. 5. The message begins with an accusation. Who is the accuser, but Satan? 6. Does God trust His servants (verse 18)?  God often intrusted his Word to His angels.  Why was this spirit so sensitive about God charging some of His angels with folly?  This was one of the angels that rebelled with Satan.  It is no wonder that this evil spirit was bitter and carried a grudge against God or God’s people. III. What is his purpose a. John 10: 10 i. "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy . . . ." (John 10:10). b. This is his purpose – everybody has a purpose in life. i. What does he seek to steal, kill, and destroy in your life??????????????? c. Three Basic Areas of his Purpose i. Steals Salvation:  He blinds the minds of unbelievers. 1. II Corinthians 4:3-4 a. On various occasions, I have see people who said that they could not make a decision for Christ because they were too confusoned, they didn’t have the answers. After a spirit of confusion or fear was bound, the individuals readly made the decision to commit their lives to Christ. ii. He kills Fruition, advocates non membership 1. He assaults believers to get them to fall from God's grace. 2. Ephesians 6:12; Zechariah 3:1; Galatians 3:1-2 a. Satan tries to get people to believe that they must work for their salvation even after them have committed their lives to Jesus and are saved.  I often counsel people who have come to believe that they must live up to a certain standard in order to keep their salvation.  This is a trap.  They will fall and when they fall, Satan lays a guilt trip on them, trying to keep them from returning to grace. iii. He destroys innocence of the believer’s effectiveness. 1. He tempts men to sin. 2. Genesis 3:1-6; I Chronicles 21:1; Matthew 4:1 3. New Testament word "tempt" means= "to test, to assay, to entice, to temp, to try." a. When a Believers sins, he destroys his witness. Satans wants to destroy the effectiveness of the Believer's witness. IV. Next Week: a. What are his military tactics? i. What are his methods of attack? ii. What is his armor? iii. What are his weapons? b. What are his opportunities? i. Where are the Open doors? ii. What is his power? c. What is his future

Psalm 94: 17 – 23 If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.  If I should say, “My foot has slipped,” Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up.  When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.  Can a throne of destruction be allied with You.  One which devises mischief by decree?  They band themselves together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.  But the Lord has been my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.  He has brought back their wickedness upon them and will destroy them in their evil; the Lord our God will destroy them. ** Pray Getting an Upperhand on the Underworld Title:  You have to know your enemy, part 2 Key Verse: Ephesians 6: 11 (NASB) Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. I. How is he going to attack you? a. What are his military tactics? Patton, “no country ever won a war by having their men die for their country, they won it when the other poor busters died for theirs.” Sermon Title Slide  b. What are his methods of attack? i. 3 methods of attack 1. Enticement (curious arts) – something that raises your curiosity. a. Acts 19:19, Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:10-11 2. Oppression (outside attack) (to press against, down, under) a. Acts 10:38, Isaiah 52:4 3. Possession (The term "demonized" is a proper N.T. translation) (mainly internal). a. Unbelievers (II Corinthians 4:4)  (ownership) Luke 8:26-40. b. Believers (II Timothy 2:26) (degree of control) Acts 5:1-11, 8:13, 23. c. For Believers an evil spirit would only have access to the body and the soul = mind, will, and emotions, and not the spirit of man which is the new creation. c. What is his armor? i. II Corinthians 11:14 (appearance = an angel of light). ii. Darkness = Ephesians 6:12, Luke 22:53 iii. Deception = II Thessalonians 2:10, Psalm 10:7, Romans 3:13, (In psychology, some list as many as forty Defense Mechanisms which we use to keep from facing the truth) iv. Intimidation = I Samuel 17:4-11 (Goliath), Nehemiah 4:1-3 v. Ignorance = Hosea 4:6, Romans 10:3 vi. Listen - Confusion = Acts 19:23-29  (I don't understand) (being confounded) vii. Doubt (questioning) = Genesis 3:1, Acts 12:14-15 (Don't you think ....) d. What are his weapons and what are our counter attacks? i. Lies (deception and confusion) = Genesis 3:4, I Kings 13:18 ...........truth ii. Unrighteousness (wrong thoughts) = II Thessalonians 2:10 ..........righteousness iii. Condemnation (accusation)  = Job 4:17-18, Nehemiah 6:6 ............Gospel of peace iv. Fear (worry, anxiety) = Job 4:14-15 ..............................................faith v. Destruction = John 10:10, I Corinthians 5:5...................................salvation vi. Another word (traditions, opinions, false doctrines) Galatians 1:6-8 ........Word of God vii. Detractions (entertainment, addictions, laziness) = Judges 14:1-3....Prayer e. Illustration THE RIVER Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large, raging, violent river, they needed a strategy to get across Needing to get on the other side, the first man prayed, "God, please give me the strength to cross the river." Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice. After witnessing that, the second man prayed, "God, please give me strength and the tools to cross the river." Poof! God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once. Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed, God, please give me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross the river. " Poof! He was turned into a woman. She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards up stream and walked across the bridge." II. Identify the opportunities that you give him a. What are his opportunities? b. 2 aspects we must understand i. The soul of man (mind, will, and emotions) is like a house. 1.  Matthew 12: 43 – 45 a. 43 "Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find {it.} 44 "Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds {it} unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 "Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation." ii. The enemy is like a wild animal, crouched, ready to spring into an opening. 1. 7 "If you do well, will not {your countenance} be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." a.  Genesis 4:7 iii. Open doors of our house: 1. anger Open Door image 1       2. selfishness 3. witchcraft / magic 4. addictions Open Door image 2  5. bitterness 6. idolatry 7. false religions 8. greed Open Door image 3  9. secret sins 10. pride 11. sexual sins 12. revenge 13. cursing Open Door image 4  14. rebellion 15. unforgiveness – a popular one iv. "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." (Matthew 18:34-35). 1. Unforgiveness opens the door to evil spirits. 2. Evil spirits are described here as the "tormentors". 3. God is described as "the king" (Matthew 18:21-35) who is willing to forgive us. 4. However, when we don't fully accept the grace of forgiveness, we hold unforgiveness toward others. 5. When we hold unforgiveness toward our fellow man, God turns us over to the tomentors (evil spirits) to harass, control, and hurt us. 6. Unforgiveness may lead to bitterness, rage, revenge, guilt, depression, and even to suicide. (misery loves company). c. What is his power? i. Satan's power is real. Satan’s Power 1  1. He beguiled Eve.  II Corinthians 11:3 2. He uses magical powers.  Exodus 7:11-12 3. He empowered a witch to bring forth a spirit.  I Samuel 28:12-20 4. The world uses this reality as humor. Satan’s Power 2   5. He wars against the angels of God.  Daniel 10:13 Satan’s Power 3   6. He is called a god of forces.  Daniel 11:13 ii. Satan's power is limited.  (example of praying the hedge). Satan’s Power 4   1. He is limited in his power of destruction.  Job 1:9-12 Satan’s Power 5   2. He is limited in his ability to bring temptations.  I Corinthians 10:13 Satan’s Power 6   III. Eliminate the opportunities or share his destiny a. What is your destination if you do not eliminate his opportunities? b. What is his future? c. What is his destination? Lake of Fire 1  i. He is restrained until the removal of the Holy Spirit in the Church.  II Thessalonians 2:7-11. ii. He is to enter a man and deceive the world.  II Thessalonians 2:3-6. iii. He comes to the earth with fury as he knows his time is short.  Revelation 12:9-12. iv. He is given power to war with the tribulation saints.  Revelation 13:7. v. He has power to manipulate people to worship the beast.  Revelation 13:12-15. vi. He is bound for a thousand years, then loosed for a season.  Revelation 20:1-9. vii. He is cast into the lake of fire. 1. Matthew 25:41 2. Revelation 20:10 IV. It doesn’t matter about these things of the enemy, because nothing will separate us from God’s love. Comfort 1  a. Unless we do not want to be part of the love of God.