February 25, 2018

Sunday School
The Whole Armor of God - Part 2
References: Priscilla Shirer (LifeWay), Bible Hub; GotQuestions.org; LifeHopeandTruth.com

Review:  The Bible tells us that we are at war with the enemy (Satan) who is bent on destroying us. Paul warns us to beware of the tactics of Satan (2 Corinthians 2:11 - so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes).
How can we defend ourselves from Satan's stealthy and deadly attacks?
Paul address this when he compares the Roman soldier's armor to the Armor of God. (Isaiah 59:17 - God put on righteousness as His breastplate; and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in zeal as in a cloak.)
So we see that we do not have to be worried or disheartened by Satan's devices. We are not in this battle alone. We have access to the greatest power. We have God on our side.

Identifying Satan's characteristics so that we are able 

to know what we are up against.

Satan means the adversary of God. He is the antagonist to the plans and purposes of God. His will always seek to misconstrue and malign the character of God and attempt to thwart the purposes of God. Job 1:6 – One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.

Devil means slanderer.  He intends to defame and malign the character and intentions of God and others. He will whisper lies in hopes of denigrating God’s reputation and diminish our confidence in God and mistrust God’s direction.  Matthew 4:1 – Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  Ephesians 4:25-27 – Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.  “In your anger do not sin”   Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Lucifer means day star or shining star.  His appearance is attractive, alluring and charming. Because of this, he can approach you in an appealing way to entice and lure your attention.  He doesn’t appear to be repulsive or foul so that you don’t see it coming. Isaiah 14:12-14 – How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.  I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”  Luke 10:18 – He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Tempter means one who tempts people for the purpose of enticing them to sin.  He seeks to mislead you so that you will become perverted.  He will intentionally set personalized temptations in your path that are not the gifts God set for you.  Matthew 4:3 – The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 1 Thessalonians 3:5 – For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

Ruler of the World means the enemy is not isolated to one place or one individual. He has global methods of mayhem and destruction. He has carefully planned misleading perspectives, philosophies, doctrines and strategies for all societies.  John 12:31 – Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. – The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Prince of the Power of the Air/Prince of Darkness means the devil does not work alone. He is the leader of the dark forces and his invisible realm effects everything in this physical realm.  Ephesians 2:1-2 – As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  Ephesians 6:12 – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Accuser means the one who condemns. He wants to weaken the believer’s confidence and convey condemnation and guilt into their lives by bringing up the past sins and mistakes in the believer’s lives.  Revelation 12:10 – Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:  “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.  For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

Father of Lies means liar and falsifier.  There is no truth or light in the enemy.  He will twist, misconstrue and falsify the truth of the Word.  John 8:44 – You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. 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.

Shoring up or defenses against the enemy is important. Remember that the enemy is sorely vexed in two specifics areas: (1) The biggest threat to Satan is the believer's strong FAITH in God and when the believer uses that faith in their daily lives. (2) When the believer admits/acknowledges/recognizes/confesses/concedes his/her weaknesses to him/herself.......A light is shone on the enemy's plans and the believer can begin the fight against Satan.  But you must keep a close eye on the weaknesses because Satan certainly is.

Sermon

Psalm 42:1-5 - As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shots of joy and praise among the festive throng.  Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Subject: An Answer for Your Trouble

• We must put our trust in God.
• We are often worn out and longing for God.
• Remember that God is Omnipresent - everywhere
• Do we allow Satan to creep in?
• Common sense has become uncommon.
• Is there an answer? YES, there is.
• We sometimes tend find "Trouble in my way."
• If we live for Christ, we will experience trouble.
• Are you circled with trouble, stress, depression, worry, a feeling of anxiety, etc.?
• Be not anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6-7
• Concentrate on a right relationship with God.