What We Believe - Satan

Secular:

Roger Nelieson… man of faith
“Supported Teen Ranch”… Hall of Faith
Run by former Chaplain to TML
Was committed to the idea of video tapping not only his own team… (self-examination… building discipline and skills)
but video tapping opposing teams… know the opposition… understand them… how they operate…
It doesn’t replace discipline, practice, skill development
But enhance ability to compete well…

NAU 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Know the situation
Prepare for the Battle
Know your Enemy…
We have look at our statement from the positive

Our understanding of God
The Bible
The Person of Jesus Christ
The Person of the Holy Spirit

Know we need to Know our Enemy

Biblical:

Section E - Satan
We believe that Satan exists as an evil personality, the originator of sin, the archenemy of God and man.

Personal:

SATAN

Tempter (Matt 4:5; 1 Thess 3:5); Beelzebub (Matt 12:24); Enemy (Matt 13:39); Evil One (Matt 13:19,38; 1 John 2:13-14; 3:12, and particularly 5:18); Belial (2 Cor 6:15); Adversary (antidikos), (1 Peter 5:8); Deceiver (literally "the one who deceives") (Rev 12:9); Dragon (Great) (Rev 12:3); Father of Lies (John 8:44); Murderer (John 8:44); Sinner (1 John 3:8)- In the vast majority of passages (70 out of 83) either Satan or Devil is used.

Victory in Christ…
Fighting a Conquered foe…

Afghanistan…
Iraq…

But a foe… no doubt
We need a balanced understanding…

Not attributing too much…
But not failing to be prepared…

Bridge:

The materialistic / self-centred society is a testimony not only to our propensity to sin… but to Satan’s mastery
We fall for his lies…
Betray our true love…
In preparation for battle… 4 pts

Body:

Belief

Satan – the originator of sin …

NAU Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden '?" 2 The woman said to the serpent, "From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'" 4 The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die! 5 "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. 8 They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 He said, "I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself." 11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" 12 The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." 14 The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life; 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel."

Satan – the originator of Sin
Tools of the Devil

Twisting truth

Satan was talking “God-talk” with Eve
He took the truth of what God said and twisted it…
In every good lie is a kernel of truth…
We need to recognize that if we are justifying our behaviour we may be guilty of twisting God’s Word
The wedge

Twisting truth

Questioning God

Hey a dialogue with God…

The occasional beat the steering wheel conversation…

NAU Psalm 13:1 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, 4 And my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

What Satan calls into question is God’s motive… * "You surely will not die! 5 "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
…be like God … God wanting to keep us down… from reaching our potential…
Not knowing and trusting in God… instead questioning God’s character…
Hard in bad times…
Hard in times of opportunity
The wedge

Questioning God
Disobedience

Highlighting our error…

not about forgiveness * In our selves and in others

It is our choice… but we have coach…
The wedge

Disobedience

Distance

Satan encourages distance…. * Look at Adam and Eve
They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden
Separation from strength… separation from love… separation from protection
Divide and conquer is a military strategy… used to isolate and weaken… Satan knows this tactic too well
The wedge

Distance

Fear * Reverential fear… is a healthy fear…
Understanding who we are before a holy and awesome God.
But fear of retribution…
Fear because we have done wrong…
Fear that undermines our relationship…
Fear that causes us to recoil under a rock… to hide ourselves in darkness...
The wedge
Fear

Blaming "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." Adam played the blame game…

First of all God it your fault…
And if it isn’t your fault… it is hers!!
Lack of responsibility
The wedge

Satan – the originator of sin …

Satan - The Archenemy of God and man…

NAU Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it." 8 The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 "But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face." 12 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

Not interested in the positive…

Bringing down the strong

Strong in Spirit
Strong in Commitment to God

Divisiveness…

Trying to separate us…
No rest as a child of God

That is a fallacy
We are targets when we are strong
"From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it."
Not a target…hmmmm

I our challenges… often we forget to worship and exalt God in our trials…

Trials do not change who god is… or our need of him…

James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Drives a wedge by enticing us… to turn from God

Satan - The Archenemy of God and man…

Satan – The archenemy of the Church…

The evil personality

NAU 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

Deceiving…
Again Divisive…
Evil… for the message is not of God… but away from God… it is of Satan
If the Church is the body of Christ… Satan is the Tumour
The Gates of Hell… Satan himself will never prevail against the church… but a gathering of people… living… teaching in their own strength… will fall victim and will drags others with them….
We need to be aware of where we are being lead…

Lambs to the Great Shepherd… or lambs to the slaughter
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

He who knows will not be misled…
Those who stay true to the Word… will turn away the the enemy of the church
The church is God’s vehicle designed to accomplish his redemptive purpose…
Whom would you expect to be challenging that end?

Satan – The archenemy of the Church…

The evil personality

Satan – the Destroyer

NAU 1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

Satan is real…
That’s why the things of Satan are not a joke…

The evil on Halloween
Playing Devil’s Advocate
Witchcraft
Sorcery
Mother earth
DESTINATION HELL…
It isn’t funny…

The Devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour
Satan isn’t cute, funny… or someone to be toyed with
His purpose is to separate you from God and destroy you… torment you eternally…
And he doesn’t play by the rules…
2 Corinthians 11:14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Satan – the Destroyer

Passion

Satan – the originator of sin …

Satan - The Archenemy of God and man…

Satan – The archenemy of the Church…

The evil personality

Satan – the Destroyer

Obedience

Satan – the originator of sin …

Satan - The Archenemy of God and man…

Satan – The archenemy of the Church…

The evil personality

Satan – the Destroyer