Satan Is Defeated (5)

 

'The serpent...asked the woman, "Did God really say you must not eat?"..."Of course we may..."' Genesis 3:1-2 NLT

Ever been to a used car dealership? Those guys can sell and they can be persuasive. But they are nothing against the power Satan has over you. 'The serpent...asked the woman, "Did God really say you must not eat?"..."Of course we may"... "You won't die...God knows that your eyes will be opened...and you will be like God"...The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some...Then she gave some to her husband...At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame...When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" He replied, "I heard You walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked."' (Genesis 3:1-10 NLT) Never forget that story! And keep this in mind also: Satan is a talker, and you'll never out-talk him. The power of persuasion is an incredible thing. The fashion industry can persuade you to take a wardrobe you paid a small fortune for last year, and replace it with what they're selling now. Clothes you felt good about then, you don't even want to be seen in now. The trouble is, in a few years' time the clothes you wore last year will be back in fashion; you'll be poor, and the fashion moguls will be rich. Temptation is all about persuasion. But if Christ has already persuaded you, Satan can't make you do anything. Because with Christ "we are more than conquers through Him who gives us strength." You are loved!

Satan Is Defeated (4)

   
'...He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them.' Colossians 2:15 NKJV

Standing on the deck of a US aircraft carrier at the end of the Pacific war, in an historic moment never to be forgotten, General MacArthur walked over to Tojo, the Japanese leader, and publicly stripped him of all his symbols of power. And that's what Jesus did for you at the cross. 'Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them.' First, Tojo wanted peaceful coexistence, then compromise, then concessions. But he got none, because he was powerless. In a card game an opponent with an empty hand will try to bluff and bully you. But when you know you have a winning hand you can face him down, because knowledge is power. And your power over Satan comes from knowing that he's a defeated foe. He was once known as the anointed cherub, but now Christ is the Anointed One. He was once known as an angel of light, but now Christ is the Light of the World. He was once known as the morning star, but now Christ is the Bright and Morning Star. He was once a heavenly worshipper, but now Jesus says, 'In the presence of the congregation, I will sing Your praises.' (Hebrews 2:12 NIV) He was once known as one of the sons of God, but now Jesus declares, 'I am the Son of God.' Satan is called the prince of this world, but Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Satan is called a roaring lion, but Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah who has prevailed over him (Revelation 5:5). Rejoice, Satan is defeated and you with Christ our victorious! You are loved...

Satan Is Defeated (3)

 

'...He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.' Hebrews 2:15 NLT

For many of us, death is our greatest fear. I don't know how many times I've had a conversation about death with someone. It's a real fear that many have a hard time with. I never make fun of it but I once heard a comedian say once, 'I don't mind dying, I just don't want to be there when it happens!' We can't joke away the sobering reality the Bible describes as 'the last enemy' Satan. So what's the answer? Jesus! '...only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.' (Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT) Until Jesus came, Satan used the threat of death. Until then we all lived in fear of it. But because of the resurrection, all Satan has left are the lies he can tell about death. The word 'destroy' implies 'to reduce to zero' (1 John 3:8). Wow! By His death and resurrection, Jesus reduced Satan's power to zero. And today Jesus says to you, '...Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.' (Revelation 1:17-18 NKJV) After destroying the prison of death, Jesus came out and said to Satan the jailer, 'I'll take those keys,' then He went back to Heaven.
We grieve the loss of a loved one, and that's a healthy thing to do. But you can handle the grief when you know you can live through it, and that you'll be reunited in Heaven with your loved ones. So even in death, we win and Satan loses. You are loved!

Satan Is Defeated (2)

 

'You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' John 8:32 NKJV

Thanks team for a great weekend of services. It's awesome to see the moving of God's Spirit in each of you're lives; and as I shared yesterday; The test of your relationship with Christ is your heart to serve others. So keep Serving! Picking up where we left last week I want to continue looking at our authority over Satan in this world. Satan is a deceiver, but Jesus is a revealer. So any time you bring Jesus into the situation, Satan is unmasked and his plans for your life are exposed and foiled. Satan is referred to in Scripture as 'darkness' and Jesus as 'light'. (Acts 26:18) The moment the light moves in, the darkness has to move out. So your first priority is not to conquer Satan, but to move closer to Jesus; to line up your will and your word with His will and His Word. Instead of just lying down, taking it, and saying, 'I guess there's nothing I can do about this,' rise up in faith and say, 'Satan, it is written...' Faced with a level of temptation none of us will ever be exposed to, that's what Jesus did to Satan in the wilderness. The Bible says, 'Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.' (Matthew 4:11 NKJV) In recent years we've witnessed bankers and brokers take people's money, lose it, then later come back and say, 'Here's another good plan; invest in it.' But now we know better, don't we? We no longer believe an investment is good just because somebody says so. Don't miss the spiritual analogy here. When you know the truth of God's Word and you use it as a weapon, Satan's walls crumble, his plans for you come un-glued, and his schemes fall apart. When you understand who you are 'in Christ', you are more than a match for the devil and he can no longer control your life. You are loved!

Satan Is Defeated (1)

'...the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.' 1 John 3:8 NKJV

Please send up a quick prayer for my mom as she is having day surgery tomorrow for skin cancer. Amy and I will be heading to Spokane to help her get there and back. So it will be a long day. Do you know that Satan is defeated? Have you ever watched one of those TV shows where the police show up, surprise the criminal and say, 'You're busted,' then put them in handcuffs and take them off to jail? That's what Jesus did to Satan. This word 'destroy' implies 'to come un-glued,' or 'to fall apart'. Imagine the mortar crumbling and the wall coming down, or the spool running out of thread so that when the garment is picked up it falls apart. On what basis would you like to fight Satan? By the power of your own intellect, or by the power of God's Word? By your own will, or by knowing God's will? If we follow God's will we have the right to stand on it and enforce its terms? Ever turn on the lights in a dark room and watch cockroaches run for cover? You didn't do anything, you just turned on the light! Every wall Satan builds to keep you locked in crumbles when exposed to the light of God's Word. Satan's act literally comes un-glued. And it happens fast, because light travels at over 299,000 miles per second. Satan's greatest weapon is your ignorance of God's Word. That's why he will fight you over Bible reading more than most other things. Jesus said, 'You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' (John 8:32 NIV) The truth itself doesn't set you free; it's 'knowing' the truth, standing on it in times of trouble and trusting God to do what He has said. That empowers you not only to survive Satan's attacks, but to triumph over him. You are loved...

How to Defuse Conflict

'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.' Proverbs 15:1 NIV

Ever come across a opinionated person? They have the answer to everything. We smile, but 'harsh words stir up anger.' If you want to avoid conflict, don't create it. The key to getting along with people who are upset or who don't share your viewpoint is to relax and try to empathize. That doesn't mean acquiescing to their every whim. But when you are clear about your position, you can let them be who they are. When you are ok with who you are, you don't need to make others wrong in order to feel right. Not only is it naïve to expect everybody to see things your way, you must recognize that they have their own thoughts, opinions and feelings. Jesus said, 'Settle matters quickly with your adversary...while you are... with him.' (Matthew 5:25 NIV) Talking to him will help you understand his viewpoint. Do you then have to agree with everybody? No, but 'Do all...you can to live in peace with everyone.' (Romans 12:18 NLT) Are there times when you must defend your position? Yes, but don't go around with a chip on your shoulder looking for arguments. Sometimes Christians are the worst offenders; we think because our cause is just, it doesn't matter who gets caught in the crossfire. 'Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.' (Proverbs 19:11 NLT) Make up your mind to extend to others the same grace God has extended to you. It's a learned trait. By your action will you be able to do this. You are loved...

Lifting Those Who Fall

'...If another believer is overcome... help that person...' Galatians 6:1 NLT

Ever been confronted by somone who believes you are in the wrong and gave you a self-righteous attitude? I have. As a pastor I'm regularly told when I'm in the wrong. Its something I've learned to live with over the years. But it still hurts. When church leaders insisted a woman '...caught in the act of adultery' be stoned (John 8:4 NLT), Jesus replied, '...let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.' (John 8:7 NLT) Ouch! Lisa Harper writes: 'Are we aware of other people's mistakes because they confided in us, or have we appointed ourselves the "moral police" to justify examining the blemishes in everyone else's behavior? Is our ultimate goal to help restore prodigals, or do we have a hidden agenda to elevate ourselves by condemning those around us?... I've been confronted twice by other Christians, the first was a red-faced stranger who was furious with me for wearing knee-high leather boots with a short skirt to her church. She called me a "Jezebel." The second was a good friend who tenderly pointed out my pride in a specific situation. The name-calling left a bruise on my soul; the compassionate rebuke turned me toward the forgiving arms of our Heavenly Father.' God alone has the perfect combination of holiness and mercy to stand in judgment of the human heart. The Bible says, 'If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.' The only One who was worthy to condemn us, chose instead to pardon us and, in light of our own sinner-saved-by-grace [status], when the Holy Spirit impresses you to confront someone who's messed up, do it with honesty, compassion and humility. Otherwise you are just doing it in your-self! You are loved...