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A Dramatically Fallen world. Sermon #1 in “The Battle”. The Attack. The Attack.
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A Dramatically Fallen world Sermon #1 in “The Battle”
The Attack • Revelation 12:13 – “When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach…
The Attack • 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth…
The attack • 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
Intellectual vs. reality • Why would I be surprised by a bad medical report? • Why would I be surprised if my home is a warzone? • Why would I be surprised when the biggest fights are on Sabbath morning?
Stockdale Principle -The optimists… -”You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end – which you can never afford to lose – with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”
Stockdale principle • As Christians we have half of it right, we believe that we will prevail in the end. • As Christians we miss the other half, we must confront the most brutal facts of our current reality.
Know the enemy • Darrell Hazell head coach of the Kent State football team. • Sunday Hazell and his coaches watch about 11 hours of film on their next opponent. • Monday and Tuesday are spent with players going over the film of their opponent.
Know the enemy • 2 Corinthians 11:14 - And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. • Just because it looks good doesn’t mean it is.
Know the enemy • Ezekiel 28:14, 15 • You were anointed as a guardian cherub, • for so I ordained you. • You were on the holy mount of God; • you walked among the fiery stones. • 15 You were blameless in your ways • from the day you were created • till wickedness was found in you.
Know the enemy – Isaiah 14:13, 14 • You said in your heart, • “I will ascend to the heavens; • 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. • 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; • I will make myself like the Most High.”
Know the enemy • Lesson on Ezekiel and Isaiah: The enemy is proud, he wants to be God.
Know the enemy • John 10:10 - 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. • Lesson: The enemy brings death…
Know the enemy – Revelation 12:12 • Therefore rejoice, you heavens • and you who dwell in them! • But woe to the earth and the sea, • because the devil has gone down to you! • He is filled with fury, • because he knows that his time is short.”
Know the enemy • Lesson from Revelation 12:12: Every day that goes by will intensify the battle.
Know the enemy • Revelation 12:17 - “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” • Lesson: God’s people get slammed.
Know the enemy • Revelation 17:14 – “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Know the enemy • Looks can be deceiving… • The enemy is proud, he wants to be God… • The more time the higher the intensity… • God’s people get slammed… • The enemy and his forces are destroyed, Jesus and His team overcome…
