Defending the Faith

1. Defending the Faith • Jude 1:3 Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.

2. Your Adversary Defending the Faith

3. I. Anointed Angel - Fallen • Isaiah 14:12-17 • How you have fallen from heaven (KJV – “O Lucifer”) • I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars • I will be like the Most High • Instead you will be brought down to the place of the dead

4. Ezekiel 28:14-19 • Anointed as the mighty angelic guardian • Blameless in all you did, until evil was found in you • Your heart was filled with pride because of your beauty • I threw you to the ground

5. Liar – John 8:44 For you are the children of your father the Devil, and you love to do the evil things he does… he is a liar and the father of lies.  • Accuser – God to man and man to God – Revelation 12:10 • The god of this world – 2 Corinthians 4:4 – blinding the minds of unbelievers • The commander of the powers in the unseen world – Ephesians 2:2 – the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God

6. II. The Resistance • Not ignorant of his schemes • 2 Corinthians 2:11so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.  • Ephesians 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 

7. 1 Peter 5:8 - 9 8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  9Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith… • James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. • Jesus’ example of resistance 

13. Ephesians 6:10-18 • Fighting against evil spirits • Put on the full armor of God that you will be able to resist

14. Armor of God Truth

15. Righteousness

16. Gospel, Peace

17. Faith

24. Salvation

25. The Word

26. Alert – Pray in the Spirit at all times

27. Extremes • No devil or demons

29. Demon behind every problem

30. III. Defeated Foe • Luke 10:17-20 • Demons obey us when we use your name • Satan fall from heaven like lightning • I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy • Nothing will injure you • Don’t rejoice in your authority, rejoice in your salvation

31. Revelation 20:10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 

32. Interactive Time • How do Satan and demonic spirits affect Christians? • How do you know if your opposition is spiritual warfare or natural circumstances? Share an experience of fighting against evil spirits, how you resisted and what the outcome was • What is it about the spiritual dimension that makes it difficult for people to acknowledge its existence – refer to 2 Corinthians 4:18 and 1 Corinthians 2:12-15

33. How do Christians exercise their spiritual authority? – refer to Mark 16:17-18 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5