INTRO: Possession vs. Oppression

Oppress: the exercise of authority or power in a cruel or unjust manner; the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, anxiety, etc.

• “Has a demon” or is under “the influence of a demon.”

• They can’t live in the same house with the Holy Spirit, but …

• How much influence do they have? How much influence does sin have?

HOW DO THEY INFLUENCE? Walks through the CRACKS

EXPLAIN LUKE 8:26-39

FULL SERMON NOTES ON LINE

The Power of Sin: Destroys, Misleads, Quenches, Grieves, Depresses, Isolates, Confuses, …

• “Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergyman or laymen, and we will storm the gates of Hell…” ~ John Wesley

Methods of Influence: Are you creating an environment for the Holy Spirit to reign, or an environment for Satan to influence?

1. Toxic Substance:

• Alcohol, Performance enhancing, Marijuana, Meds,

2. Toxic Environment: Top 10 videos on MTV

In Lady Gaga’s newest video “G.U.Y.” we see the singer start off as a fallen angel who is shot down from the heavens, she then gets reborn as an over sexualized goddess who uses her powers to create an army of clones using blood of Jesus Christ, Gandhi and Michael Jackson, the three who she resurrects from the dead.

3. Toxic Emotions: Stay in bondage because we don’t release them

James 3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

• Our emotions can encourage the demonic or discourage it.

According to 4:27, Satan tries to gain a foothold and exert his influence over the lives of Christians through uncontrolled anger (v. 26) as well as falsehood (4:25), stealing (v. 28), unwholesome talk (v. 29), indeed any conduct that is characteristic of the ‘old way of life’ (v. 22). O’Brien, P. T. (1999). The letter to the Ephesians (pp. 463–464). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

4. Toxic Thoughts:

• Romans 8:6 NIV, “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

[SEE LAST WEEKS MESSAGE FOR MORE: http://vimeo.com/90493238]

You will not win with willpower or manipulation

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…

a] “Put on” …believers do not empower themselves.

b] The whole armor …enemy looks for cracks.

c] Stand against the “wiles” …tricks and deceit

Often an intense battle: lust, anger, addiction

2 Corinthians 12:7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

• The power is the filling of the Spirit

• The power of Christ carries me

• When I’m weak I am strong [Kylee]

1. Girded with truth

• Holds everything together

2. The gospel of peace

• SHOD: Nails held the feet in place.

• NOTE: this could also be an outlet: idle hands are the devils playground.

3. The shield of faith

• Arrows are coming…are they deflected?

4. The breastplate of righteousness

READ 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18

5. The helmet of salvation

• To believers to prevent doubt, fear, etc.

• NOTE: You have to be on the same team

6. The sword of the Spirit

• Only weapon to fight back

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

CLOSE: Praying always – this is where truth is reinforced, peace is present, faith is exercised, righteousness is sought, salvation is reinforced, and the sword of the Spirit is sharpened.

• DO YOU NEED TRUTH…PEACE…FAITH…HOLINESS…ASSURANCE OF SALVATION…THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT?

“HAVING DONE ALL, STAND!!”

“Give me 100 men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and [who pray as if their lives depended upon it], and [who pray as if their families depended upon it] and we will…”