Complete Sermon Notes

Don’t Arm The Enemy

 

Synopsis: They have been disarmed, but we arm them again! We have the power to win, but we often lose.

 

Acts 19:13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

• Naked and wounded – when the demonic realm wins, we feel shame and pain .

 

VERY IMPORTANT FACT – It appears that The Kingdom of Darkness had much more power and authority before Jesus’ ministry.

• Matthew 12:28 – But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matt. 10:7- As you go…8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give [give freedom, hope, and deliverance]. Colossians 2:15 – Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Satan will try to minimize or counterfeit those things that are most important – our authority, phony healings, application to the Word, fasting, filled with the Spirit, fervent prayer, etc.

 

A Sobering Message – to “kill, steal, and destroy” is the goal of the demonic realm. You cannot arm and entertain the Devil and expect to win.

 

• What we do here has enormous spiritual ramifications – you must fight!

This is why many relapse – you may have lost a battle, but don’t lose the WAR.

 

Let’s start at the bottom of the foundation: 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

• Believing and thinking about Him now and then because of what others have told you is not enough.

• JAMES 2:19 paraphrased – You say you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe in God and tremble in terror.

When you say, “In the name of Jesus”, there must be a relationship – in the name of My Savior! My King!  HIS NAME IS VICTORY – DELIVERANCE

 

If you don’t know God – there is nothing you can do. You can try will-power, you can embrace positive thinking, you can hope for karma – but you will never be FREE!

• START HERE – repent and believe – 1st step in disarming. You must walk out of the darkness and into the light.

 

How do we arm the enemy?    –  We give him ammunition

– WHAT WE ALLOW IN THE MIND

A stronghold or a fortress cannot easily be broken-down: 2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

We give demons influence in our lives when we act on the thoughts they plant – “Get behind Me Satan.”

• “Go back to that relationship. Click on that site. Take that drink. Pop that pill. Take that hit. Prove yourself right – show them how great you are. Elevate yourself.”

 

Linkin Park Release Statement About Chester Bennington’s Deathhttp://www.spin.com/2017/07/linkin-park-chester-bennington-statement/ – “Talking with you about the years ahead together, your excitement was infectious. Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled—a boisterous, funny, ambitious, creative, kind, generous voice in the room is missing. We’re trying to remind ourselves that the demons who took you away from us were always part of the deal. After all, it was the way you sang about those demons that made everyone fall in love with you in the first place. You fearlessly put them on display…”

 

• Entertainment and enjoyment arm the enemy – its approval: “My name is Shane and i approve of this Ad.”

DO NOT “LISTEN” – Kings, priests, prophets, leaders, shepherds…

 

• WHAT IS TRENDING? – SAW, THE DEAD ZONE, JIGSAW, HAPPY DEATH DAY, THE EVIL WITHIN, RESIDENT EVIL, THE SNARE, 7 WITCHES…OR sexual perversion –

 

MARK 5 – the people of the area were comfortable with the demonic.

EPH. 4:27 – and do not give the devil a foothold – give no opportunity to the devil.

 

– FAMILY PATTERNS [ENTRY POINTS] – the stark reality: What you do affects your family!

• The home needs to be a holy sanctuary

• “This kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.”

 

– WHAT WE ALLOW IN THE MOUTH – LEGAL isn’t always good

Marijuana, pills, alcohol – alters how you think – you’re no longer in control.

• I personally have never met anyone who is walking in the power of God, doing the will of God, filled with the Spirit of God who is a user.

 

“Alcohol” comes from the Arabic “al-kuhl,” which some say “BODY EATING SPIRIT.”

• Ephesians 5:18, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery [excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures]. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

Who gets the ammunition?

 

Pharmakeía (farma-ki’-a) – drug-related sorcery, like the practice of magical-arts, etc

• Galatians 5:19-20, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery [Gk. pharmakeia], enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger…”

 

Isaiah 28:7 NKJV The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, They are swallowed up by wine, They are out of the way through intoxicating drink; They err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

 

If you don’t fight you will fall!

• Confession – Bring it to the light. People get frustrated when it doesn’t happen immediately. But it is a battle – Accountability helps the confession stay at the forefront.

 

At the Courtyard the first thing the people saw was death – that sin cost something.

 

Prayer Time –

 

1. If you need to “Fan the Flames” – 2 Timothy 1:6 ESV, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” If your heart is cold to God then go to the heat.

I’m all churched out- I’m discouraged – I’ve failed.

Discouragement is arming the enemy.

 

2. If you’ve ARMED the enemy – magic to ouija boards, to the occult – to drugs and alcohol [but I’m just dabbling – no, you’re arming the enemy].

 

3. If you’re living in the darkness –

 

The nightmares I’ll give you while lying in bed, the voices you’ll hear from inside your head, the sweats, the shakes, the visions you’ll see; I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.

But then it’s too late, and you’ll know in your heart, that you are mine, and we shall not part. You’ll regret that you tried me, they always do, but you came to me, not I to you.

You knew this would happen. Many times you were told, but you challenged my power, and chose to be bold. You could have said no, and just walked away, If you could live that day over now what would you say?

I’ll be your master; you will be my slave, I’ll even go with you, when you go to your grave. Now that you have met me, what will you do? Will you try me or not? It’s all up to you. I can bring you more misery than words can tell. Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell” (Author Unknown; poem about addiction).