TLDR;
This sermon, titled "New Days, Same Demons," addresses the reality of spiritual warfare in the lives of believers. It emphasizes that while the world changes, the enemy remains the same, and Christians must be aware of his tactics. The sermon explores how Jesus handled temptation in the wilderness, highlighting the importance of knowing God's Word, fasting, and resisting the devil. It also offers encouragement that angels are available to help those who are under attack.
- Spiritual warfare is a constant reality, and believers must be aware of the enemy's tactics.
- Knowing and applying God's Word is essential for overcoming temptation.
- Fasting strengthens the spirit and helps believers hear God's voice.
- Resisting the devil will cause him to flee, and angels will come to minister.
New Days, Same Demons [0:00]
The sermon series "New Days, Same Demons" aims to bring clarity about the spiritual battles believers face. Despite changing times and new technologies, the enemy remains the same. It's crucial to recognize that our struggles are not against people but against spiritual forces of evil. People often fall into two extremes: blaming the devil for everything or ignoring his influence altogether. The goal is to provide clarity through God's word, emphasizing that entertaining the devil leads to entanglement, while standing on God's word brings freedom.
Two Extremes on Spiritual Warfare [2:01]
There are two extremes when discussing spiritual warfare: some people blame the devil for every minor inconvenience, while others completely ignore the devil's influence, attributing persistent struggles to mere bad seasons. The speaker aims to provide clarity, not hype or fear, by grounding the discussion in God's Word. Entertaining the devil leads to entanglement, but the authority of God's Word can bring freedom.
New Level, Old Devil [4:39]
As believers grow in faith and step into new levels of grace and purpose, they will face increased opposition. The speaker references Matthew 4, where Jesus is tempted by the devil. To understand this passage, it's important to consider Matthew 3, where Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist. During this event, the heavens open, God affirms Jesus as His beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him as a dove, marking a significant moment before Jesus begins His ministry.
Baptism Before the Battle [6:07]
Matthew Chapter 3 describes Jesus' baptism, a monumental event where God affirms Him as His Son and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him. This divine coronation launches Jesus into full-time ministry. It's significant that this affirmation occurs before Jesus performs any miracles or preaches any sermons. God celebrates Jesus based on His identity, similar to how good parents affirm their children before they achieve anything.
Affirmed Before You Perform [8:01]
God affirms and takes pride in believers before they perform, emphasizing that their value comes from their identity in Him, not their achievements. This is crucial because many people grow up with a performance-based mindset, attaching their worth to what they do. God's love and value for individuals are demonstrated by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for them while they were still sinners. Believers step into their purpose not to earn God's love, but because they are already deeply loved.
Led by the Spirit Into the Wilderness [9:25]
After the epic moment of His baptism and affirmation, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This indicates that the wilderness is not necessarily a punishment but a preparation. Every calling has a conflict, and every testimony requires a test. The speaker emphasizes the importance of standing firm in God's promises during these times of testing.
Tested Before Trusted [10:23]
Temptation is a test that everyone must face before being trusted. Jesus' test occurs in the wilderness, away from public platforms and social media, highlighting that the wilderness is often a place of preparation, not punishment. This is a divine design, as every calling involves conflict, and every testimony requires a test.
How the Enemy Hunts [11:22]
The devil is not a cartoon character but a real being, referred to as diabolos, meaning slanderer, and the accuser of the brethren. Jesus calls him the father of all lies, whose native tongue is deception. The devil distorts the truth to create confusion, because evil thrives in confusion. The devil was once a beautiful angel who fell from grace due to pride, and a third of the angels fell with him, becoming demons. The devil has power, but not all power, and operates through a network of demons. He prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour, but he is a counterfeit, not the true Lion of Judah, who is Jesus Christ. A lion isolates its prey, waiting for it to wander off, become weary, or separate from the community, making it vulnerable to attack.
Temptation Targets Weakness [15:17]
Temptation often comes when one is tired, isolated, and hungry. The enemy is strategic and persistent, targeting vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Just as a boxer aims for an opponent's injured area, the enemy exploits unhealed wounds. To defeat the devil's lies, one must recognize his tactics, which remain consistent despite changing times.
Attacking Your Identity [17:20]
The enemy's favorite tactic is temptation, and he attacks by questioning one's identity. He tempts Jesus by saying, "If you are the Son of God," aiming to undermine His sense of self. This tactic is used against entire generations, causing people to define themselves by their feelings, desires, or appetites rather than by who God says they are. Spiritual warfare often begins with the last word God spoke over someone, making it crucial to remember and stand firm on that truth.
Three Levels of Temptation [19:04]
The enemy tempts Jesus through three levels: exterior, interior, and superior temptation. Exterior temptation involves appetite, where the devil suggests Jesus turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger. This is a legitimate need presented in an illegitimate way, as Jesus was on assignment and trusting God. Interior temptation involves pride, where the devil urges Jesus to throw Himself off the temple to prove His identity and impress others. Superior temptation involves worship, where the devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He bows down and worships him, testing who Jesus believes is His true source.
Word of God as a Weapon [22:37]
Jesus fights back against temptation with the Word of God, stating, "It is written." The Word of God is a weapon that is alive, active, and sharper than any double-edged sword. It acts as a scalpel, cutting away sin, and as a sword,deflecting the enemy's lies. It's essential not just to read the Bible, but to learn it, understanding its context and application. The devil also knows the Word and uses it to deceive, packing suspicion into scripture and twisting verses. Believers must know the truth to be set free. An untrained hand with a weapon is spiritual dead weight, so training in the Word is necessary to triumph in the wilderness.
Fasting Before the Fight [32:22]
Jesus fasted for 40 days before facing temptation, highlighting that fasting is not an escape from temptation but a means to gain power and strength to overcome it. Fasting weakens the physical body while strengthening the spiritual man, allowing the voice of God to become louder. The church is starting a fast to gain wisdom and discernment, preparing for future battles.
Jesus Rewrites the Story [37:16]
Matthew's gospel, written to a Jewish audience, tells a story parallel to that of Israel. Just as Israel fled to Egypt as toddlers and later wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, Jesus also fled to Egypt as a child and spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness. However, Jesus rewrites the story where Israel failed, succeeding in resisting temptation. Similarly, while Adam failed in the Garden of Eden, Jesus triumphed in the wilderness, turning it into sacred ground. God doesn't always write new stories but makes all things new, offering hope for those who have failed in the past.
Resist and the Devil Will Flee [40:07]
Resisting the devil will cause him to flee. James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Luke's gospel adds that the devil will return at an opportune time, so mature believers must continually sharpen their sword, pray, fast, and gather in community.
Demons Attack, Angels Attend [42:35]
The devil often offers things that God has already promised. In the second temptation, he offers angels, but Jesus refuses to deal with him, knowing the devil is a liar and his contracts have bad terms. By staying true to God's promise, angels eventually come and attend to Jesus. Believers should not take the devil's deals or buy his lies, as God has already promised something better. Just as demons attack, angels also attend, and the wilderness can be a place of visitation where God provides a way out. The speaker shares a story about his great aunt Marie, a missionary in Africa, who was saved from a dangerous situation by a man dressed in white, believed to be an angel.