August 26, 2007

Cosmic Conflict Facts

FACT #1 - THE ENEMY HAS NO CONTROL OVER ANY BELIEVER WHATSOEVER - Colossinas 1:12-14

transferred - means to move from one location to another

-John 14:30 - the enemy has nothing in us at all

FACT #2 - IT IS OUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO FIGHT THE ENEMY -  Colossians 2:14-15

-the Lord defeated the enemy on the cross

-the enemy still tempts us, but we can defeat him

-God cannot fight the battle for us

FACT #3 - THE ENEMYWILL ONE DAY HAVE AN ETERNAL HEADACHE - Revelation 20:1-3,7-10

-the world is in a bigger mess every day

-Jesus is coming back and he will clean up this mess

FACT #4 - WE CAN EXPECT SPIRITUAL ATTACKS FROM THE ENEMY - Ephesians 6:13 (evil day)

Definition of an enemy attack - an enemy attack is a deliberate, intentional and well designed act intended to bring harm to a person in any way physically, emotionally, economically, relationally and spiritually

*******There are 5 specific times in our lives when we can expect a spiritual attack:

1. We can expect a spirtual attack when we are taking significant steps of faith for spiritual growth

REMEMBER: the enemy wants to scare you back to mediocrity and ineffectiveness

2. We can expect a spiritual attack when we are invading enemy territory

REMEMBER: when we reach out, there will be an immediate counter movement

3.We can expect a spiritual attack when we begin to expose the enemy

REMEMBER: getting to know him means he will get to know you

4. We can expect a spiritual attack when we begin to make a clean break from the world

REMEMBER: things don;t always get better in your Christianity

5. We can expect a spiritual attack when we realize God is preparing us individually or corporately to do a great work for His glroy and honor

REMEMBER:  do not zero in on the bad.  The blessings of being used by God to impact the world always outweigh the harassments of the enemy

                      we do not need to understand what is happening - just praise Him