Today’s message summary of August 2, 2015 from Pastor Gus Brown:
If you ask a person, “Do you believe in God,” you are likely to hear the answer, “yes.” If, however, you were to ask if a person believes in the adversary, you may or may not get an answer. The reality is that there is an adversary of God, and he is also your adversary.
Satan exists, and he is a strong adversary whose goal is to destroy you. He does this by causing you to be disobedient to God. He is a fallen adversary, but that does not make him any less powerful.
It is not what we see and know that keeps us from falling away from God. It is our thought of independence from God. It’s not that we don’t know the right thing to do, it’s that we simply refuse to do it. We make a choice. Satan also knew, but he also made a choice to be independent from God.
This independence of God is rooted in pride.
Independence is defined as the freedom from the influence, control, or determinative of another or others. (Merriam-Webster)
Fighting with God is saying that one prefers to be self-reliant, in control of my life. It is pridefulness.
Only God is self-reliant, self-governing and relies only on Himself.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Acts 17:24-25
The God who made the world and everything in it–He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
God knows who He is.
Philippians 4:13
I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Satan’s downfall is revealed in Isaiah 14:14:
Isaiah 14:14
“I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
Satan knew that he could not be God; therefore, he chose to be like God.
A lot of us may not realize it, but we essentially say the same thing when we declare our self-reliance from God.
When we choose to fight with God, we lose.
Revelation 12:7-8
The war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels also fought, but he could not prevail, and there was no place for them in heaven any longer.
God was not about to have disobedience to Him remain in heaven with Him.
You are not strong enough to fight with God. Satan lost his place and position in heaven. He lost his standing and position there and was cast out. Before his fall, Satan was in charge of angels in heaven.
When you fight with God, you will lose your place, as well. You may also lose the respect of those who watch you and your behavior. There is a cost in disobedience and fighting against God.
Luke 10:18
He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash.”
Whether you like it or not, you are a dependent person…dependent on others, and most certainly dependent upon God. He does not change, and He still rules heaven and earth, no matter what you decide to do.
Satan’s goal is to lead the entire world astray.
Revelation 12:9
So the great dragon was thrown out–the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the one who deceives the whole world. He was thrown to earth, and his angels with him.
God, however, has final say over your life.
Heaven is off limits to Satan as far as being his home or the place where he functions.
Revelation 12:10
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah have now come, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown out: the one who accuses them before our God day and night.
Satan’s operations take place on earth. He regular makes accusations against the saints of God for breaking the rules of God.
1 John 2:1-2
My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father–Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
So, Satan will help you to stumble and then go and tell on you to God! God is our advocate–our defense.
1 Corinthians 6:20
…for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.
So the angels cry out that salvation has come! (Revelation 12:10)
Satan is allowed to enter heaven to bring his accusations against us (Job 1:6-7, 2:1-4).
Luke 22:31-32
“Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
James 4:7
Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.
1 Peter 3:16
However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.
Satan has no power over you. All he can do is make the accusation. God will allow things into your life for the purpose of testing your faith in Him. It is God’s work of salvation by the blood of the Lamb and your testimony before Him that reveals the power of God in your life.
Do you understand that there is no need to be ashamed in Jesus Christ? He is already victorious over Satan.
Revelation 12:11
They conquered him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not love their lives
in the face of death.
We are victorious by the blood of the lamb. Salvation comes through confession of sin, repentance, and believing that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of your life
Those who love God cannot love their own life without Him.
Hebrews 9:12
He entered the most holy place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
Hebrews 7:25
Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
John 5:24
“I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.”
Galatians 2:20
…and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Philippians 1:21
For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore,
with truth like a belt around your waist,
righteousness like armor on your chest,
and your feet sandaled with readiness
for the gospel of peace.
In every situation take the shield of faith,
and with it you will be able to extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is God’s word.
Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 