Elements City Church
Battle Lines - Recognize wk1
We need to have a biblical understanding of spiritual warfare, the reality of it, and the strength we have in Jesus to battle and stand firm in our faith. We want to navigate our challenges in life better, living from our position of victory, to better experience and express all we’ve been given in Christ. We want to recognize, resist and respond to the schemes of our Enemy.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Thanks for being with us...
We pray that tonight would be encouraging for you. If you're a guest here with us, we invite you to fill out our communication card in our app or at the Next Steps table in the back of the auditorium after service, we'd love to meet you and we have a free gift for you. Click the link below to see THE WEEKLY - our digital announcements/info for all things happening in and around Elements...or find everything ya need in our app.
http://elem.cc/weeklyAs we dive into a series on spiritual warfare - understanding the battles we face - we invite you to pray and ask the Lord to move in your heart. To help you recognize the lies and tactics of the Enemy to detour you away from God's best in your life. To give you open eyes and an open heart to learn how to resist and stand strong in faith. Use Ephesians 6:10-19 as a great section of Scripture to pray through while we engage in this series. We invite you to memorize verse 10: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." Lean in with us these 3 weeks...and stand strong in God's power.
Here's some books that are good for understanding our spiritual battles:
-Victory in Spiritual Warfare, by Tony Evans
-The Strategy of Satan, by Warren Wiersbe
-Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis
-The Believers Guide to Spiritual Warfare, by Tom White
-The Invisible War, by Chip Ingram
-Victory in Spiritual Warfare, by Tony Evans
-The Strategy of Satan, by Warren Wiersbe
-Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis
-The Believers Guide to Spiritual Warfare, by Tom White
-The Invisible War, by Chip Ingram
Some Scriptures Around Evil/Spiritual Warfare:
*General about evil and Satan:
Revelations 12 / Isaiah 14:12-15 / Daniel 10 / Job 1 / Ezekiel 28:11-19 / Psalm 10 / Rev. 2 & 3
*For our living:
James 1:12-18 & 4:6-10 / Jn 17:15-19 / Ephesians 4:17-27 & Eph. 6:10-18 / 1 Peter 5:8-9 / Hebrews 2:14 / 1 John 2:1 & 3:8 & 5:19 / 1 Cor. 10:13 /
2 Cor. 4:4 & 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 / Luke 10:1-20 / Genesis 3 / 2 Thess. 1:5-10 / Acts 26:15-18 / Micah 7:7-9
*General about evil and Satan:
Revelations 12 / Isaiah 14:12-15 / Daniel 10 / Job 1 / Ezekiel 28:11-19 / Psalm 10 / Rev. 2 & 3
*For our living:
James 1:12-18 & 4:6-10 / Jn 17:15-19 / Ephesians 4:17-27 & Eph. 6:10-18 / 1 Peter 5:8-9 / Hebrews 2:14 / 1 John 2:1 & 3:8 & 5:19 / 1 Cor. 10:13 /
2 Cor. 4:4 & 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 / Luke 10:1-20 / Genesis 3 / 2 Thess. 1:5-10 / Acts 26:15-18 / Micah 7:7-9
Question:
What's our Enemy up to in our land? (in your life? life of those you know?)
What's our Enemy up to in our land? (in your life? life of those you know?)
Quote:
"There is no neutral ground in the universe. "Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.”
-C.S. Lewis
"There is no neutral ground in the universe. "Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.”
-C.S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis on the Existence of Devils
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors…”
-The Screwtape Letters
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors…”
-The Screwtape Letters
The Scriptures describe our Enemy as:
-The Father of lies - a twister of God’s truth
-Thief (John 10:10 …come to steal, kill and destroy)
-Deceiver
-Accuser of the believers
-One who blinds those who don’t know God, from seeing him… (2 Cor. 4:4)
-one who masquerades as an angel of light
-roaring lion
-one who has some dominion in this world, but one who is also DOOMED; they’re fighting a losing war - on a time clock that’s ticking away; one day they will have no more influence, as Christ returns and sets ALL things right!
-The Father of lies - a twister of God’s truth
-Thief (John 10:10 …come to steal, kill and destroy)
-Deceiver
-Accuser of the believers
-One who blinds those who don’t know God, from seeing him… (2 Cor. 4:4)
-one who masquerades as an angel of light
-roaring lion
-one who has some dominion in this world, but one who is also DOOMED; they’re fighting a losing war - on a time clock that’s ticking away; one day they will have no more influence, as Christ returns and sets ALL things right!
We’re told biblically: we need to be ALERT & AWARE, but we never need to be afraid…
1 John 4:4 – “greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 – “greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world.”
Learn to Recognize the lies of the enemy…
(it’s what the Enemy speaks; it’s his native tongue – John 8)
Counter the lies with God’s Word/Truth = our greatest weapon against his lies.
Quote:
“The devil is a liar, but never forget that he is a very loud liar. You must choose to tune out his voice by turning up the voice of God.”
-Christine Caine
(it’s what the Enemy speaks; it’s his native tongue – John 8)
Counter the lies with God’s Word/Truth = our greatest weapon against his lies.
Quote:
“The devil is a liar, but never forget that he is a very loud liar. You must choose to tune out his voice by turning up the voice of God.”
-Christine Caine
The Bible isn't just a book about how to be nice and good. = It is our greatest spiritual weapon wielded against the devil lies/schemes.
So much of Satan's tactic is to mess with our minds. The Enemy wants us isolated from godly people, insulated from God himself and distracted away from godly things…that’s why so often he plays to our FEARS, so we get so caught up and captivated and overwhelmed by our obstacles, problems and struggles. ONE of the quickest ways to thwart our Enemy's psy-ops is to gaze upon the GREATNESS of our God – allow His truth and presence to calm us, reassure us. It’s why WORSHIP matters in our life of faith.
So much of Satan's tactic is to mess with our minds. The Enemy wants us isolated from godly people, insulated from God himself and distracted away from godly things…that’s why so often he plays to our FEARS, so we get so caught up and captivated and overwhelmed by our obstacles, problems and struggles. ONE of the quickest ways to thwart our Enemy's psy-ops is to gaze upon the GREATNESS of our God – allow His truth and presence to calm us, reassure us. It’s why WORSHIP matters in our life of faith.
RECOGNIZE YOUR WEAKNESSES:
= that’s where the Devil likes to strike most and most often)
We’re to use WISDOM when it comes to our weaknesses. Accountability is a necessity for anyone and everyone seeking to follow Jesus well. Set healthy and holy boundaries. Keep short accounts with God. Make confession and repentance a posture of your heart.
= that’s where the Devil likes to strike most and most often)
We’re to use WISDOM when it comes to our weaknesses. Accountability is a necessity for anyone and everyone seeking to follow Jesus well. Set healthy and holy boundaries. Keep short accounts with God. Make confession and repentance a posture of your heart.
Truth:
We will struggle to overcome our temptations or defeat the demons that we continually FLIRT WITH.
We will struggle to overcome our temptations or defeat the demons that we continually FLIRT WITH.
Recognize the Enemy's lies – anchor yourself to God’s truth.
Recognize your weaknesses – anchor yourself to wisdom, good boundaries and appropriate accountability to help you seek God’s best.
Recognize your weaknesses – anchor yourself to wisdom, good boundaries and appropriate accountability to help you seek God’s best.
NEED PRAYER? ....we've got some of our prayer team and pastors available following service to pray with you. Or you can text the word "prayer" to our phone number: #520-300-9001 to submit your prayer request or submit one via our app. We look forward to partnering with you in prayer.
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http://elem.cc/giveMake sure to check out our app for YouVersion Bible reading plans for this summer, upcoming events info, worship playlists and more... have a blessed week friends!