SCOUTING REPORT

1. SCOUTING REPORT

2. Last week we started a series on The Armor of Godcalled This Present Warfare. • This week’s message is titled The Scouting Report. WWII Movies Battle Stations! Man your battle stations! • Each soldier had his job and he was well-trained to do it. • There were no jokes. • This is war!

3. In a spiritual sense, do you realize there is a battle going on around us? • It is a battle we can’t see with our eyes, but it’s real. • You may not have declared it, but that doesn’t matter; you are in it! • When you decided to follow Jesus, you became an enemy of satan.

4. I wonder what would happen if I yelled, Battle stations! Man your stations! Would you know what to do? Do you know how to fight our enemy? • Many would just look at me with that glassy eyed look that says, I don’t have a clue what to do?

5. That is why many Christians (although they have their fire insurance) are living in defeat. • They are constantly giving in to temptation and living a miserable, defeated, Christian life. • One moment they are on and the next they are off. • They’re Light Switch Christians. • Onereason is they are not aware of the spiritual war raging around them. • They’re walking aimlessly through the “no man’s land” in the crossfire and totally clueless.

6. By the end of this series on the Armor of God,you’ll better be able to stand, fight and not give in! Game Plan: Whether you are playing sports or in the military, you need a game plan. • Much of that game plan is based on your opponent’s weaknesses, tendencies and strengths. • You have to know your opponent. • The game plan is based on your Scouting Report.

7. Today, we are going to discuss our Scouting Report on satan. Disclaimer: I don’t like talking much about him. • Although we need to learn about him, we don’t want to give him too much credit even if it’s negative. • But, we must understand some basics in order to successfully be able to fight him.

8. 2 Extremes • Too Much Credit • Simply Ignored • We need to be aware of who he is &how he works. • He is much smarter than we are, and that is why we need the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. • Without His power operating in us, not one of us could ever match the enemy’s schemes or wit.

9. Ephesians 6:10-12 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 3 Things: • Strong in the Lord – Resolve to overcome • In the power of His Might—Full of the Holy Spirit • Put on the full armor of God

10. Ephesians 6:10-12 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (NKJV)

11. Let’s break it down: • Who is satan? • He is a Created being (angel). Do you know what that means? • He is not all-powerful, all-knowing or omni-present. • Only God is. • Many people have the misconception that the devil and God are in a neck to neck battle.

12. And, at the last minute, the cavalry rides over the hill to save the day or satan would have won. • Not even close to being the truth! • On the devil’s best day, he can only play into God’s hand. The real match is not between God and satan but between man and satan. • Jesus defeated satan at the cross, and now He has empowered us to enforce His victory in this world.

13. He Fell because of Pride • He was corrupted by pride. • Although angels are created beings, they also have a free will. • He wanted to be God. • He had an “I” problem—too much pride.

14. Isaiah 14:13-16 – For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. 14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.' 15 Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. 16 Everyone there will stare at you and ask, 'Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble? • His prideful ambition led to his fall.

15. He was condemned by God Luke 10:18 – "Yes," He told them, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!” Revelation 12:10b – For the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. (NASB)

16. Satan fell and was thrown from heaven to earth along with a 1/3rd of the angels. Scouting Report: He has been trying to convince usto do what he did ever since—think we are little gods. • He tells people: • You don’t need church. • You don’t need God. • You can be a little god on your own.

17. That is how he deceived Adam & Eve in the garden. • He told them that they would become like God when they ate the forbidden fruit. • They tried to become like God but through disobedience. • Irony:that disobedience cost them what they already had—godlikeness.

18. Scouting Report: He’s still doing what he did to Eve. • He twists the truth. He lies: You don’t need to go to church to please God. You can worship God just as well at home by yourself without all the hoopla. You can love God as much at home. • There’s a problem with this line of reasoning. • Yes, we can worship God at home, and I do all the time. • BUT, Jesus also said, If you love Me, then you will keep My commands(Jn. 14:15).

19. Hebrews 10:25 – Forsake not the assembling together which is the habit of some and all the more as the Day approaches. How can you really love Jesus if you are willingly breaking His commands at the same time? • Just asking . . . • Truth quickly dispels deception. • Also, notice that his reasoning appeals to pride.

20. The Dominion of Darkness How is his kingdom is organized? • Invisible Army – His army is spiritual and invisible. • Because of this some don’t believe it exists. v. 12: We do not wrestle against flesh and blood. . . • Our battle is not against people but against the demonickingdom. • But, satan can use people to give us grief.

21. Our fight is NOT against people but against the spiritual forces controlling them. • We spend so much time fighting people when we might be more effective to also deal with the invisible root manipulating them.

22. Well-organized Machine 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. • Paul shows us there are 4 classifications of demon spirits using Roman military terms.

23. Principalities – these are the top tier leaders. • The princes – Prince of Persia (Dan. 10) • Powers– 2nd in command—the Field Generals. • Rulers of the darkness of this world – a military term which shows how satan deals with his army. • They are well-organized in rank and file. • He gives them orders and sends them out to do his bidding.

24. Scouting Report: This is a clue as to why he is effective, and believers are often ineffective. • Although we have authority over him, he is more committed to defeating us than we are to overcoming. • Well-Organized Army vs. Rag Tag Band • Spiritual wickedness in high places – The ground troops which are sent forth inflict all kinds of evil.

25. His Strategy/Game Plan How does he work against believers? 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. • The key is to understanding the word wiles. • Wiles = methodos = method • He has a method to his madness, and it is to steal, to kill and to destroy (Jn. 10:10).

26. 1 Peter 5:8 – Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Scouting Report: He roars like a lion. • In the wild, it can be heardfrom several miles away. • A lionusually waits until it’sabout to pounce before it roars. • The roar freezes the prey in fear, and the lion is able to easily overtake it. • This is a key to understanding how the devil works.

27. Colossians 2:15 – Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. (NKJV) • Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He defeated the devil and stripped him of the power he once had. • Jesus made an open display of him, but that does not stop him from roaring. • Through his constant “roaring” in your mind, he attempts to wear you down &isolate you from others. • His aim is to swallow you up in self-pity.

28. He prowls around like a roaring lion . . . • He doesn’t pounce, he just roars lying thoughts. • He uses fear, intimidation and doubt to attack you. • Seeking someone to devour . . . • He isnot able to devour everyone. • He goes after the stragglers in the pack: • ignorant of the Word • weak in faith • the isolated ones

29. Paul says to stand against the wiles of the devil. • Wiles = methodos=with a road. • It is the same method he has always used. • Through words/thoughts of fear, doubt, or intimidation, he makes inroads into your thinking and paralyzes you.

30. The battleground is the mind. • He continually roarswith thoughts like: • Your husband is cheating on you! • You are worthless! • You’re fat. • Nobody likes you! • You are going to die from a dreadful disease. • You can’t trust anyone. • The moment you accept those lies as truth is when they will produce fruit in your life.

31. This is where he gains power over your life and leads you down the path of defeat. STOP! • Draw your line in the sand and declare with your mouth, Never again will I believe those lies! I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus! • You need to stand your ground against him. • Stop listening to his lies and start talking back to him with the Word of God.

32. God has given you all the equipment you need to fight the devil and win: • The Word • The Name of Jesus • The Blood of Jesus • The full armor of God • Praise and Worship • Holy Spirit • He defeated satan at the cross • Delegated His authority to rule

33. You have it all! • You are fighting a defeated enemy. • He is making the most of his time because he knows his time is short, so he rages! Revelation 12:12b – For the Devil's come down on you [earth] with both feet; he's had a great fall; He's wild and raging with anger; he hasn't much time and he knows it. (MSG)

34. But, we have overcome him through the blood of Jesus and through the Word of God in our mouths. German Shepherd . . . • Remember, Jesus said that He has all authority. • That means the devil has no authority. • We have that delegated authority now. • Even though Jesus defeated the devil at the cross, he has not been destroyed yet. • That day is coming—Oh, Happy Day!

35. Revelation 20:10 – Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. • Burning sulfur is his future. • Don’t take it any longer from him. • Stand and declare with your mouth: Never again will I fall to the devil!

36. Conclusion • Many make the Spartan mistake. • They have their game face on at all times. • But, here’s the irony of it all: We can be full of joy and peace in the midst of the battle!

37. Psalm 23:5-6 – You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life . . . Do you see how powerful that picture is? • There is feasting and celebrating with Jesus even in the presence of our enemies!

38. Here’s an important key for us: 6 Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. • Stay connected to the people of God! • There is strength in numbers. • This is the context of this celebrating. • Satan attacks the stragglers—the isolated ones. • That’s my game plan, and I’m sticking to it!

39. SCOUTING REPORT