Sermon Central
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Battlefield Lessons
Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jul 14, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Part of the Christian life is spiritual battle.
Battlefield Lessons
June 14, 2009 (PM) FBC, Chester Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
I Introduction
A Last week, we learned how the devil can try to disrupt your prophetic destiny, purpose, call.
1 God does not revoke His gifts or calling in your life.
a Blessed/challenging place to be is in the will of God.
b When you’re on the edge of your purpose, the ledge you are on begins to shake.
c You’ll either stand still or run away.
2 As soon as you pick up your assignment, the devil assigns you a demon.
a Hinder, harm, trouble, oppress you
b He can’t steal your salvation, disrupt your prophetic destiny.
B Christian, we believe in the reality of the spiritual, invisible world: heavenlies, spiritual realm (light & darkness).
1 Many of you have experienced first-hand the terrifying struggle of spiritual warfare, & you fought with a spirit of fear, anxiety, depression, disease, etc.
a Felt or real, invisible presence that struck fear in your heart.
b You enter a room & you don’t feel like you’re in there alone: voices, footsteps, restlessness.
c Feeling of dread, fear, imminent doom, loud buzzing in our ears.
2 These feelings, to those of us who have experienced them, can accept the idea of these examples as manifestations from the enemy’s camp.
a Not an overactive imagination, hallucination
b Real! Very real!
3 For weeks I was awakened at 3:30 AM & felt fear, worry, & I prayed & it passed.
a Grew more frequent, intense
b Maybe a season, some strange phenomenon that would stop-WRONG!
c Claiming the blood, name of Jesus...sometimes I was calmed...sometimes not.
4 I knew I was living right, wasn’t opening doors to Satan through sin.
a Like Job...why me? (I’d find out)
b Asked 3 questions:
aa Why was this happening to me?
bb What could be the purpose of the Lord allowing this to go on?
cc Would this be something I’d encounter for the rest of my life?
5 If you expect demonic attack & oppression on a regular basis...don’t be surprised when it shows up. If you expect the enemy in your house, he will gladly show up!
C In Job 1:7-12, God was bragging on Job, Satan heard him, & for a season tested him. The Lord said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it."8 The Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil."9 Then Satan answered the Lord, "Does Job fear God for nothing?10 "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.11 "But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face."12 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power , only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. Job 1:7-12 (NASB)
1 The Word teaches us that Jesus had the spiritual authority to rebuke over all the powers of the enemy (so do we), but we find we can also be tested for a season by the enemy.
2 During these seasons he intimidates us, causes us to doubt our faith/call, our message...easier to quit than to deal with this torment.
3 I read that the roar of a lion can be heard up to one mile away.
a One researcher said that the lion’s roar can actually paralyze some animals with fear, cannot move because the roar is so intimidating.
b These encounters/experiences are the devil’s roar meant to seize you with fear.
4 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB)
a No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Cor 10:13 (NASB)
b Your battle/testing will not last forever!
II Lesson learned
A The devil will use what you hear & see against you.
1 And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matt 14:29 (NASB) Jesus told Peter to “come”.
a With a word Jesus drew Peter out of the boat into His presence, prophetic destiny.
