Ephesians 6:10-18.
The devil is after you—he desires to have you. He wants to devour, discourage, depress, and distress you.
1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
I. WE HAVE THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD AVAILABLE TO US.
Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
II. WE HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE SWORD TO FIGHT FOR US.
Hebrew 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
III. WE HAVE PEACE THROUGH PRAYER TO UNDERGIRD US.
Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in ever thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
IV. WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL THROUGH PRAISE TO DEFEAT SATAN.
Don’t panic or pout, but praise.
Please read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30.
A. W. Tozar said, “Praise is the missing tool of our worship.”
We need to face our enemy with PRAISE. I believe God releases His power through praise.
Notice verses 8-10.
A. RECOGNIZE OUR PROBLEM.
Is Satan is trying to tempt us?
B. REALIZE OUR LIMITATIONS – VERSE 12.
Apart from God, there is no victory.
C. RELINQUISH OUR LIFE TO GOD – VERSE 12.
Jesus is not part of the answer; He is the only answer. “But our eyes are upon Thee.”
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face.” Core Ten Boom faced the enemy.
If you keep your eyes on the world, you will have distress, depression, etc. We need to learn to look to Jesus and rest in Him.
D. REMEMBER TO WAIT ON GOD – VERSE 13.
Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
E. RENEW: Exchange.
F. RECEIVE GOD’S WORD – VERSE 15.
Our problem really becomes His in verse 17.
G. RESPOND IN PRAISE AND WORSHIP – VERSES 18-21.
H. RELY UPON GOD’S POWER – VERSE. 22.
V. WE HAVE THE CAUSE AND EFFECT THAT IS SEEN HERE.
Read the New Testament equivalent in Acts 16. Paul and Silas were shackled in jail, yet sang and praised God. We are shackled in pride, fear, etc. Praise defeats it all, and we can rest in peace. Amen!
VI. WE HAVE CALMNESS OF HEART, AND IT ALWAYS COMES WHEN THERE IS PRAISE IN LIFE.
A. God got the glory, but sometimes we rob Him of that glory – VERSES 29-30.
B. The Lord was feared, and God gave them rest Why? Because Jehoshaphat learned to praise God. Two important things for us to think about:
- How is our praise life today?
- Is it in need of improvement?
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Hans Nikoley, GSBC Staff
Bro. Nikoley emigrated from Germany to the United States with his family at age 13. He served full time in the Nevada Air National Guard for six years. At age 32, He was saved, and in 1977, he graduated from Bible College. He pastored for over 31 years, 27 of them at Pomerado Road Baptist Church in Poway, California. Bro. Nikoley has served at Golden State Baptist College in the Bible Department and also as the Student Employment Director since 2007. He and his wife Mary have two children and have been married for 58 years.
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