Matt Nelson - July 16, 2023
Summer Sundays - Week 3 - Schemes and Strategies
Summer Sunday Schemes and Strategies 7.16.23 Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. There is a tactical shrewdness the enemy uses. The devil seldom attacks openly but transforms himself into an “angel of light” where we are caught unsuspecting. He is a dangerous wolf that enters Christ’s flock as a sheep. Sometimes he roars like a lion, but prefers to be more subtle like a serpent. – John Stott 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 2 Samuel 11:1-3 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. If you were your own enemy, what strategies, tactics and schemes would you use against you? Discernment: the ability to distinguish and understand between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, and good and evil. It involves perceiving and comprehending spiritual truths, making sound judgments, and making choices that align with God’s will In order to walk in discernment: Rooted in scripture Tested by the church and community of faith Consistent with the character of God and the person of Jesus Sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit Clothed in humility We have power and authority over Satan through the finished work of Jesus We must use wisdom and discernment to continually be aware of the tactics and strategies of the enemy in our lives Ephesians 6:13-20 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. THREE COMMANDS: Be strong in the Lord Put on the full armor of God Stand firm If you were your own enemy, what strategies, tactics, and schemes would you use against you?