Sermon Series - 2011

Trinity United Methodist Church - Rev. Dr. David N. Wentz


The Holy Spirit 3 - The Greater One

The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4


August 7

August 14

August 21

September 4

September 11

The Greater One, Part 1: Know Your Enemy (Ephesians 6:10-19)

Key verse: Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. 


·       Your enemy is not who you think it is (Ephesians 6:12)

            o   People are not your enemy

            o   The rulers are not who you think they are

            o   All spirits are not good spirits

·       Your enemy is not to be taken lightly (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

            o   Evil is strong

            o   Evil is deceptive

            o   Evil is pervasive

·       Your enemy knows where you live (1 Peter 5:8)

            o   Christians are targets

            o   Churches are targets

            o   Families are targets

·       The Holy Spirit in you is stronger than your enemy (1 John 4:4)

            o   Make sure you are a Christian (Mark 16:16)

            o   Remind the devil of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection (Revelation 12:11)

            o   Use the authority of the name of Jesus to command evil to leave you alone (Mark 16:17)


The Greater One, Part 2:  Know Your Authority

Key verse: Mark 16:17 These signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons.

  • The problem of evil
  • The source of your authority
    • Jesus’ death satisfied God’s justice (Romans 3:25-26)
    • Jesus’ resurrection destroyed the enemy’s greatest weapon (Hebrews 2:14)
    • The same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in every Christian (Romans 8:11)
    • Christians are given the authority to represent that power (Mark 16:17)
  • The range of your authority
    • You cannot violate a person’s free will
    • You cannot command evil spirits to do anything other than be quiet and leave
    • You cannot command angels
    • The manifestations of the Holy Spirit are at the discretion of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11)
  • Using your authority
    • Make sure you have the right (John 1:12)
    • Using your authority for yourself
    • Using your authority for your home
    • Using your authority for others


The Greater One, Part 3:  Know Your Equipment

Key verse: Ephesians 6:13 Take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 

  • Your belt: truth
  • Your body armor: righteousness
  • Your boots: preparation
  • Your shield: faith
  • Your helmet: salvation
  • Your sword: the Bible
  • Your radio: prayer
Use the prayer that Rev. Wentz uses when he puts on the armor.


The Greater One, Part 4: Know Your Assignment (Job 1:6-22)

Key verse: Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

  • That evil day
    • Everyone faces evil days sometimes
    • Our entire post-Christian age could be called an evil day
    • When evil days come, you have three assignments: don’t give in, don’t give up, don’t give ground
  • Take up the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-19 – see last week’s sermon)
    • You need every piece: truth, righteousness, preparation, faith, salvation, the Bible and prayer
    • You need to know how to use it
    • You can’t wait until the arrows are flying to put it on
  • Don’t give in – withstand for yourself
    • Withstand temptation – focus on God’s promises
    • Withstand fear – focus on God’s presence
    • Withstand deception – focus on God’s truth
    • James 4:7 Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
  • Don’t give up – having done everything
    • Know what God is calling you to do
    • Do what God is calling you to do
    • God will give you the strength to finish
    • Philippians 4:13 I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
  • Don’t give ground – stand firm for those who are counting on you
    • Don’t let evil push you around
    • Don’t let evil push your family around
    • Don’t let evil push your country around
    • Don’t let evil push God’s church around
    • 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on everything we taught you.
    • 2 Corinthians1:21 It is God who gives us, along with you, the ability to stand firm for Christ.


The Greater One Part 5: Know Your Victory (Revelation 20:1-15)

Key verse: Revelation 12:11 They have defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony, and they were not afraid to die.  

 

·       They have defeated him . . .

           o   Jesus defeated the devil on a cosmic level (Revelation 20)

           o   You can defeat the devil on a personal level


·       . . . because of the blood of the Lamb . . .

           o   The blood of Jesus paid for your sins (1 John 2:2)

           o   The blood of Jesus destroyed the devil’s claim to you (1 Timothy 2:6)

           o   You can plead the blood of Jesus in your own spiritual battles


·       . . . and because of their testimony . . .

           o   Remembering what God has done for you helps you stand

           o   Telling what God has done for you helps others stand

           o   No one can take away your personal experience


·       . . . and they were not afraid to die.

           o   Fear of death is the devil’s greatest weapon

           o   If we die with Christ, we will be raised with Christ (Romans 6:5)

The Holy Spirit 4 - The Holy Spirit and You

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