God’s Kingdom: Spiritual Warfare
Introduction: What do you think of when you think of spiritual warfare?
Ephesians 1:21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every
name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Jesus Christ
Where is Jesus in terms of his position in the universe?
Revelation 5:11-12 11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels,
numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They
encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they
were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and
strength and honor and glory and praise!”
Hebrews 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will
inherit salvation?
Angels, Ministering Spirits
What are the two main functions of angels from these verses?
Note: Angels also are seen in OT as being messengers of God, sometimes
appearing to people i.e. Abraham in Genesis 18, etc. and in the end times, as
bringing God’s judgment on the earth (Revelation 8).
Isaiah 14:12-15 12 How you have fallen from heaven morning star, son of the
dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne
above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost
heights of Mount Zaphon.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most
High.” 15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.
Fallen Angels (Satan, demons)
Note: Most Bible scholars see this passage both as an Old Testament event and as
describing one of the most important things to ever happen in the spirit realm... a
rebellion by one third of the angels. (Revelation 12:1-9)
How was Satan described before he rebelled against God?
What happened to this powerful angel that caused him to rebel against God?
What happened to him in the end? (v. 15)
Ephesians 6:10-12 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s
schemes. 12 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.
Revelation 12:9 So that huge dragon – the ancient serpent, the one called the devil
and Satan, who deceives the whole world – was thrown down to the earth, and his
angels along with him. (NET Bible)
I John 5:18-20 18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the
One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control
of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us
understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true
by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are
perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they
cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image
of God.
Satan’s schemes toward unbelievers
Who is our main fight against in this life? (Ephesians 6:12)
What is one thing Satan has power to do? (Revelation 12:9 Because he does this
what does he do to the world? (1 John 5:19)
Note: Satan had power to deceive sinless Adam and Eve. We have a sinful human
nature so we are even more easily deceived!
What does Satan do to the world? (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil.
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your
father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for
there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar
and the father of lies.
Genesis 3:1-6 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the
LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat
from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,
3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the
garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows
that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,
knowing good and evil.”
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to
the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also
gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Satan’s schemes towards believers
What did Satan have the power to do to Jesus? (Matthew 4:1)
What is Satan’s main weapon? (John 8:44)
What did Satan first call Eve’s attention to in the garden? (Genesis 3:1)
What lie did Satan tell Eve? (Genesis 3:4-5)
When Satan suggested what he did in verse 5 how did this cause Adam and Eve to
doubt God’s goodness? (Genesis 5:5)
Note: One of the main things Satan does to get us to sin, is to cause us to doubt
God’s power, or his love and care for us. We feel God is withholding things from us.
Some other things to remember about Satan
1. Satan is a created being. He is not _________ to God!
2. He is not omnipotent (all-powerful) omnipresent (present everywhere), omniscient
(all-knowing)
3. He is like a chained _____. His power is limited, but you don’t want to put yourself
within his reach. (1 Peter 5:8)
4. ______ was not made for Satan and the demons and eventually will be
sentenced there for eternity, along with those who do not choose to follow Christ
John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the
truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell
you what is yet to come.
The Holy Spirit’s role
If Satan is the liar what is our main weapon against him?
How does the Holy Spirit help us fight Satan?
Note: Every time Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)
he quoted Scripture (the truth) to him.
Ephesians 2:4-6 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by
grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with
him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
Our position in Christ
What did God do for us even when we were dead in our sins and transgressions?
Why does God not leaves us in our sinful condition?
When we were saved, even though we are still living on earth, where are we seated?
How does knowing we are seated with Christ help us fight our enemy?
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.
Fighting our enemy
What two things does James tell us to do to fight Satan?
What happens when we do those things?
God’s Kingdom: Spiritual Warfare
Introduction: What do you think of when you think of spiritual warfare?
Jesus Christ
Ephesians 1:21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every
name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Where is Jesus in terms of his position in the universe? In the spiritual realm - far
above all rule and authority
Revelation 5:11-12 11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels,
numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They
encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they
were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and
strength and honor and glory and praise!”
Hebrews 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will
inherit salvation?
Angels, Ministering Spirits
What are the two main functions of angels from these verses?
leading the worship in the spiritual realms; ministering spirits towards believers
Note: Angels also are seen in OT as being messengers of God, sometimes
appearing to people i.e. Abraham in Genesis 18, etc. and in the end times, as
bringing God’s judgment on the earth (Revelation 8).
Isaiah 14:12-15 12 How you have fallen from heaven morning star, son of the
dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne
above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost
heights of Mount Zaphon.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most
High.” 15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.
Fallen Angels (Satan, demons)
Note: Most Bible scholars see this passage both as an Old Testament event and as
describing one of the most important things to ever happen in the spirit realm... a
rebellion by one third of the angels. (Revelation 12:1-9)
How was Satan described before he rebelled against God?
Morning Star, son of dawn, or in other words, glorious and powerful angel
What happened to this powerful angel that caused him to rebel against God?
He became proud and decided he wanted to replace God... to become like God.
What happened to him in the end? (v. 15)
He was cast down to the depths / realm of the dead / down to earth.
Ephesians 6:10-12 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s
schemes. 12 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.
Revelation 12:9 So that huge dragon – the ancient serpent, the one called the devil
and Satan, who deceives the whole world – was thrown down to the earth, and his
angels along with him. (NET Bible)
I John 5:18-20 18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the
One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control
of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us
understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true
by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are
perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they
cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image
of God.
Satan’s schemes toward unbelievers
Who is our main fight against in this life? (Ephesians 6:12) Spiritual powers and
authorities, powers of this dark world, spiritual forces of evil heavenly realms
What is one thing Satan has power to do? (Revelation 12:9) Because he does this
what does he do to the world? (1 John 5:19) to deceive the world. He controls the
world.
Note: Satan had power to deceive sinless Adam and Eve. We have a sinful human
nature so we are even more easily deceived!
What does Satan do to the world? (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) Blinds the world
Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil.
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your
father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for
there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar
and the father of lies.
Genesis 3:1-6 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the
LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat
from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,
3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the
garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows
that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,
knowing good and evil.”
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to
the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also
gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Satan’s schemes towards believers
What did Satan have the power to do to Jesus? (Matthew 4:1) Tempt him
What is Satan’s main weapon? (John 8:44) Direct lies or half truths / getting people
to doubt the goodness of God.
What did Satan first call Eve’s attention to in the garden? (Genesis 3:1) The
forbidden tree?
What lie did Satan tell Eve? (Genesis 3:4-5) that she would not die. That she would
become like God. (That’s what Satan had wanted to do!)
When Satan suggested what he did in verse 5 how did this cause Adam and Eve to
doubt God’s goodness? (Genesis 5:5) It would have caused them to wonder what
knowledge God was trying to hide or keep from them.
Note: One of the main things Satan does to get us to sin, is to cause us to doubt
God’s power, or his love and care for us. We feel God is withholding things from us.
Some other things to remember about Satan
1. Satan is a created being. He is not equal to God!
2. He is not omnipotent (all-powerful) omnipresent (present everywhere), omniscient
(all-knowing)
3. He is like a chained lion. His power is limited, but you don’t want to put yourself
within his reach. (1 Peter 5:8)
4. Hell was not made for Satan and the demons and eventually will be sentenced
there for eternity, along with those who do not choose to follow Christ.
John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the
truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell
you what is yet to come.
The Holy Spirit’s role
If Satan is the liar what is our main weapon against him? Truth
How does the Holy Spirit help us fight Satan? He guides us us into the truth (God’s
Word)
Note: Every time Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)
he quoted Scripture (the truth) to him. Satan told half truths to Jesus
Ephesians 2:4-6 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by
grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with
him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
Our position in Christ
What did God do for us even when we were dead in our sins and transgressions?
made us alive in him, saved us by grace and raised us up with Christ and seated us
in the heavenly realms.
Why does God not leaves us in our sinful condition? Because of his great love for us.
When we were saved, even though we are still living on earth, where are we seated?
with Christ in the heavenly realms
How does knowing we are seated with Christ help us fight our enemy?
The power comes from him. Jesus already defeated Satan by raising from the dead.
Fighting our enemy
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.
What two things does James tell us to do to fight Satan? Submit / Resist
What happens when we do those things?