Last week in church I preached on the three enemies that the Christian has. Along with these enemies we are given three defenses and three helpers.
The three enemies that the Christian has are the world, the flesh and the devil.
Enemy: The World I John 2:15-17
The Bible is not talking about the mud ball that we live on. It is referring to the philosophy that the world holds. Some people refer to this as a “system.” It is a way of thinking that always points us away from God.
Defense: Faith I John 5:4, 5
We overcome the world through faith.
Helper: God the Father I John 2:15
The more we build a relationship with the Father, the less we can love, or be in agreement with, the world.
Enemy: The Flesh Romans 7:18
This is our sin nature. While we can be saved for eternal life, we still struggle here on earth with the flesh. The flesh attacks different people in different ways. While I don’t struggle with certain sins that may be a constant temptation for you, I still have my battles.
Defense: Walking in the Spirit Galatians 5:16
Walking in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to control your life.
Helper: God the Spirit Romans 8:8, 9
We can please God and fight against the enemy of the flesh only when we are walking under the control of the Spirit of God.
Enemy: The Devil Matthew 25:41
Satan is the leader of all that is evil.
Defense: The Word of God Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus himself was tempted by the Devil and was able to defend against the Devil by using God’s Word.
Helper: God the Son Genesis 3:15
Since chapter 3 of the Bible we have been promised a conqueror over the Devil. Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise.
I am not much of an outliner, therefore I don’t post many of them. Most of the time I just have 3 or 4 words and a list of verses scattered on a 3X5 card and call that my sermon notes. This is such a rare treat for me to have something so structured that I decided to share it with you.
thanks for sharing!