R402 The Believer’s Commission, Pt.4

We have an exciting conclusion to this multipart series on the believers commission coming out next with Dr. Don Wilton this is The Encouraging Word featuring the Bible-based teaching of Dr. Don Wilton well-known author evangelist seminary professor Pastor dear friend and pastor Dr. Billy Graham over 20 years. If you haven't read the book called Saturdays with Billy with Dr. Don for you, consider getting a copy.

It's a powerful you can actually get it on audio as well. Wherever you find books but also with our website@tewonline.orgthatcdwonline.org the resource that everybody's asking about is fortified and the strategy of Satan to powerful resources right there on the front page of TW online.org. Let's open God's word to the book of Ephesians with Dr. Don Wilton the book of Ephesians chapter 6 in verse 10 there is so much that God would lay upon our hearts as we tried to understand his word. I want to read to you again this great passage of Scripture, perhaps for the lost time. These few verses for some time.

So God leads us back to them again, but they also important. You see friends what the Lord is doing here is he is trying to show us how special we really all thought because about Sue. None of us a special we are special not within ourselves, but with in Christ Jesus. God has done for us what we cannot do for us to. And God loves us and he loves you the most marvelous thing about knowing the Lord is that he not only not only commissions us and prepares us buddy… He tells us how to handle the trials of life. He tells us how to anticipate what to do and where to go, many years ago I found myself in a very horrible situation. Many of you probably have been in similar situations.

I was on a battlefield literally and I was in the tank. There were many other tanks with many other foot soldiers support troops and I remember so well coming over the skills through all this Bush and jungle being so afraid and looking ahead through the periscope's and binoculars. My whole heart began to just sink because about 1 mile ahead of us with five starlings organs you want to starlings old and is it's named often.

Joseph Stalin, the communist dictator and oppressor and murderer, and it is an instrument of war that is horrific. I we used in Desert Storm, probably by different name.

Basically it's a missile carrier that stands by itself or on the back of a truck and it has 12 heat seeking missiles in it and when you push it back in those high explosive antitank missiles take off and there is nothing you can do to get out of the way. It is almost guaranteed that they will find a target not jet fighter pilots have a similar experience, and today's modern technology. I jet fighter pilot if he is locked in on by the enemy and the blackness pushed. It is almost impossible for a jet fighter pilot to avoid being taken out by a missile because it has a heatseeking unit unit that will follow the heat that comes out of the back end of a jet fighter, and so they devise methods today that jet fighter pilots actually drop distractions. They are trying to push buttons that pop out other heatseeking devices so that this seems the Parkway of the enemy that is about to destroy them, and I remember 26, 27 years ago, noting that probably my life was about to end and we will. But something happened. No missiles came at us and as we approached the positions firing and doing whatever else we could do these missiles were never fired and finally we overtook this particular section, and the enemy began to flee and we discovered what was wrong. What was wrong was very simple, was that the enemy had five starlings organs, but they didn't know how to operate the and in fact the commanding general of our unit arbitrarily and got on one of them turned around in the direction the enemy would go and push one but an old 12 missiles went in the direction of those that were trying to send them in our direct Part of the apostle Paul in these final words in Ephesians chapter 6 is trying to say to us, dear friends, I want you to know that God cares enough about you that he's not only going to provide you with the wherewithal and the means to counter act the enemy's attack in your life, but he's going to show you how to operate that counteroffensive. Let's read it again. Ephesians chapter 6 and verse 10 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.

That's what we dealing with today. And then in verse 12 we have an adjectival clause if you please.

We have a description of the devil's schemes. Some very important questions with regard to his activities on said in verse 12, but it seems to me that in the preamble that that Paul is saying to us here. This is Michael Paul says I want you to know that you must put on the full armor of God, not because you may be attacked by the devil's schemes. But because what you will be he gives us a guarantee and what Paul is saying here is, he is saying that not if you come under attack, but when you do come under attack.

I want you to know that God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. God provides the counteroffensive God gives us the strength God gives us the wherewithal God gives us the grace to be over comments.

God is the one who provides us with ease, enabling power. That's what Paul says. He says I want you to put on the whole armor of God so that when the devil and his schemes come against you.

You all going to be able to stand.

McKay puts it, he says our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, here it is again so that you may be able to stand your ground, and then I love this little parenthetical comment, don't you, and then off to having done everything you still be able to stand. I want this poolside class. Does he think we are ignorant yes he knows how hard it is to be a human being does Paul think we take a long time to understand these things. Yes, you see, Paul knows because he was one of us and the spirit of God was speaking to him. Paul knows that we are human beings. So what does that mean that means that I wake up sometime on Monday morning and I feel awful. I been diagnosed with cancer.

I have family problems.

I have this need.

I have that need whatever my circumstances and everything comes crashing down on me and God begins to move in my heart and so Paul says when that happens you going to be able to stand.

But what about Tuesday morning.

Is he Paul understood that by the time I get to Wednesday knowing me, and knowing himself, I'm probably going to be attacked by something else. Don't talk to your dentist does not list to think that truth.

I mean I've never been able to understand why all my teachers can't be well all at the same time, and if it's not this attractive stereotype or just become almost exasperated this just never seems to stop what is poolside. He says here, it it it absolutely marvelous before he gets in to a description of the equipment that he makes available to us. He says so that you may be able to stand your ground and then often you have done everything, to stand. In other words, God is not going to give up.

So don't you give up. Please don't give up. Please don't give up.give up praying for your son. Don't give up praying for your wife, my dear brother, if you're in hospital today. Please don't give up. God is with and so what he does at this juncture. He says I want to just tell you something you need to know about your enemy. You never going to be able to stand against them. If you don't know who is. I love reading history as some of you know, and I love to read about the great battles you know you can go and study the commanding generals of the world. Many of the great battle was one not because the power that defeated them was insurmountable, but rather that the commanding general understood his enemy before he attacked it Debbie and did so will. That's why David was able to overcome Goliath with just a little pebble because he knew God was on his side and he knew the dog talk to basketball coaches and football coaches the best head coaches are not just those who have good players in the team the best head coaches are those who understand the opposition before they play them.

That's why" when he goes and he starts and he looks at the opposition he's able to say listen, I'm going to match this board with that for the center with that center wide just because the supplier is good. No, but because he's the best offense of weapon to use against the opposition.

Maybe he's got a special way of maneuvering that goal that is going to bamboozle the opposition. Maybe he's tall enough that he can get all over everybody maybe can throw touchdowns in certain circumstances, and so he switches his quarterback at a key life, not because that plan is the best quarterback because he's the best person to stand ground under those circumstances. So our question is who's the fence look at this, just for a moment just promote who is the Bible says he's the chief angel. The anointed cherub, the star of the morning Bible tells us that Satan sparkled before the fall, but what was his problem in Isaiah chapter 14 and Ezekiel 28. The Bible says that this enemy list one that he tried to usurp God's power and glory, and God will not tolerate that God is told as thou shalt have no other gods before me. He told us. I am the Lord your I am who I am and Satan himself is sparking Angel said wait a minute I'm going to become the great I am, God said you that's how Satan became Satan. He appeared as a serpent in Genesis chapter 3 in Luke chapter 10 in John's Gospel, Jesus not only spoke about him, but in Matthew's gospel chapter 4 he spoke with him in the Bible tells us more about it that he's got many names this enemy we must understand he was the anointed cherub in Ezekiel chapter 28 the rear of the demons in Luke 11 the ruler of the world. In John chapter 16 the God of this world in second Corinthians chapter 4 the prince of the power of the air in Ephesians chapter 2 we looked at a year ago.

The great Dragon, the roaring lion of second Peter chapter 2, seeking whom he may devour the vile one. The attempt of the accuser in Revelation chapter 11, by the way, I hope that you do not list the study in the book of Revelation at 615 29.

I mean folks to be ever wondered what the number 666 means. Look at Revelation chapter 13 in the last verse Bible tells us that Satan, the word Satan appears out of the 52 times.

By the way.

One of what Satan means means adversary, but then over 35 times the word therefore appears has one of those in Ephesians 5 to 6 in verse 11.

The devil's schemes is not the word devil means's longer.

That's what the word devil means's longer never call someone up there with you calling them a stronger why because that is someone who is systematically about the business of destroying another person's character ice along the river is someone who systematically and deliberately sets about the cost of breaking down this beautiful personality that God has created cold. Satan called the devil you know Satan has been corrupting ever since the fall. He's evil. He is formidable he is powerful. He is active in the Bible says he is an invisible foe. So what is Satan do we need to understand Satan what is he do well there's a lot of things that he does family therapy with with you number one. He opposes God's work Zechariah chapter 3 in verse one. He opposes God's work. Listen to this. If you are doing what God wants you to do in the work of God.

Satan is against. I don't need a deacons meeting for this site is against someone said to the preacher one time preacher what you think of sin and the preacher said I'm against tremendous tremendous sermon right there massive I mean that's got so many points behind it on the get Satan opposes God's work number two he perverts God's word read about that in Matthew chapter 4 verse six he takes God's word. Any twists he perverts. He turns it to suit his own in number three. He hinders God's servants. First Thessalonians chapter 2 in verse 18 he gets in the white, not by the way, that would hinder neurotic means. It means he tripped him up when I was a boy. I have brothers in my home. My absolute favorite thing to do with my brothers, especially my older brother is one way that I could get to him, we be walking down the road.

All of us.

I just fall back without anybody knowing and ingested a key moment. I just stick My turn to start. You know I do. If you can catch a person's foot. Watch this now young fee if you can catch a person's foot while they walking at about that and just just not you know what happens to them thereover and if it's your big brother. He's always knows I don't recommend this for anybody here, you know that that's what Satan does. That's the word hinders win-win Satan hinders God's people. He walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour and literally and figuratively. He walks behind God, people, and he waits for your foot to be in the right position and when it's in the right position. Guess what he does. Sometimes it's the motorcycle unnoticed thing, but he just sticks out his foot and he just any hits you at your most vulnerable point and what he wants to do is he wants you to land flat on your note forgive interruption. But as we understand that truth that Satan wants us to fall flat, and he knows our vulnerability when the joys of our ministries to pray you through those moments of of of temptation.

The great thing about 866899 word that's our connection on our prayer line are our encouragement line 866-899-9673 is that we can be there for you on those odd hours that maybe you wouldn't bother her friend, Dr. Don says we all need to a.m. friends.

That's what's important about being in a small group in your local church. But when you can't reach someone we are always available at 866-899-9673 2 AM in the morning anytime day or night to talk with you to pray with you to encourage you.

That's 866899673 different radical keyboard keyboard meet us on our website. DEW online.org is also a great place to share prayer request appraisal report. Just know that we are able to connect with you online@dewonline.org or that phone number 866-899-9673 back today's teaching with Dr. Don Wilton and when you get up. He does it again and when you get up. He does it again.

That's what the Bible says Satan hinders God's servants, he interrupts the flow. Number four. He prevents God's gospel interest in second Corinthians chapter 4. That means that he he puts up roadblocks to the flow of God's gospel and number five.

He confuses receptive heart. That's what happens. You see, not only does the Satan trip us up all the time and try and get us to stumble but he he prevents the gospel from getting into our hearts and what he does is he confuses our hearts right at the point of impact. What he does he sends out flares and he sends out deceptive devices and he sends out things that would distract and cause detours every time the gospel is preached. There are people who come right to the point of saying yes to the Lord Jesus Christ and right there at that moment Satan gets in and says now you don't want to do that. Imagine what all those people are going to think if you walk down that your businessman in the community that they might see you and you know what what your family going think you been going to church for 20 years. Now all of a sudden you say you need to give your heart to Jesus what you think. I gonna think of you and you know you know you don't need to believe everything that that preacher said, you know, take a little bit with a pinch of salt what you need to do is you need to take God's word and you need a translated figuratively. Everything is figurative, but symbolical in the it doesn't actually mean what it's saying but you, you know, if you dig enough you might come out with some you see Satan confuses receptive heart. Number 60 raises false Christ, we looking at that in in Revelation Matthew chapter 24. No different. He raises false Christ.

People who talk like the Lord Jesus, and who claim to have a walk with Jesus, but they are the embodiment and the personification of Satan himself.

He snares the wicked. He puts them in snares and trade-ins. According to one Timothy chapter 3 in verse seven he propagates individual believes and lifestyles that are not of God. He causes doubts and questions. He leads people into temptation and how does he do this and where does he do this. The Bible tells us about that in verse 12. It's not always things that we can see our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but those things dear friends that we cannot see and what is he saying here about powers of this dark world and spiritual forces in heavenly places.

He is saying beloved friends listen to me carefully, that each one of these is a category of demon act 70 followed by a category that carries with it a low level of demonic authority and pulled here says you want to know the enemy you want to know the due. You gotta understand that he has a specific activity and that he carries a specific authority. You know, something he hasn't been defeated.

He has been defeated.

I want to get to the end of the book before we but Jesus Christ has completely defeated site.

You and I can have the victory all and that victory is so sweet. I pray that you are part of the family of God that can rest in the assurance of that victory to know that you know the underside of it that you belong to Jesus Christ.

But if that's not the case. You got questions, let's pray with you 866-899-WORD is the phone number that's 866899673 would love to talk to you about anything, especially giving your life to Christ. How do you do that here is Dr. Don ready to give your heart walk to the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm so happy to hear that wanted to pray this prayer with me today.

Dear God, I know that you love me very, very, and I know that the Lord Jesus Christ came God on the cross so that I might be forgiven of my sick day. I repainted myself. I confess my sin. And I invite you to come and Jesus if you prayed that prayer that may be the first one to welcome you to the family of God.

This is one I hope that you know how much I'm going to be praying how very important this is for me. Call us so we can talk to connect to the right ice you can begin this wonderful June so exciting to see how God is at work great in these last few moments. The Lord has business with. Perhaps moments ago you prayed along with her pastor Dr. Don Wilton gave your life to Christ the first time. If so, welcome to the family of God really so excited for you want to help you in the next steps. Or perhaps you just rededicate your life. It's time for a brand-new beginning. We have new resources for you as well to help develop the roots of your faith and help you grow and stretch out the branches of the you will be bearing fruit for God in a fresh way want to give us a call for those free resources at 8668. That's 866-899-9673. There also great free resources on our website, you can sign up for the daily Encouraging Word email from Dr. Don sign up, and every morning about 6 o'clock Eastern. You can email with encouraging words with great teaching wonderful application of Scripture you can do that online@tewonline.org and sign up for a hard copy of quarterly version we send out every quarter. That's all online@twonline.org are you spiritually transfer today's battles Christian the word of God clicks to prepare spiritual reminder Ephesians 612 for our struggle is not against black, but against principalities and powers forces and replace Jolene. Dr. will exclude steering understand that OBRA teaching had a particular spiritual armor whether you the bonus strategy for how to get more 866-899-WORD 669996 sending three strategies of forgiveness $25. Thank you for supporting The Encouraging Word to proclaim the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. We had tremendous teaching from Dr. Don Wilton in the series on the believers commission. Perhaps you didn't get to hear it all.

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