Lst wk I was speaking about – battle for our hearts that is being waged every moment that we’re alive

Satan enslaves people by using a simple weapon but one that is very effective – power of suggestion

• whole plan is based on agreements, Satan makes a suggestion, & we begin to agree with what he’s saying

& little by little, he gains ground in someones heart until they believe what he is saying is true

go back to

I Tim. 5: 14-15 again

I will then the younger women marry bear children guide – house, give none occasion to – adversary to speak reproachfully for some are already turned aside after Satan

Satan comes and tells you a lie & you agree & before long, your doing his will

most of – stuff that people are trying to work out in counseling offices, – depression and other mental issues are really agreements that they have made with – enemy

he accused you of something, you agreed & now your in bondage and have lost your freedom in Jesus Christ

Satan loves to destroy every life he says God has betrayed you, a loving God wouldn’t allow you to suffer why walk with him, you can’t trust him

little do we realize, we’re in a fight for our hearts

When we sin, big or little, Satan will attempt to get a foothold in your life

don’t let him, realize that your in a battle & – enemy is there to steal, to kill & to destroy

We have to come to – realization that when we accepted Christ, he gave us a new heart

one that is full of joy and of his glory, a heart that is covered by – blood of Jesus Christ

we are forgivened for past, present & future sins we are in a new & wonderful covenant with almighty God

But Satan is campaigning to hide from Christians our new covenant, he wants us to believe that our hearts are desperately wicked & sadly, most have lost – war

Do you ever wonder how someone who said they had accepted Christ, went to church but then turn around later on and walk away from – Lord?

Its because Satan whispered in their ear lies about – Lord and his love for them

perhaps something in their life went terribly wrong and Satan was right there whispering, see I told you so, your better off with-out him & they bought his lies

Do you ever wonder how someone who said they were once a Christian & then they left Christianity for an entirely different religion?

Same thing, Satan whispered, theres a better faith to follow that will fulfill your every want & they bought – lie, and today they are in bondage to Satan

Have you ever wondered how someone can become a homosexual? Again: Satan whispers in their ear that they’re different,

just embrace it and forget about what people say & little by little they start agreeing with whats being whispered and they buy – lie

Think about this: Other than Satan, who is – next biggest enemy of – children of Jesus Christ? Those who are religious

those who are religious have always been – most insidious enemy of true faith because their not glaring opponents but rather impostors

who did Jesus tangle with more than anyone else? Those who were religious (Pharisees)

who started – rumors to discredit his ministry?

Who kept trying to trick him with loaded questions?

Who paid Judas 30 silver pieces?

Who called for Barabbas?

Who got – crowd to cry crucify him?

It was – religious to all of that & more

its easier to deal with a raving pagan than a religious person

but we don’t wrestle with flesh & bone, those who are religious, are nothing more than puppets on a string & Satan is – puppet master

Gen. 3:4 and – serpent said unto – woman, ye shall not surely die

Satan says, there is no war going on for your hearts, God is – one who is deceiving you, not me!

I’m on your side

 

Satan loves to use religion, but it kills – heart

Look at what goes on with-in religion today

church after church have all kinds of counseling services for – sick, but no one is ever cured

most churches no longer sing onward Christian soldiers because they felt ridiculous singing it

they prefer up beat & modern music that no longer stirs – soul or brings conviction to our hearts

we think theres no war, no battle, my life is going well, no one is bothering me but our lives are at stake

Turn to Matt 4

Satan is doing his best to capture our hearts & put us in bondage to him

Jesus was actively involved with spiritual warfare and he wants it to be an essential part of our everyday lives also

Now what proof do I have that Jesus wants us involved with spiritual warfare & this is how Satan works?

Matt 4 this is about – temptation of Christ & what does Satan do to Christ? He whispers in his ear 3 temptations

Jesus came down to us to be born among us and to be identified with us

he grew up as any other child would, except he was harmless and without sin

when he was baptized, by John – Baptist, is when Jesus was identified with us, but now he is going to be tested

& – question is, can – King be able to withstand a test and can he overcome it

• word tempt has a two-fold meaning, incite or entice to do evil or to seduce

there is something in all of us which causes us to engage in evil, but this was not true of Jesus

it says in Jn 14:30 that – prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me

Jesus was holy, harmless, undefiled & separate from sinners, and there was nothing in Jesus that Satan could capture

so – temptation for Jesus had to be different from what would cause us to fall, a temptation far greater than anything we can imagine

but – question is: could Jesus have fallen?

Let me answer that this way

If Jesus could have fallen, then you and I do no have a sure & trusted Savior

actually, he could not be a savior at all

so if he could not have fallen, then why bother testing him to see if he could?

when a new part is developed for a machine, it is put through many tests to prove it can stand -test

just as a diamond is tested to prove its genuine, – real thing and not a phony

in – same way, Jesus was put to – test to prove he was genuine, – real deal

he was tested to prove he was exactly who he claimed to be, and he passed with flying colors, he proved he is God

& since he is God, he has – credentials to be our Savior

But thats exactly why we needed a Savior, because we do fall, when Satan comes against us and tempts us, often we give in

And thats why God sent his perfect Son, who could not fall and poured out his love and his blood on that cross, to cover our sins, so that we can have our entrance into heaven

all we have to do is accept Christ, ask for forgiveness of our sin & he covers us

Vs:2-3

says that after Jesus had fasted 40 days and nights he was hungry and Satan tempted him with food

 

The first temptation that Satan brought to Jesus was physical, you’ll remember it was – first temptation he brought to Eve

and that will always be – first thing he will tempt you & me with, something physical, something that pleases our flesh

This is how we begin to understand how to fight in a spiritual battle, recognize – physical temptations that comes

& then in vs 5-6 Satan takes him up to – pinnacle of – temple & says throw yourself off and the angels will catch you

this is a Spiritual temptation

you’ll notice in vs7 Jesus replies don’t tempt – Lord thy God

A spiritual temptation is an attempt to get us to walk away from God, we don’t need him, you can do it yourself

We can’t do anything outside of God, this world would end today if it wasn’t for God

& when we get – idea that we don’t need – Lords help, your in – spiritual war

Vs 8-9 Satan again for – 3^rd time shows Jesus all – kingdoms of – world and offers them to him if only he will Worship – Devil

this last temptation is psychological, mans lust for power

Vs10 Jesus answers him by saying thou shalt worship – Lord thy God and only serve him

Satan knows man & he knows he always wants more & more & folks when you start thinking in those terms, wake up, your in a war for your heart

Satan has no new tricks, he has had – same old bag since creation

Physical, Spiritual & Psychological temptations is always – pattern & – reason why he doesn’t try anything new is because it works, why change something that works?

The problem we have is that we are ignorant of his devises & thats why we have to have – right tools in order to be successful in winning – war

& – tool that God gave us is – Word of God

you’ll notice everytime Satan came to Jesus with an accusation, he answered him with scripture

1^st answer came from Deut 8:3, 2^nd from Deut 6:16, – 3^rd from 6:13 & 10:20

We will never be successful in our war with Satan unless we know – Word of God

Jesus never once said, “well I think this, or I believe that, or I feel that!!!

He gave definite answers from Gods Word & it must have worked because in Matt 4:11 it says Satan left

• only way we can be successful in – battle for our hearts, is that we know – Word of God

This week is thanksgiving & maybe your thinking why isn’t our Pastor talking about how – pilgrims came & started America & what turkey tastes like??

Pilgrims did come & yes they did start a great nation & I turkey does taste great especially with some olives or bbq

because of capitalism, we have enjoyed freedom as Christians as no other country, we have enjoyed riches & blessings as no other

because of how our nation has been, we were able to spread – gospel around – world

but Satan has been busy whispering in – ears of our citizens that capitalism & – American way is greedy and harmful and we need change & those ears have bought Satan lies

I’m thankful that we can see – spiritual battle that we’re in this Thanksgiving week and begin to pray for this country to wake up before its too late

I’m thankful that we have – Word of God to battle against Satan give us the answers that we need so desperately

I’m thankful this Thanksgiving for a family that Loves Jesus Christ

I’m thankful this Thanksgiving for a church where we feel accepted & loved

& Sal & I am thankful this thanksgiving for a church family that we can love