October 30-31, 2004, Eph. 6:10-18, Selected

THE AMAZING RACE!
WATCHING OUT FOR ROADBLOCKS!

*** Galatians 5:7-8 “You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn't come from the One who called you into the race in the first place.” [Message Bible]
*** Ephesians 6:10-13 “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. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” [New International Version]

THREE THINGS WE MUST DO IF WE WANT TO AVOID ROADBLOCKS AND FINISH THE AMAZING RACE!

1. WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AN ACTIVE ADVERSARY!
*** 1 Peter 5:8 “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.” [Contemporary English Version]

A BRIEF BIBLICAL BIOGRAPHY OF SATAN:

A. HE WAS AN ANGEL! – Job 1:6
B. HE FELL FROM HEAVEN DUE TO PRIDE! – Isaiah 14:12-14; Revelation 12:7-9
C. HE MUST ASK GOD'S PERMISSION TO PUT ROADBLOCKS UP! –
Job 1:9-12; 2:3-6; Luke 22:31)
D. HE ISN'T OMNISCIENT OR OMNIPRESENT! – Job 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8
E. HE IS ALREADY CONDEMNED TO ETERNAL PUNISHMENT! - 2 Peter 2:4; Rev. 20:10

SATAN’S BATTLE STRATEGY!

A. TEMPTING!
*** Matthew 4:1 “Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil.” [NIV]
*** Eph. 2:2 “You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” [NIV]
B. BLINDING!
*** Acts 26:18 “I want you to open their eyes, so that they will turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God." [CEV]
*** 2 Cor. 4:4 “Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News…. They don't understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ….” [NLT]
C. AFFLICTING!
*** Luke 13:16 “This woman that I healed, a daughter of Abraham, has been held by Satan for eighteen years!" [New Century Version]
*** 2 Cor. 12:7 “To keep me from becoming conceited… there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” [NIV]
D. DECEIVING!
*** 2 Cor. 2:11 “I don't want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan's scheming.” [God’s Word to the Nations]
*** 2 Cor. 11:14 “This does not surprise us. Even Satan changes himself to look like an angel of light.” [NCV]
*** Is. 5:20 “Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good & good is evil; that dark is light & light is dark; that bitter is sweet & sweet is bitter.” [NLT]
E. ROAD BLOCKING!
*** 1 Thes. 2:18 “We really wanted to come…but Satan always stopped us.” [CEV]

2. WE HAVE TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE!
*** Eph. 6:10-11,14 “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…. Stand firm then….” [NIV]
*** Eph. 6:14-18 “So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right living on your chest. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. Accept God's salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need.” [NCV]

3. WE HAVE TO FINISH WELL!
*** 1 Cor. 9:24-27 “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step…. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

FOUR STEPS TO FINISHING WELL!

A. PROCEED- BE RUNNING! – “You also must run….”
*** Heb. 12:1 “We must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us.” [CEV]
SOME NEED TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP, OTHERS THE NEXT STEP!

B. PREPARE– BE DISCIPLINED! – “All athletes practice strict self-control…. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.”
[Any Pastor]@chandlercc.org

C. PURSUE– BE FOCUSED! – “Run in such a way that you will win…an eternal prize!”
*** Phil. 3:17 “Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.” [Msg]

D. PERSIST– NEVER QUIT! -
*** 2 Tim. 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.” [NLT]

“I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.” Phil. 3:14 [Msg]