Mark 8:31-33

Mark 8:31-33

Peter rebukes Jesus for saying He was going to die and leave them
Rebuke – means to disapprove, criticize, to respond sternly
*Peter was trying to stop the plan of God from happening.  Jesus rebukes Peter…
Jesus realized that He was not fighting against Peter…It was Satan himself…
Points To Note:
1. our battle is against demons and not specifically the devil
2. you do not have to look for demons.  They will find you
3. Not everything is demonic or from the devil.  The flesh fights us also – Gal 5:16-21
     HOW DO WE GET AND MAINTAIN VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY?
1. Know the enemy is already defeated through the blood and cross of Jesus Christ
2. Get your mouth aligned with the Word of God – Prov 18:21
3. DO NOT BE INVOLVED WITH THE OCCULT – Deut 18:9-14
abomination – means unclean…disgusting…wicked
                a. Ephesians 4:27 – do not give any opportunity to the devil
                b. the occult cannot help you out in any way – Is 47:10-14a & 8:19
                c. occult activities – the occult consists of witchcraft and magical arts.
It is anything associated with demons and satan
***sacrificing children to gods (molech) – v10
-this would be burning, dedicating and sacrificing children to false gods
***Observer of times -soothsayer – divination – omens—telling the future
***Witchcraft – placing magic spells and curses on people
***medium or spiritist – contact with demonic forces…the gaining of information
***Necromancer  – communicate with the dead
Acts 19:18-20 – all believers must get rid of all occultic material
Revelation 21:8 & Galatians 5:20-21 – the eternal destination of those involved in occult activities
4. DO NOT LOSE YOUR FIGHT – 2 Timothy 4:7
Life is a fight many times……….do not grow weary in the battle…
-a spiritual fight and a practical fight
How do we fight?
a. personally and corporately on our knees
b. through the authority we have in Jesus Christ
c. allow the Lord to fight for you
Practical Fighting
(1) BE A VOICE – Dt 32:3 and Matthew 3:1-11
-being a voice changes our families, community, peoples’s lives and our nation
-we must be a voice because:
1. of the last words of Jesus – Matthew 28:18-20
2. 600,000 people die every day in the world
3. we are the only ones who have the answer for eternity
4. we will stand before the lord one day
(2) VOTE – 1 Tim 2:1-4…Proverbs 29:2
-it does make a difference who we vote for
-vote for people whose values are closest to the Bible
5. SUBMIT TO GOD – James 4:7
-this is personal obedience to the Lord
-this is obeying the Word of God and voice of God
-we are now obedient children after we are saved – 1 Peter 1:14 & Eph 2:1-3
Let’s all have radical obedience just like Jesus – Phil 2:5-8
—do not be stubborn – 1 Samuel 15:23
             1. Obey the Word of God
-do not make excuses – the Word is relevant for todays culture
             2. Obey the voice of God
-the Lord will speak to you personally…It won’t be for everyone – just you…
-when we submit to God, the enemy has to flee because we identify with the Lord and not satan and his rebellion