The document discusses the power that Christians have been given to overcome Satan and the forces of evil. It references several Bible passages that describe how Jesus gave his disciples power and authority over demons. Even though Satan is ultimately defeated, believers still face spiritual opposition and must resist the devil through submitting to God and standing firm in their faith. The power of the Holy Spirit enables Christians to spread the gospel and perform signs and wonders as witnessed in the Book of Acts.
2. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your
understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His
calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and
what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power…”
Ephesians 1:17-19
In the context of the great controversy between
Christ and Satan, we need God to give us wisdom
so we can understand the privileges of being in
Christ’s side.
1. The hope of His calling. Satan may offer
deceitful hopes, but our live is already full of
Christian hope.
2. The glorious inheritance. God has made us His
children and heirs; we enjoy all the privileges of
being heirs.
3. The greatness of His power. The divine power is
at our disposal. He has already overcome; we
may overcome because of His power.
3. “…which He worked in Christ when He
raised Him from the dead and seated
Him at His right hand in the heavenly
places, far above all principality and
power and might and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in
this age but also in that which is to
come. And He put all things under His
feet, and gave Him to be head over
all things to the church”
Ephesians 1:20-22
“What then shall we say to these
things? If God is for us, who can
be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
The apostle uses the resurrection
and exaltation of Christ as an
indubitable proof of His power to
overcome “principality and power
and might and dominion”; that is,
any satanic power that might harm
us.
4. How can we be certain that we’ll have
victory when reading Romans 8:26-39?
The Holy Spirit helps us; He intercedes for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered (26-27)
All things work together to those who love God. He
calls us and helps us in growing. He has prepared a
glorious future for us (28-30)
God justifies us through the sacrifice of Jesus. No
one may condemn us (31-34)
Nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ. We
are MORE THAN CONQUERORS (35-39)
Victory is ours, but that doesn’t save us from the
difficulties of the battle.
We need God to give us faith so we may cling to that
sureness in our hard times.
5. Although we already know that
Satan is a defeated enemy, we
must not despise his power. We
must remember that we cannot
defeat Him by ourselves.
The Bible tells us to yield to God;
then we will face up the “roaring
lion”, resist it and overcome.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because
your adversary the devil walks
about like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour.
Resist him, steadfast in the
faith, knowing that the same
sufferings are experienced by
your brotherhood in the world”
(1 Peter 5:8-9)
“Therefore submit
to God. Resist the
devil and he will
flee from you”
(James 4:7)
6. The fallen angels were ready to putting
up strong resistance when the apostles
were sent to spread the Gospel.
That’s why Jesus “gave them power over
unclean spirits”, telling them to:
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out
demons” (Matthew, 10: 1, 8)
The disciples received authority “over all the power of the
enemy” (Luke 10: 19).
The seventy came back joyful because the
demons surrendered to them.
7. “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were
done among the people… so that they brought the sick out into the
streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow
of Peter passing by might fall on some of them” (Acts 5:12-15)
8. “Now it happened, as we went
to prayer, that a certain slave
girl possessed with a spirit of
divination met us, who brought
her masters much profit by
fortune-telling. This girl
followed Paul and us, and cried
out, saying, “These men are
the servants of the Most High
God, who proclaim to us the
way of salvation.” And this she
did for many days. But Paul,
greatly annoyed, turned and
said to the spirit, “I command
you in the name of Jesus Christ
to come out of her.” And he
came out that very hour”
(Acts 16:16-18)
9. As we so well know, the great controversy between Christ and Satan,
though settled finally at the cross, is to rage until the end of time. Thus,
Christ’s followers must be engaged in the victorious side of the conflict by
seeking to fulfill the gospel commission.
“Christ rejoiced that He could do more for His followers than
they could ask or think. He spoke with assurance, knowing that
an almighty decree had been given before the world was
made. He knew that truth, armed with the omnipotence of the
Holy Spirit, would conquer in the contest with evil; and that the
bloodstained banner would wave triumphantly over His
followers. He knew that the life of His trusting disciples would
be like His, a series of uninterrupted victories, not seen to be
such here, but recognized as such in the great hereafter”
E.G.W. (The Desire of ages, cp. 73, pg. 633-634)
10. ADAPT it!
Teaching Approach
Effective for
SMALL GROUPS
ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?
DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?
APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?
PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?
TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life
?
We invite you to download and study
each one of the 13 lessons about
“Growing in Christ”
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