Terry Scheuffele

Spiritual Warfare: The Bad Guys –
Powers of This Dark World

Introduction & Review:

• 1. We are Skeptical of the Supernatural.
• 2. The Spiritual Realm Consists of Good Guys & Bad Guys…
• 3. Good Guys include the One True God & Other Created Spiritual Beings .
• 4. These Other Spiritual Beings have Free Will and Can Sin.
• 5. Bad Guys: There have been at Least Three Rebellions.
  • a. # 1– Genesis 3—Serpent/Satan
  • b. # 2– Genesis 6 —Sons of God/Nephilim/ Unclean Spirits.
  • c. # 3– Genesis 11 —Powers of This Dark World
• 6. Who/What are these Powers? (Ephesians 6:12; Ephesians 1:20-21; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 2:8).

More Bad Guys

1. The Third Rebellion — Genesis 11:1-9; Deuteronomy 32:7-8; Deuteronomy 4:19-20; Psalm 82; Daniel 10:12-13, Daniel 10:20-21.

• a. Humanity once again Defied God and he Scattered them across the Earth into the Various Nations. (Genesis 11:1-9).
• b. God Rejected them as His People and Chose Israel for His Inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:7-8). This is parallel to Romans 1:18-21.
• c. God would be Israel’s God, but the Nations Would be Ruled by the “Sons of God” (Deuteronomy 32:7-8; Deuteronomy 4:19-20).
• d. These “Sons of God” became Corrupt and Were Worshiped as “gods.” (Deuteronomy 32:7-8; Deuteronomy 32:15-19; Deuteronomy 4:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:19-20; Psalm 82).
• e. Daniel 10:12-13, Daniel 10:20-21 Gives us a Glimpse of this Spiritual Warfare.

2. What Do these Dark Powers Do?

• a. They Resist the Purposes of God (Daniel 10:12-13, Daniel 10:20-21).
• b. They Oppose Christian Mission & Purpose (Ephesians 6:12).
• c. They Rule within the World Governments and Instigate Events through false Wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 4:1).
• d. They Promote The Worship of False Gods .
• e. They Enslave the Disobedient (Ephesians 2:1-2).

3. Sacred Space and Holy Ground

• a. Holy Ground in Wherever God Is.—Eden, Tabernacle, Temple,
• b. Everywhere else is the Domain of the Dark Powers.
• c. Implications for Israel and Us.

Conclusion:

• 1. Jesus has Defeated the Dark Powers (Colossians 2:15).
• 2. God has Reversed Babel through Jesus (Acts 2; Ephesians 2-3)
• 3. The Christian Mission is to Take Back the Nations for God (Matthew 28:18-20).
• 4. Christians will Rule in the Place of the Dark Powers (1 Corinthians 6:3; Revelation 22:5)

I’ll say more in my lesson.

Blessings, Joey

Spiritual Warfare: The Bad Guys –
Demons, Unclean & Evil Spirits

Introduction & Review:

1. We are Skeptical of the Supernatural.
2. The Spiritual Realm Consists of Good Guys & Bad Guys…
3. Good Guys include the One True God & Other Spiritual Beings Created by God.
4. These Other Spiritual Beings have Free Will and Can Sin. Some have Sinned.
5. Bad Guys: There have been at Least Three Rebellions.
6. Last Week We Discussed the First Rebellion of the Serpent in the Garden (Genesis 3). Satan and His Descriptions.
7. This Week We will Discuss the Second Rebellion (Genesis 6) and how it Led to the Creation of Demons and Unclean Spirits.

More Bad Guys

1. The NT Affirms the Existence of Demons & Evil Spirits.
   1. Eight Times They are Called “Evil” Spirits (Matthew 12:45; Luke 7:21; Luke 8:2; Luke 11:26; Acts 19:12-13; Acts 19:15–16).
   2. Over Twenty Times they are Called “Unclean” Spirits (Matthew 10:1; Matthew 12:43; Mark 1:23, Mark 1:26–27; Mark 3:11, Mark 3:30; Mark 5:2, Mark 5:8, Mark 5:13; Mark 6:7; Mark 7:25; Mark 9:25; Luke 4:33, Luke 4:36; Luke 6:18; Luke 8:29; Luke 9:42; Luke 11:24; Acts 5:16; Acts 8:7; Revelation 16:13; Revelation 18:2).
   3. Thirty-three times Evil Spirits are Called “Demons” . The verb form “demon possessed” is used 11 times.
   4. However, the Terms are Used Interchangeably.
2. What Do these Demons Do?
   1. They Do the Devil’s Work (Matthew 9:34).
   2. They Inhabit Humans (Matthew 12:43-45).
   3. They Exert Some Degree of Control over those they Inhabit (Mark 5:1-15; Acts 19:15-16).
   4. Cause Disease/Disease Like Symptoms (Matthew 9:32-33; Mark 9:17-27; Luke 9:42). However, the Bible also makes it clear that Jesus Healed Sicknesses NOT Related to Demon Possession (Luke 6:18).
   5. They Demonize/Torment Humans (Matthew 9:32-38); the purpose of demonic possession is to distort and destroy the image of God in man.
3. The Origin of Demons: The Second Rebellion—Genesis 6:1-5
   Bad Guys# 2 –Evil Spirits & Fallen Angels
   1. The Sons of God Wanted to Procreate in their Image.
   2. The Nephilim, their Offspring, Further Corrupted the Ancient World Precipitating the Flood.
   3. These Angels Were Confined in Chains of Darkness.
   4. These Nephilim Were Killed in the Flood.
   5. Apparently this Happened Again Post Flood.
   6. Our Modern Minds Have Trouble with this Narrative
      1. Supernatural Factor – Weird. Haven’t Heard of it Before.
      2. We Get Hung up on Angel Reproduction & Hybrid Humans.
   7. It is the Best Supported View
      1. The Old Testament (“sons of God” are angels)
      2. The New Testament (2 Peter 2:4-6; Jude 5-6; “unclean”)
      3. Ancient Jews Through NT Period
      4. 2nd Temple Literature
      5. Pagan Parallels

Conclusion:

1. Does Demon Possession Still Occur Today?
2. Can Christians be Possessed by Demons? No (Colossians 1:13-14)
3. Can Christians be Harmed/Influenced by Demons? Yes (2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Romans 6:12-14; Ephesians 4:27).
4. The Work of Christ has Freed Us from Demonic Control (Colossians 2:15; Colossians 1:13-14; Romans 6:17-18; Matthew 28:19-20).

Spiritual Warfare: The Bad Guys –
The Big Bad

Introduction & Review:

1. We are Skeptical of the Supernatural.
2. There is a Spiritual Realm that Exists Parallel with the Physical.
3. The Spiritual Realm Consists of Good Guys & Bad Guys…
4. Good Guys: The One True God and Creator of All Things
5. Good Guys: Other Spiritual Beings Created by God
   1. Cherubim & Seraphim
   2. God’s Heavenly Council Consisting of Princes, The Sons of God, and Messengers

In This Lesson we Begin to Introduce the Bad Guys.

1. A Few Characteristics of Created, Supernatural Beings
   
   a. They are Spirit Beings (Hebrews 1:7; Psalm 104:4).
   
   b. They are NOT All-Powerful (Matthew 24:36; 1 Peter 1:10-12).
   
   c. They are Superior to Humans—rank, provisionally immortal, power (2 Peter 2:11).
   
   d. They Have Free Will (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6).
   
   e. They are Fallible (Job 15:15-16)
   
   f. Some Have Sinned & Rebelled Against God (2 Peter 2:4).
   
   g. There is NO Redemption for Them (Jude 1:6; Hebrews 1:14, Hebrews 2:16).
2. The First Rebellion—Genesis 3
   a. Bad Guy # 1 –The Serpent
   1. Origin (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Revelation 12:3-9 ?)
   2. Identified in NT as
      1. The Devil (slanderer, accuser, Matthew 4:1)
      2. Satan (adversary, Matthew 4:10-ll)
      3. The Tempter (Matthew 4:3)
      4. Ruler/Prince of Demons (Matthew 9:34)
      5. Beelzebul (Lord of the Flies, Matthew 12:24)
      6. The Evil One (Matthew 13:19)
      7. The Enemy (Matthew 13:39; Luke 10:19)
      8. Liar/ Father of Lies (John 8:44)
      9. Ruler of the World/Ruler of the Air (John 14:30; 1 John 5:19; Ephesians 2:2)
      10. “god” of this Age (2 Corinthians 4:4)
      11. Belial (wickedness; worthlessness) (2 Corinthians 6:15)
      12. Adversary/opponent (1 Peter 5:8)
      13. Old Serpent (Revelation 12:9)
      14. The Accuser (Revelation 12:10)

Conclusion:

1. We have a Powerful Enemy (1 Peter 5:8)
2. He Can Be Resisted (James 4:4-10)

I’ll say more in my lesson.

Blessings, Joey

Spiritual Warfare: The Good Guys

1. The One True God (Elohim) – God with a Capital “G”
Also, Referred to As:

• a. El Elyon – God Most High (Psalm 78:35; cf., Psalm 89:5-8)
• b. Yahweh – Eternal, Self-Existent One (Exodus 3:13-14)
• c. The Trinity: Father, Son & Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:8-20)
• d. Creator of Everything (Genesis 1:1; Nehemiah 9:6). Including…

2. Other gods (elohim) – gods with a Lower Case “g”
Any inhabitant of the Spiritual Realm is called an elohim (god).
Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Samuel 28:13; Psalm 82:1; Psalm 8:5.

• a. The Cherubim & Seraphim (Isaiah 6:1-3; Ezekiel 10:14-15)
  They are the Guardians of Sacred Space.
• b. God’s Heavenly Council (Psalm 82:1-8; Psalm 89:5-7; 1 Kings 22:19-23).
  They are Made up of…
  • i. Princes – Tiers of Authority (Daniel 10:13-15)
  • ii. Sons of God – Kingly Authority & Purpose (Genesis 6:1; Deuteronomy 32:8-9; Psalm 82:6).
  • iii. Angels (Messengers)
• c. What Do They Do?
  • i. Assist God in Governing the Universe.
  • ii. Deliver Messages; Give Reports; Keep Records.
  • iii. They Minister/Serve God and Humans.
  • iv. The are Watchers—Vigilant Guardians, Agents of Justice.
  • v. Members of His Host—Warriors with God as Chief.
  • vi. Praise God.

Applications:

• There is a Spiritual Realm and there are Spiritual Realities we Cannot See.
• There is an Entire Heavenly Bureaucracy Appointed to Do God’s Will .
• If God is for Us, who can Stand Against Us (Romans 8:31).

I’ll say more in my lesson.

Blessings, Joey

“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are
dreamt of in your philosophy.” Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 5

Do You Believe in “Ghosts?”

“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 5

Hamlet has been told by the night watch that the ghost of his father has appeared to them. Hamlet and his friend, Horatio go up to the battlements and the ghost appears. Horatio is a practical, down to earth scholar and he is stunned by this – he doesn’t believe in ghosts. He says: “O day and night, but this is wondrous strange.” Hamlet replies: “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” He is suggesting that the human imagination is limited and that there are many things we don’t know, things that haven’t been discovered and, in fact, things we haven’t even dreamt of.

I’ve been promising you a series on spiritual warfare – supernatural beings in conflict with God and his people. While technically NOT GHOSTS as we think of them, they are spirits from the spirit world. In this first lesson, I plan on dealing with our own skepticism regarding the unseen realm. Like Horatio, we tend to be skeptical of things that don’t fall neatly within our post-enlightenment worldview. We claim to believe in God and his activity in the world, but practically we see the world and events in almost exclusively rationalistic and secular ways. We like neat natural explanations of the unknown and limit spiritual phenomenon to what God did or allowed in the past, but not today.

God’s word clearly teaches that we are involved in a spiritual battle with malevolent beings opposed to God’s will and intent on our destruction. Paul’s words in Ephesians 6 come to mind.

Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 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.

MP<I’ll say more in my lesson.

Blessings, Joey

Mission Statement

Mountain States Children’s Home Extends Christian services to wounded children in an effort to meet their physical needs, heal their emotional hurts, challenge their minds, and teach them moral principles, in order to reach the goals of reuniting them with their families or preparing them for independence. This is accomplished by utilizing a family model of care, strengthened by professional counselors and teachers.

A Deeper, More Comprehensive Level of Care

Healing and restoration for wounded children do not occur merely through a singular type of treatment. We are whole beings: body, mind, and spirit. Each aspect needs to be addressed to pave the healing journey. Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” We desire that those words could be spoken of each child who passes through our doors.

That’s what sets Mountain States Children’s Home apart. We offer a depth of care that is far more comprehensive than what stand-alone counseling services, typical group homes, or even many foster or kindred care homes can provide. Our children are placed in a safe and secure environment in one of our loving family homes where we begin to build them up in every aspect of their lives.

We Want These Children to Become Truly Successful

Success can be defined in many ways. A person may have a thriving business that brings great financial gain. Success may be fame or a position of influence politically, in a community, or professionally. It may be a physical accomplishment such as climbing a mountain or winning a race.

Our goal at Mountain States Children’s Home is to teach children to be successful in a different way. Our desire is for our children to learn godly character traits such as loving others, treating others as they would like to be treated, dependability, forgiveness, gratefulness, honor, humility, obedience, responsibility, respect, self-control, truthfulness, and wisdom. These are some of the foundational principles of true success in life.

Providing a deeper level of care to help children grow and succeed educationally,
physically, spiritually and emotionally

Source: https://www.msch.org/mission-statement/

We have been supporting this ministry for years through their Fall and Spring food drives. We recently participated with Linder Road and some other churches in a summer youth mission project. We will learn about this trip Sunday.

-Joey

Top Seven Things Every Christian Should Do

7. Be Active in a Local Church – Worship, Fellowship, Giving, Ministries, Bible Studies, Life Groups, etc.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

6. Seek Spiritual Growth Opportunities – Discipling, Mentors, Christian Books, Service.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

5. Read your Bible Daily – Quiet Time, Bible Reading Plan.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

4. Pray to God Daily – Mealtimes, Morning, Throughout the Day, Bedtime.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

3. Be Active in Good Works – Seek to do Good.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

2. Share Your Faith with Others – Make Disciples.

Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

1. Reflect Daily on Your Walk with Christ – Reflect, Repent, Renew.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God– this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is– his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I’ll say more in the lesson!

Blessings, Joey

What Must I Do to be Saved?

How does a girl with an evil spirit, a group of angry business men, an illegal imprisonment, and a divinely sent earthquake lead to the conversion of an entire household?  My lesson Sunday is from Acts 16 and we will study the conversion of the Philippian jailor.

Paul and Silas encounter a girl with a “pythonian” spirit (most of the versions simply translate “a spirit of divination” because most readers would not understand what pythonian meant). This was a specific spirit associated with the shrine of Delphi; the girl was considered to be “inspired” to foretell the future by Apollos, the Pythian god of that shrine.

I mention this for two reason.  First, the Bible affirms the existence of the supernatural in the form of evil spirits, fortune telling, etc. Second, to underscore the danger of dabbling in things like fortune telling, Ouija boards, horoscopes, etc.  These are associated with REAL supernatural forces with which we should not trifle.  I’m working on a series of lessons on these evil spiritual beings that I will share soon.  My working title is “Spiritual Warfare.”

This girl followed Paul and Silas around announcing who they were and their message. This was more of a distraction that it was a benefit to their mission, so Paul cast out the spirit. This angered the men who were profiting from her prophecies.  They caused a stir and had Paul and Silas arrested, beaten and imprisoned — apparently without giving them a  chance to defend themselves.  It was illegal to treat Roman citizens this way about which Paul will later accuse the city officials.

The central message of the story is found in vv. 25-34.  Paul and Silas were fastened in stocks and chains deliberately designed to cause discomfort.  However, they were singing and praising God in the middle of their suffering. All the other prisoners (and possibly the jailer) heard this and were amazed.  About midnight, God sent an earthquake that broke their bonds and freed them.

Seeing this, the jailer prepared to kill himself, thinking the prisoners had escaped (Romans did not treat gently those who let prisoners escape).

When Paul assured him that all the prisoner’s were present and accounted for, he fell to his knees and asked the question with which this article is entitled, “What must I do to be saved?”

How would you have answered him?  Could you tell him what you did to come to know the Lord?  Could you open you Bible and show him chapter and verse?  Do you know these verses by heart? Have you ever had the opportunity to share the gospel with someone?

I’ll say more in the lesson!

Blessings, Joey

Breaking Free from Lust

Sunday, my lesson is entitled, “Breaking Free from Lust.”

The first thing that may come to mind is such a discussion, of course, is pornography.  However, our society is so sex-saturated, we don’t have to be involved with actual pornography to be exposed to explicit materials.  Television, movies, magazines, billboards—even catalogs are filled with materials that can lure us down the wrong path.  What can we do in such a sex obsessed society?

The first thing to remember is that sex is good!  God created the sexual relationship and he has blessed marriage as the ideal and only proper setting for its expression.  The Bible is full of verses urging married couples to give full expression to their sexual desires (I’ll be mentioning a few of these in my lesson).

The scripture also teaches that married couples are not to withhold sex from one another.  The King James Version uses the word “defraud” in 1 Cor. 7 to describe such withholding.  In my opinion, the spouse who is not attentive to the sexual desires of his/her mate is being as unfaithful to them as the spouse who steps outside the marriage and “cheats.”  Both have “broken faith” in regard to their marital covenant—this is the very definition of adultery!

If you are having trouble with lust, it is time to talk with your spouse about how you can spend more time together.  This is God’s solution.  Communication is key.

What if you are not married or your spouse is not responsive?  Paul addressed that as well; he had help from God to control his desires (1 Corinthians 7:7).  “God’s solution is get married.  If that isn’t possible, self-control with God’s help is the fall back plan.”

How does that work? God can handle the desire part, but you need to remove yourself from any situation that can inflame your desire.  That may mean avoiding certain people and circumstances or restricting what you read or watch.  This especially means avoiding pornography in all forms.  Pornography is exploitive and addictive.  Using pornography as an expression of your sexual desire leads to an addictive downward spiral of lust as well as an objectification and denigration of what God created to be beautiful.  In short, you will lose the ability to respond naturally and normally to one of God’s greatest gifts.

Blessings, Joey

Message Notes

“Desire” is s Morally Neutral Concept in Greek

• It is Used to Describe Beautiful, Healthy Sexual Desire
  (Song of Solomon 7:10; Proverbs 5:18-19)
• It is also Used to Describe Sordid, Demeaning Evil Desire or Lust
  (Ephesians 4:19; Colossians 3:5)

“Lust” is NOT Merely Feeling Sexual Desire
(Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:22-24; Genesis 1:31)

When does Legitimate Sexual “Desire” Become “Lust”?

• When Desire Turns to Inappropriate Fantasy (Matthew 5:28; James 1:14-15).
• When Desire Cannot be Legitimately Pursued
• The Desire is for Something Sinful (Romans 1:27).
• The Desire is for Someone who Belongs to Another (Exodus 20:17).
• The Desire is for Someone you have no Right to (1 Corinthians 6:18).
• When Desire Controls you (Romans 6:12-13).
• When Desire Twists into Selfishness (Ephesians 2:3).

What Does God’s Word Say About “Lust”? (Matthew 5:28; Colossians 3:5; Romans 13:14; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 Peter 2:11)

Breaking Free of Lust:

• No More Excuses
• Repent / Confess Your Sins to God
• Be Accountable to God and Others
• Run Away from Temptation
• Look for God’s Help
• Trust God to Forgive You When You Fail