BREAKING DOWN THE STRONGHOLDS OF SATAN

Text: Isaiah 23:9-11 #1-14 THE OVERTHROW OF TYRE—

Tyre was the mart of the nations. She was noted for mirth and diversions; and this made her loth to consider the warnings God gave by his servants.

·         Her merchants were princes, and lived like princes. Tyre being destroyed and laid waste, the merchants should abandon her.

·         Flee to shift for thine own safety; but those that are uneasy in one place, will be so in another; for when God's judgments pursue sinners, they will overtake them. Whence shall all this trouble come? It is a destruction from the Almighty.

·          God designed to convince men of the vanity and uncertainty of all earthly glory. Let the ruin of Tyre warn all places and persons to take heed of pride; for he who exalts himself shall be abased. God will do it, who has all power in his hand; but the Chaldeans shall be the instruments.

#15-18 IT IS ESTABLISHED AGAIN—

The desolations of Tyre were not to be for ever.

·         The Lord will visit Tyre in mercy. But when set at liberty, she will use her old arts of temptation. The love of worldly wealth is spiritual idolatry; and covetousness is spiritual idolatry. This directs those that have wealth, to use it in the service of God. When we abide with God in our worldly callings, when we do all in our power to further the gospel, then our merchandise and hire are holiness to the Lord, if we look to his glory. Christians should carry on business as God's servants, and use riches as his stewards.

BREAKING DOWN THE STRONGHOLDS OF THE DEVIL…

1-IDENTIFYING HIS STRONGHOLDS

   A-PRIDE

   B-PRESTIGE

   C-POWER

2-RECOGNIZING HIS POSITION

   A-PRINCE OF POWER OF THE AIR

   B-AUTHOR OF CONFUSION

   C-AS A ROARING LION SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR

3-ACKNOWLEDGING HIS PURPOSE

   A-DECEIVE PEOPLE TO FOLLOW HIM

   B-DESTROY THE TESTIMONY OF THE BELIEVER

   C-DO AS MUCH DAMAGE TO GOD’S CAUSE AS HE CAN

I.                   THE STRONGHOLD OF PRIDE---Caused by thinking more of ourselves than we should. The Devil was thrown out of heaven for this very cause. (Isaiah 14:12)

A-DO NOT THINK HIGHER OF YOURSELF THAN YOU

OUGHT TO THINK Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace

given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself

more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as

God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith)

B-EXHIBIT HUMILITY-I Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit

yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another,

and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth

grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty

hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 

C-ESTEEM YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER HIGHER THAN

YOURSELF-Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or

vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than

themselves.

II.               THE STRONGHOLD OF PRESTIGE—Caused by the desire to advance in the social realm or political realm. Ahab’s death was due to his unlawful desires. The unlawful desires were caused by the stronghold of prestige that the devil had on him. (I Kings 21:22;22:28)

A-BE CONTENT WHERE YOU ARE AT, IF YOU ARE IN GOD’S WILL--Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

B-BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF, GOD, AND THOSE AROUND YOU CONCERNING DEALINGS IN LIFE—

Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. I Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

III.             THE STRONGHOLD OF HUMAN POWER—Caused by our failure to acknowledge that we are weak without Christ. We place ourselves on the same level as God. The Church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-20)

A-ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WITHOUT CHRIST YOU CAN DO NOTHING John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. I Corinthians 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

            B-REALIZE THAT IN OUR WEAKNESS THAT CHRIST IS

MADE STRONG II Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in

infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses

for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

C-KNOW THAT THROUGH CHRIST WE CAN DO ALL

THINGS Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which

strengtheneth me.