Stand 

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Eph 6 10-15 NLT 

John 10:10 Kill-steal and destroy. 

2 Cor 11:14  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light 

2 Cor 10-11 NIV 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 

So what should we do? Are we just supposed to know and believe that the devil is real? We’re certainly not supposed to leave in fear, so what do we do? 

We stand.

“stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭13‬ ‭

The schemes of the enemy

Deception - The father of lies - To Eve: Did God really say? - To Jesus: “If you are the son of God” 

Do you know what being deceived feels like? 

Division - He wants to divide couples. He wants to divide parents and kids. We wants to divide churches. The way that he kills, steals, and destroys is by dividing and he usually divides by offense. Taking up an offense, that becomes a hurt, that becomes a grudge, that becomes a bitter wall that breaks up the family, the  relationship. 

Discouragement - Fatigue, Frustration, Failure, Fear 

 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV

How do we stand firm? 

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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  

1. The gospel declares that we are righteous.  

Romans 5:1 

Peace with God through Jesus.

1. The gospel destroys the dividing wall of human hostilities. 

Eph 2 NLT  14  For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.  16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. 

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 

3) The Gospel demands forgiveness and love

If you’ve been forgiven you are called to be a person of compassion and forgiveness. 

Col 3:13 NLT

The truth - Jesus - God’s word

Unity- in the church

Encourage- one another (Col 4:12) 

Col 4:12  Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 

We stand on God’s word, we remember his Promises so we’re not deceived.

We stand together, shoulder to shoulder, in unity

We stand and encourage, we stand and share the good news.

We stand firm.