Victory Over the Enemy

October 4th, 2025
by Matthew Allen

When is the last time you thought about spiritual warfare?

The Bible tells us plainly that we are in a battle. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 that our warfare is not according to the flesh, but spiritual. Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 that the devil prowls like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Revelation 12 describes a war raging in the unseen realm, where the dragon wages war against the people of God.

Whether we want to think about it or not, open war has been declared on us. Just because it is invisible doesn’t mean it is imaginary.

But here’s the good news: we are not powerless. God has equipped us with everything we need to stand firm. Ephesians 6:10–18 describes the full armor of God—truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word, and prayer. These aren’t religious metaphors. They are real spiritual resources given to us by God to help us endure and overcome.

Satan is real. He is called the adversary, the accuser, the tempter, the father of lies. His goal is to deceive, accuse, and destroy. He wants to enslave us with guilt, bitterness, and false pleasures. But the Bible also tells us that he is already a defeated foe. At the cross, Jesus crushed his head (Genesis 3:15). Paul says Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities and triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15). We don’t fight for victory—we fight from it.

That’s the message of hope we’ll be exploring this Sunday. Our fall theme is Living with Eternity in Mind. And there is no better way to live with eternity in view than to remember that Christ has already won the war.

We’ll be talking about what it means to stand firm in God’s strength, resist the devil, and live confidently in the victory Christ has secured.

“Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7

What are some ways you see the enemy “prowling” in our world today? How do you recognize his attacks in your own life?
How can we take “every thought captive” in practical, everyday situations like anxiety, temptation, or anger?
Which piece of the armor of God do you feel you most need to strengthen right now? Why?
Satan is called many names in Scripture—adversary, slanderer, tempter, accuser. Which of these tactics do you most often see him using in your life or in the church?
Read James 4:7 and 1 John 5:4–5. What does it mean to “fight from victory and not for it”? How does keeping eternity in mind help us resist the devil today?

Those Serving
CALL TO WORSHIP/PRAYER
Matthew Ringle
SONG LEADER
Jim Grushon
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Justin Spargo
ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
Daniel Spargo
Rich Walker
Billy Robbins
Bob Hoopes
SCRIPTURE READING
Andrew Cain
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
Russ Robins
CLOSING COMMENTS
George Wacks
WELCOME CENTER
Richard Jacobs // Kathy Downey
USHERS
Rogers Robins // David Williams
COMMUNION PREP
Debbie Bumbalough
CLOSING THE BUILDING
Benjamin Baker