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1 The Greatest Enemy to God and Man Xavier C. Joshua Th. A., Th.B., Th.M., Th.D. A. One bright, beautiful Sunday morning, everyone in the tiny town of Johnstown got up early and went to the local church. Before the services started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking about their lives, their families, etc. Suddenly, the Devil himself appeared at the front of the congregation. Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate. Soon everyone was evacuated from the Church, except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew, not moving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence. Now this confused Satan a bit, so he walked up to the man and said, "Don't you know who I am?" The man replied, "Yep, sure do." Satan asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?" "Nope, sure isn t," said the man. Satan was a little perturbed at this and queried, "Why aren't you afraid of me?" The man calmly replied, "Been married to your sister for over 48 years." - From the Daily Dilly Occult Explosion Today the occult is in and is growing geometrically. There are over 200,000 registered witches in the U.S. and many more are not registered. In fact, the famous witch, Sybil Leek said in the New York Times that there are over 8 million witches in the world today. -The End Times, April 1988 B. You and I see each day individuals losing the battle to Satan. It's heart breaking news. D. For the next few minutes or so, I would like to talk about how Satan is defined by God, Scriptural facts concerning Satan, I. Definition A created but superhuman, personal, evil, world-power, represented in Scripture as the adversary both of God and men.,f2c2 Satan adversary from,f1c2 Satan to lie in wait ( as adversary) Satan, satanas adversary diabolos devil adversary or accuser (kategor) unclassical & Greek used once in Rev. 12:10 accuser And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. II. Scriptural Facts concerning Satan- Page 1 of 5 A. The most important of these are the Heb. And Gr equivalents noticed above. These words are used in the general sense justified by their etymological significance. It is applied even to Jehovah Himself: Nu 22:22-32, 22 καὶ ὠργίσθη [a homicide, murderer] θυμῷ " [swellings of anger, a strong passion or emotion of the mind; anger],ὁ Θεός, ὅτι ἐπορεύθη αὐτός, καὶ ἀνέστη ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ Θεοῦ διαβαλεῖν αὐτόν, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπιβεβήκει [perf act ptcp nom sg masc] epibaἐπὶ τῆς ὄνου αὐτοῦ, καὶ δύο παῖδες αὐτοῦ μετ' αὐτοῦ. 1 C. Throughout the bible there are clear and Sam 29:4; Ps. 109;6. actual words which describe Satan B. as an The word Satan is used 24 times in the enemy of God and Man. It also informs us of whom and want he is and how to overcome his influence and power. OT. In Job 1:6 and Zech 3:1, it has the prefixed definite article. In all cases but one when the art. Is omitted it is used in a general sense. This one exception is generally conceded to be used as a proper name. This meaning is used as his description in the NT. 1. Other names of Satan are:tempter- Mt.4;8, Beelzedbub-Mt.12;24, Enemy- Mt 13;39, Evil One- Mt.13;19.38, Belial- 2 Cor.6;15, Adversary 1 Pet 5.8, Deceiver the one who deceives Rev. 12.9, Dragon Rev.12.3, Father of Lies Jn 8.44, Murderer-Jn 8.44, Sinner 1Jn 3.8, these are isolated references occurring from1 to 3 times each. In majority of passages 70 out of 83 either Satan or Devil is used. Satan is consistently represented in the NT as the enemy both of God and man active in misleading and cursing humanity because of his intense hatred and opposition to God. Mt qualifies this point.

2 2. The direct implication of Satan describe him as jealousy and hatred of men has led him into antaonis to God and consequently, to goodness. God describes his fundamental character as the evil one Mt.13;19;38 3. Being a hater of God and Man he has set up a kingdom on earth that maintain evil, seduction and ruins of mankind, using appearances, tricks, and transformation within a physical body. Meaning taking possession of weak individuals. In Mk.3; 22, And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. Vs. 23, And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? Vs.24, And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. Vs. 25, And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand? III. The recruiting process of Satan to his Kingdom A. Satan brings sickness to recruit to his kingdom: 1. Luke. 13;16, Our Lord speaks of the woman who was bowed over as one whom Satan has bound, lo, these JESUS IS LORD JOHN 3: 16 eighteen years, 2. 2 Cor.12; 7, Paul speaks of his infirmity as a messenger of Satan sent to buffet him. B. Satan causes hindrance to recruit to his kingdom: 1. 1 Thess. 2:18, Satan hinder Paul from visiting the church at Thessalonica. 2. Also, the story of Job will reveal the fact that Satan s direct agency in the physical world is very limited. C. Satan kingdom is implicated in all disasters and woes of human life, which is caused by sin (Heb.2; 14) On the contrary it s evident that Satan s power which is his ability consist of deceive and lies. The Bible Satan is fundamentally a liar and his kingdom is founded upon lies and deceit. This is why the Word of God is important: In Jn.8:32, The truth shall make you free. This is the way of deliverance from the power of Satan. D. Satan builds his kingdom through temptations: 1. Men are not tempted by evil, per se, but by a good which can be obtained only at the cost of doing wrong... The whole power of sin, at least in its beginnings, consists in the sway of the fundamental falsehood that any good is really attainable by wrongdoing. (a). The temptation of Our Lord Himself shows how deceitful attack emphasizing the good, or covering up the evil; indeed, twisting evil into good. It attempted to break the loyalty to truth which made self-deceit, however the lies was punctured by the truth and the temptation lost its power. 2. Satan builds his kingdom through human agents: a. Those who are given over to evil and who persuade others to evil are children and servants of Satan. (Mt.16:23, Mk. 8:33, Lk Page 2 of 5 4:8, Jn 6:70, Jn. 8:44; Acts. 13;10 and 1Jn. 3:8) b. Satan also work through persons and institutions supposed to be on the side of right but really evil. Here the same is ever present and active falseness and deceit is presented using his power to clothe himself in divine attributes. He also makes himself an angel of light by presenting advocates of falsehood in the guise of apostles of truth. (2 Cor 11:13,15; 1Jn 4;1; 2 Thess 2;9, Rev 12;9 19;20) 2 Cor. 4:4, In who the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. - Local and National Christian News Publication is published each month and is an outreach ministry of Mississippi Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary and Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. Dr. Xavier C. Joshua, Editor

3 Mississippi Missionary Baptist Institute & At MMBI, we are committed to prepare men for the Gospel Preaching Ministry they desire to serve the Lord. The Scriptures are very clear that it is the responsibility of Pastors to be equipped in order to minister the Word of God. We don't compromise our scriptural position by no means as some have in order to make MONEY. God's Business Is Not a Hustle. We vow to continue our race set before us with patience, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We understand that in this world we have overcome many obstacles as ministers and some of us are of the persuasion that we are better just because we look different. However, once you have come in contact with our students we will quickly realize that your are mistaken. Our students represent a new breed of prepared men who have totally surrendered to the Ministry. We are now offering seminars and workshops to assist other ministers from other areas to spend a couple of days with us and witness a transformation in your preaching the Gospel. These workshops are closed to the public but open to those who register in advance. Contact: Dr. Joshua or visit our website: fifthavenuebaptistchurch.vpweb.com MMBI IF YOU NEED A MISSIONS PROJECT FOR THE SUMMER! PRAY AND GIVE US A CALL ABOUT WHAT PROJECT THE LORD HAS PLACED UPON YOUR HEART. Page 3 of 5

4 The Lord's School of Music LET THE CHURCH SAY AMEN! We believe that our ministry will play a major role in developing the next generation of Gospel Musicians. It's our goal to share our experiences with the next generation of inspiring young musicians. In during so; the values and core belief that a musician should be completely devoted to the Lord, and must live the life they sing about in their songs will be our focus. Our music center has received two donations in 2007 from a Dentist and his precious daughters, and a very wonderful sister all from Texas. As well as some instruments from some members of the Confederate Baptist Church of Pennsylvania. Even though the Lord had open other doors for a place of Worship, we remained committed to used the original location as the Lord's School of Music Center in their honor. We're grateful unto the Lord for their heart toward missions and the Love of God they have shared. This Music Center will provide FREE music lessons to the youth. However, our mission is simple we desire them to Love the Lord as much as they Love the sound of music. Youth will be able to Learn to play the following instruments: Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, Cello, Violin, Organ and Piano. New Missions Development Summer Project Laurel, Mississippi The Mission Development will be known as South Magnolia Street Baptist Missions and the purpose of this mission is reach those lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It will be a wedding Chapel and a counseling Center for single Parents and troubled youth. During the week it will be open for City Employees to have FREE lunches with devotions. We understand the struggle the believers have just making it through the day. With prayer and a quick lunch we believe it will make a difference one Soul at a time. Fifth Avenue Baptist Church 2917 North 5th Ave. Laurel, MS A place where you belong! Page 4 of 5

5 Preach Like a Bible Scholar; Become a Biblical Scholar of the 21st Century Tune into our live seminar in the comfort of your home or study! Dr. Joshua's innovative approach is designed to eliminate all of the stress of funding the event as well as the stress you experience planning to attend seminars and workshops. In so many cases one seminar will cost about $300 to $500 once all expenses are paid. Not to mention the precious time spend away from your family. Now you can attend this two days seminar in the privacy of your home at your own leisure as many times as you like. All it takes on your part is to register and have internet connection to receive the our link. To register visit us at: Page 5 of 5