I. Background (Ephesians 6:12)
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” - Ephesians 6:12
A. Satan Interferes in this World to Ruin It
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Trying to ruin everything God made – like a child kicking down a stack of blocks
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He did in the Garden, appearing as the most beautiful serpent, lying and deceiving Eve
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He does today with demonic attacks and even demonic possessions
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And with false religions and false teachers, false spirits, false gospels
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent [IN GENESIS 3] beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” - 2 Corinthians 11:3,4
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
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Why does Satan do that?
- Satan hates God and everything God made
- You are made in God’s own image – none of us are accidents. We reflect HIM
- This universe is a universe of order and design, and Satan hates that
- To ruin churches, Christians, homes, marriages, lives!
- And to bring destruction and judgment on the world God created!
B. Genesis 6 records a huge attack, by “the sons of God” on this world
II. Message
A. The Pre-Flood Patriarchs (Genesis 5) – Ten men
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From Adam to Noah and his three sons… men and families of faith
- Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, and Enoch
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We now come to the three last Patriarchs of the world before the flood of 2300 BC
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Methuselah – longest living man in history
“And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech: And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.” - Genesis 5:25-27
- Lived a very long time… 969 years
- That’s like being born in 1056! The Battle of Hastings in England was in 1066!
- Can you imagine living through all the history since then?
- Methuselah lived longer than Adam, and everyone else way back then
- But, he still died!
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Lamech
“And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed. And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.” - Genesis 5:28-31
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Then came Noah and his three sons – Comfort and rest
- What a wonderful name - his name means “comfort, and rest”
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III. Conclusion
A. Satan has always tried to corrupt God’s creation
B. The “sons of God” incident shows the depth of demonic interference
C. God preserved a godly line through the darkness
D. Today we face similar spiritual attacks – we must be vigilant
For more information, contact Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig at www.biblebc.com