BE PREPARED Ambassadors – Part 2 4/14/2023 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV YOU ARE AN AMBASSADOR TO THIS WORLD NOT OF THIS WORLD Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. John 12:31 NIV World: κόσμος (Cosmos) - refers to the inhabited earth and the people who live on the earth which functions apart from God. TO BE PREPARED YOU MUST KNOW YOUR ENEMY. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NLT WHERE DID SATAN COME FROM? How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly… I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." Isaiah 14:12-14 NIV And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Revelation 12:7-9 NIV See also Ezek 28:12-17 WHAT DO DEMONS DO? • DEMONS INFLUENCE THE LEADERS OF NATIONS. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Daniel 10:13 NIV • DEMONS DESIRE TO INFLICT SUFFERING ON YOU. "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water… [Jesus said], “Bring the boy here to me." Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. Matthew 17:15, 17-18 NIV • DEMONS SCHEME TO LURE YOU AWAY FROM GOD. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Timothy 4:1 NIV • DEMONS WANT TO PARALYZE YOU WITH FEAR. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT AS YOU REACH OUT TO THE WORLD REMEMBER THIS TRUTH Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you… James 4:7-8 NIV TO BE PREPARED YOU MUST BE AWARE