Encounter! Receive Christ’s Freedom SESSION 4: The Power of the Cross over Sin and Satan

THE POWER OF THE CROSS The cross highlights God’s power and triumph over the enemy. Paul said, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God”(1 Corinthians 1:18).The cross highlights God’s power and triumph over the enemy. Paul said, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God”(1 Corinthians 1:18). In the cross, Jesus overcame:In the cross, Jesus overcame: »Satan and the demons »Sin »Emotional suffering »Strongholds »Sickness »Death

Satan’s work in this world He’s the god of this world (1 John 5:19) He blinds the minds of those who believe not (2 Corinthians 4:4) He is a thief that came to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10a)

The craftiness of the enemy “In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). He plants doubts and wrong ideas about God and his work (Genesis 3:1-5; Matthew 4:3, 7) He tries to seduce people to self-confidence and pride (1 Chronicles 21:1; Ephesians 4:27; Galatians 6:1)

The craftiness of the enemy He seeks to convert natural human desires into self-indulgence and corruption (1 John 2:14-17; 1 Corinthians 7:5) We need to be alert to his schemes –“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8) –“But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12b).

Christ’s triumph over demonic powers Satan and the demons thought they had overcome Jesus on the cross of Calvary. Yet Christ triumphed over them on the cross, making a public spectacle of them. “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:13,14,15)

Christ’s triumph over demonic powers Satan and his demons are defeated enemies “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: 7ff). “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

Our Authority in Christ We approach spiritual warfare from a position ABOVE evil forces! God

The Christian Worldview We have a winning position in spiritual warfare. God Protection Guidance Resistance Authority Temptation Deceit HS

Our authority in Christ – “ We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him” (1 John 5:18). –“because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”(1 John 4:4). –We are protected by the blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:11).

Truth #2: The cross gives us power over sin

Jesus carried our sins on the cross In the cross Jesus took our place and paid the required price for our sins – “ But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53: 5, 6b). –“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). – “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23)

Jesus carried our sins on the cross Through Christ’s death on the cross: –We have peace with God (Romans 5:1) –We are reconciled with God (2 Corinthians 5:19) –We are saved from condemnation (John 3: 18; Romans 8: 34) – We have been forgiven, washed, and justified (1 Corinthians 1:30) –Thanks to him, we have power over sin (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Our position and attitude toward sin We are dead to sin because we have identified with Christ on the cross. –Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Our position and attitude toward sin We must consider ourselves dead to sin –“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans 6:11-14)