Success:  What is it?

A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

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What Is The Source Of Success?

Isaiah 45:7 (NIV) I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.

Gen 33:11 (NIV) Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

Gen 49:24-26 (NIV) But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
25 because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb.
26 Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

What Does The Bible Promise Us About Success?

Joshua 1:7 (NIV) Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

 Gen 39:2-3 (NIV) The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did,

Prov 2:7-8 (NIV) He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Prov 16:20 (NIV) Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

Job 22:23 (NIV) If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent

What Are The Dangers Of Worldly Success?

Deut 8:10-18 (NIV) When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.
11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.
12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down,
13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied,
14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
15 He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock.
16 He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.
17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”
18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Hosea 13:6 (NIV) When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.

Hosea 4:7 (NIV) The more the priests increased, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful.

Questions To Consider

• Who do you consider successful?  Why are they successful in your eyes?
• How does the world measure success?
• How does the way that the world measures success differ from how the Christian measures success?
• Recall names from the bible that were successful.
  • What led these people to success?
  • Were these people perfect?
  • Did they ever do anything wrong?
  • Would they have been successful in another role?  Why?

 

Barnabas “Son of Encouragement”

A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

Taught on Sunday, 30 July 2006

Who can tell me about Barnabas?

• Friend and companion of Paul.
• Barnabas, was originally named Joseph, he was given his nickname by the disciples.
• He was a committed Christian who sold the land he owned and gave the money to the Church.?
• The Christian leaders respected him.
• Instrumental in bringing the newly converted Saul from Tarsus to Antioch.
• Influential in having Saul received by the apostles in Jerusalem.
• Barnabas and Saul (Paul) were commissioned by the church at Antioch to conduct a missionary tour.
• Barnabas was a “developer”.
  • Developers look for “potential”
  • Developers don’t give up.
• Barnabas was a mentor.
• What does “Barnabas” actually mean?
  • Son of Encouragement…he lived up to that name.

Acts 4:36-37 (NIV) Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

• What can you say about this scripture? It not only introduces us to Barnabas, but his introduction also gives us an example on how God’s people give to the kingdom of God. He challenges us with his servanthood and charity for the body of Christ.

Acts 11:21-24 (NIV) The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. A little history. The first preachers of the gospel at Antioch, were dispersed from Jerusalem by persecution. What was meant to hurt the church, was made to work for its good. The wrath of man is made to praise God. Barnabas was full of faith; full of the grace of faith, and full of the fruits of the faith that works by love.

• How many of you know someone who obviously the Lord just “uses?”
• What kinds of personality do they have? What’s different about them? Is it always “obvious” to everyone why God is using them, or is it sometimes hidden?

Developers look for potential

Acts 9:26-30 (NIV) When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.
30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

QUESTION: What do you think Barnabas saw in Paul that the others did not? (Barnabas had seen Saul preach…so he saw the Holy Spirit in Barnabas). What a blessing Barnabas was to Paul. Barnabas was not only helping a future LEADER in God’s church, he was helping a NEW CHRISTIAN.

NOTICE: Barnabas “took him”. Took is a verb here, an action word. Men and women of God need to get up off the couch and take action for God’s church.

QUESTION: Of all the older Christians in this class, how many of you had a Christian man or woman just put their arms around you and help you along in your Christian growth?

This is an example that we all need to remember. All new Christians need some “older” more mature Christian to help build them up in the faith.

Developers never give up

Acts 15:36-41 (NIV) (When planning for Paul’s and Barnabas’ second missionary journey) Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

QUESTION: Who was John Mark? (Barnabas’ cousin). John Mark had let the disciples down once, but Barnabas gave him a second chance and went with him. Barnabas recognized John Mark’s potential. Things to see in this scripture.

• Paul wanted to go back and check on the brothers in the cities where they had preached.?
• New Christians need to be checked on.? Left to their own, bad things can possibly happen.? We need to “lead” and “train” our Christian brothers.
• Notice that Barnabas, the son of encouragement didn’t back down. Paul wanted to do one thing, Barnabas the other.

This tells us a couple of things (a) Barnabas knew the John Mark deserved another chance…. and… (b) Barnabas / Paul were both human. They argued and couldn’t work things out, so they separated. However, here’s the important point. Saints can disagree without being disagreeable. This could have been disastrous in God’s church. But fortunately because they let God control their lives, things were totally worked out in the end. This is a GREAT example for us to follow in God’s church.

QUESTION: What was the consequence of Barnabas taking John Mark. How did things work out?

(Paul writing Timothy) 2 Tim 4:11 (NIV) Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

John Mark went on to help Paul and to write the Gospel of Mark. By the way, Barnabas and Paul rejoined forces again later. They remained friends.

Barnabas Trivia

• He was a Jew, from the tribe of Levi.? Can anyone tell me what was special about the tribe of Levi?? (Tribe of priests).
• He was from the island of Cyprus.
• Even though the scripture said that no one was in need, Barnabas sold some land and gave the money to the disciples.? Can anyone remember another New Testament story about two people who sold land and things didn’t go to well for them? (Ananias and Sapphira)

Acts 5:1-10 (NIV) Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.?

Godly developers want to make others more like Christ.

Heb 10:24-25 (NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The biblical pattern for mentorship

1 Corinthians 11:1? (NIV) Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Matt 5:16 (NIV) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven

QUESTIONS:

• How many of us can say that we set the example for others, and that we are following the example of Christ?
• Can someone give me an example of an instance when someone you know claimed to be a Christian, but then set a horrible example at work (or some other place) for others to follow?

One more thing to consider as a mentor

James 3:1 (NIV) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Other mentors & leaders who used encouragement like Barnabas

2 Chron 35:1-2 (NIV) Josiah celebrated the Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2 He appointed the priests to their duties and encouraged them in the service of the Lord’s temple.

Matt 9:2 (NIV) Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.

Matt 14:27 (NIV) But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”Acts 27:22 (NIV) (Paul speaking) But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. (Paul speaking) But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

 

Drinking

A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

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Author’s comments: This is a highly debatable topic. While drinking in moderation is allowed in numerous Christian denominations, other denominations totally forbid it and consider it a sin. It would be “safest” for me to just avoid this topic totally because no matter what I say in this bible study, I will most certainly offend someone. However, that never stopped Paul so I guess it shouldn’t stop me as long as I am quoting true scripture.

I ventured into this bible study seeking the truth. I have always heard different opinions from the different denominations, so I wanted to know what God’s Word truly said.

As you will read, I most certainly formed my own opinion this bible study. My prayer is that I don’t misquote or misinterpret the scriptures… or… cause another brother or sister to stumble. But in reverent humility to our Lord and Savior, I submit the following bible study.

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Don’t make another brother or sister stumble

Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

If drinking offends your brother or sister in Christ, you shouldn’t do it. If it makes someone stumble, you shouldn’t do it. If it makes them weak, you shouldn’t do it. This is also talking about YOU, just not thy brother. If your actions (drinking) keeps you from “growing in Christ”, or slows your development with Christ, or makes you weak, it is a sin to do it.

Let’s take this discussion one step further. If you are a member of a denomination that just doesn’t believe in drinking at all (example: Southern Baptist) what would happen if it was discovered that you, a Deacon and a Sunday School Teacher, drank? Would it cause some developing Christians in your Sunday School class to stumble?

Don’t get drunk, stay “sober”

What is “sober?” The definition is: Possessing or characterized by properly controlled faculties: well-balanced. Not under the influence of an intoxicant; not drunk. Moderate or abstinent, especially in the use of intoxicating drink.

Ephesians 5-18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit;

1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

Titus 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

1 Timothy 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanders, sober, faithful in all things

Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, that the word of God not be blasphemed.

Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be soberminded

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

1 Timothy 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Why stay sober? Why is getting “drunk” bad?

Roman 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

There are a lot of reasons God demands that you stay sober. Anything that takes you away from serving God is a sin.

Genesis 19:32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. (33) And they made their father drink wine that night: (34) And it came to pass on the morrow, that the first born said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. (35) And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

There are countless people, Godly people, who have fallen away from the grace of God due to alcohol. In the above scripture the girls, knowing the persuasive power of alcohol were using it to get what they wanted. Isn’t it true, in today’s society, in yesterday’s society, that thousands, hundreds of thousands, have been led astray by the effects of alcohol?

Alcohol can get you in trouble. If taken to excess, alcohol opens a huge door for the devil to step through. That’s exactly why the bible emphasizes sobriety. It is smart to reduce the chances of allowing Satan a step into your heart and life.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;

Can you be “vigilant”, on your guard, avoiding the devil in a drunken state? The Devil will devour weak, ungodly men.

Preachers, Teachers, Deacons, Bishops

Luke 1:15 For he shall be great, in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost..

This scripture was talking about the coming of John the Baptist, a true man used of God. Notice how it said he won’t drink any alcohol. He was a human man, just like you and I. Notice in this scripture, and the ones below, how when God talks about his servants that “teach, preach, and serve” to spread the gospel, he demands a certain standard.

1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, (3) Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

• -bishop ¹⁹⁸⁵ = elders, overseers, sometimes used in conjunction with deacons

In summary, I believe that wine/alcohol isn’t a SIN if taken in moderation. Jesus and his disciples drank wine. But remember, Jesus was (is) God. We are sinful humans that are easily led astray. Additionally, there are schooled ministers of the bible that state that the wine of Jesus’ day isn’t the same as the alcohol of today. There is most likely some truth to that.

Remember however, alcohol can and has on thousands occasions, ruined many a godly man and woman. Also, if it causes another to stumble, it’s a sin. A glass of wine a day isn’t a sin in my opinion, but one must be very careful. Anything that can “tempt” you the way drinking can is inherently dangerous and can lead to the Devil taking control of your life.

Satan’s Personality

A bible study for the Leonardtown Baptist Church, Men’s Ministry, 4.9.2016

A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

Deceiver

Gen 3:1 (NIV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

• – What do we learn here? How is “deception” dangerous for us? How do we defeat deception?

• ⁃ The tempter of human souls is deceitful and subtile.

• ⁃ He can adapt himself to any circumstance. He can make use of any thing.

• ⁃ He is courageous. He dared to venture into the new and lovely paradise which God had made for adam & eve. Would not God expel him at once?

• ⁃ Satan is bold and adventuresome. He will approach them to seek their ruin, even though heaven may be their helper.

⁃ That the Tempter seeks to engage the human soul in conversation and controversy.

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Now, still talking about DECEIT, the next verse from Acts, is actually talking about a person named “bar-jesus” . A false prophet, a Jew, who was following Saul (Paul) and Barnabas. Paul turned to Bar-jesus and said:

Acts 13:10 (NIV) “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?

Satan or others like him pervert the right ways of the Lord.

2 Thess 2:9-10 (NIV) The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

⁃ counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, every sort of evil that deceives.

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MASQUERADES AS THE ANGEL OF LIGHT

2 Cor 11:14 (NIV) And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

• • The King James here uses the words “is transformed into an angel of light”. The thought is Satan can transform himself.

• • Since Satan himself is capable of appearing to be an angel of light, it is not to be deemed strange that those who are in his service also should resemble him.

• • The phrase “an angel of light,” means a pure and holy angel, light being the emblem of purity and holiness.

• • Satan has power:

• • He can assume such an aspect as he pleases. He can appear to be powerful and pious.

• He is the prince of wickedness; and think about how bad it is for everyone that Satan assume any character which he pleases.

Sinful

1 John 3:8 (NIV) He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

• ⁃ Greek-present-tense is used here. That would indicate that it would be “keeps on intentionally sinning”…..

• ⁃ “sinning from the beginning”..what does that say?

• ⁃ he’s practice it, he’s good at it.

⁃ As the author of sin, and prince of this world, he has never ceased to seduce man to sin [Luecke].

Liar

Luke 4:6 (NIV) And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

• ⁃ There is nothing in scripture, anywhere, that tells us that anything had been delegated to the devil. This was a flat out lie.

• ⁃ And if the devil will try to lie to Jesus, where does that put us?

• ⁃ And how did Jesus respond to satan’s attack? By throwing back Scriptures right in satan’s face. That tells us something.

• ⁃ Also, when did satan say this to Jesus? What was Jesus’ condition when satan attempted to tempt Jesus?

• ⁃ He was hungry and tired. He had been fasting for 40 days.

⁃ So, there’s a lesson for us to. satan will attack us at our weakest times.

John 8:44 (NIV) You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

⁃ No truth in him. Lies are his native language.

Tempts us(also lies to us)

Gen 3:4-5 (NIV) “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

• ⁃ Thoughts? So, instead of telling her what “the knowledge of good and evil” really meant, he turned it around, to promise them knowledge, to be like God, and made it sound like it would be good to know “good and evil”.

• ⁃ He lies, he distorts.

⁃ Another thing here we learn is that satan causes us not to fear God’s warnings.

Perverts the scriptures

Matt 4:6 (NIV) “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

• ⁃ If he will tempt and pervert the Scriptures to God himself, what about us?

• ⁃ our enemy is subtle, spiteful, and very daring;

• ⁃ Jesus was just starting his earthly ministry. All high places are slippery places; advancements in the world makes a man a mark for Satan to shoot his fiery darts at.

• ⁃ truth may be abused by lies; and that there is nothing more dangerous to the members of Christ, than when Scripture is misinterpreted and misapplied.

• ⁃ BY THE WAY, God had never promised, nor ever given, any the protection of angels in sinful and forbidden ways.

⁃ He misapplies this text, using it not to instruct, but to deceive.

Prince of this world:

• -Prince….what does that suggest?

-does he actually have any authority, or any power? [to his followers he does]

John 12:31 (NIV) Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

• â—¦ The title “prince of this world” was the regular Rabbinic title for Satan, whom they regarded as the ruler of the Gentiles.

• â—¦ He is also called the god of this world, 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:12;

• â—¦ All these names are given him from the influence or power which he has over the men of this world, because the great mass of men have been under his control and subject to his will.

• â—¦ He is called the Prince of this World not because he has any legal power and authority over the world; but because he has usurped a dominion over it, and has great power and efficacy in the hearts of the children of disobedience, who yield a voluntary subjection to him, as if he was their proper lord and sovereign.

â—¦ just as the Messiah is the Saviour of the believing world, whether Jew or Gentile, so Satan is the ruler of the unbelieving world, whether Gentile or Jew.

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[Jesus talking about his upcoming death on the cross]

John 14: 30 (NIV) I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me,

▪ The powers of darkness are at work in Judas and his employers.

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God of this world (KJV); God of this age (NIV):

2 Cor 4:4 (NIV) In whom the god of this world has 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 to them.

• ⁃ The name “god” is here given to him, not because he has any divine attributes, but because he actually has the homage of the people of this world as their god, as the being who is really worshipped, or who has the affections of their hearts in the same way as it is given to idols.

⁃ By “this world” is meant the wicked world. He has dominion over the wicked world. They obey his will; they execute his plans; they further his purposes, and they are his obedient subjects.

Ruler of the kingdom or power of the air:
• Eph 2:2 (NIV) Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
• So we have “prince of this world; god of this world, now prince of the air. Is there any place you can go to escape this god, little g god?
• But the phrase “the power of the air” is unique and difficult. his phrase signifies not “a power over the air,” but “a power dwelling in the region of the air.”
• Now, the word “power” both in the singular and the plural, is used here, almost technically, of superhuman power.
• Here, therefore, the Evil One is described as “the prince,” or ruler, of such superhuman power—considered here collectively as a single power, prevailing over the world, and working in the children of disobedience—in the same sense in which he is called the “prince of the devils,” (Matthew 9:34; Matthew 12:24).
• Why “AIR”? Robinson (Lexicon) supposes it to be because he is lord of the demons who dwell and rule in the atmosphere.
• So Dodridge supposes that it means that he controls the fallen spirits who are permitted to range the regions of the atmosphere.
• It is generally admitted that the apostle here refers to the prevailing opinions both among the Jews and non-Jews (pagans), that the air was thickly populated with spirits or demons.

Can get in your way and hinder you from doing good deeds:
• 1 Thess 2:18 Why we would have come to you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
⁃ OK, if satan can stop Paul….well, what about us?
⁃ Paul recognized the hand of Satan in frustrating his attempt to do good, and preventing the accomplishment of his strong desire to see his Christian friends.
⁃ Satan may often be responsible, or contribute to the embarrassments or failures that we meet with in life.
⁃ When we feel like God is calling us to do something good, but we face hindrances, obstacles, often look very much like the work of Satan.
⁃ Under the “Oh this is cool column”….The Greek for “hindered” is literally, “to cut a trench between one’s self and an advancing foe, to prevent his progress”;
⁃ So yeah, satan be like that!

Contends (STRUGGLES) with the saints:
• Eph 6:12 (NIV) 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.
• WRESTLE:
⁃ That there is a struggle, a “battle”
• Lots of descriptive words in this Scripture; and men, if it’s Scripture, we should listen. Principalities, which by definition means “Ruled by a PRINCE; and I know that we know what “Prince” it is talking about. Powers, this is demonic powers we are talking about; Rulers of the darkness of this world.
• You know how Jesus always talked about darkness as in Sin. And Spiritual “wickedness” in “high places”….powerful places.

Is sometimes permitted to afflict the righteous
• Job 1:12 (NIV) The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
⁃ Notice that God still had control, he allowed some things, but not other things.
⁃ This is a warning, but actually, if you think about it, it’s a powerful blessing statement too. Our Lord REIGNS.
• 2 Cor 12:7 (NIV) To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
⁃ So, once again, we have this recurring theme. Satan inflicts pain or suffering, but again, God uses it for our good.
⁃ Paul sees the glass half-full, not half-empty.

Opposes the righteous
• Zech 3:1 (NIV)1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.

Satan has dominion over the sinful
• Acts 26:18 (NIV) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

• Acts 5:3 (NIV) Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Preys upon men
• 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

• Rev 2:10 (NIV) Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

His place of activity is in the mind:
• John 13:2 & 27 (NIV)The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus…. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. “What you are about to do, do quickly,” Jesus told him.

• Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.

More names of Satan

• Rev 9:11 (NIV) They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.
• Rev 12:10 (NIV) Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
• 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
• 2 Cor 6:15 (NIV) What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
• Matt 12:24 (NIV) But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
• Matt 4:11 (NIV) Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
• Matt 4:3 (KJV) And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
• Matt 12:43 (KJV)43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
• Matt 13:19 (KJV) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

BUT HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS; THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

• Satan’s future:
• Satan is cursed by God::

• Gen 3:14 (NIV) So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.

God can control Satan:
• Rev 20:2 (NIV) He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

• John 12:31 (NIV) Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

• 2 Thess 2:8 (NIV) And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

Satan will lose in the end:
• Rev 20:10 (NIV) 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.

• Heb 2:14 (NIV) Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil.

• Luke 10:18 (NIV) He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

• Rev 12:9 (NIV) 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.

• 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
• James 4:7-8 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
• James 4:8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
• Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes

*Note: Some of the notes on this bible study were taken from a sermon preached by Dr. Greg Wrigley, Orange Avenue Baptist Church, Green Cove Springs, FL. Other comments have been added by the author…..Adam