The Prince of this World - 9/27/09am

John 16:5-11 -The prince of this world stands condemned
These three passages speak of the prince of this world in relation to Christ’s crucifixion. It is at this time that prince of this world will be defeated. And the fulfillment of the first prophecy of Christ will be fulfilled (Genesis 3:15).

II Corinthians 4:3-6 -The god of this age has blinded unbelievers’
Minds

Satan is not only the prince of this world, but its god. It is he that so many follow, even without realizing it. We must be aware of what it means to make Satan your king.

What can we learn about Satan from scripture?

It is easy to follow him
It is easy to follow Satan. All you have to do is…nothing. Do whatever you want, whatever seems good to you, and you are following him. He doesn’t ask anything of you, except that you do what it easiest, and ignore whether it is right or wrong. You don’t have to actively follow him, you can passively serve him if you choose.
Romans 6:12-23 -Slave to sin = serve sin = serve Satan
James 4:17 -Not doing the good you should be doing is sin
I John 3:8 -He who does what is sinful is of the devil

He constantly seeks new subjects
Satan is always on the lookout for more people to serve under him. He’s always looking for people to convert to his banner.
I Peter 5:8 -Like a roaring lion, seeking who he can devour
-He is always prowling, looking for someone new
Luke 4:2 -Satan even tempted the Christ
-If he was tempted God‘s Son, he’ll tempt us
Luke 8:12 -Takes the word from their hearts
-He will do what it takes to make people ignore
the word of God


He is crafty
While he is looking for new subjects, he is crafty and deceptive. He will lie and disguise himself, doing whatever it takes to gain followers.
Matthew 13:37-39 -Satan places his followers among the good
Ephesians 6:11 -The devil schemes
Matthew 4:1-11 -Satan twists the word of God to his own ends
Genesis 3 -Adam, Eve, the serpent, and the fruit

He is deceptive
Satan is a liar. He lies about what it means to serve him, he lies about what is good and righteous, he lies about eternity, he lies about who is saved and who is not. Those who follow him are deceived, and we must be careful to not be so deceived!
II Corinthians 11:14-15 -Satan disguises himself as an angel of light
John 8:44 -He is a liar and the father of lies
II Timothy 3:12-14 -Evil men and imposters deceive and are
Deceived

He is limited in power
For a prince, a king, he is limited in power. He does not possess the power and might of the Lord God, but is hampered in what he does. He is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. Would you want to serve a king who is so weakened?
Job 1-2 -Satan is limited in what harm he can cause

The reward for following him will be to spend eternity with him
We are promised that if we live according to what he wants, if we serve him in this life, if we follow him as our king, that we will be rewarded with spending eternity with him, in the place prepared for him.
Revelation 20:10-15 -Those not written in the book of life are thrown
into the lake of fire
Matthew 25:41-43 -Those who sinned through omission sent to the
eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels