WHO ARE YOU?
Text: Eph. 6:12;  Acts 19

INTRODUCTION:
Read Ephesians 6:12.  We are in a spiritual warfare.  We need to ask,
how can I win?  We sing we've got the power, so why are so many
whipped?  Who you are in this warfare will determine the outcome.  We
see in Acts 19:11 some of the warfare and why it is so necessary to know
who you are.
	There is power, look at verses 7 and 8.  People were being healed. 
There is power available, so where is it?  Why don't we see it?
	Paul said his preaching was in demonstration and in power.  The seven
sons of Sceva mistook the ritual for the reality.  They saw Paul and
decided they wanted some of that.  They thought that if they followed
Paul's example, and called upon the same power Paul called on they could
get the same power.  Seven sons ganged up on the devil.  When we are in
Christ, "one shall put a thousand to flight."
	They said, "We adjure you in the name of Jesus whom Paul speaks." 
Jesus was a common name.  Using the word "Jesus" as some kind of
incantation will not bring on the power. The name of Jesus has power in
the life of those who lives are submitted to Him.  Jesus said, "if ye
abide in me, and my word abides in you, you shall ask what ye will and
ye shall receive it."

I.	WHAT THE DEVIL DOES NOT ASK
A.	What do you confess?  Are your words positive or negative?  Jesus
said of the Pharisees, these people honor me with their lips and mouth
but their heart is far from me.

B.	What do you have?  You can't buy the victory with your money.  It's
not by the degrees on the wall.  They didn't say, "My daddy is the high
priest."  We don't get the victory by who we know, or who our parents
are.  The devils asked, "Who are you?"  The church of Laodicea
(Rev.3:17) said, "We are rich, we are increased in goods, we have need
of nothing."

C.	What have you done?  Jesus talked about people in Matthew 7:21,23 who
said "Master have we not done great things in your name?"  Jesus' reply
was simply, "Depart I never knew you."  He didn't say they hadn't done
great things.  But He said, "I Never Knew You."  Even if you come to the
spiritual battle with a long list of achievement, if you don't know
Jesus, if you don't have a meaningful relationship with Jesus, you will
not win the battle.

D.	Where do you go to church?  They don't care if you go to biggest, or
the most spiritual church in town.  They asked, "Who are you?"  They
didn't ask, "Whose books, you read, or whose tapes to listen to, or
whose TV shows you watch.  They asked, "Who are you?"

II.	WHO WE ARE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VICTORY AND DEFEAT
A.  1 Jn. 3:1,2-We are the children of God.  Heirs and joint heirs with
Jesus Christ.
"Beloved now are we the sons of God...."

B.  2 Cor. 5:20-We are the Ambassadors of Christ.  I am sent by the King
to do a job.  I come with the authority given to me by the King.

C.  Rom. 8:37-We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loved
us and gave himself for us.

Conclusion
	Perhaps  you've been going through a spiritual battle lately, maybe
you've been discouraged.  Maybe you've been feeling empty and dry in
your relationship with God.  Maybe your family has been under attack by
the enemy and you are battle weary, Satan has been telling you to back
off of your commitment to God and His church.  Let me tell you, I have
never seen a person back off from God, from His church, from His Word,
and things got better.  That is a lie from Satan.  
	Instead, today is the day you need to pick up your armor, pick up the
shield of faith, pick up the sword of the Spirit and stand your ground. 
Today is the day you need to look the devil in the eye and say, "I know
who I am!  I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus.  I can do all
things through Christ who strengtheneth me.  I am a child of God and He
has given me the power to walk on serpents and scorpions and over all
the power of the enemy and I'm going to keep on walking, keep
witnessing, keep worshipping.  I'm not doing back, I'm not going down,
I'm not going under, Praise God I'm going on and one day I'm going up
with a shout."

Satan has been asking who you are, do you know?  I know who I am, in
myself I am nothing, but I have been crucified with Christ and I no
longer live and the life that I now live is Christ living in me.  I am,
a child of God.  I am loved of God.  

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Mark Hardgrove is Pastor of the Suwanee Church of God in Suwanee, GA
The Home Page for Suwanee Church of God is,
www.churchnetwork.com/suwaneecog

Mark is an avid writer and recently sold an article to the EVANGEL for
publication.  He has many, many sermon outlines/manuscripts available.
For a list of available titles which can be e-mailed directly to you,
contact Pastor Hardgrove at destinie@ix.netcom.com