Why is the ministry of the gospel a battle to destroy Satan and his kingdom of darkness?

 

Why is the ministry of the gospel a battle to destroy Satan and his kingdom of darkness?

 

7. Colossians 1:13 - "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves."

8. Mark 1:15 - "'The time has come,' he said. 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'"

9. Luke 17:20-21 - "Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, 'The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, "Here it is," or "There it is," because the kingdom of God is in your midst.'"

 

Item	Content
Reasons	1. Satan's kingdom is in opposition to God's kingdom; Satan's house conflicts with God's house. 2. God became flesh (Jesus Christ) to establish His kingdom and fulfill His purpose. 3. The purpose of gospel ministry is to destroy Satan's kingdom and establish God's kingdom.
Explanation	1. When Jesus preached the gospel, He was binding the strong man (Satan) and plundering his house. 2. Gospel ministry liberates sinners captured by Satan, rescuing them from Satan's prison. 3. Jesus relied on the power of the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel and destroy Satan's kingdom. 4. As the Lord destroys Satan's kingdom through preaching the gospel, He simultaneously brings in God's kingdom.
Application	1. Believers should repent for the nearness of God's kingdom. 2. Recognize that preaching the gospel is a spiritual battle. 3. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than one's own ability to preach the gospel. 4. Preaching the gospel is not only about saving individuals but also about establishing God's kingdom.
Examples	1. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for God's kingdom. 2. Jesus told people to repent for the kingdom of God when preaching the gospel. 3. Jesus cast out demons by the Holy Spirit, showing that God's kingdom had come.
Relevant Scriptures	1. Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." 2. Mark 3:26-27 - "If Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man's house." 3. John 3:5 - "Jesus answered, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.'" 4. Ephesians 2:19 - "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household." 5. Matthew 12:28 - "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

 

This table summarizes why the ministry of the gospel is a battle to destroy Satan and his kingdom of darkness. It emphasizes the spiritual nature of gospel ministry and its crucial role in establishing God's kingdom.

 

*Please refer to the 2024 Summer On-Site Training - Experiencing, Enjoying, and Expressing Christ (1) Message Four: The Kingdom is the Conquering of Rebellion and the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus