The Upper Hand | Message 1: Lucifer (Pride) | Pastor Chad Dingess | 3/12/2023

2 Corinthians 2:9-11 GNT
I wrote you that letter because I wanted to find out how well you had stood the test and whether you are always ready to obey my instructions. ¹⁰ When you forgive people for what they have done, I forgive them too. For when I forgive—if, indeed, I need to forgive anything—I do it in Christ’s presence because of you, ¹¹ in order to keep Satan from getting the upper hand over us; (the key to victory) for we know what his plans are.

1 Peter 5:8 NLT
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith.

Isaiah 14:12 NKJV
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”’

Ezekiel 28:15 NASB
“You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you. 16 “By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, and you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane from the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground…”

1: Pride occurs when I fail to give God glory.
2: Pride occurs when I depend on myself.
3: When I am in pride, I’ve given the enemy the upper hand.

1 Peter 5:5 NLT
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

• Worship places me in PROPER POSITION.

Psalm 150:1
Praise the LORD. (command) Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing (I didn’t put it there), praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

1 Timothy 2:8
Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands…

• Worship gives me PROPER PERSPECTIVE.

Psalm 34:1 NKJV
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.