Jesus Plunders the Devil

Tonight’s study centers on the reality that Jesus is actively plundering the devil’s kingdom, reclaiming what was lost and restoring authority to His people. The journey begins with the recognition that true knowledge of God comes only by revelation through the Holy Spirit. Just as Peter’s confession of Christ was not from human insight but divine revelation, so too must our understanding of Jesus’ victory and our place in it be revealed to us by God Himself. This is why Paul prays in Ephesians for believers to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that the eyes of our hearts are enlightened to the hope, inheritance, and power available to us.

Jesus’ authority, given by the Father, is not a passive title but an active mandate. He is seated at the right hand of God, not as a distant observer, but as the executive officer reclaiming all that the enemy has stolen from humanity. Yet, the challenge for us is that this victory is not always visible. Our senses often tell us that evil is prevailing, that we are powerless, and that hope is lost. But faith is the means by which we access the unseen realities of God’s kingdom. We are being trained to be moved more by what we believe than by what we see, to look not at the temporary things around us but at the eternal truths God has spoken.

The plundering of the devil’s house began at the cross, where Jesus disarmed the enemy by removing every accusation and condemnation against us. The charges that gave the devil power over humanity were nailed to the cross, rendering him powerless over those who are in Christ. After His resurrection, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, empowering believers with authority so superior to the enemy’s that it is as if the devil has no power at all. However, this victory is not automatic for everyone; it is accessed by faith. The devil remains active among those who do not believe, but for those who stand in the authority of Jesus’ name, filled with the Spirit, the enemy is rendered helpless.

Our calling, then, is to see ourselves as God’s representatives on earth, commanding with His authority, speaking His word, and enforcing His will. The Holy Spirit is working in us to shift our identity from victims to commanders, so that we might put all things under our feet and see God’s glory revealed through us. The victory of Jesus is not just a theological truth but a practical reality to be lived and enforced by faith.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Revelation Is Essential for Spiritual Sight True understanding of Jesus, His work, and our inheritance comes only by revelation from the Holy Spirit. Human reasoning cannot grasp the depths of God’s purposes; it is the Spirit who enlightens the eyes of our hearts so we can know the hope, riches, and power available to us. Without this revelation, we remain blind to the reality of Christ’s victory and our role in it. [28:24]
• 2. Faith Anchors Us Beyond What We See The life of a believer is not dictated by visible circumstances but by faith in God’s eternal word. We are being trained to be moved more by what we believe than by what we see, learning to fix our gaze on the unseen and eternal rather than the temporary and shifting realities around us. This shift is essential for living in the victory Jesus has secured. [36:50]
• 3. Jesus’ Victory Disarms the Enemy’s Accusations At the cross, Jesus removed every legal charge and condemnation that empowered the enemy against us. The devil’s primary weapon—accusation—was nailed to the cross, leaving him disarmed and unable to hold us in bondage. Our freedom is rooted in the finished work of Christ, not in our own efforts or righteousness. [43:08]
• 4. Authority Is Exercised by Believers Who Know Their Position The power Jesus gives is accessed and enforced by those who believe, are filled with the Spirit, and speak in His name. The devil is not bound for everyone; he remains active among those who do not know or exercise their authority. But when believers command in Jesus’ name, the enemy is rendered powerless, and God’s will is enforced on earth as it is in heaven. [49:21]
• 5. The Holy Spirit Reforms Our Identity as Commanders The Spirit’s work is not only to reveal Jesus but also to transform how we see ourselves. Until we see ourselves as God’s authorized representatives—creation commanders under Christ’s authority—we will not walk in the fullness of our calling. As we embrace this identity, we begin to put all things under our feet and participate in the plundering of the enemy’s camp.
  
  ** [52:58]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [26:47] - Introduction to Plunder: Jesus Plunders the Devil
• [27:16] - Ephesians 1: The Need for Revelation
• [28:24] - The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation
• [29:14] - Peter’s Confession and Divine Revelation
• [30:27] - Praying for Enlightened Understanding
• [31:40] - The Holy Spirit Guides into All Truth
• [33:06] - Jesus’ Authority and Mission to Plunder
• [34:36] - Living by Faith, Not by Sight
• [36:50] - Seeing the Unseen: 2 Corinthians 4:18
• [37:47] - Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places
• [40:54] - Plundering the Strong Man’s House
• [42:34] - How Jesus Bound the Strong Man
• [43:08] - Disarming the Enemy at the Cross
• [45:35] - The Gift of the Holy Spirit and Superior Power
• [46:58] - The Devil’s Activity and the Believer’s Authority
• [49:21] - Exercising Authority in Jesus’ Name
• [52:41] - The Holy Spirit and Our Identity
• [53:45] - Prayer for Revelation and Restoration
• [54:24] - Closing and Benediction

Bible Reading

Ephesians 1:15-23 (ESV) — > For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV) — > And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV) — > As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 1, what does Paul pray for believers to receive, and why is this important for understanding our hope and inheritance? ([27:56])
2. In Colossians 2, what did Jesus do to the “record of debt” and how did this affect the power of the enemy? ([43:08])
3. What does 2 Corinthians 4:18 say about the difference between what is seen and what is unseen? How does this relate to the way believers are called to live? ([36:50])
4. In the sermon, what is described as the main weapon the devil used against humanity, and how was it dealt with at the cross? ([43:35])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for “the spirit of wisdom and revelation” in Ephesians 1? What does this suggest about how we come to know God and our place in His plan? ([28:24])
2. The sermon says that Jesus’ authority is not just a title but an active mandate to reclaim what was lost. How does this change the way we think about Jesus’ current role in heaven? ([33:36])
3. The passage in Colossians talks about Jesus disarming the enemy by removing accusations. How might this change the way a believer responds to feelings of guilt or condemnation? ([43:35])
4. The sermon mentions that the devil is not bound for everyone, but is powerless when believers stand in their authority. What does it look like practically for a believer to exercise this authority? ([49:21])

Application Questions

1. The sermon teaches that true understanding of Jesus and our inheritance comes only by revelation from the Holy Spirit, not by human reasoning. How can you make space in your daily life to seek and receive this kind of revelation? ([28:24])
2. When you look at your current circumstances, do you tend to be more moved by what you see or by what you believe God has said? Can you share a recent example where you struggled with this? What would it look like to respond differently next time? ([36:50])
3. The enemy’s main weapon is accusation and condemnation, but Jesus has already dealt with this at the cross. Are there areas in your life where you still feel accused or condemned? How can you remind yourself of the truth that those charges have been nailed to the cross? ([43:35])
4. The sermon says that authority is exercised by believers who know their position in Christ. Do you see yourself as someone who carries Jesus’ authority? Why or why not? What might help you grow in this area? ([49:21])
5. The Holy Spirit is working to shift our identity from victims to commanders. In what areas of your life do you still feel like a victim? What is one step you can take this week to begin acting as a “commander” under Christ’s authority? ([52:58])
6. The pastor prayed for the church to see God’s glory revealed through us. What is one specific way you can pray or act this week to see God’s glory in your family, workplace, or community? ([39:18])
7. The sermon says that the victory of Jesus is not just a theological truth but a practical reality to be lived and enforced by faith. What is one area where you need to “enforce” Jesus’ victory in your life right now? How can your small group support you in this? ([51:05])