Our Adversary, Satan
Notes
Transcript
TEXT: “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith”
TEXT: “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith”
1 Peter 5:6–14 (NLT)
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 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. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen. 12 I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace. 13 Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son.”
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 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. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen. 12 I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace. 13 Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son.”
INTRODUCTION: Mr. Average Christian doubts the reality of his “adversary the devil.” (This could be the reason he is “Mr. Average.”)
INTRODUCTION: Mr. Average Christian doubts the reality of his “adversary the devil.” (This could be the reason he is “Mr. Average.”)
James 4:7–10 “7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
James 4:7–10 “7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
I. Jesus and the devil.
I. Jesus and the devil.
A. Jesus defeated the devil in the temptation conflict. Jesus’ weapon was the sword of the Spirit and the Word of God.
A. Jesus defeated the devil in the temptation conflict. Jesus’ weapon was the sword of the Spirit and the Word of God.
Matthew 4:3–4 “3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:3–4 “3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:5–7 “5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
Matthew 4:5–7 “5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
Matthew 4:8–10 “8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
Matthew 4:8–10 “8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
B. Jesus declares that the devil is the enemy that sowed tares in the field as men slept.
B. Jesus declares that the devil is the enemy that sowed tares in the field as men slept.
Matthew 13:24–25 “24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.”
Matthew 13:24–25 “24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.”
The meaning is:
The meaning is:
Matthew 13:38–39 “38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. 39 The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.”
Matthew 13:38–39 “38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. 39 The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.”
C. Jesus’ ministry—a vast part of it—was delivering men and women from the devil’s agents.
C. Jesus’ ministry—a vast part of it—was delivering men and women from the devil’s agents.
Do we have the power as Jesus does to deliver others from Satan? Scripture tells us we do. We can do the things Jesus did, even more.
Do we have the power as Jesus does to deliver others from Satan? Scripture tells us we do. We can do the things Jesus did, even more.
II. The apostle Paul writes
II. The apostle Paul writes
A. “The god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers”
A. “The god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers”
2 Corinthians 4:4–5 “4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 5 You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
2 Corinthians 4:4–5 “4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 5 You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
B. “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light”
B. “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light”
2 Corinthians 11:14–15 “14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”
2 Corinthians 11:14–15 “14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”
DECEIT! SATAN DOES THIS DAILY,
DECEIT! SATAN DOES THIS DAILY,
C. Ephesians 6:10–12 “10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
C. Ephesians 6:10–12 “10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
III. Some of the things and ways he performs towards Christians.
III. Some of the things and ways he performs towards Christians.
A. Satan makes us so problem-conscious that when we see “the wind and the waves” we sink into defeat. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.”
A. Satan makes us so problem-conscious that when we see “the wind and the waves” we sink into defeat. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.”
B. Satan feeds the cancer of pride and arrogance that too often paralyzes us. Fear and trouble, indecision of what to do because we haven’t reached out to the Holy Spirit for guidance, this fear is a fear that can STOP us in our tracks dosent’ it?
B. Satan feeds the cancer of pride and arrogance that too often paralyzes us. Fear and trouble, indecision of what to do because we haven’t reached out to the Holy Spirit for guidance, this fear is a fear that can STOP us in our tracks dosent’ it?
C. Satan stirs up “love of money” shiny, fast, chrome, property, hi tech, new styles, and love for all that money can buy.
C. Satan stirs up “love of money” shiny, fast, chrome, property, hi tech, new styles, and love for all that money can buy.
D. As in Eden—so now—satan makes sin in yours and my lives
D. As in Eden—so now—satan makes sin in yours and my lives
1. Good to look at.
1. Good to look at.
2. Good to taste.
2. Good to taste.
3. Good to get compliments, good to get “I want that” smile
3. Good to get compliments, good to get “I want that” smile
E. satan tempts us to low-level living—to choose a good instead of a better or the best.
E. satan tempts us to low-level living—to choose a good instead of a better or the best.
IV. So, What shall we do about Satan? God’s Word tells you what to do about it.
IV. So, What shall we do about Satan? God’s Word tells you what to do about it.
A. James 4:6-8 “But he gives more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to dejection”
A. James 4:6-8 “But he gives more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to dejection”
B. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:6–9).
B. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:6–9).
C. 1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”
C. 1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”
D. “Romans 16:20 “20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
D. “Romans 16:20 “20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
