Access Granted: Getting Your Family Through It's Sifting Season
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Beloved, we live in a world where security is needed. We have so many passwords that we spend most of our day going through “Forgot Your Password” prompts. If you are anything like me, you have too many passwords to remember.
For years, you used the same password for everything. Still, now they warn against that because some jack-wagon is sitting in his basement trying to find ways to hack and steal your money, your identity, and even your precious photographic memories from your social media.
It would be best if you even had access codes and badges to gain access to certain areas of your own. Nowadays leaving your badge at home causes as much anxiety as leaving your cell phone or wallet at home.
Today, I want to talk about your soul security. The level of encryption that your Heavenly Father has placed on your and my life is so good that Satan, the ultimate hacker, won’t even hack it. He comes and asks for permission. Believe it or not, children of GOD, now and then, his access is granted.
I want us to focus on three specific points. 1) Why is his access granted? 2) What to prevent Satan from destroying us? 3) What is required of me?
Church, will you walk me through this tale of Divine Soul Cyber Security?
Let’s Go to Work.
Background
Background
Beloved, we find ourselves hanging with Jesus and the boys in the upper room as they are fresh from celebrating the Lord’s Supper. We find Jesus explaining to them that someone was about to betray him. The boys instantly became suspicious of each other and started bickering.
Christ informs them that soon he will be gone, and they will have to pick up where he left off in his earthly ministry.
Christ tells Peter that Satan has placed a request for the throne of Heaven, in the same fashion that he did with Job, to test his faith in Peter. Christ tells Peter that he needed to stay on your toes, stand 10 toes down, stay aware, and stay focus. Satan desire to shake you loose from me. He strives to shake your faith. He aims to make you denounce your GOD.
Beloved, we come to church Sunday after Sunday shouting and worshiping. We come to this house and cry at the top of our lungs, “For God I Live, and For God I Die!” Satan desires to put it to the test. Satan desires to prove us phony, hypocritical, fraudulent saints. He wants to demonstrate that we are all bark and no bite.
So, he goes to The Lord in the same fashion as in the Book of Job. In Job 1, Satan goes to God twice. First, Satan asks GOD; in Job chapter 1, Satan asks permission to take jobs, riches, and family. In chapter Job 2, He asked GOD’s permission to attack Job’s health.
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
In today’s chosen text, Jesus informs Peter that Satan is still at it. Satan has now set his eyes on you and the others. The Greek word translated on “You” is Humas (pronounced Hoo-mas), which is the plural form of this pronoun. He is not only coming for Peter but also wants the others. He not only wants Peter and the other disciples. Satan also wants us and our family as well.
Jesus tells Peter that the purpose of Satan is to get Peter and the others to leave the relationship that they have with GOD. Beloved, that is Satan’s agenda with us and our families today. How will we accomplish that? I’m glad you asked.
Satan enters those close to us. He causes them to betray our trust. He causes them to ruin our reputation. He causes them to speak discouraging words to us disguised as words of love. Satan brings financial hardships, illness, and other uncomfortable things into our lives. He shakes our lives up vigorously. He hits us where it hurts. He hits you with everything he must make you want to call it quits.
It sounds bleak; it doesn't sound encouraging, but hold! It gets better. This brings me to my first point. Why would God grant Satan access to us?
Why would God grant Satan access to us?
Church, though Satan desires to kill and destroy us, he can’t do any more to us than GOD permits. At my job, we use a system to store all of our department's reports and data. This system is an administrator. The administrator gives each department leadership access based on their need-to-know level. GOD is the administrator of our souls. Satan came with one motive, and that was to destroy us, but that can’t happen because of his limited access.
I love this; it puts Romans 8:28 in perfect context. Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1) I submit that GOD uses the struggles brought on by Satan to isolate us so that we can hear him. Some of us are too busy to pray, too busy to read our Bibles, and too busy to commune with our GOD. In our moment of Isolation, we listen to GOD for understanding. GOD sometimes needs to remove us from life’s distractions.
2) GOD uses the pressure of Satan’s attack to help us gain endurance for our next upcoming battle with life. We get this from James 1: 2-4.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
I was a defensive tactics instructor for my department a few years back. When we teach a specific technique, we would have to run the students through 100 repetitions of each method to create “Muscle Memory.” This would ensure that when the time comes to employ these techniques, the student would be able to perform this accurately, appropriately, and instinctively when their focus was compromised by dealing with whatever situation they were dealing with.
GOD allows Satan to test us so that we can see how good our training is. Some of us think we are ready for battle because we learned a few scriptures, prayed a few prayers, and were elevated to deacon or ordained as preachers. The thing is that “The proof is in the pudding.” I keep harping on 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and 2 Timothy 2:15.
Pray without ceasing.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
When I pray and faithfully study GOD’s word, I create Spiritual Muscle Memory. Spiritual Muscle Memory was on display in Matthew 4.
And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’
and,
‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Beloved, each time Satan attempted to distort the Word of God for his nefarious deeds, Our Kinsmen Redeemer didn’t blink an eye. He immediately responded appropriately, accurately, and instinctively. We should be just like Jesus. We should be prepared and ready for battle. This is why Paul reminds us to put on the whole armor of GOD daily.
Why should we put on the whole armor of GOD? I’m glad you asked. We put on the whole armor of GOD because we are fighting a different time enemy. This enemy is not human, so we can’t overpower him with mortal means.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Church, the devil is not a rookie. He is not a novice. He has been perfecting his craft forever. This is not the first time he has submitted a request to come after one of GOD’s strongest. Peter wasn’t the first. He went after Job. In your spare time, read the book of Job. He went after Job because Job was the most robust faith of the group and the leader of his family.
• Satan chose because of Peter, the de facto leader of the group. Satan knows that if you want to destroy anything, you cut off the head.
• You chop off the head, and the body dies. If you want to derail ministry progress, confuse the person at the head.
• You want to derail the people's progress and remove the men. Make them appear that they aren’t needed.
• You want to destroy a group of people, destroy their hope, but make it appear that they don’t need GOD. You do this by disguising wayward knowledge as education and making it accessible.
What to do to Prevent Satan from destroying us?
The next piece of the text gives up hope. Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Church Satan’s Access was Granted, and So Was Our Provisions. Let’s look at “A Clause” for a moment. Satan was granting permission to sift us, but at the same time, GOD granted provision for us to get through it.
In the text, Christ states that he prays for Peter that his faith will endure whatever is thrown his way. Christ prayed that Peter “Would not become weary in well doing.” Christ prayed that Peter “would be able to withstand the whiles of the devil.” Christ said Peter, you will make it through this because GOD provided our provision.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
God secured Peter because if Peter failed, everyone else would fail or give up. The same can be said for you.
If Mama or Daddy fails, there’s a good chance the family will fail or give up.
If the pastor fails, then the church is sure to follow.
If the mentor fails, then the men-tee is sure to follow.
It would be best to keep pushing your way through because your survival and those around you depend on it. How do I survive this sifting season, Preacher? I’m glad you asked.
We Survive by Having Faith in God and Cashing in on his promises.
Revelation 3:20 is a call to commune with GOD. Constant commune with GOD will give you full enough to continue to move forward when you can’t hear Him because Satan’s attacks have made life so noisy for you.
This is what communion looks like.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Your prayer life should be transparent and real with GOD. Say what you feel. Don’t spare GOD’s feelings. He’s a big boy. When your prayer is genuine, honest, and raw, it gives you some catharsis or relief. Prayer is us talking to GOD.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
David reminds us of this in Psalm 1:2-3
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
A consistent prayer and bible study life will allow us to bend appropriately but not break when the wind of Satanic Oppression began to blow. It gives the Holy Spirit the resources to strengthen our faith by returning God’s promises to our remembrance.
Beloved, our faith is the key to getting through this.
What is faith, you ask?
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The promise of GOD is this. Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
You demonstrate your faith by living out Proverbs 3:5-6 and Isaiah 40:31.
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
When you wait on the Lord you get the presence of the Lord.
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
With the Lord’s presence comes access to His Power, His Peace, and His Provision.
I know that Psalms 30: 5
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
The darkness of night is no match for the Light world. We will only serve by taking Jesus with us and letting them lead us all the way through.
What happens when we make it through?
3) What is required of us on the other side of the sifting?
What happens when we make it through?
Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”
Christ tells Peter, I need you to go when you reach the other side of your Sifting Season. I need you to inform the others that Satan is coming for them, too. Show how you made it over. Show them that they can make it.
Church, I stand here as your Peter. I stand here tonight to tell you I have been sifted and am still sifted. You may be being sifted, have been sifted, and will be sifted some again. However, I stand here with a message of hope for you. You are covered. Christ has prayed for you, Your Pastor has prayed for you, Your Ministerial Staff are praying for you, Your Deacons are praying for you, and Your Mothers are praying for you. Be thankful that somebody prayed for you. They had you on their mind and took the time to pray for you.
Let me tell you, I vividly remember being sifted as a child of divorce at the age of 9. I thought life was over, but I am still here. I was sifted in my teens as a young preacher torn between being faithful to my calling and getting into juvenile mischief. I was sifted in my 20s and 30s and still being sifted in my 40s, but I am still standing.
I urge you to hang in. There is joy on the side of this. You and yours will get through this. This, too, shall pass. Just hold to GOD’s unchanging hand. Once you come through your storm, you are mandated by Heaven to tell your story. What should I tell them, preacher? Beloved, You tell them
I urge you to hang in. There is joy on the side of this. You and your will get through this. This, too, shall pass. Just hold to GOD's unchanging hand.
I once was lost in sin, but Jesus took me in
And then a little light from Heaven filled my soul
It bathed my heart in love and wrote my name above
And just a little talk with Jesus made me whole
Sometimes, my path seems dreary without a ray of cheer
And then the cloud about me hides the light of day
The mists in me rise and hide the stormy skies
But just a little talk with Jesus clears the way
Now, let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry
He will answer by and by
Now, when you feel a little prayer wheel turning
And you know a little fire is burning
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right
I may have doubts and fears, my eyes may be filled with tears
But Jesus is a friend who watches day and night
I go to Him in prayer; he knows my every care
And just a little talk with Jesus makes it right
Now, let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry
He will answer by and by
Now, when you feel a little prayer wheel turning
And you know a little fire is burning
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right
Makes everything right!