SURVIVING THE SEASON OF SIFTING

"SURVIVING THE SEASON OF SIFTING"

Luke 22:31-32 [ESV ]

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

Intro:

"Ladies and gentlemen, Life's journey is filled with peaks and valleys, moments of triumph and seasons of trial. In these times of testing, when our faith is shaken and our resolve is tested, we find ourselves in what I call the season of sifting. It's a period where the very fabric of our being feels like it's being sifted through the hands of adversity. It’s a time when one’s faith, character, and resilience are put to the test, often resulting in personal growth, strengthened faith, and a deeper reliance on God. But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, there is hope. Today, we'll explore how we can not only survive but thrive in the midst of these challenging seasons. So, let us come together, open our hearts, and discover the resilience and strength that lies within us as we navigate the season of sifting."

The Bible is believers handbook on how to survive seasons of sifting….

THE WORD OF GOD IS DESIGNED TO:

PREPARE US FOR TRIALS

PROPEL US THROUGH TRIALS

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)

'To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3  A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

4  A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)

1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬ ”Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:“

‭‭”that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:“

‭‭

1 Peter 4:12 (KJV)

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

”but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.“

‭‭

In our text, Simon Peter is made to understand the fact that he is about to be tested. He is encouraged in this revelation by the fact that the Lord Himself will take an active part in his trail.

This passage lets us know that we do not have to fail in the attacks of life. We do not have to crawl away in defeat, never to be heard from again.

I want to show you that even if you have failed, you can still rise from the ashes and salvage what Satan has attempted to destroy. I want to share, from this passage,

SURVIVING THE SEASON OF SIFTING.

I. We Must Know That Satan Has Plotted On You

Satan has "plotted"..not "plotting"

The weapons have already been formed

The adversaries are already in place

The traps have already been set

The lies have already been orchestrated

Noticed two things about Satan plot:

1. Satan's Plot Has Been Permitted By God

v31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

We need to look at three words in this verse of scripture to fully appreciate what Jesus is saying!

Look at the word “Desired”

“Satan HATH DESIRED” suggests this conflict had been taking place in-the spiritual realm whilst Peter remained unaware of what was transpiring. This is thought-provoking for the same thing might be happening with any of us.

The word “desired” is an interesting word. which means “to beg for one’s self; to ask that one be given up to one from the power of another; to demand for the purpose of torture and punishment.” The word indicates the limitations of Satan’s power and the fact there is one more powerful than he … the Lord. Thank God for that! In this word we are reminded of Job’s affliction and attacks from Satan.

* Job 1:7—And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

In Job’s day, Satan was on the prowl just like he is today. In fact, it was the Lord who pointed Satan to Job. The Lord knew that Job could handle anything Satan dished out at him. Satan, however, had to get permission from the Lord to the extent of his attacks.

Job 1:8–12.… And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

1. Satan's Plot Has Been Permitted By God

Look at the word “You”

Satan hath desired to have you,

The word “you” in the Greek is plural, that is, Satan not only wanted to sift Peter, but he wants to sift every child of God.

Evidently, Satan had been sizing up Peter. He must have sensed something of Peter’s greatness. On the Day of Pentecost alone, Peter would bring three thousand souls to Christ. This is thought-provoking for the same thing might be happening with any of us. Simon’s reaction was typical of the man. Impulsive, blustering, often speaking before he considered what he was about to say; but always sincere, Peter gained an abiding place in the heart of every Christian. The Lord’s foreknowledge is once again revealed for He not only knew that Peter would deny his Lord, He knew also how many times this would take place and precisely the time the third denial would terminate.

• I can assure you that if you are a child of God, the Bible teaches that Satan desires to give you a good “shaking”.

• Charles H. Spurgeon: The devil never kicks a dead horse.

Not only,

1.Satan's Plot Has Been Permitted By God

2.Satan's Plot Is To Pull You From God

v31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have you, to sift you like wheat,

Simon, Simon!” The double use of a name was intended to arrest attention. The device is used ten times in the Bible. Jesus used it on the cross (Matt. 23:37)

Here, the Lord used the duplication of Peter’s old name not only to arrest him but also to impress upon him his danger.

Look at the word “Sift”

The Lord told Peter that Satan desired to sift him as wheat. In order for us to understand what the Lord is talking about in this verse of scripture, we have to know something about the sifting of wheat.

This sifting of wheat basically referred to the repeated, swift, and violent shaking of the wheat in a sieve. The sifter would shake the sieve from side to side in order to get the chaff to surface to the top. It was then discarded. The sifter would blow over the material, so that what remained of the chaff gathered in an easily removable pile. The purpose for the sifting was to save the wheat that had been separated from unwanted material.

• Why does God allow us to be sifted?

• Because there are things in our lives that God is not pleased with. God allows us to be “sifted” so only the good will remain.

• Every time we are sifted, God allows it for our good, but Satan sifts us for a different reason.

Illustration

• Remember when Joseph had to go through that difficult time in the Old Testament in Genesis 37. They actually took the clothes off his back and threw him into a pit. Everything they did to him they did for a bad reason, but the fact is everything they sis was used by God for good.

• The word “sift” means to shake. There are times in our life when God allows us to be shaken. And you can rest assured that during those times, Satan always is more than glad to accommodate God in this “sifting” process.

• Why is it that Satan is always willing to accommodate God during such times?

• Satan hates and despises God

• There is nothing about God that he likes

• Once, in heaven, he tried to overthrow God

• He will do anything he can to break the heart of God

• This is where we come into the picture. Satan knows that God loves us so much that He gave His son to die on the cross for our sins.

• Satan’s primary purpose in all “temptations” is to break the heart of God.

• It actually has nothing to do with us personally!

• Notice in the book of Job, He (Satan) tried to make God think Job really did not serve him because he loved him, but because of what he could get out of him.

• In Job 1, we see God and Satan having a conversation. Satan shows up and God said, “Satan, whence comest thou?”

• “Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it..”

• “And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”

• Look at some of the questions he (Satan) immediately directs to God concerning Job. “Hast not thou made an hedge about him (Job) and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?”

• What is Satan saying to God? He is saying, “Job, does not love you and the only reason he is serving you is to get what he can from you.”

• But Satan was wrong about Job. Job served the Lord because he loved the Lord and God blessed him because he loved the Lord.

• Every child of God will be sifted!

• Sifted -> the family, in your (?), by foes, in your faith, by friends.

• But the only reason what Satan can lay a had on any child of God is because “God allows it”.

• Romans 8:28

SURVIVING THE SEASON OF SIFTING!

I. We Must Know That Satan Has Plotted On You.

II. We Must Know That The Savior Has Prayed For You.

Jesus, being omniscient, knew of Satan’s plot and so prayed for Peter’s survival.

The Savior’s Intercession:

Look at Verse 32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not..”

• Amilified Bible: “But I have prayed especially for you (Peter)..”

• ASU: “But I made supplication for you..”

• What a statement of hope!

But I have prayed for you: What prevented Satan from having his way with Peter had nothing to do with Peter. It was because of Jesus’ prayers on Peter’s behalf.

The thought of Jesus interceding for us, protecting us from Satan, is wonderful! How many times we would have perished, had not Jesus prayed for us!

• Jesus intercedes for the disciples and us that we do not have to go through the sifting of life alone.

• John 17:9, “I pray for them, that they may be one as we are.”

The reason for the praying. “That thy faith fail not” He did not pray that Peter would not have to go through the trial but that Peter would be victorious in the trial. He did not pray for Peter’s finances or fame or job but for his faith. Heaven is more interested in faith than most humans are.

• As Jesus prayed for the believers, notice that He does not pray for removal from the problem, but for the ultimate victory in our lives.

• Your victory over the sifting process will become a great part of your testimony!

• The harder you fall, the higher you bounce.

• So while Satan schemes against us, Jesus supplicates for us. As the devil plots to destroy us, Satan is our adversary and Jesus is the advocate.

• And Jesus assured Peter that though he would suffer a temporary lapse of faith, it would not be permanent because He was interceding for him.

• For without the strengthening protection of the Savior, Peter would never have found his way back to true “fellowship” and “faithfulness” with God.

• Even when we fail, Jesus is there!

• But I have prayed thee!

• So one said, “Rock bottom is good solid ground, and a dead end street is just a place to turn around.”

• But I have prayed for thee!

• Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them (You) to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

• “Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out.”

• “That your faith should not completely fail.”

• Your faith: persuasion, conviction, reliance upon Christ, assurance, and belief.

• Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.

• I pray before (?)

SURVIVING THE SEASON OF SIFTING!

I. We Must Know That Satan Has Plotted On You.

II. We Must Know That The Savior Has Prayed For You.

III. We Must Know That Strength Has Been Promised To You.

v32 and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren”

another translation says And thou, when thou hast turned (to God) strengthen thy brethren. “Converted” is not speaking of salvation but refers to Peter’s recovery from the trial. When he recovered Christ said Peter was to strengthen his brethren. It is interesting that Christ did not say convert (lead to salvation) lost people. Rather, his ministry was to strengthen the saints. They need strengthening just as a new babe needs food to grow stronger.

The Strength Being Promised Would Allow Peter To Bear Through The Season Of Sifting

The Strength Being Promised Would Allow Peter To Build From The Season Of Sifting

Verse 32, “And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

• When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them fresh start.

• So when you recover..

• In those words of Jesus we find both spiritual deliverance and spiritual duty!

• When Peter had genuinely repented of his failure, experienced forgiveness with God then he was ready for service.

• Peter’s turning point!