The Destroyer

Introduction

We are doing the 3rd part today of a message series “when the devil knocks”. This isn’t again a devil gloryfying sermon but rather what we need to constantly realize is that our battle is a real spiritual battle. Satan wants to come against you and destroy you in anyway that he possibly can. This verse has been the theme of our sermon series.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Look here is the truth and I can say this because I have seen it in my life. Satan wants you to to fail, he wants you to walk back in your spiritual life, he wants to destroy and choke you out and essentially it is his full hearts mission to see that happen.

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The devil is compared to the cat family (joke)

According to Jesus he came on a mission. Christ came to bring life and life abundantly and Jesus says that Satan came to kill, steal, and destroy.

What does he want to kill? It isn’t speaking in the physical sense. Satan wants to steal, kill, and destroy your peace, your finances, your friendships, your time. You name it.

We have looked at a few examples of that over the last few weeks.

Explain week 1,2, and 3.

Here is the thing it seems that the devil wants to attack us the most when we are down, but what I have learned over time is that he will do everything he can to attack you when things are going well. When we are high flying and feeling on top the world. When we are least alert!

David‘s Greatest Sin

Today we are going to be looking at an old testament story that maybe you might not know particularly well. It has to do with our man King David.

Explain David’s rise to power.

When we look at like the life of David we can see that it wasn’t when he was weak and vulnerable that he stumbled but rather it was when he was powerful and proud. If I went around and asked most people “what was David’s greatest sin?” Most pople would say when that is obvious it was when he was adulterous with Bathseba. Others would think a little more and say well it was the Murder of Uriah.

I would say that it wasn’t any of these that was the greatest, but rather the root sin of pride.

1 Chronicles 21:1 NIV

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

Explain how Satan attacked David

Was it really wrong to take a census? No it wasn’t wrong to take the census but the motive behind this census was wrong.

You see there were times when Moses would take a census of Israel and with each man he would give a Sheckel I believe. The purpose was that moses would symbolize the redemtion and liberation that God had given the Israelite people. Through this he was bringing glory to God not himself.

Pride is a destroyer

Give illustration of your own life.

Satan loves to attack you when you are full of pride. This was also David’s issue. Some of us might be here today thinking I am glad this message is being preached this person really needs to here it.

Pride is often difficult to see in the mirror.

Joab was able to recognize the pride in David.

1 Chronicles 21

1 Chronicles 21:6–7 NIV

But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel.

Which was worse here the adultery or pride?

2 Samuel 12:13 NIV

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.

1 Chronicles 21:8 NIV

Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”

You may never be more vulnerable to Satan’s attacks then when you are full of pride.

There was this man named Uzziah in the Old Testament who helped Israel mightily in their rebuilding to become a war machine.

2 Chronicles 26:16 NIV

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

What does pride do?

Give examples of what pride does in the lives of men and women.

Proverbs 16:18 NIV

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

How does pride manifest itself?

James 4:6–8 NIV

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4

The Greek word translated opposes means to bring a whole army. In other words if you stand and say you deserve the glory that God deserves he has every right to come against you.

Then he says submit yourselves. This is another military term that means to voluntarily rank under. To choose sumbission to the one who ranks higher.

What happens when you submit to God. This verse tells us very plainly. When you submit to God you have the strength of God and are able to resist the devil by the power of God.

Humble Yourselves Unto God

Look it is plain scriptural fact that there is not middle ground. You don’t kind of love God. You don’t sort of follow Jesus. Scripture says that friendship with this world is hatred towards God. That is why we submit.

Your word is our guide.

Your spirit empowers us.

Your will is what we want.

When we are full of pride we are essentially declaring our independance from God. I don’t need you. I don’t need your word. I know what is best for my life. Humility is declaring our complete dependance on God. I need you guiding me. I need your spirit comforting and convicting me. I need you for my next breath, I need you for my next decision and when we humble ourselves God will lift us up.

Why do you think God opposes the proud? It is very likely that all the way before the creation of the world that Lucifer ,who God loved, allowed pride to take him down.

Explain the fall of Lucifer. What was his biggest weakness. (I will/My will)

Isaiah 14:14–15 NIV

I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

Isaiah 13:13–15 NIV

Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the Lord Almighty, in the day of his burning anger. Like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd, they will all return to their own people, they will flee to their native land. Whoever is captured will be thrust through; all who are caught will fall by the sword.

Isaiah 14:13–15 NIV

You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

Contrast Jesus and Lucifer. Explain Jesus in the garden still saying thy will!

Satan wants to destroy you! (what do we do?)

We are never more powerful than when we are humble because we are too weak, but he is strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.