Luke 22v31to34 We Will Be Tested

I) When we walk with God, we will be tested. Luke 22:31-34.

A) File: luke 22v31to34 we will be tested.doc

B) Audio: When we walk with God, we will be tested.

C) Series: Walking with God

D) Preached: March 4, 2007

II) Intro to the series: Walking with God

A) We can still walk with God by following Jesus.

B) First: It’s all about the Father’s Business.

C) Second: We must follow.

D) Third: He will prepare the way.

E) Fourth: we will witness division.

F) Last time: we will witness miracles.

G) Now: We will be tested

III) READ Luke 22:31-34.

A) Context: Judas, Passover meal/last supper, who is the greatest, servant leadership,

B) After: Jesus arrested in the garden, trials/Peter’s denial, crucifixion.

IV) Satan’s demand

A) Not a light subject – V31, Simon, Simon, behold – a double emphasis.

B) Satan demanded (NASB, ESV) …not a light term or a polite request, ἐξῃτήσατο, stronger word than asked. KJV desired, NIV asked,

1) To sift you like wheat…plural! Talking about disciples.

(a) To separate the wheat from the chaff. Chaff in Old Testament represents those who oppose God.

(b) Matt. 3:12, Luke 3:17, represents Jesus as a harvester, the wheat is gathered into barns but the chaff is burned with unquenchable fire

C) Jesus clearly alluding to Job. Reminiscent of Job 1 and 2:

1) Job – Satan presents himself. God points out Job. Satan says of course he’s good – you protect him but let me…

2) Satan became known as the accuser. Like it is his heavenly role to stand before God and point the finger at people.

(a) Zech. 3:1. a vision, “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.”

(b) This is how Satan attacks, accuses – This INCLUDES US. As we read the Bible, we must read ourselves into it. We are in the precise situation as Job, Joshua the high priest, Peter, and the other disciples…

(i) We are personally and specifically accused! YOU!

D) Peter to believers: 1 Pet. 5:6, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Devil, false accuser, adversary.

1) No doubt he thought of this. Prowling, seeking, - at who, unbelievers? No! Believers!

2) Acts 5 – Satan filled Ananias’ heart to lie.

3) Paul was cognizant of Satan’s resistance to his ministry: 1 Thess. 2:18, we wanted to come but Satan hindered us.

(a) Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a messenger (2 Cor. 12:7)

(b) 2 Cor. 2:11 we are not to be ignorant of his schemes so we are not outwitted.

4) These examples about believers Different for unbelievers

(a) Luke 22:3, John 13:7, Satan literally entered into Judas. Why? because he did not believe

(b) Mark 4:15, Parable of sower – Satan steals the seed away from those along the path.

E) Summary of Satan’s schemes –

1) For believers – constantly accusing, prowling, seeking. Unable to affect without God’s permission. Job described as having a ‘hedge’ around him.

2) For unbelievers – total possession like Judas. They are totally unprotected – no hedge.

3) What can we do against such an enemy?

V) Our defect – odds are against us, we are only human.

A) It would appear that we don’t have power against Satan.

B) Job was totally powerless to stop the devastation in his life.

C) Peter was determined – said on more than one occasion he was ready to fight to the death for Jesus – but he failed.

D) Why? We lack the power because we battle not against flesh but spiritual powers, Eph. 6:12-13, “12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God…”

1) Key words: “of God.”

E) V32 – Jesus turns specifically to Peter. V31, plural – disciples. V 32, singular – Peter.

1) Encouraging – faith won’t fail, he will turn again, and strengthen brothers.

2) But notice why – “I have prayed for you that” i.e. in order that your faith may not fail.

(a) The only reason Peter’s faith does not completely fail is because of Jesus’ prayer, intercession. This far only.

F) Our defect is that we are unable to stand on our own

1) This should not surprise us – remember John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches, apart from me you can do nothing” Our defect is our total inability to defend ourselves – but these verses show us the solution

G) The solution to our defect is Christ’s defense!

VI) Christ’s defense

A) Christ’s defense is His intercession for us.

B) His prayer for Peter was for his faith not to fail

1) Not an absence of the trial, not for Satan to go away, not for things to be easy for him.

2) But it was for enduring faith that Jesus prayed:

(a) Note Eph. 6:16, it is faith that is the shield that is used to extinguish Satan’s flaming darts

(b) But the assumption is that you are in a battle! It may extinguish the flaming darts but only to save your spiritual life – you may still be challenged, wounded.

C) But how can we be sure that he intercedes.

1) Later tells disciples to pray to avoid temptation

D) Prayer: promised that everything we ask in His name will be granted by the Father.

1) What’s that got to do with faith? Prayer and faith are joined together by Jesus Christ:

(a) Luke 17:5, “Increase our faith!” forgiving persistent sinner. Mark 9:24 Father of a young demon-possessed boy “I believe, help my unbelief” - prayer and fasting.

E) Why? a game? is God cruel? Two reasons.

1) The key is in Matthew 26:31 – a different detail included. “Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’”

2) Scripture trail Zechariah 13:7-9 READ. a fulfillment of

(a) OK for disciples an this situation but in general?

3) Something like that assoc. with Peter: 1 Peter 1:3-9, READ. Note: V5 – guarded through faith.

(a) Trials and testing produces results in us:

(i) V5 trials designed to make our faith more genuine – like refined gold like Zech. passage!

(ii) James 1:3, steadfastness, Romans 5:3 – suffering, endurance, character, hope,

(b) Trials and testing produces results for God: Note the second but more important result: V7 – praise honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

4) WHY? God’s glory. Look how glorious it is: It would be nothing for God to take us out of here or to protect us from everything. But He shows Himself to be real by testing His people and rather than their perishing from it – they are improved by it. Draw closer. Persist stronger. Believe more! Like Peter – he denied 3 times, but strengthened his brothers – became their leader through it.

(a) A great sign to all regarding resurrection: Peter went from denying Jesus to boldly proclaiming him as Lord before the very same people that killed Jesus? No way.

VII) Invitation

A) Facing the world unarmed? Victim or Victor?

B) How do trials affect you?

1) Believer – should be seeing results

2) Unbeliever – marked by a feeling of helplessness.

VIII) NOTES:

A) About the verses:

1) 31 – Simon, Simon, behold – very important – double emphasis. Pay attention!

2) 31 – Satan demanded

3) 31 – the ‘you’ is plural indicating all disciples

(a) for all disciples – including us

4) sift like wheat -

5) 32 – all ‘you’s are singular indicating Peter only

(a) Look at the personal nature of the request and intervention – look at Job.

(b) Satan is asking permission to tempt each of us by name.

(c) Further proof that our battle is not against flesh and blood…

6) Verse 32 – Jesus responds to the request by BEGGING that Peter not lose his faith and that after returning, he will strengthen his brothers

(a) This is what Job asked for – a mediator! A fulfillment!

(b) Peter is the exception – apparently the others will have failing faith? Luke at Mark 14:29, Peter says “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” We usually think that this is bold and brash but it seems to be accurate. Jesus singled out Peter as the one that would return and strengthen brothers – who can strengthen but the stronger?

7) 32 – Peter given hope – Although he will initially fail, it is not permanent – he still has a role to strengthen brothers.

B) KEY passages:

1) 1 Peter 5:6-11

2) Ephesians 6:10-20

C) Differences in other accounts:

1) Matthew – After Lord’s supper. Matt 26:31: Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” Plus an additional retort by Peter after announcement of denial.

2) John – Where I am going you cannot follow. Servant leadership discourse similar. Then comes chapter 14.

3) Mark – and Matthew – that Jesus will go before them into Galilee. Like Matt. 26:31 plus Galilee comment.

4) All four gospels Jesus mentions that one of them will betray him,

5) In all four he mentions Peter’s betrayal.

6)

D) Jesus tempted – likewise His followers

E) Paul handed one over to Satan so he MIGHT LEARN

F) Trials bring perseverance…count it all joy.

G) Refining as silver / dross

H) Possible outline:

1) Satan’s efficiency / Satan’s demand

2) Our deficiency / Our defect

3) Christ’s sufficiency / Christ’s defense

I) The solution – how to avoid temptation – PRAY

1) what part of the armor is this – ALL of it, Eph 6.

2) what extinguishes the fiery darts of the evil one.

IX) Extras:

A) The life of Peter – a character study. All ss refs. in order.

X) Another sermon:

A) When we walk with God, we will walk together!

1) See mp3 notes.

2) Jesus’ prayer John 17 – unity

3) Jesus’ 2 commands “love one another”

(a) The mark of true followers of Christ – their love for one another.

4) Illustration as a body

(a) idea of a severed body part. no blood flow, no nourishment, useless without the other limbs and the head

XI) More in series:

A) We become insiders

B) We’ll walk in the Spirit

C) We’ll carry the message

D) We’ll face our sin

E) We’ll find forgiveness

F) We will find purpose?

G)

March 4, 2007

Sermon Series: Walking with God. Learning what it means to walk with God by walking with Jesus through His ministry.

Today’s Message:

When we walk with God, we will be tested. Luke 22:31-34

These verses show us:

A) Satan’s ________________________

1) Verse 31. Concerning believers, see also Job 1 & 2; Zech 3:1; 1 Peter 5:6; Acts 5; 1 Thess. 2:18; 2 Cor. 2:11, 12:7. Concerning Unbelievers: Luke 22:3; John 13:7; Mark 4:15.

B) Our ________________________

1) Verse 32. See Ephesians 6:10-18, John 15:5.

C) Christ’s _______________________

1) Verses 32, 40, 46. See also John 17; Eph. 6:16;

D) WHY? Trials and testing produces:

1) Results in ______________________

2) Results for ______________________[1]

3) Scripture Trail: Matt. 26:31; Zech. 13:7-9; 1 Peter 1:3-9. See also James 1:3; Romans 5:3.