Being In The Devil's Hands

We often hear people say that the Devil is busy. The truth is every time we try to do God’s will and be a representative of Christ, he shows up to disrupt things. Well this behavior isn’t new for him. It has always been his M O. He is always seeking whom he can devour or destroy. That is what we find in this text today, which takes place during the passion week leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus. This chapter opens with the Devil getting busy. The chief priest and the scribes are seeking a way to kill Jesus. And the Devil finds a way to enter in to Judas one of Jesus very own disciples. He causes Judas to betray Jesus, but now he is attacking the other disciples and will make Peter deny Him. How does this happen?

The Problem

Jesus warns the disciples of an impending problem.

Satan, the person of the Devil.

He has demanded to have- to demand something and obtain and affirmative response. To ask for something and receive what one has asked for. Satan has asked and received permission to have you.

Who does he have. YOU- this is plural. Satan wants to take all of the disciples.

What does he want to do? He wants to sift them as wheat. To sift by shaking in a sieve. This is figurative and can be translated as “to test you” or “to test you so as to separate the good from the bad.

This text alludes to ,

God give the Devil the permission to test Job.

God will give the Devil permission to test you.

In your family

In your possession

In your health

The Prayer

Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith.

Jesus prayed, He prayed to the Father, begging Him for something indispensable or necessary.

He prayed for your faith. For your strong confidence in Him, and reliance upon Him. Your trust in Him.

That you faith fail not. That you would not disappoint Him or prove undependable to Him. To have your faith cease.

When the Devil has you in his hands, he can change your life.

He can make you turn away from the Lord, if you’re not careful.

Strengthen- to cause someone to become stronger in the sense of more firm and unchanging in attitude or belief.

After you turn again. The KJV says have been converted. To go back to a previous state or way of life.

When you get it together again and reaffirm your faith, help your brothers.

You cant help others until you first get it together.

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

1

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

The Promise

The Promise

Peter promises to follow Jesus at all cost.

He will follow Him to prison.

He will follow Him to death.

He is willing to lay down his life for Jesus.

He has the right intention.

We often say we are willing to give our life for the Lord.

If so, you have the right intentions.

But Jesus knows you better than you when you are in the Devils hands.

The Prediction

Jesus predicts Peter’s denial.

The rooster

Normal time of crowing

This day

Peter will deny Jesus

Deny- to refuse to recognize or acknowledge.

He will refuse to acknowledge Jesus.

Although Peter had the right intention, Jesus knows that he will perform the wrong actions.

Peter at the fire.

All it takes is to get close to the fire and you too might deny Jesus.

How will you respond when you are in the possession of the Devil?

English Standard Version Chapter 13

38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

We all have good intentions, but when we get near the fire, in the hot seat, will you deny Him?

When you have an opportunity make a little extra money, will you betray Him?

Even though you have the right intentions, Jesus knows you will sometimes perform the wrong actions.

But you can keep your faith, because He died for your mistakes, your sins, on Calvary.

I’m so glad Jesus prayed for me!

Had me on His mind.

He took the time and prayed for me