Bucknall AOG. PM SUNDAY 24 SEPT. 06.

Place: Bucknall AOG. Date: AM Sunday, 24th Sept. 2006.

Text: Acts 28:5. Theme: How to shake off a snake.
Introduction: Reading: Acts 28:1-10.

“But he shook off the snake into the fire and suffered no harm.”

In Mark 16:15-18, we see several signs that Jesus Himself said would follow those who believe. “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

When this scripture says “take up” serpents, it is not talking about bringing a box of snakes (a symbol of the devil) to church, (where do you want the new exit story?). The Greek words for “take up” do carry the idea of picking them up, but the idea is to “do away” with them or “cast them away.” Our job as Christians is to cast away Satan and his works!

1 John 3:8 “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” So we do not go out looking for snakes! But I want to assure you that if you walk in Christ’s ways, you will encounter some snakes! Satan himself is pictured as a snake!

1ST POINT: They built a fire! Acts 28:1-2.

“Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.”

There are two ways to stir up a snake in the work of God:
A. Start a fire! God is doing that around here every day! The fires are burning!

B. Start adding fuel to the fire! A fire must be carefully tended. Note, Paul himself gathered sticks to add to the fire, “But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire.”

You who are young spiritual Christians, do not let the fire go out of your life! You must add fuel every day! Note: Paul was a prisoner at the time. He did not have to work! The natives built the fire.

Paul could have sat down and waited for them to put wood on it. But it shows the kind of person God desires us to be. Humble in spirit, with a servant’s heart!

2ND POINT: The snake came out! Acts 28:3-4

“But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”

A. The serpent cannot stand the heat!

When God’s fire starts to burn the devil has to get out. Remember the demons that plead with Jesus as He was about to cast them out!

Luke 8:31 “And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.”

B. The serpent attacked the servant of God!

Notice that the snake did not bite anyone else around. The devil knows who to attack.

Notice how it attacked, it did not just bite Paul it attached itself to Paul’s hand! This was probably a Viper. This snake does not just bite you; it chews on you a little bit to get more venom in you. Its poison is deadly! Notice that the natives thought that Paul was going to die! They had clearly seen this kind of snake bite someone before!

The devil wants to fasten himself to you in any way he can!

Ephesians 4:22-23 “That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.”

Romans 13:12 “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness.”

3RD POINT: Paul shook the serpent off! Acts 28:5-6.

“But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.”

A. What he did not do!

1. He did not scream and shout!
2. He did not get mad that he was the only one bit!

B. He shook the serpent off into the fire!

1. He put that thing right back into the heat where it would be destroyed!
2. Remember that Satan knows his destiny! Do you know Satan’s destiny?

Revelation 20:10
”The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Remember God’s history with snakes!
Genesis 3:14-15

“So the LORD God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”

Conclusion:

We need to learn to cast off the snakes in our lives! Acts 28:7-10 “In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island … Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.”

Note: the same hands that where attacked by the snake, the devil. Was used by God to heal the sick!

Shake off the devil and be set free to serve the Lord God!