Eating with the Enemy Message 2

Eating with the Enemy

Message 2

Even Though…

Me:

Practice what you preach

a. It is oh so easy

i. First off, I was tired

1. I’m not sleeping well

2. Pretty busy week

ii. I got a phone call

iii. You know the kind

iv. Starts out innocent enough

v. Then the “I talk to _________ “

b. I let it really bug me

i. It lasted a few hours

ii. I sat down to work on my message, and it dawned on me.

iii. Here Mr Devil have a seat. – Let’s eat

iv. Not on purpose

v. But I let the fears and doubts creep in

vi. I have a lot to learn about how to prevent this

vii. We will learn together

We:

Giving the enemy a seat

a. It’s never a neon sign

i. It’s always that subtle little thing

ii. And we allow him a seat at the table

iii. We lose our peace our joy our hope

iv. We worry, we are on edge, our anxiety goes to an all-time high

v. Then we feel weary, overwhelmed, stressed, uncertain, frustrated

vi. Like I said last week we seek comfort in an unhealthy habits

vii. I can’t wait to show you this.

God:

An “even though . . . I will” faith

a. Following Jesus, even though life is hard.

i. It seems logical to chuck our faith when life closes in on us.

ii. Where is God?

iii. Or at least turn to something unhealthy (bad food)

iv. But if we follow Jesus even though life is hard it’s the secret to winning the war.

v. We see this throughout the bible

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

i. Tell the Story - King Nebuchadnezzar builds a statue

ii. Now hear verse 16-18

Daniel 3:16–18 NLT

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

iv. LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR!

v. If we are rescued wonderful – but if God doesn’t - we will still worship our Lord

vi. No devil you can’t have a seat at my table

You:

Confusion, despair, sorrow.

a. It’s the opposite of peace, hope, joy

i. The enemy wants you to experience the first one

ii. Jesus wants you to know the second

b. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego had a secret

i. Psalms 23

Psalm 23:4 NIV

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

iii. Underline “Even though”

iv. The secret is faith

v. They knew this passage

vi. They knew that God was their shepherd

c. Let’s make it personal

i. Even though I get that phone call you will lead to the green pastures and quiet waters

ii. I get that bill in mail

iii. I get that diagnosis

iv. I my marriage is on the rocks

v. My best children/bff wouldn’t talk to me

vi. I have lost my …

vii. I have hit rock bottom

d. You have to a choice to make

i. No accident you are here this morning

ii. It was no accident I got that phone call

iii. Belly up to the table so you and Satan can have meal together

iv. Or will eat with the King of king and stand on the promises that cannot fail.

Just imagine

We long for peace, hope, and joy.

a. But life is hard

i. Not a week goes by that someone does share some hard ache with me.

ii. Some doubt or fear.

b. Imagine if we stood in the face of that fear

i. Begin to build your faith

ii. Know God’s word

iii. This will be the key

iv. Here’s a challenge

v. Memorize Ps 23

vi. The next time life gets hard

vii. Even though