THE DEVIL

THE DEVIL

“Quality of Life Series”

12/07/06

LEADER: In the 70’s comedian, Flip Wilson, made a phrase popular… anyone remember what it was? (“The Devil made me do it!”

Do you believe the Devil exists?

LEADER: Survey by Barna Research Group, Ltd. Oxnard, CA:

http://net.bible.org/illustration.php?topic=1325

· Nearly two out of three adults—62%—agreed that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.” This response has remained relatively consistent throughout the Nineties.

· Among the more surprising findings, however, are that a majority of born again Christians deny Satan’s existence (52%);

· nearly three-quarters of Catholics say the devil is non-existent (72%);

· and women are more likely than men to reject Satan’s existence (64% vs. 59%).

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Real or Not?”

Scott Higgins. Debate reported in Sydney Morning Herald March 2001.

http://www.ozsermonillustrations.com/frames/satan,_satanic_frameset.htm

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Genoa, Italy, is Cardinal Diogni Tettamanzi. In 2001 he was touted as a leading conservative candidate to replace the Pope. Early that same year he published 10 rules on how to resist Satan’s temptations. Rule number 1: "Do not forget that the devil exists". Rule number 2: "Do not forget that the devil is a tempter". Rule 3: "Do not forget the devil is very intelligent and astute" (and so on)

His pastoral letter didn’t go down too well with the Milan based Theological Studies Centre, which condemned it as encouraging irresponsibility. The theologians at the Theological Studies Centre claim that the Cardinal was reaching back into the Middle Ages and ignoring scientific advances in psychology. They claim we should look into the human psyche rather than diabolical beings to explain evil and that "to attribute guilt to the devil could encourage people to be irresponsible."

This Italian debate reflects a wider argument in the Church. Is the Devil a real being or simply symbolic of human evil?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #1

http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/d/devil.htm

“That there is a devil is a thing doubted by none but such as are under the influence of the Devil.”

Cotton Mather 1663 -1728 Harvard grad Puritan minister; prolific author

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #2

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon7/devil_will_flee.htm

"I believe Satan to exist for two reasons: first, the Bible says so; and second, I’ve done business with him."
Dwight L. Moody 1837–1899 American evangelist and the chief spokesman for the revivalist evangelicals of his day

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Taming a Great White”

Based on an article in Readers Digest February 2001.

http://www.ozsermonillustrations.com/frames/satan,_satanic_frameset.htm

One of the oceans most fearsome creatures is the Great White shark. It is one of the most finely tuned killing machines on earth. The author of the book Jaws tells of an amazing experience with this animal. He was viewing Great Whites off the coast of South Africa on a charter tour led by shark expert Andre Hartman. They find their designated spot, and Andre lowers a bait attached to a rope over the stern of the boat. When the distinctive fin of the Great White breaks the water Andre starts slowly pulling in the rope, until the passengers on board can see the bait, and then the unmistakable shape of the Great White. Hartman then lifts the bait aboard and kneels down on the wood square that sits just above the water between the two outboard motors. Just as the head of the shark reaches the back of the boat Hartman plunges his hand into the water and cups the snout of the Great White with its hand.

The spectators on board have their hearts in their mouths. Any moment they expect to see Hartman disappear over the end of the boat, dragged into the water by this hungry, angry shark. But instead they see the sharks head angle back. It sits there quietly in the water, it’s mouth open, its razor sharp teeth showing, and Andre’s hand nestled under its nose, just centimeters from those enormous teeth. And there it remains till Andre removes his hand and it sips back into the water.

No one knows why the shark responds like this. Andre Hartman discovered it by accident one day while trying to fend off a shark. But whatever the reason this fearsome predator is tamed.

When Scripture speaks of spiritually evil beings such as demons and the devil they appear to us much like a Great White – awesome, powerful and terrifying predators, able to gobble us up at ease. 1 Peter pictures Satan as a roaring lion. Yet we soon discover that in the hands of God these spiritual beings can be tamed just as Andre Hartman tamed that Great White. Similarly, when the Scripture speaks of God’s people, inhabited by God’s Spirit, dealing with spiritually malignant beings, it pictures the ease at which this is done. There are no magic tricks, elaborate incantations or difficult rituals. Simply choose God’s way over the ways of evil and "the devil will flee".

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #3

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon7/devil_will_flee.htm

"There are two great forces at work in the world today: the unlimited power of God and the limited power of Satan."

Corrie Ten Boom 1892–1983Ravesbruck Concentration Camp survivor -Imprisoned for hiding Jews from Nazi’s

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “How Powerful Is The Devil?” By Dan Vander Lugt

http://www.rbc.org/bible_study/answers_to_tough_questions/answers/30859.aspx

Even though the Scriptures tell us little about Satan's origin, they tell us that he is a fallen angel of considerable power. One of the most familiar passages is Ephesians 6:12 :

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Jesus called Satan the "ruler of this world" - "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. John 12:31, and Jude tells us that he is so powerful that even Michael the archangel lacked the power to rebuke him - But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Jude 1:9 ). Paul called him the "god of this age" in 2 Corinthians 4:4 - in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. . He also portrayed him in Ephesians 6:12 as the head of a great, highly organized "army" of evil spirit beings. He is a cunning liar, capable of seducing Adam and Eve, and disguising himself as an "angel of light" - No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 .

While Satan is portrayed in the Bible as powerful, dangerous, and an adversary to be respected, he shouldn't be considered in any way equal to God. He is a creature, with creaturely limitations. His power is nothing in comparison with that of the sovereign God. And according to James 4:7 , because of the power God gives to His children, if we resist the devil he will flee from us. Although subtle and cunning, the devil is a defeated foe who continues to resist God furiously until the time that he will be sealed in hell forever.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Are you Praying a Hedge Around Your Family?”

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/folder1/ARE%20YOU%20PRAYING%20A%20HEDGE%20AROUND%20YOUR%20SPOUSE.htm by Charlyne Steinkamp

EXCERPT (and changed name of spouse to family)

"One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Job 1:6-7
Several weeks ago I wrote on the "Armor of God." We had been talking to many standers who were not getting dressed daily to be in God's army. You need to do this everyday faithfully. Before you get out of bed say, "Good morning Lord.' Pray on the Armor of God on you, your spouse and children, pray a hedge of protection around them and the blood of Jesus over them. We get dressed every day and we dress our children, so let's get dressed to be a Christian and an ambassador for our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Then the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.' "Does Job fear God for nothing?' Satan replied. 'Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?...." Job 1:8-9
Today I want to share scriptures about the hedge of protection. If God removes the hedge, may you know that He has allowed it. He is in control of EVERY circumstance. He will turn it around to good in His perfect timing, God is Sovereign. He has a plan and a purpose much bigger than we could every imagine. We must learn to listen, to obey, to grow and to be a Christian that is NOT always walking around with doubt, fear, unbelief, discouragement, oppression and depression when the enemy tries to hit with fiery arrows. Learn how to fight the enemy! Do not give up or give in to the devil's tricks and
schemes!
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he care for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith....after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

I Peter 5:7-11
Praise the Lord if you can do nothing else. Keep calling on the name of Jesus. He is right there with you. He will never leave or forsake you. Look how Job responded: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Job 1:21
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:18
"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." Psalm 34:7
Another scripture I prayed for my husband regularly was in Hosea where Hosea 2:6-7
God's Word will never return void. Pray scripture with your family's name in them. There are so many promises in the Word. Pray a hedge of protection around your family. You and they will be.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 4:1-11 (key verse: 1)

1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" 5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU';
and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT

YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"

7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" 8Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, '⁽YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

LEADER: “And the Devil Will Flee” By Pastor Ron Clarke

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon7/devil_will_flee.htm EXCERPT

Satan even tempted Christ himself. This temptation by the devil gave Jesus the opportunity to reaffirm God’s plan for his ministry. It also gives us an example to follow when we are tempted to give up. Jesus’ temptation was an important demonstration of his humanness and sinlessness. He faced temptation, but he did not give in. Satan is a fallen angel. He is real, not symbolic, and he is constantly fighting against those who follow and obey God. Satan’s temptations are also real. He is always trying to get us to live his way or our way rather than God’s way.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Devil’s Strategy”

J. Oswald Sanders, Cultivation of Christian Character, (Moody Press, Chicago; 1965)

http://net.bible.org/illustration.php?topic=1325

His overall strategy is to supersede and overthrow the kingdom of God. It is a strategy of destruction. If he was too clever for man in his perfection in Eden, he has a much greater advantage over man in his fallen state.

It has been said that he plans to destroy human government through anarchy. Any student of history can trace this stratagem of the devil, the pervading activity of a malign power, poisoning the stream of human history. He is the mastermind behind the present world system with its lust for power and its political and economic intrigue.

He purposes to destroy human society through debauchery. Any student of sociology can trace a similar pattern in the cycles of human history. In our own day we have seen the world flooded with moral filth to a degree inconceivable fifty years ago.

He aims to destroy true religion through apostasy. Any student of theology and church history can discern recurring heresies and apostasies through the centuries. And in our own day there has been a widespread recrudescence of many of the old heresies in the heretical cults which have been spawned and are now encircling the globe.

As the god of this age, he has set up a complete counterfeit of Christianity. Not without reason did Augustine term him Simius Dei, the ape of God.

LEADER: He has his own trinity—the devil, the beast, and the false prophet; his own church—the synagogue of Satan:

“The Devil’s Strategy” By J. Oswald Sanders, Cultivation of Christian Character

http://net.bible.org/illustration.php?topic=1325 CONTINUED:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Revelations 2:9

I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

LEADER: He has his own ministers—ministers of Satan:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: II Corinthians 11:15

Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

LEADER: He has his own gospel—another gospel:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Galatians 1:6

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel.

LEADER: He has his own theology—doctrines of devils:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: I Timothy 4:1

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

LEADER: He has his own sacrifices—sacrifices offered to demons,

And He has his own table and cup:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: I Corinthians 10:21

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

LEADER: Everything about him is false. He uses false and counterfeit instruments to achieve his purpose. He employs false teachers who specialize in his theology and “bring in damnable heresies.” They “creep in privately” into the churches and subtly mix truth with error:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Acts 20:30

and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: II Peter 2:1

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

LEADER: He enlists the support of false prophets professing to have a message from God, they in reality draw their inspiration from hell:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 24:11

"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

LEADER: He promotes false Christs self-constituted messiahs and deliverers.:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 24:4-5

And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you.

"For ⁾many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many.

LEADER: He is aided by false apostles, deceitful workers

HAVE SOMEONE READ: II Corinthians 11:3-4

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.

LEADER: And he is aided by false brethren who steal in to spy out the liberty of believers:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Galatians 2:4-5

But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

LEADER: Paul sums up this aspect of the devil’s activities in II Corinthans 11:14-15: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #4

“Don’t give the Devil a ride, or he’ll want to drive.”

Sister McRae

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Ephesians 6:10-18 (key verse: 12)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Soldiers of Christ” Hymn By Charles Wesley

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=43870&page=2

Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armor on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies through His eternal Son
Strong in the Lord of hosts, and in His mighty power,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror.
Stand then in His great might, with all His strength endued,
But take to arm you for the fight the panoply of God;
That having all things done, and all your conflicts passed,
Ye may overcome through Christ alone and stand entire at last.
Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul,
Take every virtue, every grace, and fortify the whole;
From strength to strength go on, wrestle and fight and pray,
Tread all the powers of darkness down and win the well fought day.

LEADER: “And the Devil Will Flee” By Pastor Ron Clarke CONTINUED

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon7/devil_will_flee.htm EXCERPT

The enemy is unseen, but the struggle is personal. These enemies who are not “flesh and blood” are demons over whom Satan has control. They are not mere fantasies—they are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from him and back to sin, depression or failure. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armour surrounding us.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Father of Lies”

By Dr. Anderson, Freedom in Christ and Harvest House Publishers www.ficm.org

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon3/father_of_lies.htm

He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies (John 8:44).
Alyce was one of the most pathetic-looking young women I have ever met. She was so skinny that she literally had no more body fat to lose. She had lost her job three days earlier, and her vacant eyes conveyed that she had lost all hope for her life. She was a very talented girl and a committed Christian in many ways, but she was also a Darvon junkie who had even been arrested once for illegal possession of prescription drugs.
"I want you to tell me who you think you are," I said to Alyce.
"I'm just a no-good failure," she whimpered.
"You're not a failure," I responded. "You're a child of God." She continued to pour out the negative self-talk and evidences of demonic deception she had been living under, and I continued to counter her negativism with the good news of her identity in Christ. The more we talked, the more aware I became of Christ's presence ministering to Alyce. We tested the spirit that was harassing her, and she knew firsthand that she had been deceived. Astonished, she said, "Do you mean to tell me that my whole problem has been deception, that I have been listening to a pack of lies?" Today she's free.
The prevailing theme of the New Testament is the position we enjoy in Christ through our faith in Him. That's the good news: Christ in you and you in Christ. If there is a prevailing negative theme in the New Testament which capsulizes the opposition we face in Satan, I believe it is deception. There are at least three avenues through which Satan will attempt to dissuade you from God's truth and deceive you into believing his lies: self-deception, false prophets/teachers, and deceiving spirits. We are vulnerable to Satan's deception in these areas if we fail to clothe ourselves daily with the spiritual armor of the belt of truth.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Satan Promises” By Thomas Brooks

http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/s/satan.htm

Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst;
he promises honor and pays with disgrace;
he promises pleasure and pays with pain;
he promises profit and pays with loss;
he promises life and pays with death.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Satan’s Plea

Submitted by Trey Coniff

There those who would follow Christ would assemble on the right side of the field and all those who would follow Satan would gather together on the other side of the fence on the left side of the field.

When all had decided Satan gathered up his followers and quickly whisked them away and Christ gathered His own to Himself and was off to Glory. The only thing left was an empty field with a fence running down the middle and one lone soul sitting atop the fence.

Suddenly Satan appeared at the fence and beckoned this lone soul to come with him. Startled the man replied, “ I didn’t choose that is why I am sitting on the fence.” Satan smiled his wily smile and said:

“THE FENCE BELONGS TO ME”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Shooing Satan” Our Daily Bread 7/17/05

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-06-17-05.shtml

7Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8

Down in Texas where I was raised, the standard way to respond when someone sneezed was to say, "Scat!" It was common practice, but I never knew why we said it. Now I know. It's an old custom dating back to ancient times, when folks believed that sneezing expelled the devil. You said "Scat!" to shoo him away.

That's mere superstition, of course. There are better, biblical ways to chase away the devil.

Satan's schemes always begin with a lie, a false lead, a subtle twist to the truth, which if acted on will tear us away from God. His proposals rarely seem evil, because our minds are repelled by obvious evil. More often they come disguised as good. Satan adds a trace of grace and beauty to every lure, lest we recognize its deadly nature. It's easy to be taken in.

"Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Counter Satan's lies with truth when they first enter your mind. Meet them immediately with a word from God and banish him, as you would shoo away a pushy salesman, before he gets a foot in the door. Call to mind a verse or portion of Scripture that speaks to the particular lie Satan is selling you and submit yourself to that truth.

That's the way to make the devil run. —David H. Roper

Satan can catch you by surprise—
He'll stop you in your tracks;
So keep on guard and trust God's Word,
Resist his strong attacks. —Branon

When Satan strikes, strike back with the Word of God.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Cowboy and Indians” By Mike Collins

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon5/cowboys_and_indians.htm

During my childhood, the beautiful Appalachian mountains of Southern West Virginia served as the playground of my friends and me. We were rugged outdoor kids who simply loved adventure. We didn't sit indoors like most kids today, playing video games and surfing the Net; we were too busy out playing ball, swinging on grapevines, catching crawdads and minnows, hiking, swimming or fishing at the old pond, camping, or anything else that would get us out of the house. Had our parents only known a fraction of what we were doing, they would have surely maintained a fuller prayer life.
We especially loved to play games. We'd play hide-and-seek, tag, and tackle-the-man-with-the-football, as well as make-believe games like cowboys and Indians or cops and robbers. In the world of make-believe, guns were created by sticking your thumb straight up and extending your index finger straight out while curling the other three fingers around a make-believe pistol grip. If someone pointed his “gun” at you and shouted “Bang!” or “Pow!” you were considered dead and were obligated to fall to the ground immediately without moving.
One day in particular we were playing cowboys and Indians deep in the mountains. Envisioning myself as John Wayne, better known as the Duke, I had my “five-shooters” out and ready for action. I decided to climb a huge tree to get a better view of where the “bad-guys” were hiding. Climbing higher and higher, I saw no sign of anyone until I was six to eight feet off the ground. It was from there I noticed Gary Browning (my cousin) quietly sneaking along, ready to shoot the first thing that moved. I allowed him to move in a little closer before taking aim and shooting; however, I was distracted by a noise from the other side of the tree.
Turning to investigate, I found myself staring straight down the index finger of Curtis Gibson. “Pow!” he shouted from the ground. Panicked that I was so far up the tree, I began climbing down as fast as I could. “The Duke has been shot in the foot!” I screamed. Remember, I was obligated to fall, but I was eight feet off the ground in a tree! “Bang!” shouted Gary who was now aware of my hiding place. “The Duke has been shot in the shoulder!” I screamed as I kept climbing down. “Pow, Pow!” A double shot came from Curtis. “The Duke has been shot twice in the calf!” I squalled, nearly reaching the ground. Then as I was dangling from the lowest limb, Curt and Gary emptied their imaginary ammo into me. “Pow! Bang-Bang! Pow, Pow-Pow! Bang!” From just about a foot I finally fell to the ground and announced, “The Duke is dead!”
Just like the make-believe bullets of childhood games, Satan's fiery darts cannot make you fall. His blistering trajectories usually whiz toward us in the form of stinging words—words like “I want a divorce” or “You have cancer,” maybe even “You're fired!” All of which can be painful, and sometimes even enough to make you want to give up, but none have the power to make you fall.
In Romans 8:38-39 the apostle Paul wrote: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
No matter what Satan throws at you, it will never be enough to make you fall. Remember, he can shoot all he wants, and even scream “Bang!” until he's blue in the face, but the truth remains: if you do happen to fall, you will be forced to live with the fact that you had been shot down with blanks.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Keeping Our Eyes On Christ”

Robert J. Morgan, The Red Sea Rules. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001, p. 38.

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon5/keeping_our_eyes_on_christ.htm

Several years ago, I was walking down a sidewalk in East Nashville, making a pastoral visit. Suddenly I saw a German shepherd flying across a lawn, barking, snarling, teeth bared, mouth frothing. I was so startled that as it lunged at me, I screamed and jumped backward. But between me and my would-be attacker, there was a chain-link fence. The dog struck the fence full force. My heart was racing, but I was utterly safe because of the protective fence.

Satan can growl and bark, lunge and threaten. But when we're enclosed by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, he can do us no real or lasting harm.

But we always make a mistake when we acknowledge the Lord and keep our eyes on Satan. Far better to acknowledge the devil while keeping our eyes on Christ.

For all his insights and explanations about the evil one, the apostle Paul, in reality, focused on Christ. In the Pauline letters, the word Jesus occurs in 219 verses, the word Lord in 272 verses, and the word Christ in 389 verses. Satan, on the other hand, occurs in only 10 verses, and the word devil in only 6.

When things are going badly, when you feel trapped between sword and sea, when you're under assault, acknowledge the devil-but keep your eyes on Christ.

He will see you through. He will make a way.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “God To The Rescue” By Dennis Lawrence 4/7/01

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=35158&page=2

Jesus pitched His tent among us. And the story of the entire work of God that we see between the celebration of the birth of Jesus and the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus is about the only way He could bring us home to Himself. The only way was for Him to become a man and then come and save us!
Oftentimes when a big project is about to begin, there is an official groundbreaking. Officials gather with hard hats and someone who may never have handled a shovel before, has to dig the smallest bit of dirt to officially begin the project. This is met with all sorts of fanfare and celebration, and some sort of champagne reception follows, normally.
There was a groundbreaking for God’s greatest work, too, but it didn’t begin with public officials wearing ties and hard hats and smiling into TV cameras. It didn’t begin with ribbon cutting or handshakes or speeches in front of the media. In fact, construction of the ’new and living way’ began in the middle of the night, in a little stable behind a busy hotel. It began with the moans of a Jewish girl in the pangs of birth… and the tiny cry of an infant.
That night the ground was broken. A highway that would be traveled by millions, stretching through time and space into the golden lands of heaven, began that night. Mary cradled the Way, the Truth, and the Life in her arms, a few shepherd looked on with wondering eyes, and Joseph whispered, “Emmanuel… God with us!”
Even His name pointed to His unique place in God’s scheme of things. The name Jesus is Yeshua in Hebrew, often translated as “Joshua.” It means, “God saves.” It could be translated “God to the rescue.” The baby Mary carried was not only God’s Son, but also the world’s Saviour. He came as Jesus… “God to the rescue.” Jesus was a common name at the time, just like Mike or John or Jennifer would be today. Many boys were named Jesus. But this Jesus wasn’t like the others; this Jesus would truly live up to His name. His name was not only a declaration of the fact that “God saves,” this was God Himself doing the saving! He would save His people.
So, in the Christmas message we see the shadow of the cross, the beginning of this journey toward death on the cross and resurrection. It’s all one story. The reason Jesus came as a baby was to die as a man on a cross. To make a way where there was no way!

LEADER: “God To The Rescue” By Dennis Lawrence 4/7/01 CONTINUED

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=35158&page=2

This is the salvation that Simeon declared when he held Jesus : Luke 2:28-32. And that salvation was so rich in his eyes! It gave him “peace,” it showered him with “light,” and it set his mind on “glory”! Have you stopped to think about how rich is our salvation in Jesus? It’s something to think about! Whole libraries could be written to expound the subject, but let’s consider just three of these riches:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “He Saved Us From Our Sins”

“God To The Rescue” By Dennis Lawrence 4/7/01

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=35158&page=2

I John 3:5 says: You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.

One of the reasons Christ came was so that you and I wouldn’t have to carry around the weight and grief of our sin all of our lives. He came to release me from the sin of my past, my shame, and the chains of sins and habits and addictions that keep me hurting people and hurting myself over and over again. He wanted me to know the joy and blessing of being released form that crushing load of sin. I richly deserved God’s judgment, but Jesus took my judgment upon His own shoulders. Simeon saw all that in the child he held!

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “He Came to Destroy the Works of the Enemy”

“God To The Rescue” By Dennis Lawrence 4/7/01

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=35158&page=2

Jesus came to destroy, or undo, the works of the enemy. Because He came, there can now be a different outlook for my life. Satan’s desire for me will not be accomplished!
I John 3:8 says: the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Martin Luther wrote:
The prince of darkness grim
We tremble not for him,
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him!

And what is that word? The Word is Jesus- God to the rescue!
God did not want Satan, the enemy of my life, to destroy, thwart, or abort His purpose, plans, and desires for me. So He sent His Son, not only to release me from my sin, but also to rescue me from this designed, orchestrated plan of the enemy to destroy my life, home, and family.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “He Came to Reveal the Father”

“God To The Rescue” By Dennis Lawrence 4/7/01

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=35158&page=2

1 John 4:9 says: By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Jesus came to let us know how much God loves us. I can only rejoice in the fact that Jesus came to make sure we really knew how God feels toward you and me. When you read the Gospels, every time you see the Lord reaching out to help, bless, heal, comfort, or deliver someone, you’re seeing the very heart of God. God loves people. His heart is deeply concerned for men and women and children.

LEADER: Christ came to save us from our sins; to destroy the works of the enemy; to reveal the Father.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Things Are Not What They Seem”

Richard J. Mouw, Uncommon Decency, pp. 149-150.

http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/d/devil.htm

Theologians tell a story to illustrate how Christ's triumph presently benefits our lives: Imagine a city under siege. The enemy that surrounds the city will not let anyone or anything leave. Supplies are running low, and the citizens are fearful. But in the dark of the night, a spy sneaks through the enemy lines. He has rushed to the city to tell the people that in another place the main enemy force has been defeated; the leaders have already surrendered. The people do not need to be afraid. It is only a matter of time until the besieging troops receive the news and lay down their weapons. Similarly, we may seem now to be surrounded by the forces of evil -- disease, injustice, oppression, death. But the enemy has actually been defeated at Calvary. Things are not the way they seem to be. It is only a matter of time until it becomes clear to all that the battle is really over.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: James 4:7

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: John 10:10

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: I John 4:4

“Greater is He who is in us, than he that is within the world.”

LEADER: “And the Devil Will Flee” By Pastor Ron Clarke

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon7/devil_will_flee.htm EXCERPT

Does the devil exist? Believe it. Do we have the power to banish the devil from us? Believe that too, invoking that authority by calling on the name of Jesus Christ.

LEADER: 1 Corinthians 15:57

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

LEADER: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will to men.” (Luke 2:14)

STOP AT 10 TILL FOR

PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISES

CUT AND DISTRIBUTE FOR READING:

“Real or Not?”

This Italian debate reflects a wider argument in the Church. Is the Devil a real being or simply symbolic of human evil?

“Taming a Great White”

No one knows why the shark responds like this. Andre Hartman discovered it by accident one day while trying to fend off a shark. But whatever the reason this fearsome predator is tamed.

QUOTE #1

“That there is a devil is a thing doubted by none but such as are under the influence of the Devil.”

Cotton Mather 1663 -1728 Harvard grad Puritan minister; prolific author

QUOTE #2

QUOTE #3

"There are two great forces at work in the world today: the unlimited power of God and the limited power of Satan."

Corrie Ten Boom 1892–1983Ravesbruck Concentration Camp survivor -Imprisoned for hiding Jews from Nazi’s

“How Powerful Is The Devil?”

Even though the Scriptures tell us little about Satan's origin, they tell us that he is a fallen angel of considerable power. One of the most familiar passages is Ephesians 6:12 :

“Are you Praying a Hedge Around Your Family?”

Matthew 4:1-11

“The Devil’s Strategy”

As the god of this age, he has set up a complete counterfeit of Christianity. Not without reason did Augustine term him Simius Dei, the ape of God.

Revelations 2:9

II Corinthians 11:15

Galatians 1:6

I Timothy 4:1

I Corinthians 10:21

II Peter 2:1

“Soldiers of Christ” Hymn By Charles Wesley

“The Father of Lies”

He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies (John 8:44).
Alyce was one of the most pathetic-looking young women I have ever met. She was so skinny that she literally had no more body fat to lose. She had lost her job three days earlier, and her vacant eyes conveyed that she had lost all hope for her life. She was a very talented girl and a committed Christian in many ways, but she was also a Darvon junkie who had even been arrested once for illegal possession of prescription drugs.
"I want you to tell me who you think you are," I said to Alyce.
"I'm just a no-good failure," she whimpered.
"You're not a failure," I responded. "You're a child of God." She continued to pour out the negative self-talk and evidences of demonic deception she had been living under, and I continued to counter her negativism with the good news of her identity in Christ. The more we talked, the more aware I became of Christ's presence ministering to Alyce. We tested the spirit that was harassing her, and she knew firsthand that she had been deceived. Astonished, she said, "Do you mean to tell me that my whole problem has been deception, that I have been listening to a pack of lies?" Today she's free.
The prevailing theme of the New Testament is the position we enjoy in Christ through our faith in Him. That's the good news: Christ in you and you in Christ. If there is a prevailing negative theme in the New Testament which capsulizes the opposition we face in Satan, I believe it is deception. There are at least three avenues through which Satan will attempt to dissuade you from God's truth and deceive you into believing his lies: self-deception, false prophets/teachers, and deceiving spirits. We are vulnerable to Satan's deception in these areas if we fail to clothe ourselves daily with the spiritual armor of the belt of truth.

Matthew 24:11

Matthew 24:4-5

II Corinthians 11:3-4

Galatians 2:4-5

QUOTE #4

“Don’t give the Devil a ride, or he’ll want to drive.”

Sister McRae

Ephesians 6:10-18

I John 4:4

“Satan Promises”

“Shooing Satan”

7Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8

That's mere superstition, of course. There are better, biblical ways to chase away the devil.

That's the way to make the devil run.

Satan can catch you by surprise—
He'll stop you in your tracks;
So keep on guard and trust God's Word,
Resist his strong attacks.

When Satan strikes, strike back with the Word of God.

“He Came to Reveal the Father”

John 10:10

“Cowboy and Indians”

“Keeping Our Eyes On Christ”

Satan can growl and bark, lunge and threaten. But when we're enclosed by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, he can do us no real or lasting harm.

But we always make a mistake when we acknowledge the Lord and keep our eyes on Satan. Far better to acknowledge the devil while keeping our eyes on Christ.

When things are going badly, when you feel trapped between sword and sea, when you're under assault, acknowledge the devil-but keep your eyes on Christ.

He will see you through. He will make a way.

“He Came to Destroy the Works of the Enemy”

Martin Luther wrote:
The prince of darkness grim
We tremble not for him,
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him!

“He Saved Us From Our Sins”

I John 3:5 says: You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. One of the reasons Christ came was so that you and I wouldn’t have to carry around the weight and grief of our sin all of our lives. He came to release me from the sin of my past, my shame, and the chains of sins and habits and addictions that keep me hurting people and hurting myself over and over again. He wanted me to know the joy and blessing of being released form that crushing load of sin. I richly deserved God’s judgment, but Jesus took my judgment upon His own shoulders. Simeon saw all that in the child he held!

“God To The Rescue”

“Things Are Not What They Seem”

James 4:7

Satan’s Plea

Once upon a time, Satan got tired of waiting on all the souls who had not decided for God so he went an knelt before the throne of God and begged Him to divide up all those who would be his and all those who would follow the sacrifice of Christ. God turned to Christ who was sitting at His right hand and Christ determined the final call would be made for all the undecided. The word went out throughout the Land that all who were undecided were to meet in the large field outside of town. There those who would follow Christ would assemble on the right side of the field and all those who would follow Satan would gather together on the other side of the fence on the left side of the field. When all had decided Satan gathered up his followers and quickly whisked them away and Christ gathered His own to Himself and was off to Glory. The only thing left was an empty field with a fence running down the middle and one lone soul sitting atop the fence. Suddenly Satan appeared at the fence and beckoned this lone soul to come with him. Startled the man replied, “ I didn’t choose that is why I am sitting on the fence.” Satan smiled his wily smile and said:

“THE FENCE BELONGS TO ME”