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Satan Is No Joke Revelation 12:7 - 12 People tell jokes, poke and make fun, regarding the Devil. Some of us try to deny his existence, and others will try to explain events that occur in our lives, as the cause of an evil influence. The Devil is no laughing matter. We may say, my surroundings was the culprit, which led me into sin. Or, it was something in the air. One old adage we like to use is, 'the devil made me do it'. However, there is no question that he is alive and working in the lives of ALL individuals. An old puritan said, If you are a child of God and you marry a child of the devil, you will be sure to have trouble with your father-in-law. While a revival was being conducted by a muscular preacher, he was disturbed by two young men that scoffed and made fun at everything they heard and saw. The preacher paused and asked them why they attended the meeting. "We came to see miracles performed," they said. Leaving the pulpit and walking quietly down the aisle, the preacher seized them both by the collar and as they disappeared out of the door, the preacher said; "We don't perform miracles here, but we do cast out devils." There was a man who was going to attend a Halloween party, dressed in the costume of the devil. On his way it began to rain so he stepped inside of a church where a revival meeting was going on. At the sight of the devil's costume, people began to scatter through the doors and windows. On lady got her coat sleeve caught on the arm of a chair, and as the man came closer, she pleaded, "Satan, I've been a member of this church for 30 years, but I've really been on your side all the time." Here are a few questions to occupy our minds with….
God, in His word, draws no lines in telling the truth. God is open to us and it is for our learning and understanding. God wants us to be alert to Satan and his evil tactics. JAMES 4:7 tells us, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. EPHESIANS 6:11 says, Put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The Word of God clearly teaches that there is a devil and we are to resist him. The more we know about his evil schemes the better equipped we will be in resisting those schemes. 2 CORINTHIANS 2:11 says, Lest Satan should get an advantage on us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. If we are ignorant of his devices it places a Christian in a very dangerous position. May I give you three devices that make up Satan's plan. That is, all of his skills. Like a play; you have the music, the actors, the singers, and so on, all goes together in making a play.
OPPOSITION: His very name, Satan, speaks volumes for it means opposer. Satan is opposed to the work of God. And he is opposed to the believer for he is our chief adversary. 1 PETER 5:8 says, Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. A question is in order here. Why? Why did he start his career in opposition against God? He was not created evil. Why would one in a position as he had, risk it all? Turn to EZEKIEL 28:11-19. In Verse 14, Notice that he was created to be an archangel. He was the most beautiful and intelligent of all God's creature's. In writing to the King of Tyrus, a wicked man, there was someone behind that king. The description is not of a man, but of Satan. Satan, in his original state is brought out in verses 12 - 15. Another related scripture is ISAIAH 14:12-17. An insight is given to us here as to why Satan fell, and what that iniquity was, that was in him. Verses 12-14. …...Sermon continued here Wayside Baptist Church 2002 |
