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Why are we in this passage today? Because it is next in 2 Corinthians…
The most important call I have as your under-shepherd is to preach the Word. Your benefit is protection from the Adversary’s attacks. As you hear The Word, The Spirit alerts you to his presence, work, & deceptions so you can resist him (Ja 4:7-B). I am taking my cue from Paul in 2 Cor 11:7-15…
The situation in Corinth was critical. They had problems b/c they had been led astray by “Super-Apostles” (11:5) regarding the Gospel. This was introduced last week The Corinthians had been deceived by Satan just like Eve (11:1-6).
The Adversary is always fighting against God & by extension, us. We must be careful not to tripped up by him… unwittingly. Satan tried to use Peter to hinder Jesus going to Jerusalem to die (Mt 16:21-23). Without knowing it, Peter… the #1 Apostle… could’ve become a stumbling block to Jesus!
If it can happen with Peter & Corinthian believers, it can happen with us… ME… here at HBC! So let’s all be careful…
Paul addressed what was happening in Corinth because the health & future of the church was on the line. That’s his point in 11:12. Now let’s read again 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
My goal today is to attack the Adversary. By God’s grace & power I want to assault Satan & demonic powers to expose them. My goal in doing these is for your good and protection as those for whom Jesus died.
So let’s answer two questions: 1) How do we know Satan is working? 2) How do we defeat Him? First let’s examine… How to know Satan is working.
C’ians are warned about Satan often in the NT.[i] It takes a little discernment to recognize when he is working around us. The easiest way to recognize Satan is found in 1 Cor 14:33…
“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” Paul’s point: “Look around! What is happening there & what you’re feeling is not from God! God doesn’t cause confusion… He is the God of peace!”
God does NOT bring, cause, or create confusion. His Spirit does NOT foster disharmony or disunity. When God is honored among His people, there IS peace. If there isn’t peace, it’s Satan… not God. What’s tough is recognizing when we’re close to being deceived! Turn to Ja 3:13…
Who is wise & understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy & selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast & be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy & selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder & every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above IS first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy & good fruits, impartial & sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
When reading Ja 3:14-16, I ask… “God is that ME? Are MY emotions & thoughts evidence Satan is nearby?” (Pause) It is important that we monitor ourselves & circumstances around us. James shows us that a good indicator is our own heart AND events taking place around us. For me, I know Satan is working when my emotions & desires are not in line with Ja 3:17-18…
Ja 3:13-18 is a matter of the heart revealed by our desires… spirit… intentions & motivations… proved by our actions. If we don’t work through Ja 3 ourselves, there is great potential to be deceived by the one who disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). I have to work here as more than anyone!
Now… How to defeat Satan. From Ja 3 we admit the truth to God & ourselves (3:14). Then we consciously follow Ja 3:17-18. WORK to live out purity, peace, gentleness, reason, mercy, good fruits, being impartial & sincere. Those are choices C’ians CAN make. Romans 12:18…
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Then there is a third thing we can do from last Dec in this series. This is THE way to defeat Satan. Turn to 2 Cor 2:10…
Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
2 Cor 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; & the God of love & peace will be with you.
The way to defeat Satan & short-circuit his schemes is thru forgiveness & restoration. Those are things Satan CANNOT overcome! When we forgive the way God has forgiven us (Eph 4:31-32), Satan looses and has to flee (James 4:7).
When one race forgives another… Satan loses. When siblings forgive… Satan loses. When co-workers forgive… Satan loses. When spouses forgive… Satan loses. When neighbors forgive… Satan loses. When a S.S. Class sees two of their own forgive each other… Satan loses.
When WE forgive… SATAN LOSES! WE can choose to let him win or not. How often are we to forgive? 70 x 7.[ii] Why? Because God has forgiven us more times than we will ever forgive others…
We’re about to observe The Lord’s Supper. A solemn time of fellowship honoring Jesus & The Gospel. Jesus prayed in John 17:20-23…
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, & I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them & you in me, that they may become perfectly one…
Jesus gave his life so we could be reconciled to God. He gave his life so we could forgive our enemies. He gave his life so we could forgive as we’ve been forgiven… AND BE ONE.
Consider what Paul wrote in 1 Cor 11:28 & 31…
Let a person examine himself, then, & so eat of the bread & drink of the cup. 31 If we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.
So let’s examine & judge ourselves in the sincerity of The Spirit & Jesus’ prayer. Let’s forgive others as God has forgiven us… that we may be children of God. I close with 1 Jn 3:10 & 5:2-4…
By this it is evident who are the children of God… whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God & obey his command. 3 This is the love (for) God, that we keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.
Ron's Sunday Sermon 