Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, December 14, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
SADDAM IS IN CUSTODY; SATAN IS STILL AT-LARGE!
by Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 1 Pet. 5:1-9
Text: 1 Pet. 5:8
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Introduction: I received two news items this morning:
1. News sources report that Saddam Hussein HAS been captured on Dec. 13 in a house cellar. Thank the Lord!
2. The scriptures report that Satan is still loose and dangerous.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
It is highly unlikely that you would have ever had the opportunity to face our enemy, Saddam, directly.
However, it is highly likely that you WILL face Satan directly. As a matter of fact, Satan may have attacked some of you this morning.
Let me remind you that according to our text, Satan is on the loose in this world.
Let me take the time this morning to remind you of the devices Satan uses to try to defeat you and the purposes of God in your life.
Satan is expected to continue to use the devices of:
I. DECEPTION
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
(See my book, To Be Like the Most High)
He deceives with:
A. A Counterfeit savior
B. A Counterfeit salvation
C. A Counterfeit spirit
D. Counterfeit saints
E. Counterfeit scriptures
F. Counterfeit shepherds
G. Counterfeit songs
H. Counterfeit signs and Wonders
II. DISCORD
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
A. In the home
B. In the house of God
III. DOUBT
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
A. God’s scriptures
B. God’s salvation
C. God’s strength
D. God’s supply
IV. DISCOURAGEMENT
Numbers 21:4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
A. Through difficulties
B. Through defection of others
C. Through defeat
V. DISTRESS
Nehemiah had a messenger try to get him to stop building the wall, using threats:
Nehemiah 6:13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
A. Fear of problems
B. Fear of penalties
C. Fear of pains
VI. DISCONTENTMENT
Genesis 3:4-5 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
A. With the money God gave you
B. With the mate God gave you
C. With the ministry God gave you
VII. DELAY
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
A. Salvation
B. Separation
C. Service
Although the Bible tells us Satan is loose, dangerous, and our adversary, we are also commanded to RESIST him:
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
In order to resist him we need to:
RECOGNIZE HIS BATTLE PLANS
RENOUNCE HIS BARGAINS
REJECT HIS BELIEFS
RELY ON THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
REMAIN BUSY IN GOD’S WORK
RECITE THE BOOK
REQUEST BACK-UP FROM HEAVEN!