There are many forces of influence in our lives: parents, peers, preachers, teachers, coaches, etc. But all of these boil down to two major influences - God and the devil. We experience the pull of both. Let's take a look at how this works.
I. Philippians 3:13-14 - The Upward Pull A. Fact: God is seeking to pull us upward. B. This upward pull is constant. 1. We never grow to the point that Christ says "that's enough." 2. We never reach a point that we do not need more of God. 3. We need the upward pull. C. We tend to resist the upward pull. 1. We resist by becoming smug and complacent. 2. We resist by becoming content in what we consider our achievements. II. 1 Peter 5:8 - The Downward Pull A. Fact: The devil is seeking to pull us downward. 1. The Bible amply illustrates this: Garden of Eden, Job, Peter's denial, etc. 2. The devil is the author of: spiritual complacency, internal conflict, internal conflict, etc. B. We must resisit the downward pull. 1 Peter 5:9 1. We resist by faith in Christ to deliver us. 2. The devil is not afraid of us, but he is afraid of Jesus. C . The downward pull is constant too. It is a fact that the devil never leaves us alone.... III. Matthew 25:40 - The Outward Pull A. Fact: How we react to the upward pull and downward pull will determine how we react to the outward pull. B. Notice the importance of the outward pull in Matthew 25: 40 and 45 1. Serving our fellowman through witness and ministry is the same as serving Christ - when it is done in His name. 2. Every obvious act of ministry slighted is a slight to Christ. C. The outward pull is not just a nice thing for Christians to do; rather, it is kingdom imperative. God and the devil are not equal foes. Through Christ and through our faith in Christ we can win the battle. Which "pull" are you responding to in your life today. In your heart,
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Our text reveals that the devil and his demons go to church. (In this case the synagogue.) From this text we will learn how the devil works and through whom he works.
I. This is nothing new. A. The devil has always entered the sanctuaries of God. Examples: Garden of Eden, Israelites coming out of Egypt, on the mountain with Jesus. B. He is trying to do his work through: 1. Indifference 2. Skepticism 3. Weariness 4. Etc. C. We just need to be aware of his presence and what he is trying to do. II. Vs. 23 - The devil was there in a person. A. Not as a serpent, but in a man. B. He does his dirty work through people. 1. Think again of Adam and Eve. 2. Think of David and Bathsheba. 3, Think of Judas Iscariot. 4. Think of Peter's denial. 5. Think of human history. C. We should be aware of the devil's work in our own lives. Look back up to !. B. as to how he can work through us. III. Verse 24 -He was there to attempt to stop the work of Christ. A. "Let us alone what have we to do with thee?" 1. Notice they spoke up after vss. 21-22 a. They were alarmed at the positive response of the people. b. The devil's and his demons are always alarmed when God's work is going well. Watch out when your church is doing good!!!!!!!! 2. The demons wanted to be "left alone." The devil and his demons always want to be left alone to do their dirty work. B. "Art thou come to destroy us..." According to Hebrews 2:14 the answer is yes, and they are well aware of it. C. The devil and his demons will do what they can to stop the work of Christ, and too often we let them. The bottom line in vss. 25-28 is that the devil and his demons were no match for Jesus. Look at the outcome. It would be great if it was always like this. |
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