Scripture: Revelation 2:10

SERMON: There are all sorts of hindrances and barriers seeking to make our walk more difficult. We have an enemy who strives to impede our walk.

1 Peter 5:8-9 -- Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Ephesians 6:11 -- Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

2 Corinthians 2:11 -- so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

The devil, Lucifer, Satan, is our adversary. He has schemes, tactics, and designs he uses to cause us trouble. A scheme or tactic is a purposeful and intentional approach or way of doing something. We say that basketball or football teams run a particular scheme on defense (zone, man-to-man, 3-4 defense in football, 2-3 zone in basketball). Or we talk about military tactics (ambush tactics, move and cover tactics, building assault tactics, etc.). Satan has schemes and tactics he uses to attack us. He doesn't make it up as he goes. He runs the playbook. This is real. And it is powerful and effective.

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." -- C.S. Lewis

We must not forget the Bible's descriptions of Satan: liar, deceiver, murderer, enemy of God, devourer, the beast, dragon, accuser, tempter, and more. The devil and his legions of demons seek to steal, kill, and destroy the people of God. They want to destroy our lives, families, and faith.

Charles Spurgeon said, "Satan does not care whether he drags you down to hell as a Calvinist or as an Arminian, so long as he can get you there."

Today I want to show you how Satan seeks to attack us, and help us to discover Satan's scheme so we can live faithfully for Christ.

Exegesis:
Revelation 2:10 -- Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

- Satan seeks to test them.

What is Satan testing?
What is the devouring? Their faith. Satan's meal of choice is our faith. How does he do this?

A. Causing us to doubt God's Word
● If we untether from God's Word, we are vulnerable prey to any and all ideologies raised against the knowledge of God
● Genesis 3:1-6
● Satan knows and uses the Bible, but he uses it sinfully. There is a way of using passages to justify sins that other passages condemn, which is using the Bible like Satan. This is why it is vital for us to know the correct way to interpret the Bible and not be led astray by misusage. Let me give you a quick example of how this happens today

B. Through temptation to sin.
● He causes us to ignore the consequences of sin
● Proverbs 7:6-23
● Illustration of ignoring consequences and fixating on temporary enjoyment
● Immediate pivot to guilt and shame

C. Urging us to please people.
● He makes us think we can't live without people's approval and leads us to elevate it over God's
● Galatians 1:10
● Peter was fearful of rejection (courtyard with Jesus & eating with Gentiles when Jews were present)

D. Through trials and pains.
● He makes us believe that our pains and afflictions are a punishment from God or because we're forgotten and unloved, or worse that God isn't even there
● Job's wife: curse God and die

We are commanded to walk by faith in Christ. Our adversary the devil wants to keep us from doing so. He is an enemy to everything good in your life. He hates your faith, family, children, friends, church, job, and everything else.

So how can we overcome him?

1. Stay in the Word
2. Stay in the church (community)
3. Stay in prayer
4. Stay humble

Revelation 12:11 -- And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

We overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.

The faithfulness of God in our lives is shared with one another. God's help in our times of need is shared. And as we share about God's work in our lives to sustain us, our testimonies are used by God to give others faith. The word of our testimony is used by God to fuel faith in other brothers and sisters.

We also overcome by the blood of the Lamb. Christ Jesus came into the world to rescue us from the dominion of darkness. He turned the wisdom of the devil upside down and defeated him, crushing his head with his heel on the cross

Colossians 2:13-15 -- And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Christ has put Satan to open shame. He is defeated. He no longer can enslave us if we are in Christ. And one day, when Christ returns, he will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity.

Look to Christ today. It is only by his blood that we overcome the evil one. Only by his blood that the devil's grip on our soul is loosened, setting us free.

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Only by his blood does the damned soul find forgiveness and eternal life.

Have you found it? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you walking in the freedom of Christ instead of the bondage of sin and under Satan's tyranny? You can have that freedom today.

REVIEW:
❖ Discuss the ways that Pastor Erik mentioned that Satan lies to us.
❖ How does God use what Satan does for our good?
❖ What is the result of our faithfulness?

REFLECT:
❖ What does Satan want to do to believers?
❖ What are some of the schemes of Satan?
❖ How have you seen this playout in your life?

RESPOND:
❖ How can we overcome Satan?

MEDITATE:
❖ Revelation 2:10 -- Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

MEMORIZE: ❖ 1 Peter 5:8-9 -- Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.