WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:03.820 C.S. Lewis, and that's all you're getting by that, just acknowledgement, but anyway, 00:00:04.459 --> 00:00:11.880 C.S. Lewis wrote a novel called The Screwtape Letters, in which Screwtape is a fictional demon. 00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:19.500 He gives instructions about the art of temptation and the Christian's ability to resist it 00:00:19.500 --> 00:00:23.640 to his nephew, another demon named Wormwood. 00:00:23.640 --> 00:00:31.960 It's not biblical, but it gives us a fictional inside knowledge to the schemes of the evil one. 00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:39.079 And in that work, C.S. Lewis makes a powerful statement about demons, which he calls devils, 00:00:39.520 --> 00:00:47.579 when he says this, there are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. 00:00:48.780 --> 00:00:51.560 One is to disbelieve in their existence. 00:00:51.560 --> 00:00:58.719 The other is to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. 00:00:59.540 --> 00:01:05.980 They themselves, speaking of the demons, are equally pleased when we make both errors. 00:01:06.780 --> 00:01:14.520 That is well written and it is very true because we can become so practically and spiritually dull 00:01:14.520 --> 00:01:19.159 that we are very much unaware of the warfare that we're in. 00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:28.140 And if that's the case for you, it is my hope through this series of sermons that you will wake up 00:01:28.140 --> 00:01:32.799 and realize the reality of the world in which we live. 00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:40.140 At the same time, I go into these days with fear and trepidation about some becoming too anxious 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:44.939 about Satan's whims and wiles and works. 00:01:44.939 --> 00:01:50.939 The reality is you need to be aware and you need to act accordingly. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:02:00.819 Becoming fixated or fascinated with finding or avoiding the demon behind every bush is not our intention at all 00:02:00.819 --> 00:02:03.240 and can be unhealthy spiritually. 00:02:03.239 --> 00:02:07.219 We can live our lives victorious through Christ. 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:10.400 But that takes awareness. 00:02:11.699 --> 00:02:13.719 It takes consistency. 00:02:14.879 --> 00:02:16.359 And it takes perseverance. 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:23.359 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 8 and 9, Peter dealt with it like this. 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:23.759 He said, 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:45.840 Let's pray together. 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:53.980 Lord, I pray today that you will give us insight and understanding 00:02:53.980 --> 00:02:59.800 not only about what is going on in the unseen world around us, 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:01.819 but what's going on in our own lives. 00:03:02.740 --> 00:03:07.319 And that, God, you'll give us answers and that we'll respond to that knowledge 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:11.280 with faithfulness, with obedience. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:11.479 Guidance. 00:03:12.640 --> 00:03:13.400 Guide us. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:14.360 Oh, God, I pray. 00:03:15.060 --> 00:03:15.939 In Jesus' name. 00:03:16.699 --> 00:03:16.979 Amen. 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:22.379 I'm a lighthearted guy for the most part, but this is serious. 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:30.039 It's not a far-fetched story or a story about haunted spooks. 00:03:30.599 --> 00:03:33.139 In reality, it's an invisible war. 00:03:33.139 --> 00:03:40.300 And I want to point out three truths to you today and three actions to respond to those truths. 00:03:40.300 --> 00:03:41.360 First truth is this. 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:42.540 Satan is real. 00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:46.719 There is an invisible world that you don't see. 00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:48.640 It's just as real as what you see. 00:03:48.900 --> 00:03:52.420 I would beg to say that it's even more real than what we see. 00:03:53.380 --> 00:03:59.920 And the undercurrent of much of the evil and the wrong and the violence and the sadness 00:03:59.920 --> 00:04:05.100 that we see in the world is, in fact, the invisible world. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:11.659 Now, if you feel that you must dismiss such an idea, I would encourage you to think again. 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:14.340 You do believe in the unseen. 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:15.359 I promise you. 00:04:15.959 --> 00:04:17.980 I mentioned the wind last week. 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:24.620 You can't see the wind, but you can see the dust and you can see the rain and the leaves blow. 00:04:24.620 --> 00:04:36.019 We lived in Mississippi for a long time, and we've seen chairs and trampolines and trees blow, sometimes cars, 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:40.759 but we've never seen the wind itself, the evidence of it. 00:04:41.620 --> 00:04:47.780 You don't see natural gas either, but if it's flowing and you light a match, well, you may not know it. 00:04:47.779 --> 00:04:57.719 Carbon monoxide is a gas that you cannot see, but it is a deadly killer in a contained spot. 00:04:57.959 --> 00:04:59.079 And what about bacteria? 00:04:59.479 --> 00:05:02.899 Can't see that with the human eye, but do you remember when COVID came? 00:05:04.159 --> 00:05:08.099 People riding in the car by themselves with masks on? 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:12.379 We were afraid of it everywhere. 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:20.480 Church, I was pastoring, we were wiping down pews and spraying the air between worship to keep going. 00:05:21.620 --> 00:05:26.139 We couldn't see it, but we sure saw the results of it. 00:05:27.740 --> 00:05:33.959 Now, if you think about it, it should not be hard for you to believe that there's a spiritual world that you cannot see 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:38.699 that's just as real, if not more so, than what you can see. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:44.879 Satan is real, Scripture proclaims it again and again, and our world gives evidence to it. 00:05:46.099 --> 00:05:48.300 Not only that, but Satan is active. 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:55.599 Notice in our passage today, it says that he's prowling around like a roaring lion in verse 8. 00:05:57.419 --> 00:06:03.099 I've never been on a safari except that Disney one, but I have watched it on TV, 00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:11.040 and the lion, even with its loud roar, spends more of its time on the prowl behind a bush, 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:18.260 behind the trunk of a tree, or stealthily and strategically looking for lone and easy prey. 00:06:18.400 --> 00:06:23.320 And the hyena better be careful and better stay with the pack. 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:35.319 And in the same way, as the metaphor that Peter gives us, we need to be aware of a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:38.620 He tells us to be sober-minded. 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:42.159 That means that we need to be sober. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:45.759 And it also means we need to be serious. 00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:50.839 It also means we need not be flippant about this matter. 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:55.219 In addition to that, it says be watchful. 00:06:56.379 --> 00:07:03.060 That's the kind of talk that speaks of a night watchman in a tower connected to a walled city 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:08.019 that constantly was searching the landscape looking for the enemy. 00:07:09.039 --> 00:07:13.159 And by the way, those walled cities would change those guards out every three hours 00:07:13.159 --> 00:07:18.139 to make sure that the ones that were working were paying attention to what was going on. 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:24.379 We need to seriously acknowledge what we're up against and to pay attention to what's going on. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:27.360 Because Satan is active. 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:31.379 And he has two chief weapons. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:34.060 One's the world. 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:36.639 And the other's the flesh. 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:41.019 Now the world is what is around you. 00:07:41.459 --> 00:07:42.319 Not the people. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:44.959 Because Ephesians chapter 6 verse 12 says, 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:48.139 Our battle is not against flesh and blood. 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:52.379 John talks about the evil in the world. 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:55.519 And the word that he uses there in the Greek is cosmos. 00:07:56.560 --> 00:08:01.360 And it speaks of the orderly arrangement or system. 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:08.160 It should be easy for you to see how the evil one has influenced our world structure. 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:15.740 We are celebrating in this country and in many places in the world, 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:19.080 we're celebrating what is wrong and shaming what is right. 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:23.060 That's the evil one leading us in that. 00:08:23.980 --> 00:08:28.580 He makes what's wrong seem right and what's right seem wrong. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:32.439 Satan loves to turn morality upside down. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:36.919 And he does that by tempting us to love the world more than God. 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:40.439 1 John chapter 2 verse 15 and 16 put it this way. 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:44.179 Do not love the world's cosmos or the things in the world. 00:08:44.319 --> 00:08:47.379 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:51.600 For all that's in the world, the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:57.199 and the pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world. 00:08:57.200 --> 00:09:01.180 So it speaks of three vehicles that he uses through the world. 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:06.740 And that is the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. 00:09:06.800 --> 00:09:08.640 Now the desires of the flesh are sensual. 00:09:10.060 --> 00:09:14.420 And that is that the lion is prowling in this area. 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:25.480 When a life is led by lust, it makes for a lousy life. 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:35.100 And the devil is just hanging out in this area in the world in which we live. 00:09:38.060 --> 00:09:41.680 The desires of the eyes are selfish. 00:09:43.420 --> 00:09:45.100 Wanting everything you see. 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:48.800 Epicurus said it this way. 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:55.939 He said nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little. 00:09:58.479 --> 00:10:02.539 Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little. 00:10:03.599 --> 00:10:05.979 Or as I've heard J.D. Rockefeller was asked, 00:10:07.559 --> 00:10:08.979 J.D., how much is enough money? 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:09.979 He said a little bit more. 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:13.959 Just not quite enough. 00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:21.980 If you are just led by your eyes, you'll never have enough. 00:10:24.460 --> 00:10:29.440 Because when you try to keep up with the Jones, the Jones will refinance. 00:10:30.400 --> 00:10:32.040 And you'll have to work that much harder. 00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:35.519 The desire of the eyes are selfish. 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:38.759 The pride of life is sickening. 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:43.879 It was pride that turned an angel into the devil. 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:48.679 And it's pride that will strut a human peacock straight into hell. 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:55.720 Pride is the only disease that makes everyone else sick except the one who has it. 00:10:57.960 --> 00:10:59.939 Satan works in the world. 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:05.000 He is the prince of the world as Scripture describes him. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:07.299 He also works in the flesh. 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:13.340 And the flesh is our innate inherited tendency to sin. 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:20.399 Don't ever say the devil made you do it because you were born with an ability and a desire to do it. 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:26.600 I heard about a little boy that hit his sister, called her a bad name, and then spit on her. 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:29.759 And his mama confronted him and said, 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:32.340 Son, you don't need to do that. 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:33.500 The devil made you do that. 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:38.860 And he said, Mama, the devil made me hit her and call her a bad name, but I chose to spit on her. 00:11:40.419 --> 00:11:44.740 I mean, listen, the reality is there are some churches that meet, 00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:47.620 and if the Spirit of God left them, they wouldn't know the difference. 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:48.519 They'd just keep on meeting. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:53.059 And in the same way, if Satan no longer tempts us, 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:59.080 without Christ, we'd still have the same problems that we have because it's born in us. 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:01.360 It's innate. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:01.539 It's innate. 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:06.700 It's in our flesh, and Satan works through that because he's real. 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:08.800 And he's active. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:11.960 Not only that, but Satan's organized. 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:15.259 Ephesians chapter 6, verse 12 says, 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:19.440 For we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:22.399 against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:26.240 against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:35.240 Notice how there's almost like a rank of sorts that takes place that shows us the organization of evil. 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:44.259 Years ago, a well-respected evangelist came to this area to do a joint revival among four Easley churches. 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:47.500 And each evening, he'd be preaching in a different church. 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:53.820 And those churches asked me if the church I was pastoring could host him that Sunday morning. 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:56.919 And I had him come in, and he preached and did a good job. 00:12:57.019 --> 00:13:01.899 And I was told as I was talking to him that, and others talked to me about him as well, 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:04.860 that he was a spiritual warfare specialist. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:09.779 And that he was doing a lunchtime seminar at another church. 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.480 And so I went. 00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:17.899 And I was fascinated by what he said because he told me things that put me on high alert spiritually 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:22.680 and things that he told me I had never heard before, and I had never thought it before. 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:25.539 And it was many years ago. 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:34.759 And as I prepared for this series of messages, I thought, man, I'd like to hear that again. 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:43.839 So I went online and looked to see if there was some way that somehow there was recordings or writings or something 00:13:43.839 --> 00:13:49.559 to see what this man said because all I could basically remember, I remembered a few examples, 00:13:49.719 --> 00:13:51.480 but all I could remember was it was different. 00:13:53.099 --> 00:13:54.139 And I found it. 00:13:54.139 --> 00:14:01.019 Somebody had taken a cassette tape and had transferred it to MP3s, and it was on an obscure site. 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:05.159 And I downloaded those MP3s, and as I walked, I listened to it. 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:14.399 And as I listened to it, he talked about the organization of evil. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:18.679 And he said that in every county, every county has a head demon. 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:21.899 And every city has a head demon. 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:26.779 Certain demons assigned to certain churches. 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:29.220 And I can tell you, no, I'm kidding. 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:34.819 I was listening for the text of Scripture. 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:39.120 And I didn't hear it. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:46.159 And then I remembered what he said when he started in the process. 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:49.539 And this is what he said kind of rushed. 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:52.960 He said, listen, we're going to be looking at a lot of different things. 00:14:53.060 --> 00:14:55.560 Now, I really don't have time to point out any Scripture to you today. 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:58.700 Because I want you to search it out for yourself. 00:14:58.779 --> 00:14:59.679 I don't want to hand feed you. 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:05.359 I want you to search it out for yourself and find the Scripture that I'm referring to. 00:15:07.359 --> 00:15:09.779 He had no Scripture backing for many of his comments. 00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:24.459 The second thing he said is, he said, now, this information that I'm giving you is, I got it when I conversed with demons that were inside of demon-possessed people. 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:27.860 They spoke to me and told me these things. 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:36.080 And I found out since that there's a lot of guys that love to talk about spiritual warfare that tell similar stories. 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:49.360 That they got their knowledge, not from Scripture, but they got their knowledge from demons speaking through demon-possessed people to them, telling them things about the world of demons. 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:53.639 There are two big problems with that. 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:59.759 One of them is, some preachers are liars. 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.240 Okay? 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:03.180 Don't look at me like that. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:05.060 I'm just telling you, some of them are liars. 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:05.420 Okay? 00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:10.440 And the second thing is, Satan's a liar. 00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:12.780 Satan's a liar. 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:16.420 His demons are liars as well. 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:23.639 So even if the preacher told the truth, what demons told him was probably not the truth. 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:27.800 I don't know where the truth was, but I don't believe the truth were in the statements. 00:16:27.800 --> 00:16:32.220 And the ones in Scripture that speak the truth are speaking to Jesus. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:35.900 The demons that speak, they speak truth, but they're speaking to Jesus. 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.820 While he calls them out. 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:41.340 And that's a little bit different matter. 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:45.200 So this is the reality. 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:45.600 Okay? 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:53.759 We don't know all we'd like to know about the makeup and structure of the demonic army. 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:58.779 I can't tell you all the rank and file and all that stuff. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:01.919 I can, however, tell you that there is one. 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:10.200 That it is highly organized, highly orchestrated, and it is referred to in this passage. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:13.839 In Colossians chapter 1 verse 16, it speaks of how it's strategic. 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:16.079 That it's planned out. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:22.259 It sounds, especially in this original language of Ephesians chapter 6 verse 12, 00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:26.460 it sounds like there's a listing, a ranking of sorts and file. 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:30.799 You can dig into those words and kind of pick up some of that, 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:34.740 but it's not so evident that I want to take a lot of time with it this morning. 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:37.579 We don't understand a lot of it. 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:42.079 The book of Daniel speaks of a demonic prince of a nation. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:45.000 As a matter of fact, it speaks of a couple of them, 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:47.779 and they're confronting Michael, who's an archangel. 00:17:49.939 --> 00:17:56.220 Cosmic powers in verse 12 could be translated world powers over this present darkness, 00:17:56.419 --> 00:18:01.279 and that hints at an evil influence in the highest ranks of world powers. 00:18:03.179 --> 00:18:10.279 And so, folks, I want to assure you world leaders are influenced by such. 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.819 Satan is organized. 00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:24.000 Now, I want to reemphasize, don't get excessive and unhealthy fascination with demonic world powers. 00:18:24.399 --> 00:18:27.179 That is not what Scripture tells us to do. 00:18:27.699 --> 00:18:30.619 Instead, I want you to notice what our passage says. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:36.639 First, I've tried to emphasize the reality of our enemy 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:40.960 and his involvement on every level in our world. 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:43.100 But I want you to notice what verse 9 says. 00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:46.620 It tells us three actions. 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:50.160 One is, resist him. 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:52.940 Resist him. 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:56.440 James 4, verse 7 says this. 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:58.880 Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:03.160 Resist the devil, and he'll flee from you. 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:08.560 Now, my friend, that's a promise along with a solution. 00:19:09.560 --> 00:19:13.640 That if you'll resist, Satan will leave. 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:21.540 That when you're tempted, if you won't entertain that temptation, 00:19:22.540 --> 00:19:28.360 and you'll resist, the devil will leave. 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:35.859 He will find easier foe than one who wants to resist. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:39.539 And he'll be back. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:44.539 It may be another day. 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.679 Let's be real. 00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:49.619 It may be another minute. 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:53.839 But he'll be back. 00:19:54.179 --> 00:19:59.199 But Scripture tells us to resist him, and he'll flee. 00:20:00.699 --> 00:20:02.519 How do we resist him? 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.859 We submit to God. 00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:08.299 Because you cannot submit to Satan and submit to God. 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:11.279 You cannot sin and walk clean. 00:20:11.419 --> 00:20:12.299 That's impossible. 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:14.419 So resist him. 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:20.139 The second thing is to be firm in your faith. 00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:26.799 He tells us here, be firm in your faith. 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.659 Trust God. 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:34.279 Let me give you a hang-you-hat-on kind of verse. 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.700 One that you can rest in. 00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:37.200 One that you need to know. 00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:38.659 And I'll say this again. 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:41.379 You'll hear this Scripture again in coming days. 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:42.119 I promise you. 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:46.419 This is one that you need to write down on an index card, 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:49.039 and you need to put it on a mirror in your bathroom. 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:52.740 You need to write down on an index card and put it on the dash of your car 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:54.159 and read it when you stop it. 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:56.539 Not when you're driving down the road, but when you stop at a red light. 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:59.440 You need to keep it before you. 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:04.220 It's in 1 Corinthians 10, verse 13. 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:04.940 It says this. 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:09.099 No temptation has overtaken you that's not common to man. 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:13.779 God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, 00:21:13.899 --> 00:21:18.699 but with the temptation he'll also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it. 00:21:21.219 --> 00:21:22.059 Trust God. 00:21:22.179 --> 00:21:23.639 He will make a way. 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:31.259 You are not required to sin against God. 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:34.540 Sin is a choice. 00:21:36.300 --> 00:21:39.759 And he will provide a way out. 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:45.460 Be firm in your faith. 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:49.640 Lastly, know that you are not alone. 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.380 You're not alone. 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:57.860 1 Peter says Christians across the world face the same thing. 00:21:57.859 --> 00:22:02.359 Those across the centuries have faced similar. 00:22:04.459 --> 00:22:09.819 And one thing the devil loves to do is make us think that somehow we're an exception to the rule. 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:17.959 That therefore our sin is okay because of our different circumstances. 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.159 And that's a lie. 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:32.600 We think what's happened to us is so individualized and so different that nobody else has ever endured what I'm having to deal with. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:34.320 And that's a lie from the evil one. 00:22:37.040 --> 00:22:42.000 If we got really honest this morning, more honest than we'd ever get together, okay? 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:52.579 But if we got really honest and I had a big whiteboard up here and I asked you to say what are the areas in which the devil tempts you? 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:55.980 Or what is the areas in which he dogs you out? 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:58.380 Or he depresses you or he gets you down? 00:22:58.579 --> 00:23:01.500 What are those areas that he does that in? 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:05.859 And I want to write what those things were that you're dealing with. 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:09.140 Well, there's not a whiteboard in Pickens County big enough for us, okay? 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:09.880 For one. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:21.019 But the other thing is you would pick up on something that I picked up on after talking to people for decades about such matters. 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:24.140 We ain't much different. 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:30.420 What we deal with is not much different. 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:35.960 There is not but so many different categories in which Satan works. 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:40.680 And he does it in different ways for different people. 00:23:40.840 --> 00:23:43.700 But there's not that much difference. 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:48.019 Some of us have gravely sinned in some areas. 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:52.180 And then some of us have what we would consider likely sinned in some areas. 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:54.500 Which Christ went to the cross for both of them. 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.860 So I don't know how you weigh that out. 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:58.120 But we're different in that way. 00:23:58.119 --> 00:24:07.299 But the reality is the areas in which he hits us in life, the thoughts in which he throws at us, 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:17.319 is strategic and categorized and not that many different things, quite honestly. 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:21.119 You're not alone in this. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:27.019 Others have been in very similar circumstances as you. 00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:30.659 And the devil has thrown that out at them. 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:38.319 And one of the emphasis that he loves to do is you... 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:41.119 I know I'm repeating myself, but I want you to hear this today. 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.460 Somebody needs to hear this. 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.659 You're not that different. 00:24:45.659 --> 00:24:45.759 You're not that different. 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:52.619 Your circumstances don't justify your sin. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:56.799 He'll convince you that it does, but it does not. 00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.960 It don't. 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.839 You're not alone. 00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:05.980 But there's another way that you need to understand what it means by not being alone. 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:10.679 And that is every time you're tempted, every time you struggle, 00:25:10.679 --> 00:25:14.679 every time you get that bad thought, that depressing thought, 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:20.539 that demeaning thought, that demeaning thought, that whisper that you're nothing in life in your ear. 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:24.180 Every time you get that, I want you to know you're not alone. 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.940 God's right there with you. 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:28.519 He's right there with you. 00:25:29.320 --> 00:25:30.360 You don't walk it alone. 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.640 God's faithful. 00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:34.860 He'll provide you a way out from that. 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:35.160 Why? 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.340 Because he's there. 00:25:36.600 --> 00:25:37.500 You're not alone. 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:40.819 You say, well, I don't feel like God's here. 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:43.220 Well, God's presence is not based on our feelings. 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.059 It's not. 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:47.900 Well, I don't feel like he hears my prayers. 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:51.079 God hearing your prayers is not based on what you feel. 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.700 I got news for you. 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:56.660 Sometimes our feelings are a wreck and are wrong. 00:25:56.660 --> 00:26:03.779 We're not all that intuitive sometimes in the midst of our self-doom. 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.140 God's there. 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:10.560 And he won't leave you alone. 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:12.320 And that's based on his promises. 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:17.120 And his promises are just as sure as his hand upon us. 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:27.399 Friend, I want you to resist him. 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.679 Resist him. 00:26:30.959 --> 00:26:31.559 Stand up. 00:26:33.679 --> 00:26:35.439 Be firm in your faith. 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.239 Trust God. 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.239 Trust God. 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:41.619 And know that you're not alone. 00:26:44.219 --> 00:26:45.879 Former college football player. 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:49.200 Went back to his coach and said, coach, I want to help. 00:26:49.300 --> 00:26:50.480 How can I help? 00:26:51.260 --> 00:26:52.040 You program. 00:26:53.260 --> 00:26:57.840 And the coach said, I want you to go and find our kind of player. 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.560 He said, all right, coach. 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:02.580 What kind of player is our kind of player? 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:06.600 He said, yeah, there's a guy that gets knocked down. 00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:08.300 And when he gets knocked down, he stays down. 00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:11.760 We don't want that kind of guy. 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.280 Yeah. 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:16.259 Then there's another guy. 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:18.440 When he gets knocked down, he gets up. 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.500 And he gets knocked down. 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.099 He gets up. 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:23.720 But after he gets knocked down a few more times, he stays down. 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:26.480 We don't want that guy. 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.440 Yeah. 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:34.379 Then there's another guy that gets knocked down time and time and time. 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:36.060 And he just keeps getting up. 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:39.820 And the ex-ball player said, that's the guy we want. 00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:40.460 He said, no. 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:43.520 I want the guy that keeps knocking everybody down. 00:27:44.580 --> 00:27:45.600 That's who I want. 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:50.040 Let me tell you something, friend. 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:53.899 I want you to hear me. 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.879 We can be victorious. 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:05.700 We can quit getting knocked down. 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:09.639 And start knocking down. 00:28:11.159 --> 00:28:12.839 When we resist. 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:16.259 When we stand firm. 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:20.119 And realize we're on a team, folks. 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:24.660 And we got an unseen team around us. 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:28.220 And we've got a seen team right here with us. 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:32.359 That's what the church of Jesus Christ is all about. 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:34.319 Making each other stronger. 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:45.559 1 Corinthians 15, 57 said, thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.759 Do you believe that? 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.539 Do you believe that? 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.939 One more time. 00:28:59.679 --> 00:29:01.359 Do you believe that? 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:04.679 If you believe victory is in Christ Jesus. 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:07.119 Well then let's walk out of here and win. 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:09.659 Let's win. 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.539 Against the enemy. 00:29:12.159 --> 00:29:12.859 Because he's real. 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.419 He's real. 00:29:15.179 --> 00:29:16.539 But when we resist him. 00:29:17.719 --> 00:29:19.119 And when we stand firm. 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:21.259 And realize we're not alone. 00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.839 Thank God we got victory. 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.139 In the Lord Jesus. 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.919 With every head bowed and every eye closed. 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.819 I ask you today. 00:29:26.899 --> 00:29:29.039 Do you know the Lord Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:32.139 If you've never surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus. 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:34.339 You have no hope in this battle that I speak of. 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:35.159 It's very real. 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:38.019 And the devil will love to whisper stuff into you. 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.700 To tell you. 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:40.399 Don't you ever commit your life to Christ. 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.720 You're not worthy of it. 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:43.440 What will people say? 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:45.539 He'll throw all kinds of things in your ear. 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.680 But I got news for you. 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.899 That's where the starting is. 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:54.000 If you'll ask the Lord Jesus to forgive you of your sins. 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.859 To come into your life. 00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:57.019 And you commit your life to follow him from this day forward. 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:57.879 It's not about me God. 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.580 It's about you. 00:29:58.820 --> 00:29:59.880 If you'll do that. 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.680 I promise you. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.860 Today's the day of salvation. 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.500 He'll save you and change your life. 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.560 Scripture's clear. 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.920 He gives you a choice. 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.440 He looked at a man and said. 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.240 Come follow me. 00:30:12.300 --> 00:30:13.300 And they had a choice. 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.520 To follow Christ. 00:30:19.600 --> 00:30:21.520 Maybe you're here and you have done that privately. 00:30:21.520 --> 00:30:23.460 But you've never acknowledged that publicly. 00:30:25.060 --> 00:30:26.320 And you need to do that. 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.779 Jesus said. 00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:28.819 If you're ashamed of me before men. 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:30.299 I'll be ashamed of you before my father. 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:30.720 In other words. 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:32.339 There's no relationship with him. 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:33.500 If it's just a private one. 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:35.319 It needs to be a public one. 00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:36.740 You need to let others know. 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:38.679 What Christ has done in you. 00:30:39.439 --> 00:30:42.299 And if you've never acknowledged that through baptism. 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:44.200 I want you to know by Christ's commission. 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:45.200 And by his example. 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:48.019 That's exactly how we follow up a decision for Christ. 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.799 We'd love to guide you in that. 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:53.359 Maybe God's drawing you to First Baptist Church. 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:55.740 God's doing a wonderful work in our church. 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:56.740 And we're thankful for that. 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:58.839 God's drawing folks. 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.480 And if God's leading you. 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.859 I'd love to guide you in that. 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.079 And talk about that. 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.539 There's a lot more people in here. 00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:09.359 That's just dealing with some stuff. 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:12.220 And you need to lay that down before the Lord. 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:16.440 You need to ask God to forgive you. 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.079 And to cleanse you. 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:18.100 And to give you the strength. 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:20.140 To stand up and resist. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:20.940 And be firm. 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:25.019 And so I ask you today. 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.900 To deal with that matter. 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.140 Because I promise you. 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:30.100 When we leave this room. 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:31.759 The world gets so loud. 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:33.559 We'll forget a lot of things we heard. 00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:35.120 Right then. 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:37.880 Especially the things that we're to act on. 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:40.920 And you can do a lot of that. 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.900 Right where you'll stand. 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:42.800 In just a few moments. 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:44.019 Just you and the Lord. 00:31:44.080 --> 00:31:45.200 Or you can do it at this altar. 00:31:45.820 --> 00:31:47.280 Or I'd love to pray with you. 00:31:48.040 --> 00:31:50.080 I just want you to do what God wants you to do. 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:52.180 Nothing less than what exactly. 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:53.300 What God wants you to do. 00:31:53.320 --> 00:31:54.120 Let's just be obedient. 00:31:54.340 --> 00:31:54.840 Trust him. 00:31:55.080 --> 00:31:55.740 Just trust him. 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:58.080 And let him work in us. 00:31:59.340 --> 00:31:59.980 Lord Jesus. 00:32:00.080 --> 00:32:01.360 I pray that you'll give us victory. 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.759 Not just right now. 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.280 But God. 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.980 In the days ahead. 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:08.400 And that comes by resisting. 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.840 By standing firm. 00:32:11.040 --> 00:32:11.880 By resting in you. 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:14.019 Lead us Lord. 00:32:15.060 --> 00:32:16.019 Save the lost. 00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:17.860 Strengthen the saved. 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:20.140 Help us to be better. 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:22.500 At what we're to be. 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.759 Than we are now. 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:26.200 In Jesus precious name. 00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:27.540 Amen.