The Devil Desires To Have You

Introduction

The Savior and Satan cannot co-exist in a believer’s life any more than light and darkness.  However, even though Satan cannot possess the Christian, he can oppress him.  The Bible teaches that he can defeat, discourage and devour the child of God.  2 Cor. 11:3 says that he will use “any means” to destroy you.  Psalms 39:5, “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you.”  “Every man, at his best state, is altogether vanity.”

I. THE MANIFESTATION OF SATAN’S PLAN.  v.31

A. HIS DESIRE.  31a

“desired” – to beg something of one for oneself.

EXAMPLE: Dr. Manley Beasley talks about the “Mystery of Iniquities” based on Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Satan has a counterfeit

PROBLEM: You cannot see the end result, “look for the hook!”

EXAMPLE: Dr. Alice Cullinan came the day I preached, “Blessing of Being Saved.”  How does he get most men?

1. FINANCES.

2. FEMALES (Anyone can have an affair)

MONEY

MORALS/MEN

B. HIS DESIGN.  31b

“Sift” – To winnow – separating kernels of grain from the chaff, done by shaking bunches of grain into “breeze-stirred” air so that the kernels fall to the ground, while the chaff is blown away by the wind.

“Chaff” – Something worthless.

Bailey Smith said, “Any sin that you cover God will uncover; any sin that you uncover, God will cover.”

1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Faith produces wheat

Flesh produces chaff

An old Puritan commentator, Trapp, said, “Jesus uses a fan and sifts to get rid of the chaff; but the devil uses a fan and sifts to get rid of the wheat.”

Jesus desires for the Father to get glory through your life.  However, Satan is the “glory stealer.”  If he can defeat you, he , in return, robs God of glory.

ILLUSTRATION:  Slip-drift into sin.  Slow fade.  Mark Hall-Casting Crowns.

II. THE MISTAKE OF SIMON.  v.33

A. SELF IS SUFFICIENT.

“That is one thing I will never do!”  Satan attacks the point at which a man is too sure of himself.  Oswald Chambers said, “An unguarded strength is a double weakness.”

B. SELF IS STRONG.

Gordon MacDonald, Rebuilding Your Broken World

III. THE MERCY OF THE SAVIOR.  v.32

A. INTERCESSION.  32a

“Prayed” – a word that has as its root a thought of binding.  I have asked for you, committing myself for you as your bondsman, your surety.

B. INTERVENTION.  32b (Omnipotence)

“Faith fail not” – Did it?  No!  Hope dead and courage failed.

C. INSIGHT.  32c (Omniscience)

Our Lord’s confidence in His restoration.

IV. THE MESSAGE OF THE SAVIOR.  v.34, 61-62

A. REGRESSION.  34

Junior Hill’s testimony

ILLUSTRATION:  “Backslidden” – artillery in the hands of Satan aimed at the heart of God.

ILLUSTRATION:  Prov. 3:5-6; 1 Cor. 10:13, “Direct thy path”   God’s watch dogs:  grace & mercy Ps. 23

Amazing Grace:

“Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

I have already come.

Till grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.”

B. REMEMBRANCE.  61

Where God found him; memory

Deterrent:  Jesus, Janet/girls, Kenny

C. REPENTANCE.  62

ILLUSTRATION:  John 21:15-17

Phileo – Agape

CONCLUSION

According to John 18:15, only Peter and one other had the courage to follow Jesus into the courtyard.  Peter fell to a temptation which could only have come to a brave man.

Robert Murray McCheyne, “It is not great talent God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus.”

No Seniority -  Gordon MacDonald, “A man may sink by such slow degrees that, long after he is a devil, he may go on being a good churchman or a good dissenter and thinking himself a good Christian.”