Eight Enemies That Seek to Keep You From Believing God
Luke 22:24-62
April 27, 2014
AM
Pastor Craig
Ledbetter
Bible Baptist
Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I.
Introduction (Luke 22:31,32)
A.
Some facts about faith
1.
It is the determination of a
person to believe God instead of circumstances (Jer 32:27)
2.
Faith naturally grows, when
protected, and nurtured and fed – you don’t need to force it to grow, it just
does!
3.
Biblical Faith not only saves
your soul (Eph 2:8), it provides such rest, and also incredible strength to the
believer
4.
Faith does not come from a
Church, or religion, or an experience – it comes only by believing the words in
THIS BOOK (Rom 10:17)!
B.
But faith has some serious enemies!
1.
The devil cannot fight against God! He doesn’t waste his
time!
2.
But he CAN fight against us and against our faith in God -
weaken it, and destroy it
a.
He radically fights against
our confidence in God
b.
Against Our dependence upon
God
c.
Against Our rest in His care
and provision
d.
He basically wants our FAITH
to fail! To crumble, be thrown away
3.
His goal is to get us to quit on God
C.
Isn’t that funny?
1.
God cannot quit on us
2.
God cannot fail us
3.
God will not ever stop loving
us
4.
So, in order to bring us to
ruin, Satan works as an enemy of our faith, to get us to pull away from God, and
to think we don’t need Him, and that He really isn’t there for us
D.
Let’s take a look at 8 enemies of faith that are ever
present, every time you try and believe God
II.
What are Some Powerful Things That Satan Uses Against Faith?
A.
Power Struggles Among Ourselves (Luke 22:24-27)
1.
Look at these guys! Arguing!
a.
Strife – constantly arguing
over who is the greatest
1)
Over who was the best
qualified to lead the coming kingdom
2)
Fighting over who had done the
most miracles (Lk 10:19)
b.
Arguing, fighting , cribbing,
complaining, debating
c.
Even finding fault with the
other
2.
You think that is funny? Take
a good look in your home!
a.
Anarchy – a teen or a child
telling their parents off, and not doing what they are told
b.
Wives constantly arguing with
their husband
c.
Husbands, fighting for control
of a sinking ship
3.
Take a look at many churches
a.
Fighting amongst themselves
b.
Arguing over the stupidest
things
c.
Finding faults with the
pastor, with the Sunday School, with the old fashioned hymns – trying to force
Christians to “UPGRADE!” What a joke!
4.
The greatest Christian is the
servant of all!
a.
Man’s standard of greatness
is, to be served
b.
God’s standard is to serve
c.
Man’s standard of greatness is
to receive… honour, praise, money
d.
God’s standard is to give
e.
Man’s standard of greatness is
to humble others, show yourself the greater one
f.
God’s standard is to humble
yourself, and to esteem others BETTER than yourself
5.
If there is one thing that
stops faith DEAD, it is a proud fight (Gal 5:13-16)
a.
It ruined Lucifer
b.
It ruined Diotrephes
3Jn 1:9 I wrote unto the
church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth
us not.
c.
It nearly Rehoboam (1Kings 12)
6.
Look at how strife, and
arguing in your home is linked to a whole load of very wicked sins (Gal 5:19-21)
7.
So, when the enemy of STRIFE
hits your home, just serve! As Jesus did!
a.
It is your attitude about
others that is an enemy of your ability to believe God!
b.
Serving, ministering is how
you defeat that enemy of faith
c.
And your faith will grow
again!
B.
Quitting (Luke 22:28-30) – a HUGE enemy of believing God!
1.
Jesus started with nobody
following Him
a.
at 30 years old, He just came
forward and got baptised by John the Baptist
b.
After that, He met specific
men, and asked them to follow Him – and they did
c.
He taught them, and took care
of them – teaching them how to live by faith
2.
Over time, multitudes (10’s of
thousands) would gather every day to sit and listen to Him teach His disciples!
3.
And then they would leave -
And the numbers would dwindle
4.
And now it is just before
Jesus’ crucifixion, and there are only 12 men gathered around Him, and their
allegiance to Jesus was kind of thin!
a.
They were more interested in
THEIR place around the throne instead of helping put Jesus on the throne
b.
One of them was secretly
planning to betray Him to the Jewish
authorities for a few ‘bob’
5.
And Jesus thanks them anyway –
because, at least they were there with Him!
6.
But it shows that Faith needs
a walk with Jesus - a consistent walk
7.
A huge enemy of a growing,
vibrant faith is constant quitting – sputtering, starting, and then stopping,
never staying the course!
8.
OUR faithfulness is so
important to our faith
a.
Just STAYING FAITHFUL!
b.
Faithfulness is NOT a feeling,
or a desire – it is a CHOICE (Lk 18:28)
9.
So, Stay in God’s will – stay
doing what God has asked you to do – keep trusting Him
10.
Faithfulness allows our faith
to be rewarded – as Christ would reward His apostles!
11.
Quitting causes us to lose
everything we were gaining! What a lame way to live and die!
12.
Stay faithful, consistent, on
course – don’t let this enemy win!
C.
Sifting (Luke 22:31,32) – Troubles in your life!
1.
Satan wanted Peter back. So
wanted to ruin him and all that God was doing in his life!
2.
He hated Peter, and he hates
you – everything about you
a.
Because you were made by God –
no accident
b.
Because you were SAVED by His
grace
c.
Because your faith reminds him
of his fall!
d.
So, QUIT AGREEING WITH THE
DEVIL!
3.
So he seeks to sift you –
examine you – see if you are for real
4.
That sifting process is an
enemy of faith – Satan means for it to destroy your faith
5.
Most people’s faith is built
upon the foundations of
a.
Success
b.
Feeling better
c.
Lesser problems
d.
More money
6.
Job would like to talk to you!
You see, Satan ‘sifted’ Job and found out he was the real deal. Don’t you think
for a minute that you will escape such examination and testing
7.
Sifting is the troubles,
pressures, attacks that you experience
8.
It is during those times that
faith should show itself
9.
If it doesn’t, then it is not
real
10.
How do you fight this enemy?
This demonic attack?
a.
You don’t! Jesus is doing all
the fighting it for you! In intercessory prayer in heaven right now! Like a
courtroom, you don’t say anything, your Advocate does all the talking!
b.
You just have to make sure you
don’t start arguing and getting angry like Job’s wife did
c.
And you just need to resist
the urge to quit
d.
And allow your Lord to protect
you and get you through!
e.
That’s when you will find the
strength to start resisting Satan and remaining steadfast (1Peter 5:8,9)
D.
Self-Reliance (Luke 22:33-38)
1.
Listen to Peter’s confidence…
a.
I am ready! I am determined! I
am strong! I am committed! AMEN!
2.
But Jesus says, You have no
idea what you are facing Peter! YOU, IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH
WILL NEVER BE ABLE to face what you are about to face
3.
Two thoughts here:
4.
These apostles were taught how
to completely rely on Jesus Christ – for absolutely everything – they never
lacked for anything!
a.
Not to ever rely on their own
strength, their own wisdom, their own understanding, their own abilities
b.
But to simply and confidently
trust Jesus to be all they need!
c.
God doesn’t need your
abilities – or your money even
d.
It is YOU that absolutely and
utterly need Him! (John 15:5, without Me ye can do nothing)
5.
That does not mean that you
don’t do anything!
a.
Work hard, trusting Him for
the outcome of everything you do – sometimes good, sometimes bad
b.
Take responsibility for caring
for those under you
1)
Make money – spend wisely,
save as much as possible – don’t live off of others
2)
Have a scrip – a suitcase,
backpack – several changes of clothes
3)
Learn self-defence so you can
defend yourself and others
6.
These two things don’t
contradict!
a.
You do everything by faith,
believing God will always make up for your lack
b.
You do everything unto Him,
and for Him
c.
And you constantly beg God for
His strength, and His wisdom, and His help
7.
In everything you do, do it
by
faith, not by the power of your own flesh
a.
Prov 21:31 The horse is
readied for the battle, but ultimate safety is of the Lord
b.
Psa 20:7 Some trust in
chariots… but we will remember the name of the Lord
c.
In the power of your flesh…
1)
You will develop PRIDE if you
can do things – doesn’t need faith!
2)
Or you will develop depression
if you can’t – won’t allow faith to act!
d.
But in the power of the
spirit, by faith…
1)
You will see God do amazing
things – and will believe God for more
2)
And sometimes, you will see
nothing happen
3)
But you will KNOW everything
is working together for good!
E.
Fear (Luke 22:39,40)
1.
This is another HUGE enemy of
faith
2.
For most people, FEAR is
always bigger than their faith!
3.
People are afraid of so many
things – some are for good reason
a.
Afraid of poverty
b.
Afraid of the dark
c.
Afraid of being laughed at
d.
Afraid of rejection
e.
Afraid of being alone
f.
Afraid of dying
g.
Modern psychiatrists and
secular counsellors make a ton of money off of people who are obsessed with
FEARS!
4.
Jesus was warning them of
becoming focused on Satan’s diversions - traps
a.
Some people in this room are
so afraid of the temptation to drink, or do drugs that all they think about is
trying to NOT do something
b.
But THAT FEAR is Satan’s
trick, to get you AFRAID and not trusting God
5.
Jesus is saying, Don’t go in
that door! Keep looking at Me, keep following Me!
6.
Temptation here is a trap –
like a slope into a deep pit. Once you are on the slope, it is almost impossible
to get back out!
7.
Fear will NOT allow faith to
exist at the same time
8.
But thankfully, the opposite
is true as well, FAITH will not allow fear to exists in you at the same time!
9.
Prov 29:25
The fear of man… snare
10.
In just a few hours after
entering the Garden, they ALL would end up completely overwhelmed by fear, and
would forsake Jesus, and abandon faith (Mark 14:48-50)
11.
Fears have to be replaced, one
by one! With something greater!
a.
Jesus gave us some things
GREATER than all fear 1Jn 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear
hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
b.
Fear of death? John 11:25,26
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in
me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth
in me shall never die. Believest thou this? I THINK JESUS IS GREATER!
c.
Fear of falling back into sin?
Greater is HE that is in you…
d.
Fear of Satan? James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you! I THINK GOD IS GREATER! FEAR ONLY HIM!
e.
Fear of being alone? Heb_13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
F.
Lack of Prayer (Luke 22:40-46)
1.
What an effective enemy of
faith – neglecting prayer!
a.
If prayer really IS such a
great mountain moving power…
b.
Wouldn’t it make sense that
Satan would convince God’s people NOT to pray – to think it is a waste of time –
to believe it doesn’t work?
c.
There is a real battle here,
in just getting us to spend time in prayer
2.
People want prayer to be a
McDonalds Drive Thru! Get what you want in 2 minutes or less, and then get back
on the road!!!
3.
There is a time to sleep and
rest, and not worry – like when Jesus slept on the sinking ship
4.
And there is a time to rise
and get on your knees and battle your enemies in prayer!
5.
Prayer is a battle field!
Notice Christ’s great sweat drops of blood! The stress and pressure of His time
in prayer!
a.
Take time out to pray – before
making decisions, before work, before arguing…
b.
Be alone – do it because it is
right, not because everyone else is doing it and is popular
c.
Conquer your own will, bring
IT in subjection to God’s will – the first battle
d.
Ask what you want, but let God
make the final decision!
e.
Real Prayer will never be an
easy thing to do
6.
If the devil has discouraged
you from taking time out, and spending time alone just you and God, or even you
and your family and God, then he has won! And your faith will FAIL!
G.
Ignorance of What to Believe (Luke 22:47-51) – Believing a
lot of wrong things
1.
The disciples believed a lot
of wrong things
a.
That Jesus would be made King
of Jerusalem that week
b.
That God’s millennial kingdom
was just around the corner
c.
That Jesus would never let
them do wrong or believe wrong
d.
That the Jews were all that
God was interested in saving
e.
That the Bible (the Old
Testament) was finished
f.
That life would ALWAYS be
great like it had been for the past 3 ½ years with Jesus
g.
That Jesus would NEVER let
Himself be beaten and whipped and mocked and spit upon and the crucified and
murdered
h.
That Jesus would not rise
again if He did die
i.
That God had a bigger plan in
view than just miracles and free food and healing lepers and walking on water!
2.
The disciples stopped learning
– they stopped growing their faith
3.
Faith ONLY comes by knowing,
studying, and believing EVERYTHING in this Book called the Bible (Rom 10:17;
Luke 24:18-21, 25)
4.
If Satan can keep you ignorant
of this Book, he has won!
a.
Believing your church’s
teaching
b.
Believing even that it doesn’t
matter what you believe
c.
A wrong belief can damn your
soul! People worry about some sin sending them to hell
d.
But believing in a wrong Jesus
will damn you for sure!
5.
Your job is to keep…
a.
Reading from cover to cover,
over and over – listening like you are sitting right there
b.
Keep studying – not just
hearing but thinking and testing what you understand
c.
Doing what you learn – be ye
doers of the word!
6.
That is how your faith defeats
the enemy of IGNORANCE!
H.
Failure (Luke 22:42-62) – Probably the WORST ENEMY
1.
Giving into fears, and sins,
is Satan’s way of unplugging you!
a.
Every time sin wins, Satan
dances and rejoices and pats you on the back
b.
And all you get is sorrow and
sadness for being a failure AGAIN!
c.
Satan knows that when you fail
to live up to being what you know Christ is asking of you, you will get to the
point where you will throw away every last bit of faith you ever had in anger
and frustration!
2.
Don’t you EVER let failure be
your enemy! Micah 7:8 Rejoice not
against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness,
the LORD shall be a light unto me.
3.
Next time you give in to
temptation, or find yourself arguing, or struggling with quitting, of running
from the trials you are in, or overwhelmed by fears, or having gone weeks
without prayer… Get back up, and be thankful for another chance to go again, and
then get going again!
4.
Christianity today is FULL of
failures, instead of FAITH!
5.
Faith doesn’t make successes
out of all of us – it just keeps us from STAYING failures
III.
Conclusion
A.
Take a good look at all the enemies Satan has amassed against
our faith in God…
1.
Power Struggles Among Ourselves
2.
Quitting – a HUGE enemy of believing God!
3.
Sifting– Troubles in your life!
4.
Self-Reliance
5.
Fear
6.
Lack of Prayer
7.
Ignorance of What to Believe – Believing a lot of wrong
things
8.
Failure –
Probably the WORST ENEMY
B.
Respond to every enemy right and your faith will grow, and
Satan’s device will fail… instead of your faith failing!