Back To Basics (Seventh In A Series)

Weekend Message/Devotion

July 28, 2019

Back to Basics

(seventh in a series)

Sermon Prayer: “Heavenly Father, I stand before Your people, to deliver Your message. Though the words are mine and I prepared this message, I pray that this message is Your message in its entirety. I pray your blessing and anointing on the message, its delivery, its reception - and most of all, its application in our lives.” Amen

Weekend Message/Devotion

Today, we are continuing a series of messages entitled “Back to Basics”. The series will be to review basic biblical doctrines. In other words, reviewing what our beliefs and practices are based upon. We are utilizing Bible Doctrines (A Pentecostal Perspective) authored by William Menzies, Logion Press 2001; The Great Doctrines of the Bible by William Evans, Moody Press 1974; and of course, God’s Holy Word.

The Doctrine of Satan

Before we ease into the study of the doctrine of Satan, let me just add a couple of points to conclude last week’s message dealing with the Doctrine of Man.

To me, it’s always been very puzzling how so many truly dedicated Christians either deny any form of sin in their lives or strongly resist any thought or mention of sin, as it pertains to them. Let me tell you this – I absolutely believe that when Satan sees that in your daily life, he absolutely jumps for joy and wallows in our failures.

“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:9-10

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:3

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18

Certainly, we can say that assuredly all men do not wish to sin. But if we read the preceding verses and direct quotes from Scripture, it becomes VERY VIVIDLY TRUE, that we are incapable of living sinless. So, do we just give up and give in to Satan and the lure of sin?

REPEAT with me a resounding “NO!”.

We acknowledge that we are sinners. We confess daily (at least) our sins; ask forgiveness; and ask the Triune God to help us resist the devil.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Okay, we got that out of the way. I am always impressed by those who tell me that they are in constant prayer with God, all throughout the day. Is that possible? Sure, it is. It doesn’t mean stopping the everyday demands of a job or lifestyle. It means as you are driving down the road, you might speak to the Lord and say something like, “God I just want to thank you for being with me and especially that all went well at that meeting this morning.” “God, You know that I messed up again and let fly with that temper tantrum using language that is most offensive to you. God, I am truly sorry, and I ask for your forgiveness and pray your Holy Spirit will hold me in check the next time that kind of temptation wells up.”

I think you get the picture. Praise, Thanksgiving, Confessions and Entreaties are never out of style. Beyond the daily ongoing communication with God, let me encourage you to not neglect a dedicated, uninterrupted time of prayer, study and meditation with God.

Remember a few weeks ago, we shared a message entitled: “Jesus Relishes Extravagant Worship”?

When we do exercise that worship, the devil moans and groans.

Now let’s move on to the Doctrine of Satan.

For anyone that doesn’t believe in the devil, the devil himself jumps for joy! It empowers him over you.

I find: Willmington, Harold, "The Doctrine of Satan" (2018). The Lucifer File, to be a good resource dealing with the Doctrine of Satan.

We all realize that a great many folks just do not believe in the devil. Many encapsulate Satan in a cartoon image of a mean looking ogre type, all in red with horns protruding from his head.

Because Satan is everywhere, like The Triune God, I believe that he exists in a spirit form.

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