Hanging On Part 1

HANGING ON PART 1: TAKING A STAND

EPHESIANS 6: 10-20

NOVEMBER 9, 2003

INTRODUCTION: Josh Turner - Long Black Train Buy this album!

There’s a long black train Coming down the line Feeding off the souls that are lost and crying Tails of sin only evil remains Watch out brother for that long Black Train

Look to the heavens You can look to the skies You can find redemption

staring back into your eyes There is protection and there is peace the same, burn in your ticket for that Long Black Train

cause theres victory in the lord i say Victory in the lord

Cling to the father and his holy name and dont go riding on that long Black Train

Theres a enginere there on that Long Black Train making you wonder if your ride is worth the pain hes just a waitin on your heart to say let me ride on that long black train

but u know theres victory in the lord i say victory in the lord Cling to the father and his holy name and dont go riding on that long Black Train

Well i can hear the whistle from a mile away it sounds so good

but i must stay away that train is a beauty making everybody stare but its only destination is the middle of nowhere But u know there¡¦s victory in the lord i say

victory in the lord Cling to the father and his holy name and dont go riding on that long Black Train i said cling to the father and his holy name and dont go ridin on that black train yes watch out brother for that long black train the devils a ridin that long black train.

TRANSITION THOUGHT: Let me ask you a question. Do you believe we are in a battle? Do you believe that we have an enemy? You see, he has a long black train and its whistle is calling you. It is calling you to ride on that Long Black Train, and the devil is the conductor and he wants to take you on a ride going to the middle of nowhere. The reality is that many hear the whistle and are going for a ride and in the end everything worth having is lost! You see we are in a battle. In this battle, we have a choice to make. We can stay away from the call of the whistle; you can make a stand. Or, you can hear the whistle call and go running for the train! ARE YOU READY FOR THE BATTLE?

THESIS SENTENCE: OUR GOD CALLS US TO STAND IN THE BATTLE, NOT FALL AWAY!

SO WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO TAKE A STAND FOR JESUS?

I. TAKING A STAND IS STANDING AGAINST THE DEVIL! VV. 10-11

A. STANDING AGAINST THE DEVIL IS KNOWING HIS GAME

1. The Devil¡¦s game is called the Devil¡¦s schemes.

2. Listen to what scripture has to say:

„« He is the sower of weeds and not grain, He sows that we may be destroyed (Matthew 13:39).

„« His desire is to take you into the eternal fire prepared for him and his angels, for those who do not help their brothers and sisters in need (Matthew 25:41).

„« His scheme is to take away the word of God from your hearts so that you may not believe and be saved (Luke 8:12).

„« His scheme is to get you not to love Jesus and when you do not Jesus says you belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father¡¦s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).

„« His scheme is to prompt you to betray Jesus (John 13:2).

„« His scheme is to keep you from coming to your senses and not escape from the trap he has set for you, because he wants to make you a captive to do his will (II Timothy 2:26).

„« His scheme is that you not resist him (James 4:7).

„« Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. His scheme is to devour you (I Peter 5:8).

„« His scheme is to get you to do what is sinful, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning (I John 3:8).

„« His scheme is to lead the whole earth astray (Revelation 12:9).

„« From this time, many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. His scheme is to get you to turn away (John 6:66).

3.What we are seeing throughout scripture is the devil is filled with fury because he knows his time is short (Revelation 12:12).