TITLE: THE HIT LIST OF THE ADVERSARY
SCRIPTURE: JOB 2:1-2
I have listened to testimonies from this past Wednesday evening Prayer Service as well as the past few weeks during the Sunday morning Worship experience, seems to me there are many of us that are going through. The past 30-days seems like my whole life has been TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. On last Sunday evening when Mother and Elder Hansell left our Bible Training Union they were involved in a serious car accident. We thank God they were not injured any worse than they were. Received calls the past few weeks from those seeking counseling because of the normal pressures of life. I stand here this morning feeling as though some you ought to be counseling me as the pressures of life have begun to weight me down as well.
Have you ever felt as though the Adversary has taken direct aim at you and now has you placed in his CROSS HAIRS? Have you ever felt like you have made The hit list of the adversary? I stopped by to let you know and to caution you that the devil is alive and well on planet earth. Isn’t it interesting how much the BIBLE says about the devil?
• He appears the first time in Genesis 3 and the last time in Revelation 20
• Among his many titles, he is called Satan, the devil, the serpent, the deceiver, the evil one, and the accuser of the brethren
• Every New Testament writer mentions him
• Jesus encountered him at the beginning and end of his ministry and spoke often of him in order that we are not deceived
SATAN’S GOAL IS TO DISCOURAGE YOU SO THAT YOU FEEL LIIKE GIVING UP. Oftentimes we are defeated because DISCOURAGMENT sets in and the adversary takes control of our situation because we relinquish it. We must realize no matter how we boil it – OUR GREATEST PROBLEMS ARE SPIRITUAL - not FINANCIAL – PERSONAL – INTELLECTUAL - EMOTIONAL. Our real enemies are unseen because the real battlefield lies within the spirit man. That’s why a change of scenery, a change of job, a change of circumstances, a change of lifestyle, a change of appearance, or a change of relationship so often accomplishes nothing. We’re the same people because we face the same enemies and fight the same battles even if things on the outside change. You can move from MIAMI to MAUI from WICHITA to WESTCHESTER from OKINAWA to OKLAHOMA - and nothing will change unless you change on the inside.
We need to be able to identify when we are on The hit list of the adversary. I am sure that we will all agree that it is important for our names to be on CERTAIN LISTS. There are good lists and there are bad lists. How many of you have heard of the “DO NOT CALL” list? How many of you asked that your name be placed on the “Do not call” list? As you know, this list was created because telemarketers who for the most part would call at a most inappropriate time to try to sell some product or service and were overwhelming people throughout America.
• Some telemarketers were unrelenting
• Some were rude
• Most were overbearing
• To most of us these telemarketing calls were an intrusion, a pesky nuisance
• We welcomed the chance to get our name on a list that would penalize them if they called
• I am told that since the list has been created the number of such calls has been drastically reduced
When someone has a GRUDGE against one who has offended or hurt him or her in some fashion we may hear the offended party say about the offender, “HE OR SHE IS ON MY LIST.” In other words they are going to remember what was done and maybe even seek to RETALIATE. In an even more serious sense, being raised in NJ, we learned quickly that in realm of Politics and Business - you don’t want to be on the MAFIA’S HIT LIST – that list was usually a death sentence.
I was once on the DEAN’S LIST in college and I do mean once. That was good because it meant that I made good grades once. One of the lists we don’t like is the WAITING LIST. Only because we want instant gratification and we don’t want to have to wait to get what we want. Some, like my sister Charlene know what it is to be on an ORGAN TRANSPLANT WAITING LIST.
Whether ACTIVELY or PASSIVELY in some way, some form, fashion, and for some good or bad reason we all have our names on a list somewhere. Your name is written down on some record either in a book or perhaps a computer.
• Your name is recorded at the Court House, in a Social Security file in Washington, DC or the local driver’s license bureau
• Your name may even appear on a church record when you were baptized or otherwise joined the church
• You became a member of a club or Fraternity when your name was written down and added to a list
In our text this morning Job found himself occupying such a list. A list that he was not even aware at the time existed. I believe it is the same list that many of us find ourselves on this morning. When we read the book of Job, we find it to be one of the most remarkable books of the Bible. An Epic poem that is an ILLUSTRIOUS ODE TO FAITH. The book takes its name from the main character - a man called Job.
• A man acclaimed as a patriarch
• One who is distinguishable by his integrity and piety
• His wealth was vast and because of his faithfulness to God, his domestic happiness was immeasurable
• This historical recollection begins with Jobs name appearing on two separate lists
• One belonged to God and the belonged to satan
This second chapter in the book of Job – begins by informing us that this was the second time that satan had shown up. After arriving in his FLAMBOYANT MANNER - disrupting the meeting in progress, God stopped and asked him where had he been and what had he been doing. After giving the response of how he was out and about causing STRESS and DURESS, God challenged him to attempt to tempt his faithful servant Job. Remember with me that this would be the second attempt and attack of Job.
• Job a man of wealth and prestige
• Job, a father, a husband
• Job owner of land and cattle and servants
• Job a prosperous man
• Job a man of great faith
Satan, one who is indeed full of self; wanted an edge. He had already taken much from Job at this point, his children, cattle, his wealth. But Job was still on The hit list of the adversary. Satan challenged God to bring the Hedge down just a little more. God informs Satan he will remove his hand from his servant, and Satan is cocky enough to believe that this is a wager he was going to win. I imagine giggling with glee as he anticipated this so called great man finally turning on God after he had SUFFERED AFFLICATIONS and INFECTIONS.
• Satan could not wait
• Desired to take Job’s name on that list
• Transition it from being written in Pencil and write it with a Permanent Marker
If you consider Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 –response of Satan, you will find it very curious. Though the Bible did not record Satan’s direct answer - but the answer to the question is: Yes, Satan had considered Job - for his response revealed not only what he had been up to, where he had been, but also WHO HE HAD BEEN TRYING TO DECEIVE. In modern day vernacular would have sounded something like this:
--“Look God, let’s be real… if it weren’t for you and all those things you keep blessing him with, I would have had him a long time ago…”
Pardon me for a few minutes here - DO YOU MIND IF I PROVIDE A FOOTNOTE? - Also in this text we find TWO THINGS THAT ARE AT ODDS WITH ONE ANOTHER, they are inconsistent with our desired belief system - they appear contradictory to one another but yet somehow they COEXIST with one another - and some may say that it’s impossible for them to be in the same place at the same time: But yet here they are:
• Consider the Paradoxical Setting
• Satan is in Heaven = refers to God’s complete authority over Satan
• Righteousness rewarded with suffering = refers to God’s parental love for his own
• He uses whatever means necessary to draw you closer to Him
• What we appear to have right from the very beginning is an oxymoron
• Satan attending God’s staff meeting
• This is the most unlikely place one would think that Satan would want to be found
I am talking about The hit list of the adversary - Now we all know the narrative of Job. He lost his children. He lost his wealth. He lost his cattle. He lost his health. He lost everything. His friends talked about him and turned on him even accused him of some type of infidelity. His wife wanted him to give up and give in. Job even wavered a little and wondered why he was being forsaken - BUT THOUGH HIS FAITH FALTERED IT NEVER FAILED.
How do we know when we are on The hit list of the adversary? What are the indicators that something spiritual is taking place in my life? We face opposition from the devil when there are:
• Unusual or repeated temptations
• Attacks from an unexpected quarter
• Delays that hinder us from obeying God
• Inducements to doubt God’s Word
• Circumstances that produce unusual pressure upon us
• Temptations to sin in areas that never troubled us before
• Prolonged bouts of discouragement
• Worries that seem to consume us
• Seductive appeals to sinful compromise
• Bitterness toward others
• Desires to give up on the Christian life
• Enticements to turn away from the means of grace
• Excuses made for lack of spiritual growth
• Critical comments about other believers
• Attempts to hide your behavior from others
Satan has VARIOUS ATTACK METHODS.
• He will attempt to exterminate your faith
• He wants to overthrow your confidence in God
• He wants you to think negatively about God
• He wants you to doubt the power of God
• He thrives for us to be skeptical about God and his authority
When we find ourselves in the CROSS HAIRS of the adversary, we begin to cry out and look for someone to help us. What the adversary wants us to do is LOOK TO THE WRONG PLACE. When we fail to understand the SPIRITUAL ATTACK we are under, we begin to look toward man and that can only make our situation worse. We begin to LEAN TO OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. We are under Spiritual Attack, who can help us?
• Can the Pastor help?
• Can the Evangelist help?
• Can my Attorney help?
• Can my Primary Care Physician help?
• Can my Congressman or Senator help?
All these may legitimately act in your behalf in urgent matters that affect your life down here but THEIR POWER IS LIMITED TO THIS EARTH. You have to SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE - LOOK TOWARD THE HILLS FROM WHICH COMETH YOUR HELP -- where your name is on another list that is RECORDED IN THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE. We must continue to SPEAK THE WORD – our FAITH MUST BE SURE.
I have learned that it is easy to be faithful and thankful to God when all is well and all appears to be right in our life. However, when life seems to fall apart all around us, just like Job – how do we respond then? He lost his empire, his offspring, and his well being. His life was torrent filled, yet he knew where his strength lied. His helpmate told him to curse God and die; his comrades offered console that was INCORRECT and INEPT. However, Job ignored the UNSOUND THEOLOGY of his spouse and friends. Job simply goes to God and pleads his case.
• Satan was unsuccessful in his attempt to cause this great servant to curse God
• In the end, Job’s wealth was multiplied many times over
• What Satan meant for his demise God allowed it to be his deliverance
Sometimes I think we as Believers just don’t understand. We spend so much time COMPLAINING and asking WHY ME and hosting PITY PARTIES. Let me help you understand SATAN’S JOB DESCRIPTION.
• Indicates one who is out to cause chaos and confusion
• Satan will attack those who love the Lord
• Simply because he already owns those who refuse to acknowledge God
• Job is to steal your joy
• Intent is to devour you
• What sense does it make to go after what you already own?
You have made The hit list of the adversary – when he begins an all out attack. He understands that many folk recognize God as the provider as long as things run smoothly. But what happens when monies run short. What happens when our finances evaporate, and where we prospered yesterday, we are bankrupt today? Satan will attack our funds to DISCOURAGE – DISHEARTEN - DEFEAT. However, God will allow his faithful to become stronger during the period of poverty and empower them for the next phase of prosperity. But during the period of financial drought, we must remember--Satan is simply doing his job.
If he can’t get to your finances he will ATTACK YOUR FAMILY. When he is unsuccessful in obtaining the desired reaction from the believer, he will attack those that are close in order to cause distraction.
• Satan will divide in order to devour
• Satan attempts to confuse in order to consume
• But in order to resist and sustain, you must recognize Satan for who he is and for what he is
• But most of all you must know God!
• If we don’t have relationship with Lord, we are defeated
• Bible says “GREATER IS HE THAT IS WITHIN US THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD”
I want you to know this morning that the adversary is all ready defeated. He can only win if we give up. I know that we can become frustrated, but don’t give up.
• You may feel the pressure
• You may even feel some of the heat
• You may grow discouraged
• You may begin to hang your head
• Just don’t give up
• The Battle is not over
Yes sometimes life does not seem fair, but God has already secured our victory. Yes sometimes the road is rough and the going is tough, and the hills may get hard to climb; but God has already said we will succeed.
• Yes the sorrow may seem hard to bear, but we are assured that someday there will be no more pain and no more suffering
• Oh yes Satan is busy, but his reign is limited
• Yes Lucifer wants to destroy us but God has assured our destiny
• Therefore, when Satan attempts to cause you to stumble let him know he is only a temp
• He only holds a part-time position with limited power
--So when Satan comes a knocking simply shout God will take care of me!
--When Satan attacks profess, Can’t no body do me like Jesus
--When Satan jiggles the door; let him know you have a God that hears your cries and pities every groan, and long as you live and when troubles rise, you will hasten to his throne!
--When Satan tries to doubt, proclaim with victory you have learned to lean on Jesus, you have found more power than you had ever dreamed. A joy you cannot explain has filled your soul since the day you met Jesus the King. Now his blessed Holy Spirit is leading your way!
--Oh and go on and shout, What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart, I have light in my soul for which long I have sought Since Jesus came into my heart
--So don’t worry, don’t fret, SATAN IS A PART-TIME EMPLOYEE – BUT GOD HAS FULL TIME POWER.
