What the Devil hopes you never find out
Theme: To show that the devil is a liar and father there of
Text: Exodus 1:8 – 22, Ephesians 6:10 - 18
Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, "Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land." Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage--in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor. Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, "When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live." But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?" And the midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them." Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them. So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, "Every son who is born [3] you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive."
(Exo 1:8-22)
Introduction
Israel had enjoyed peace for about 200 years. They had come into the land under the providence of God and the favor of Joseph. God raised Joseph up from the Pit to the Palace to become second in command.
Truthfully not only did God save Israel from the land of famine but He also saved Egypt and the surrounding nations. It was God’s vision given to Pharaoh and interpreted by Joseph. Then God’s preparation in Joseph’s life to be a leader. This all saved the largest nation in the world at the time.
But it also gave a place for the nation of Israel to flourish. They grew from 75 to around 2.4 million. This was all at the hand of God.
Then there came another king (Pharaoh) who did not remember Joseph. This was not the next Pharaoh after the one we are introduced to in Genesis 39. The one who promoted Joseph. There could have been 4 or 5 by the time we meet Moses. So there was a long time and a short memory.
This Pharaoh who did not know nor remember what Joseph had done was afraid. Fear will make you do and think crazy things. He was afraid of this nation that had grown so large. He was afraid that they were going to take over Egypt.
Not only did he not know Joseph or Israel he did not know the promises of God. Egypt was not the land God had promised to Israel, it was Cannan. God had no intention of them staying in Egypt.
Yet with this fear he began to persecute them. He began to oppress them. Placing them in bondage. Putting more work on them. Finally attempting to destroy the next generation.
Moses’ the deliverer
All the while God was preparing a man. Where it seems that things are not happening always remember God has a plan. From the strangest of places and circumstances God raises up a man “out of the water” to be raised in the very house that was persecuting Israel.
Under the nose of the enemy God was raising up a deliverer.
Abraham and Isaac
I often times think of the story that Minister Washington spoke about Wednesday night. The story of Abraham and Isaac. How God called Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Up mountain they climbed. Abraham was willing to follow through on God’s commands. Yet God stopped him. Right in the middle of the act of faith by Abraham.
I picture as Abraham climbs one side of the mountain God was causing a ram to climb the other.
Israel’s Bondage
The interesting part of the story is God was raising up a man named Moses right in the midst of Israel and Pharaoh. Yet Israel was in bondage. Not only in their circumstances but also in their life. You can tell by their reaction that that were in bondage.
You can be in your circumstances, but your circumstances don’t have to be in you.
The interesting part is God had raised up a deliver.
Illustration – The check was in the mail.
Many years ago while in Bible college my wife and I had a vehicle that needed repair. We need some brake works who we took it to a local shop. In turn they called and said our front axel was going out so it needed replacement. All in all the bill was $835. My salary at the time was around $300 every two weeks. On top of that someone had stolen my pay check. I had to wait around 2 weeks to get it back.
So I am in debt $835 from a loan. I was broke. We even ate tight that week. Basically beans and rice. We were fearful and nervous about paying the loan off
Interesting enough with in a week or two I received a check for $2000 from the federal government with
If I would have known what was going to happen then I would not have been fearful. If I had known that while all the events were taking place God was preparing for my provision.
Bondage of Pharaoh to Israel
Pharaoh forced them into slavery. He put them in bondage. They were now in a nation that was not theirs working for a king who was not their commander. They were in bondage.
In the New Testament it is called: strongholds or fiery darts
2 Corinthians 10: 3 – 6 reminds us For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2Co 10:3-6)
Stronghold defined
1. A place of refuge or fortification
2. A place of domination or control
Tactics (strongholds) of the Devil
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Satan is a Father of Lies
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Jotted down some strongholds of the enemy as related to Israel
I. Disillusionment – wrong picture, we get discouraged because of what we don’t see.
II. Distraction – focused on the wrong things, (Israel almost go too comfortable in Egypt)
III. Doubt – does God really care for us, does He really have our best interest at heart.
IV. Desperation – willing to do anything to get out of the situation. Even at the expense of long term. “Don’t make permanent decisions of temporary circumstances.
V. Destruction of the next generation (death to the children). If he can’t destroy us he will do what he can to take down the next generation.
The devil hopes you never find out.
But the devil hopes you never find out the power that God has given you. He hopes you never find out that “Greater is he that is in me that he that is in the world”. He hopes you never find out the protection that God has for you. He hopes you never find out the plan that God has placed before you. He hopes you never find out the provision that God has already made.
But it takes out Participation
Armor of God – Overcoming the Enemy – Fiery Darts
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, [19] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- (Eph 6:10-18)
Here is the Armor of God that we are expected to “put on” daily. It is also the greatest areas in our life where the devil tries to get us to question.
Truth (Questioning the truth of God, reliability of God’s Word, ex: Adam & Eve) – The enemy loves to confuse truth.
Jesus said, “The truth shall set you free”
Righteousness (Questioning doing right in God’s eyes, ex: Isaiah & Paul) – The enemy loves to keep us wallowing in our past sins. His devices are to convince us that we are not worthy to pray or talk about God because of our “unrighteousness”. Yet our righteousness is found in Christ not ourselves.
Proverbs 23:7 “So as a man thinks in his heart so he is”
1 Corinthians 1:30 3 0It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Peace (Questioning peace and security, ex: Elijah) – The enemy has taken away your joy and peace. Peace in the Hebrew means to be whole.
Find peace with all men. Romans 12:18
Faith (Questioning our faith, ex: father with boy “help my unbelief) –
"Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is God, and a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Salvation (Questioning our salvation – Salvation maybe an assurance of the heart but often time is over rationalized in the mind.
Spirit (Questioning the Holy Spirit’s operation, ex: Simeon in Acts) – The Holy Spirit gives us clarity on the word of God. He leads us daily by our actions and teaches us to follow God’s word. In other words there is the spiritual and practical.
THE WORST NIGHTMARE TO THE DEVIL IS THAT YOU WILL DISCOVER WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST.
HELL’S WORST NIGHTMARE IS THAT YOU WILL WAKE UP AND BELIEVE THAT
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Greater is he who is in me
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
I am more than a conqueror
I am not bound I am free
Conclusion
The enemy has been telling you some lies. Some of you are caught up in the bondage, stronghold, trap of the enemy.
The web of lies he has weaved in your life runs deep. You feel run down and defeated.
God has come to set you free.
