HOW TO SUBDUE YOUR ENEMIES
Ps. 81:13-14
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: Hating Your Enemies
1. The author of the famous tract, “Come To Jesus,” became embroiled in a theological dispute. He finally wrote a reply to his opponent, filled with sarcasm and invective, sharp and cutting as a razor.
2. Reading it to a friend he said, “I’m planning on publishing this next month, but I can’t think of a title. Can you suggest one?” His friend said, “That’s such a vicious attack that I suggest you call it, ‘Go To the Devil’ From the Author of ‘Come To Jesus!’” [Knight’s 3,000 Illus., p. 247]
3. That was a tongue-in-cheek rebuke for his change of spirit. May we stick close to the teachings of our Savior!
B. TEXT
“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!” Ps. 81:13-14
C. THESIS
1. Psalm 81 begins with an invitation to worship God. It was written as a praise psalm at the new moon. Verse 5 tells us how God went against Egypt to free Israel from slavery.
2. Asaph, the author, was a prophet, and in verses 8-11 God begins to prophesy through him how Israel would not listen to Him nor submit to Him. The results? God quite wrestling with their consciences – for their good – but gave them over to their own evil desires.
3. In verses 13-14 God tells what He wishes they would do and how that would enable Him to subdue their enemies. So that’s the title of our message, “How To Subdue Your Enemies.”
I. WE ALL HAVE ENEMIES
A. DO YOU HAVE ENEMIES?
1. ENEMY – “a person who hates you, opposes you, desires you harm, or maybe, just to stop you from doing something.” We all have enemies of one kind or another -- people who don’t like our ideas, what we stand for, or are jealous of our influence or position.
2. I’ve told you about the 104 year-old lady who was asked how many enemies she had. She said, “I don’t have any.” The host said, “You must be a remarkable person!” She responded, “No, I just outlived them all!”
3. Even if we didn’t have any earthly enemies, we still have one adversary – the devil. He’s out to steal from us, to kill, and to destroy. We must always be vigilant to stay on the Lord’s side and under His protection, that for the most part, we’ll be unassailable by the devil.
B. GOD PROMISES PROTECTION FOR HIS PEOPLE
1. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” 2 Chron. 15:9.
2. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” Ps. 34:7.
3. “And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,” declares the Lord, “and I will be its glory within.” Zech. 2:5.
4. And the simple words of the Lord Jesus, “But not a hair of your head will perish” Lk. 21:18.
C. DO WE HAVE ENEMIES WITHIN?
1. Our biggest enemy can often be ourselves – our pride, our selfishness, our laziness, pleasure-seeking, materialism, etc.
2. We need to follow James’ advice to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (4:7). It’s up to us to resist!
3. How you live is a democratic process. Satan is voting for you to sin and go to hell. God is voting for you to repent, trust Christ, and go to heaven. The outcome of the election is determined by which way YOU VOTE! Are you going to vote with the devil or God?
II. THE DOUBLE-STROKE FOR SUCCESS
Strangely, getting victory over your enemies (in Ps. 81:13-14) HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR ENEMIES, BUT GETTING VICTORY OVER YOURSELF! The key to a victorious life is having a life that is aligned with God and His purposes! These 2 things will give us victory over our enemies:
A. “LISTEN TO ME”
1. Many say they listen to the Lord, but really they don’t. The Lord Jesus talked about those who “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand” Mt 13:13. Their hearts aren’t really set on the Lord.
2. In Ps. 81:11 God tells the terrible danger of refusing to listen; God withdrew his Spirit from them, took off the bridle of restraining grace, and left them to themselves, to do whatever their fallen nature craved to do. To be abandoned by God is the most fearful punishment there is! (Rom. 1:24,26,28)
3. Unless you listen with the intent to obey, you’re really NOT listening. Hearing doesn’t have to do with the ears, or the brain, but with the heart. We follow the desires of our hearts, so we must make sure our desires are centered on God (Col. 3:1-4).
B. “FOLLOW MY WAYS”
1. David prayed, “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths” Ps. 25:4. To “follow God’s ways” means to read and OBEY GOD’S WORD.
2. ILLUS. OF LISTENING & FOLLOWING.
a. There was an apprentice pilot, who, on a practice flight, was temporarily stricken blind. In panic he radioed the fact back to the control tower. The flight controller radioed back, "Follow my instructions exactly."
b. The controller kept the blinded pilot circling the landing field until the whole field was cleared and an ambulance had arrived. The flight controller radioed, "Now lose altitude." "Now bank sharply to the right." “Hold there.” "You're coming onto the field now." “You’re about to touch down.” The pilot brought his plane to a perfect landing, was saved, and later his sight was restored. [Presbyterian Independent Board Bulletin].
3. This pilot was carefully listening and following the instructions given to him because his life depended on it. Your life also depends on you listening and obeying God’s Word, the Bible.
III. JESUS’ DIFFERENT IDEA OF SUBDUING ENEMIES
A. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
1. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” Matt. 5:43-45.
2. Paul said in Rom. 12:20 GW, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed.”
3. ILLUS. A British sergeant in Egypt told how he was brought to Christ. “There was a private in our company in Malta who got converted. This bothered us because we were profane, drunkards, and immoral. We hazed him a lot because of his religious change. One night he came in from sentry duty, very tired and wet, and before going to bed he knelt down to pray. I struck him on the side of his head with my boots. He just went on with his prayers. The next morning I found my boots beautifully polished by the side of my bed. That was his reply to me. It broke my heart & I was saved that day.” [Church of Christ Advocate]
B. OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD
1. Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” In other words, do not overcome your enemies with hate and abuse; instead, overcome them with LOVE!
2. “When man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Prov. 16:7.
3. ILLUS.: SERMON BY A DOG
a. The great author, Sir Walter Scott, once threw a stone at a stray dog, intending to shoo it away. Instead, the stone hit the dog and broke its leg.
b. Instead of the dog running away, it came limping up to Sir Walter and licked the hand that threw the rock. Scott said he could never get over that as long as he lived.
c. “That dog preached the Sermon on the Mount as few people ever practiced it!” The world needs to see Christians who demonstrate the love of God in spite of mistreatment. Then they’ll be converted. [Florida Baptist Witness]
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: Conquered by Love
1. Nearly 30 years ago, in a village in Northern Syria, Abu Dugaam was being severely persecuted because he had begun to believe in the teachings of the foreign missionaries.
2. His father-in-law had taken his new wife away from him. The villagers had torn down his new house. Finally, when he had refused again and again to give up his belief in his wonderful Book (Bible), he was led out to the edge of the village to be burned to death.
3. He was tied to a pile of wood and was given a chance to say his “last words.” Much to the surprise of the excited mob, he neither cursed nor wept. Ignorant of the ancient martyrs, but with their same spirit, he knelt and prayed for each of his persecutors.
4. Either in fear or repentance, one by one the angry crowd stole quietly back to the village, leaving Abu Dugaam alone, but closer to his God. [Knight’s 3,000 Illus., p. 243-244] God had protected him!
B. THE CALL
1. God said, “If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!” Ps. 81:13-14.
2. Do you have any areas you’re facing resistance or opposition? Do you have anyone who is giving you a hard time? Are you wrestling with any temptations within such as pride, selfishness, pleasure-seeking, materialism, avoid duty, or have impurity?
3. God wants us to choose His will above our own and to do what pleases Him. How many of you are ready to make Jesus the Lord of your life?
4. THE WAY YOU WILL DEFEAT YOUR ENEMIES IS BY LISTENING TO GOD AND CHOOSING TO FOLLOW HIS WAYS! Let’s repent and surrender our lives to Jesus tonight.
5. PRAYER.
