The Greatest Terrorist of All
Psalm 91:1-7
The world as we knew it changed forever on September 11, 2001. On that fateful morning, life was moving along as it had always moved here in America. People were going to work, driving their kids to school, having breakfast with their families, planning activities and so forth. No one could foresee the danger that would forever disrupt the lives of Americans and all freedom loving people for that matter.
The images are still fresh in our minds as we watched the planes crash into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. To borrow a phrase from the past, it was a day that will go down in infamy.
In the past several decades we have witnessed the rise of various terrorist groups across this planet. From the hijacking of planes in the late 70’s and early 80’s to chemical attacks in subways, terrorist have made their presence known.
For many years people warned that terrorism would become a problem for mainland America and not just a middle eastern problem. The last half of the 20th century was marked by terrorism and the beginning of the 21st century so far has carried that trend forward. There have been assassinations and assassination attempts on our Presidents, the Pope, one of the Beatles was gunned down on the streets of America and various leaders throughout the world have faced these acts of violence. In fact, Saddam Hussein came to power in the late 70’s by way of a violent coup.
In the last two decades, fundamental Islamic terrorist have declared jihad against Israel and Christians from the West. In 1993 the US Marine barracks in Beirut Lebanon was bombed killing 241 marines. In 1993 18 soldiers were brutally massacred in Mogadishu Somalia; also in 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed. In 1996 another attack on the barracks of US forces in Saudi Arabia; in 1998 there was the bombing of two American embassies in Africa killing several hundred innocent lives and then in 2000 there was the attack on the USS Cole.
In 1998 Osama bib Laden issued a fatwa in which he commanded the fundamental Islamic terrorist to kill all Americans whether they are soldiers or civilians. On September 11, 2001, America was awakened to the absolute evil in our world and the extent in which people will go to carry out their hellish plans.
The dictionary defines terrorist as one who rules with terror or intimidation. Today there are over 400 known terrorist groups operating in our world. Jesus foretold of a time near the end when men’s hearts would fail for fear. Today, Americans are dealing with a different kind of fear. The land of the free and the home of the brave has become another land of opportunity for terrorist to unleash their bitter hatred against us. To make matters worse we must contend with terrorist within our own borders. Places that were once viewed as safe havens are now targets of opportunity. Pearl Mississippi, Columbine and Wedgwood Baptist church stand out as stark reminders that the days of little house on the prairie are long gone. Gone are the days of Mayberry and Greenacres.
No one is immune for the terrorist, no one is completely safe. Job 18 describes a time when “terror shall make him afraid on every side and shall drive him.”
The question begs to be asked, “what is behind all of this? Why the waves of terror? Why the planes being blown out of the sky? Why hostages, torture and murder? Why are men strapping explosives to their bodies and detonating them in public places? Why the rape and brutality? Why do we see civility becoming less of the norm and violence becoming more of the norm? Darwin tried to convince everyone that man started at the bottom of the barrel and would evolve his way to the top. In other words, mankind and civilization would get better. But the reality is, man started off at the top and because of sin has continued to spiral towards the bottom.
Friend, the evil so prevalent today is no accident. It is more than mere happenstance, more than just negative environmental influences and hereditary impact. With all the evil being perpetrated today, who is the greatest terrorist of all? Is it Osama bib Laden? Saddam Hussein? How about Kaddaffi or Mohammed Omar?
I submit to you this morning that as evil and dangerous as these men are along with many others, they are not intelligent enough to carry out the reign of terror by themselves. There has to be a mastermind behind it all running the show and calling the shots. The greatest terrorist of all began as a covering cherub, a son of the morning; Perfect, beautiful and intelligent. Yet he became the organizer of the greatest terrorist organization the world has ever known. Multitudes of people unwittingly follow his plan and carry out his orders. Who is it? None other than Satan himself, he is the greatest terrorist of all. All acts of evil and terror are conceived in his evil mind. The prince of the power of the air hates this world and seeks its destruction. Whether it is a madman like Hitler or Mussolini or a Saddam Hussein he lurks behind every evil waiting to wreak havoc on the crown of God’s creation.
Friend, understand he hates you. He is nobody’s friend, even those who serve him. The Bible describes him as a thief, a liar, the accuser of the brethren, the destroyer, a deceiver, a mocker and a murder. He intends to take you to hell where he knows he will spend eternity. He aims his terror network at each individual here this morning. He weaves his web of terror and perpetrates evil upon humanity by making promises he never intends to keep. He is the pied piper of this present world and he leads untold numbers blissfully to hell.
Through his terroristic network he tries to intimidate us and frighten us away from the truth of God’s word. He has had much success with his tactics. He has lived up to his namesake as a liar and deceiver. His regime has been built on the countless lives of people who thought they were doing it their way. Satan’s work always spawns death. James 1:15 tells us, “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Friend, Satan and his emissaries of evil want to keep us away from the four cardinal doctrines of the church.
I. Salvation
Satan’s number one goal is to keep us from accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He is conducting an extensive propaganda campaign that is leading millions to hell. He tells us that it doesn’t matter what we believe so long as we believe something. He wants us to think that sin doesn’t matter and that in the end, all people will end up in heaven. He tells us that all roads lead to heaven. He tries to plant the idea that religion is for girls and old people. He tells young people they have plenty of time to get religious when they get older. Go a head and live a little. Sow your wild oats and after you’ve had your fun, then you can get right with God. He tells moms and dads that they can enjoy themselves and what the other one doesn’t know won’t hurt them. He has blinded people to the fact that “Be sure your sins will find you out. And the soul that sins will surely die.
You see, he is lying to people telling them they can have the best of both worlds. He says we can live like hell Monday through Saturday and worship God on Sunday. He tells us that we can behave any way we want and God will overlook it. But the bible tells us there is no other name given among whereby we must be saved; that at the mention of the name Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.” Friend, all roads don’t lead to heaven. There is only one way and it is not easy street. It is paved with the blood of the only begotten son of God. He was born of a virgin, conceived of the Holy Ghost, grew in favor with both God and man. Worked as a carpenter, lived a sinless life. He walked the earth showing people the kingdom of God and the demands of discipleship. He was betrayed by one if his disciples, tried and crucified. He was buried in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimithea, sealed by Roman guards. But on the 3rd day the stone was rolled away exposing to the whole world that Jesus is alive.
Friend, don’t buy into the idea that you have plenty of time and that you can believe whatever you want. If you do, you are falling right into this terrorist’s trap. He’s leading you down the path of destruction. You know, I can’t imagine anybody who would board a plane knowing that a terrorist was on board yet many are dancing with the devil even though he is intent on killing them. People didn’t believe Hitler’s Mien kampf and they don’t believe Satan’s desire to steal, kill and to destroy. Hitler did exactly what he said he was going to do and Satan is carrying out his plan just like we were told.
II. Holy Spirit
Jesus told the early church to tarry until they were endued with power from on high. Understand, these people were saved as we understand it, they had walked with Jesus, performed miracles and yet Jesus told them something was missing. He told them wait for the promise and 10 days latter the church was born with stammering lips and the power of the Holy Spirit flowing out of all who were in the upper room.
As God moved upon them they began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. Peter stood up and told everyone that these were not fanatics but this was the promise from God spoken of by the prophet Joel. Today, Satan has so terrorized people that they fear the Holy Spirit instead of seeking Him.
Friend Satan has blinded people to the reality of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He has created much division by the very thing that should unite us. What made the early church great was the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through their lives. What will make the last day church great is the same power of the Holy Spirit flowing through us. Don’t let Satan scare you away from the Holy Spirit.
III. Healing
One of the tenets of our faith is we believe in divine healing. The Bible tells us over and over to anoint with oil, pray prayers of faith and watch God work. Satan has convinced people that healing is no longer possible in today’s world that God only did the miraculous to propagate the church in its infancy.
You are looking at a preacher who believes this book. When it says we shall lay hands on the sick, we lay hands on the sick. We trust God to bring about the validation of His word. I don’t understand why everyone we pray for is not healed but I’m not about to throw the baby out with the bath water. If you are sick, we will pray and believe God to heal you. We will follow his word and leave everything else up to Him.
IV. Rapture
Satan has terrorized people by the countless millions by telling them this is as good as it is going to get. He has stolen our blessed hope and the assurance of a better life in heaven. Friend, Jesus is coming back; He said he would. Many think Jesus was talking metaphorically but I’m not looking for a metaphor, I’m looking for a mansion. I’m looking for a city not made with human hands. I’m looking for a city whose builder and maker is God. Friend, Satan will roar and rumble but it changes nothing. Jesus is still coming back. All things are being readied for the end.
The greatest terrorist of all is Satan; he is the tormentor of our souls. But the Bible tells us to resist him and he will flee from us. Don’t let him walk all over you. We are not to be under his feet, he is to be under our feet. You don’t have to give in or give up. Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. If God be for us, who can be against us? We are more than conquerors through him who loved us and gave himself for us.
Have you fallen victim to this evil regime? Have you bought into his lies and half-truths? Friend, all roads don’t lead to heaven and not everyone is going there. It does matter what you believe.
