INTRODUCTION: READ Acts 8:1-25
NEED: Realize Satan Counter Attacks when God is moving through His people to effect revival and spiritual renewal.
DIVISION I: Persecution - Acts 8: 1-3
Explain: Satan can’t attack God so he attacks His people. And he is always in the counter attack mode, always reacting to what God has already done. Often, he targets God’s people for persecution to give him time to get his forces into position for action. Satan and the fallen angels have been around a long time and have seen much. But they are bound by time and space and have no physical form. Therefore, they have no more influence than you choose to give them. But they will take what ever you give them and do much with it. Also, remember Satan isn‘t strong enough to attack God, so expect trouble when God is moving in our midst. For many of you that is happening today. I dare say the pain of persecution may be the very thing that drove you to the sanctuary this morning. You will find the peace and comfort of being among God’s people will free you of that pain.
Application 1: If you want that freedom to continue once you leave our presence there are a few steps you need to consider:
A. Identify your pain.
B. Get motivated to change.
C. Believe God and His family can help.
Application 2: Now if your persecution is coming from not knowing Jesus, I have other advise for you right now.
A. Admit your pain is coming from being separated from God.
B. Believe Jesus paid a price you cannot so you can be right with God.
C. Confess to God your need for Him and your willingness to follow Jesus.
Application 3: If you let us know your concerns, this family will see you through them. We will listen and help you see your situation as our Father and His Word describes it. We will pray for with you. We will pray for you. When you have triumphed over your circumstances we will rejoice with you and help you share your joy with others.
Illustration: Persecution is intended to keep you from trusting God. If you doubt you will be powerless. But this is the greatest of all opportunities to build trust in God. Most forms of satanic persecution attempt to get you to the point where you see your circumstances as a huge flaming monster, a Balrog if you like, towering over you. There seems to be no chance of escaping the evil pursuing you. Let me elaborate by explaining my comment about the Balrog. The Balrog is an enormous monster from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. In appearance, his seems far greater in statue and power than the travelers he pursues. He looks as though he is made of fire and his outer shell can hardly contain the power and heat that makes up his hideous existence. In the story, you find out the source of his strength, no matter how large it makes him appear is no match for the power available to those he chases. The leader of the small band stops midway across a footbridge suspended over a vast emptiness. As he turns and faces his pursuer, he announces “You cannot pass … I am a servant of the Secret Fire … the Dark Fire will not avail you”. Quite simply folks that is Tolkien’s reference to the power of the Holy Spirit that equips us to overcome Satan.
Reasoning: No matter how great our suffering may appear, no matter how large our enemy seems, his power is nothing compared to that of the Living God. You must not address persecution in your own power. You are as small as that tiny figure standing firm on that bridge when compared to the powers of darkness. But as a child of God you posses a spiritual nature that has more potential than you will ever know in this life. Trust God to grow you in the knowledge of that potential. When He returns you will have learned much and be ready for new revelations about Him, and you, and your relationship.
Transition: Our next block of text introduces Simon the Sorcerer and shows us another Counter Attack by Satan:
DIVISION II: Deception - READ Acts 8: 9-17
Explain: Satan uses deception to confuse us and get our attention off God.
Reasoning: This story doesn’t portray Simon as an evil wizard casting destructive spells over people. He was clearly deceived by Satan. It seems he was using dark spiritual influences for the appearance of good. We read that he amazed the people. They all listened to him as he boasted that he was someone great, representing the Divine and His Great Power. He didn’t claim to have or be the Deity. But he obviously used his sorcery to gain influence and allegiance even though it does not appear that he used it to instill fear and chaos. Simon was great misguided and deceived, maybe even by his own heart.
There are two deceptions in particular that we must guard against so as not to end up like Simon:
. A. Spiritual pride often gets us focused on the religious activities that we enjoy rather than making the effort to find out what God is doing. Just as Simon was deceived into thinking he was a great person doing great things, we also stumble by taking on a similar spiritual pride. None of us should feel above reproach, regardless of our standing of this church. In relation to pride you can always assume that God prefers we consider the needs of others before ourselves. When you begin using your gifts within the context of a local body of believers, guard against the temptation to think about what a great impact you are making. Any form of feeling better than others because of your spiritual activities is spiritual pride, a deceptive tool of Satan. Simon the Sorcerer didn’t get it. Even when Peter told him he had no part in this ministry, Simon still focused on the status he could attain by wielding the Holy Spirit like a wand.
B. Deception can also come in the form of Counterfeit Miracles. These false signs and wonders amaze people but they are meant to block the Gospel by getting another message out. The message Simon was getting out was that he was great and was someone to be listened to. The signs and wonders associated with the apostolic ministry were of a far different nature. They served to establish the Apostles as messengers of Jesus. In that, they were as Simon desired to be, people to be listened to. But the apostolic miracles were for the specific purpose of validating the message (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) and its messengers (Apostles). Satan has always used his spiritual influence to fake miracles. His is not a physical program so much as it is a psychological program, playing on the minds of his tortured. The mind is a powerful tool in the wrong hands. Satan does not have command over the physical universe. Though he can manipulate portions of it to his twisted benefit. That is why, even today, we see thousands deceived at the acts of a few with the illusion of super natural powers. Satan’s program of deception changed when the Apostles began their ministry.
Application: The physical miracles associated with the Gospel pointed to the spiritual miracle that faith in Jesus Christ resulted in new life in Him. Spiritual triumph over a sinful nature and a life daily renewed by the presence of He that created all that exists is more miraculous than the mind can imagine. To block that hope, Satan began a program of copy cat miracles. Therefore it is absolutely necessary to follow the Biblical mandate to test the spirits. 1 Timothy 4 “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” This is a prophesy not of demonic destruction, devastation, torture but of a new program whereby Satan establishes false teachers, ministers and leaders among God’s children. We are only deceived when we want to be. As a child of God, you have the Holy Spirit communicating truth to you on a constant basis. Deception is accomplished only when we willfully deny the truth and lie to ourselves. That creates a heart that is ready to receive whatever Satan plants.
Counterfeit miracles, deception, false teachings all these begin in the heart of man. Satan cannot create in you an evil heart. Only you can do that. But he knows what one looks like. He will tailor make a counterfeit miracle just for you. It will satisfy every expectation you come up with. But it will be completely empty of the Holy Spirit.
Huumor: That means even though you think your new suit makes you attractive to the ladies, you can’t see:
1. You are wearing sandals when you are standing in the snow. (you have traded God’s snow shoes for beach wear and are trying to convince yourself its working)
2. Your pants are too short, or they are too long and you go around holding them up with one hand thinking that makes you look cool. (everyone else who is following that same deception is supporting you in your foolishness)
One test you can use to determine if the spiritual nature you are witnessing is of God or you and Satan. What value are you placing on your ministry? Simon placed a specific monetary value on the Apostle’s laying on of hands. Which means he valued spiritual things in terms of physical comforts. Money buys objects, not emotions. Everyone knows that. Why do we continue placing worldly values on spiritual matters. Store up treasures in heaven.
Transition: The last counter attack I want to show you comes from Simon’s separation from the Apostles. That is the attack of Isolation.
DIVISION III: Isolation - Acts 8:18 -25
Explain: Satan tries to isolates us from other believers so further attacks will be more effective.
Reasoning: Fear and loneliness are the most damaging of all emotions. When a family of believers is on fire for the Lord that is the best time for us to be watchful for those who succumb to fear. There is always a lot of movement and progress associated with a growing church. An attack of fear brings its target to a screeching halt. Folks, if everyone else is moving, it shouldn’t be hard to notice someone isn’t. We have to make every effort to keep those soldiers on their feet and moving.
Illustration: There is an old Spencer Tracy movie about the exploits of Roger’s Rangers during the French and Indian Wars. After a long march to a dreadful battle, the Rangers were faced with the difficult situation of regressing back to friendly territory with no supplies and no way of going undetected by the enemy. Major Roberts split his forces into very small teams who could sneak around enemy forces and scavenge for food while making the incredibly long journey. Without stopping to rest , nearly all the Rangers returned, including one seriously injured officer who was in no shape to make the trip. That officer would not have made it if his wounds weren’t bandaged. He would not have made it without the crutch one of his soldiers fashioned for him. And he would not have made it if Rogers had let him stop to rest. Rogers knew his wounds would overcome him if let him stop. “Move at your own pace, but keep in sight and don’t stop for any reason”.
Spiritually, demonic oppression will wear you down and break your motivation if you let your wounds stop you. Your wounds are not as bad as Satan would have you believe. Keep moving and keep us in sight.
IV. Conclusion -
Sarah Arthur, Walking With Frodo, p. 8 “ Whatever the murky history of the past, Satan is real. He specializes in absorbing light, in casting shadows, and in generating great vacuums of fear and spiritual blindness.” Today, want you shed light on these matters? Step into the light.
