Satan Comes to Services

1998061

I. Introduction.

A. purpose of this lesson to examine the fact of why we are here to worship God. We also want to think of the many distractions that come our way during services.

1. let each one of us realize the importance of why we are here today.

2. we aren’t here for any other reason than to worship God. Or we shouldn’t be.

B. Emphasis of the church is supposed to be on spiritual things and the uplifting of ourselves together.

1. what a more glorious time than for those who love the Lord to be assembled together. Should consider it a blessing and honor.

2. Can you imagine what the devil must feel like when he knows that Christians are getting together praising God; praying; rejoicing in the fact that their sins have been forgiven?

3. Worship services would be the last place you would expect Satan to be wouldn’t it? He’d like you to think that.

C. The influence of Satan can be here today.

1. Job 1:6-12 – opening text for today. Lesson not solely concerned with the story of Job, but the two phrases found in 1 & 2.

a. Read 1:6-12; 2:1

b. Focus upon the phrase: and Satan came also among them.

2. As you continue to study through the next few chapters you find the life of Job distracted greatly by actions of the devil.

3. Could Satan be present here today? Could he try to influence your mind off the lesson; make you daydream? Etc.?

D. As we go through lesson, examine yourself and see why you came to services today.

1. heart not in worship? Them no profit for us to be here.

2. Remember: Satan wants your heart to be distracted in worship. He wants you to starve spiritually. He wants you back in his throng. Are you ready to fight?

II. Satan has made it his purpose to distract our minds from worship.

A. Who has never had mind wander during bible lesson? Sat under some preachers who if you stopped listening at any point you were lost for rest of the lesson.

1. happens to the best of us from time to time.

2. However does it happen often to you? Does your mind wander?

B. what is the purpose of worship?

1. 1 Cor. 11:26-30 – to partake of the LS. To remember death, resurrection of Jesus. We focus weekly upon the tremendous sacrifice that Jesus went through for each of us.

2. Col. 3:16 – sing w/one another. But? Purpose of singing? To teach/edify/admonish one another.

3. Should want to buffet each other/strengthen each other for another week of fighting w/the devil & his temptations.

4. what we doing here today = serious. While many of us understand the seriousness of the occasion, with others this not the case. How can Satan distract us?

C. We are distracted and distract others in worship when we:

1. fall asleep or daydream. Also:

a. pass communion and have to nudge the person next to you to partake?

b. Sleep; snoring; head bobbing; etc.

c. Whisper to one another; pass notes

d. Playing w/children during services. Some wave at the kids, wink at them.

e. Perhaps all little things. These can have an effect on us and especially those around us. Can certainly distract us from worship.

2. Can be distracted by our own lack of preparation.

a. Sunday AM = sleep-in day for some.

1. distract services by coming in late.

2. Get in rush at home & forget bible.

3. Don’t have time to eat breakfast.

b. Most of this could be avoided if we would plan better. We are coming to worship God – our Creator!

c. Prepare better by:

1. plan what to wear on Sat PM

2. go to bed earlier. How can anyone expect to have full grasp on the next AM after staying up almost all night? Do we realize that to do this is to give God the leftovers?

3. Getting up early on Sun AM. Eat something. Nothing more challenging than to try to concentrate on an empty stomach.

d. why prepare for worship? Jhn. 4:23-24

3. Must remember 1 Cor. 14:40 Are we contributing to order or chaos? Are you letting Satan keep you distracted during worship?

III. It is Satan’s purpose to keep our hearts from the Word.

A. Heb. 4:12 – word of God powerful.

1. however…we as humans have power to shut out the word and refuse to listen to it if we wish.

a. Satan wants us to reject God’s word. See Gen. 3:1-3. He wants to twist the Scriptures around to where they have no effect.

b. Sad but true: Satan effective w/the majority of people. Let’s make sure that he isn’t effective w/us.

2. Lk. 8:11-12 – What Jesus said = true!

a. some versions say here: snatch/steal.

b. Are you committed to taking the word of God & firmly implanting it into your heart?

B. Yes? Well…you must be prepared to do the will of God!

1. Js. 1:22-25 – be doers of the word.

a. takes on a different level than attending services.

1. know some brethren who attend services everytime doors open. Look down on others when they miss, etc.

2. But….some of those who do attend everytime fail to apply what they hear.

b. I must not only be committed to Bible study, not only to attending services as often as I can, but most importantly, applying what I learn!

c. Some deceive themselves. How tragic!

2. Doing the will of God means doing something that we don’t really want to do sometimes.

a. easy to do the easy thing.

b. Effort, dedication, sacrifice to do the harder more difficult things. Are you ready?

C. Remember: Satan’s objective is to keep our hearts from the word. He can do this by distracting our thoughts in worship & by hardening our hearts where sin is involved to the degree that the word just bounces off us.

1. Paul wrote about some in the FC who blinded by devil to where gospel had no effect.

2. 2 Cor. 11:3-4

3. Continue to reject the word? Satan will blind you. If you are truly concerned w/getting to heaven, you will be willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

IV. Satan’s Purpose is to stir strife among people.

A. Satan = cunning. If he can get Christians to bite/devour themselves then he doesn’t have to work hard. Often Christians do his work for him under the guise of defending the truth.

1. interesting that the binding of human opinion/traditions/feelings sow more strife and discontentment among brethren than anything else!

2. Some proud/puffed up about their particular opinion. With them, ALWAYS a matter of truth! Bind opinions on others where they are alienated from them and rest of the body.

3. Prov. 6:16-19….could this by why God included this in the list of things He hates?

B. Those who seek to bind their opinions are babes in the faith.

1. 1 Cor. 3:1-5. Bet these kind of Christians feel that they are strong. Paul says they are weak. Who’s right?

2. Walk into congregations where division almost down middle.

3. All b/c of strife, envy, prejudice. Both sides thought they were justified before God. No interest in working problem out.

4. Let us seek to not let this attitude reign in this congregation.

5. Must move the focus off investigating/looking for problems in our brethren (inward) and move toward an outward focus of seeking the lost.

a. Gal. 5:13-15.

b. This is a true teaching of Paul.

C. Opinions OK. If you have a differing opinion from me…talk to me. If I change my mind and adapt your line of thinking – great! But…if I don’t…don’t hold that against me.

1. Different Christians disagree on placing Christmas trees in homes.

2. after all: if it’s just opinion….that’s all it is. You might be as wrong as the next guy.

3. However… there are matters of opinion and faith. We must all agree on uniting on truth. NEVER have a compromising attitude toward matters of faith.

D. However….petty matters that are only going to cause strife/envy/discord are not to be tolerated!

1. if we insist on this: we’re doing the devil’s job for him.

V. Satan’s Purpose is to corrupt our minds from the simplicity of the word.

A. 1 Cor. 11:3 – Satan can corrupt our minds.

1. easy way to do this: goes along w/previous point in a way.

a. get two brethren who have disagreed w/each other in past. Relationship been “rocky’

b. One of them gets up teaches/preaches/even speaks in a conversation….

c. Opposing bro/sis is reading something into or watching for something said to accuse the brother at preaching them.

2. Even seen it….bro/sis disagree. Out of the blue opponent calls up the other one to wish them hello/encouragement/maybe over for dinner/ the other ask: “Why is he doing this?” “What does he want from me?”

3. Judging motives…NOTHING can create dissension quicker!

B. Happens to preachers. Get a family/two riled up at him & everything he says/does isn’t right.

1. if this happens: devil succeeding w/his battle against us! Often we don’t even realize it!

2. Is the devil succeeding here at Southside among us?

C. Devil also makes us think that we are somehow “above” the word of God.

1. word of God = simple.

2. Some of the most elegant bible teachers/preachers/scholars are sincerely wrong. Often b/c they think they above simple bible teaching. That it somehow doesn’t apply to them!

3. Mt. 11:25…days of Jesus. Pharisees/Saducees/priests If anyone should have known what was right – it was them!

D. Must keep a humble spirit!

VI. Conclusion.

A. Don’t be Satan’s tool! Don’t let him use you to accomplish His task of keeping Christians and people out of heaven!

B. 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8. Notice how Satan described. Must not be ignorant of his devices!

C. Stand up & fight against him. Don’t let him slip in the back door!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Satan Comes to Services 1998061 I. Introduction. A. purpose of this lesson to examine the fact of why we are here to worship God. We also want to think of the many distractions that come our way during services. 1. let each one of us realize the importance of why we are here today. 2. we aren’t here for any other reason than to worship God. Or we shouldn’t be. B. Emphasis of the church is supposed to be on spiritual things and the uplifting of ourselves together. 1. what a more glorious time than for those who love the Lord to be assembled together. Should consider it a blessing and honor. 2. Can you imagine what the devil must feel like when he knows that Christians are getting together praising God; praying; rejoicing in the fact that their sins have been forgiven? 3. Worship services would be the last place you would expect Satan to be wouldn’t it? He’d like you to think that. C. The influence of Satan can be here today. 1. Job 1:6-12 – opening text for today. Lesson not solely concerned with the story of Job, but the two phrases found in 1 & 2. a. Read 1:6-12; 2:1 b. Focus upon the phrase: and Satan came also among them. 2. As you continue to study through the next few chapters you find the life of Job distracted greatly by actions of the devil. 3. Could Satan be present here today? Could he try to influence your mind off the lesson; make you daydream? Etc.? D. As we go through lesson, examine yourself and see why you came to services today. 1. heart not in worship? Them no profit for us to be here. 2. Remember: Satan wants your heart to be distracted in worship. He wants you to starve spiritually. He wants you back in his throng. Are you ready to fight? II. Satan has made it his purpose to distract our minds from worship. A. Who has never had mind wander during bible lesson? Sat under some preachers who if you stopped listening at any point you were lost for rest of the lesson. 1. happens to the best of us from time to time. 2. However does it happen often to you? Does your mind wander? B. what is the purpose of worship? 1. 1 Cor. 11:26-30 – to partake of the LS. To remember death, resurrection of Jesus. We focus weekly upon the tremendous sacrifice that Jesus went through for each of us. 2. Col. 3:16 – sing w/one another. But? Purpose of singing? To teach/edify/admonish one another. 3. Should want to buffet each other/strengthen each other for another week of fighting w/the devil & his temptations. 4. what we doing here today = serious. While many of us understand the seriousness of the occasion, with others this not the case. How can Satan distract us? C. We are distracted and distract others in worship when we: 1. fall asleep or daydream. Also: a. pass communion and have to nudge the person next to you to partake? b. Sleep; snoring; head bobbing; etc. c. Whisper to one another; pass notes d. Playing w/children during services. Some wave at the kids, wink at them. e. Perhaps all little things. These can have an effect on us and especially those around us. Can certainly distract us from worship. 2. Can be distracted by our own lack of preparation. a. Sunday AM = sleep-in day for some. 1. distract services by coming in late. 2. Get in rush at home & forget bible. 3. Don’t have time to eat breakfast. b. Most of this could be avoided if we would plan better. We are coming to worship God – our Creator! c. Prepare better by: 1. plan what to wear on Sat PM 2. go to bed earlier. How can anyone expect to have full grasp on the next AM after staying up almost all night? Do we realize that to do this is to give God the leftovers? 3. Getting up early on Sun AM. Eat something. Nothing more challenging than to try to concentrate on an empty stomach. d. why prepare for worship? Jhn. 4:23-24 3. Must remember 1 Cor. 14:40 Are we contributing to order or chaos? Are you letting Satan keep you distracted during worship? III. It is Satan’s purpose to keep our hearts from the Word. A. Heb. 4:12 – word of God powerful. 1. however…we as humans have power to shut out the word and refuse to listen to it if we wish. a. Satan wants us to reject God’s word. See Gen. 3:1-3. He wants to twist the Scriptures around to where they have no effect. b. Sad but true: Satan effective w/the majority of people. Let’s make sure that he isn’t effective w/us. 2. Lk. 8:11-12 – What Jesus said = true! a. some versions say here: snatch/steal. b. Are you committed to taking the word of God & firmly implanting it into your heart? B. Yes? Well…you must be prepared to do the will of God! 1. Js. 1:22-25 – be doers of the word. a. takes on a different level than attending services. 1. know some brethren who attend services everytime doors open. Look down on others when they miss, etc. 2. But….some of those who do attend everytime fail to apply what they hear. b. I must not only be committed to Bible study, not only to attending services as often as I can, but most importantly, applying what I learn! c. Some deceive themselves. How tragic! 2. Doing the will of God means doing something that we don’t really want to do sometimes. a. easy to do the easy thing. b. Effort, dedication, sacrifice to do the harder more difficult things. Are you ready? C. Remember: Satan’s objective is to keep our hearts from the word. He can do this by distracting our thoughts in worship & by hardening our hearts where sin is involved to the degree that the word just bounces off us. 1. Paul wrote about some in the FC who blinded by devil to where gospel had no effect. 2. 2 Cor. 11:3-4 3. Continue to reject the word? Satan will blind you. If you are truly concerned w/getting to heaven, you will be willing to do whatever it takes to get there. IV. Satan’s Purpose is to stir strife among people. A. Satan = cunning. If he can get Christians to bite/devour themselves then he doesn’t have to work hard. Often Christians do his work for him under the guise of defending the truth. 1. interesting that the binding of human opinion/traditions/feelings sow more strife and discontentment among brethren than anything else! 2. Some proud/puffed up about their particular opinion. With them, ALWAYS a matter of truth! Bind opinions on others where they are alienated from them and rest of the body. 3. Prov. 6:16-19….could this by why God included this in the list of things He hates? B. Those who seek to bind their opinions are babes in the faith. 1. 1 Cor. 3:1-5. Bet these kind of Christians feel that they are strong. Paul says they are weak. Who’s right? 2. Walk into congregations where division almost down middle. 3. All b/c of strife, envy, prejudice. Both sides thought they were justified before God. No interest in working problem out. 4. Let us seek to not let this attitude reign in this congregation. 5. Must move the focus off investigating/looking for problems in our brethren (inward) and move toward an outward focus of seeking the lost. a. Gal. 5:13-15. b. This is a true teaching of Paul. C. Opinions OK. If you have a differing opinion from me…talk to me. If I change my mind and adapt your line of thinking – great! But…if I don’t…don’t hold that against me. 1. Different Christians disagree on placing Christmas trees in homes. 2. after all: if it’s just opinion….that’s all it is. You might be as wrong as the next guy. 3. However… there are matters of opinion and faith. We must all agree on uniting on truth. NEVER have a compromising attitude toward matters of faith. D. However….petty matters that are only going to cause strife/envy/discord are not to be tolerated! 1. if we insist on this: we’re doing the devil’s job for him. V. Satan’s Purpose is to corrupt our minds from the simplicity of the word. A. 1 Cor. 11:3 – Satan can corrupt our minds. 1. easy way to do this: goes along w/previous point in a way. a. get two brethren who have disagreed w/each other in past. Relationship been “rocky’ b. One of them gets up teaches/preaches/even speaks in a conversation…. c. Opposing bro/sis is reading something into or watching for something said to accuse the brother at preaching them. 2. Even seen it….bro/sis disagree. Out of the blue opponent calls up the other one to wish them hello/encouragement/maybe over for dinner/ the other ask: “Why is he doing this?” “What does he want from me?” 3. Judging motives…NOTHING can create dissension quicker! B. Happens to preachers. Get a family/two riled up at him & everything he says/does isn’t right. 1. if this happens: devil succeeding w/his battle against us! Often we don’t even realize it! 2. Is the devil succeeding here at Southside among us? C. Devil also makes us think that we are somehow “above” the word of God. 1. word of God = simple. 2. Some of the most elegant bible teachers/preachers/scholars are sincerely wrong. Often b/c they think they above simple bible teaching. That it somehow doesn’t apply to them! 3. Mt. 11:25…days of Jesus. Pharisees/Saducees/priests If anyone should have known what was right – it was them! D. Must keep a humble spirit! VI. Conclusion. A. Don’t be Satan’s tool! Don’t let him use you to accomplish His task of keeping Christians and people out of heaven! B. 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8. Notice how Satan described. Must not be ignorant of his devices! C. Stand up & fight against him. Don’t let him slip in the back door! D. I N V I T A T I O N