Satan Comes to Services

Satan Comes to Services

Introduction:
The emphasis of the church is to be upon spiritual things and the uplifting of ourselves together. What a more glorious time than for those who love the Lord to be assembled together. Let each one of us realize the importance of why we are here today. Our sole reason needs to be to serve Almighty God. Contrary to most people’s thinking the influence of Satan can be seen in the services of the Lord. Text reveals what is possible. See Job. 1:6-12; 2:1. Focus upon the phrase and Satan came also among them. Let us not be ignorant of his devices, but prepare ourselves to fight him off – even at services.

I. Satan has made it his purpose to distract our minds from worship.
    A. Sometimes our minds will wander during the lesson. BUT...is it a habit?
    B. Must remember the purpose of worship – 1 Cor. 11:26-30; Col. 3:16
    C. Can be distracted by:
        1. Sleeping/daydreaming/whispering/passing notes, etc.
        2. By our lack of preparation. Must PLAN for worship! Why? Jhn. 4:23-24.
    D. 1 Cor. 14:40 – are you letting Satan keep you distracted during worship?

II. Satan has made it his purpose to keep our hearts from the word.
    A. Heb. 4:12 – God’s word powerful...but humans can willfully shut it out.
        1. Lk. 8:11-12 – are you committed to implanting the word in your heart?
        2. Yes? Are you willing to do the will of God? Js. 1:22-25.
    B. Continue to reject God’s word? Can be blinded to the gospel. 2 Cor. 11:3-4

III. Satan has made it his purpose to stir up strife among God’s people.
    A. If Satan can get Christians to devour themselves it makes his job easier!
        1. Some feel strongly about binding human opinions/traditions/feelings.
        2. Some: to the point of alienating ANYONE who disagrees w/them.
        3. Prov. 6:16-19 – How does God feel about those who sow discord???
    B. 1 Cor. 3:1-5 – sow discord? Bind opinions to divide? Equals a weak Christian.
        1. Where’s our focus? Solely inward? Or a balance of inward/outward!
        2. Some only inward. Causes destruction. See Gal. 5:13-15.
    C. Opinions OK. Seek to make peace. BUT...can’t disagree on matters of faith.

IV. Satan has made it his purpose to corrupt our minds from simplicity of the word.
    A. 1 Cor. 11:3 – Satan can corrupt our minds!
        1. Some "read into" what is being taught.
        2. Nothing more than "judging motives" of our brethren!
    B. Devil also tricks men into thinking they are "above" the word!
    C. Mt. 11:25 – was a problem during the days of Jesus. Must keep a humble spirit.

V. Conclusion.
    A. Don’t be Satan’s tool! Don’t let him use you to accomplish his task of destruction.
    B. 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8 – Are you ignorant of his devices?
    C. Stand up & fight against him! Don’t let him slip in the back door!



*Satan Comes to Services* Introduction: The emphasis of the church is to be upon spiritual things and the uplifting of ourselves together. What a more glorious time than for those who love the Lord to be assembled together. Let each one of us realize the importance of why we are here today. Our sole reason needs to be to serve Almighty God. Contrary to most people’s thinking the influence of Satan can be seen in the services of the Lord. Text reveals what is possible. See Job. 1:6-12; 2:1. Focus upon the phrase and Satan came also among them. Let us not be ignorant of his devices, but prepare ourselves to fight him off – even at services. I. Satan has made it his purpose to distract our minds from worship. A. Sometimes our minds will wander during the lesson. BUT...is it a habit? B. Must remember the purpose of worship – 1 Cor. 11:26-30; Col. 3:16 C. Can be distracted by: 1. Sleeping/daydreaming/whispering/passing notes, etc. 2. By our lack of preparation. Must PLAN for worship! Why? Jhn. 4:23-24. D. 1 Cor. 14:40 – are you letting Satan keep you distracted during worship? II. Satan has made it his purpose to keep our hearts from the word. A. Heb. 4:12 – God’s word powerful...but humans can willfully shut it out. 1. Lk. 8:11-12 – are you committed to implanting the word in your heart? 2. Yes? Are you willing to do the will of God? Js. 1:22-25. B. Continue to reject God’s word? Can be blinded to the gospel. 2 Cor. 11:3-4 III. Satan has made it his purpose to stir up strife among God’s people. A. If Satan can get Christians to devour themselves it makes his job easier! 1. Some feel strongly about binding human opinions/traditions/feelings. 2. Some: to the point of alienating ANYONE who disagrees w/them. 3. Prov. 6:16-19 – How does God feel about those who sow discord??? B. 1 Cor. 3:1-5 – sow discord? Bind opinions to divide? Equals a weak Christian. 1. Where’s our focus? Solely inward? Or a balance of inward/outward! 2. Some only inward. Causes destruction. See Gal. 5:13-15. C. Opinions OK. Seek to make peace. BUT...can’t disagree on matters of faith. IV. Satan has made it his purpose to corrupt our minds from simplicity of the word. A. 1 Cor. 11:3 – Satan can corrupt our minds! 1. Some "read into" what is being taught. 2. Nothing more than "judging motives" of our brethren! B. Devil also tricks men into thinking they are "above" the word! C. Mt. 11:25 – was a problem during the days of Jesus. Must keep a humble spirit. V. Conclusion. A. Don’t be Satan’s tool! Don’t let him use you to accomplish his task of destruction. B. 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8 – Are you ignorant of his devices? C. Stand up & fight against him! Don’t let him slip in the back door!