The Lord's Presence Will Help Us Resist Satan (Matthew 28:19-20)
Introduction:
1. This morning we showed how the devil is our adversary [a liar, an accuser, the tempter, and a deceiver] (1 Peter 5:8). 2. According to 1 Peter 5:9, we are to resist the devil steadfastly in the faith. 3. This evening we are concentrating on something that Jesus mentioned in the Great Commission that will help us resist Satan -- the Lord will be with His followers until the end of the world. 4. In our lesson we will show how "the Lord's presence will help us resist Satan." 5. Let us begin by showing that . . .
Discussion:
I. THE LORD IS ALWAYS WITH HIS FOLLOWERS
A. (Matthew 28:19-20) When Jesus gave the Great Commission He promised to always be with His followers. B. (Hebrews 13:5b) To be more specific, the Lord will not leave or forsake His followers.
II. THIS PRINCIPLE IS ILLUSTRATED MANY TIMES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
A. God promised to be with Isaac (Genesis 26:3). B. God promised to be with Jacob (Genesis 31:3). C. God was with Joseph, even during times of difficulty (Genesis 39:2, 21). D. God promised to be with Moses (Exodus 3:12). E. God promised to be with Joshua (Joshua 1:9). F. David stated a number of times that God was with him (Psalm 23:4; 139:7-8). G. The Old Testament shows many times that the Lord is always with His followers. H. This leads us to the main point we are emphasizing.
III. THE FACT THAT THE LORD IS ALWAYS WITH HIS FOLLOWERS WILL HELP US RESIST SATAN
A. At the end of Psalm 139, David made a request for his life to be right with God (see vs.23-24). B. (Philippians 4:5) Notice how "the Lord is at hand" is tied in with practicing "moderation" [forbearance]. C. (Hebrews 13:5-6) Covetousness, contentment, and courage are connected with the Lord's promise to never leave or forsake His followers. D. Not only is God always with His followers, but He sees all, and He knows all. 1. See Hebrews 4:13 2. Achan's disobedience illustrates this point. 1. (Joshua 6:18) Before the Israelites took Jericho, God told them not to take certain things. 2. (Joshua 7:1) Achan disobeyed. 3. Israel was affected by Achan's sin (Joshua 7:2-5). 4. Achan was identified, and he was punished (Joshua 7:19-26). 5. Achan hid his sin from his fellow Israelites, but he did not hide it from God. 6. Achan should have remembered that God was present and that God saw and knew what he did. 7. Perhaps this would have helped Achan to resist Satan.
Conclusion:
1. Let us remember that the Lord promised to always be with His followers. 2. Remembering that the Lord is always with us will help us resist Satan, our adversary.