DANGER TIME!

Text: Luke 22:31-34

I. The evil one, Satan, longed with eagerness to pass the apostle of Jesus through the sieve of temptation that he might bring about his fall. If Satan can get a Believer to backslide, then that person isn't serving God and has a bad testimony for Jesus.

This tells us something of Satan's attitude and habit in regard to all Christians. He desires us all! We may take it that all the unholy intelligence of the spiritual realm are bent on securing our fall from fellowship and walk with God.

Satan recognizes the value of one human soul and the advantage secured by causing that one soul to backslide. God also understand the value of one soul, that is why He saves us one soul at a time (Philip and the Eunuch - Acts 8:26-40). It is only us, who have failed to understand the value of one soul. If we truly understood that we would be ever busy about sharing our faith and the good news with others.

Illustration - Fear Factor:

But the picture most of us had of God when we were small, desperate-to-please children still lingers in our minds. It was something like this:

God was a giant of a man sitting on a big throne. He had a big, black book in front of Him with names written in it. You know your name is in that book; and you thought every time you did something bad, God put a black mark after your name. You believed that when you got enough marks, say five, God erased your name; and then you had to be good for a long time before He would put your name back in His big, black book.

Point: Is it any wonder that fear is the motivating factor in our Christian life, instead of love? And Satan wants us to keep this incorrect image of God in our mind.

God loves us and has a plan for our lives. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). The problem is Satan. Satan doesn't love us and he too has a plan for our lives. It's pretty rough being who God designed you to be with Satan constantly fighting against you.

II. God tries and Satan tempts. Every trial from God may be at the same time a temptation from Satan.

Satan is called tempter. "And when the tempter came to Him [Jesus], ..." (Matthew 4:3).

God is not. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man;" (James 1:13).

Illustration - Testing or Temptation:

A thousand dollars is lying on a table when you enter a room. This is a trial from God for your honesty. But Satan says, "Take some for yourself". This is a temptation from Satan.

But with every trial God also provides the strength and the way to escape the temptation. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (I Corinthians 10:13). These words are for the Believers assurance.

Illustration - Saving Your Child:

From the time your child learns to crawl you are constantly saving them from death. Well, you are. How many times in a single day is a toddler in danger?

Stands up to close to steps....

Finds a lost pencil or nail file on the floor....

Gets to close to a hot stove....

Finds a piece of hard candy lost under the couch that has been there since last Halloween....

Point: Parents are constantly saving their young children from dangers that could cause serious injury and even death.

This is exactly what God does for us all the time. At least with children they grow up and can finally take care of themselves. But with us Christians, we never seem to quite make it to maturity. We seem to struggle with danger all the time.

Danger times occur again and again in our lives. Every hour is an hour of peril and we need the hourly prayer "Hold thou me and I shall be safe".

We must ever understand that Satan is a spiritual foe, thus we must keep on watch for our weak moments lest they be unguarded and we fall. You may not see Satan, but that doesn't mean Satan doesn't see you.

III. As we go on our heavenward way there are ambushes laid for us at many points. At any time strong spiritual foes may do their utmost to contrive our fall. The possibilities of evil and of ruin are manifold.

You may fall:

1. By error and unbelief...

2. By pride...

3. By selfishness...

4. By worldliness...

5. By vanity...

6. By intemperance or impurity...

7. By departure in spirit from the awe and love of God...

What are some of the times you are at extreme peril?

1. During frail health. Why? Because you are hurting.

2. After great success. Why? Because you think you can do anything.

3. During carnal security. Why? Because you feel capable of keeping yourselves safe.

4. When you have been flattered. Why? Because you feel good about yourselves.

5. When you feel proud. Why? Because pride goes before a fall.

6. When you are exhausted after a victory. Why, you just proved you can win the victory? Because you are tired and have let down your guard.

7. When you are coming down off a mountain top experience. Why, after all you have just been nearer to God than you have been in a long time and because you are going through a period of let down.

8. When circumstances have an exciting character. Why? Because it is easy to get carried away.

9. You are self-confident. Why? Because you are trusting in yourself instead of God.

Satan knows these danger times and patiently waits for them and then jump on them with both feet. And suddenly before we hardly know what's happened we find ourselves lying on the ground of sin wondering how it happened.

"Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour;" (I Peter 5:8).

There is a wicked, self-worshiping, defeated, embittered spirit alive in this world who hates you. He's a malevolent creature who rules this sin-darkened planet through pride and greed and lust. He rejoices in the wrong. He manipulates events toward tragedy and people toward failure. He seeks to vandalize as much of God's creation as he can before being put away forever. Through sin Satan vandalizes your life and through ignorance you may let him.

"Submit yourself, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. ..." (James 4:7-8)

Satan saw a danger time in Peter. What was Peter's danger time? He was about to deny the Lord three times. Why? Because of self-confidence, pride and carnal security.

Jesus prayed for Peter. "I made intercession for you". Intercession - not that the sieve be withdrawn. No, but that Peter's faith might not fail.

The tempter even obtained the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, by asking, and the sieve was applied to Him. When Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus said "Away from Me, Satan!" (Matthew 4:10). Using Scripture, the "sword of the Spirit" Jesus defeated Satan and drove him away. But it's not the words that have power; it is the faith and action behind the words. Let me explain. It is one thing to tell Satan to go away; it is another thing to turn your back on the lies and temptations he shoves into your mind.

Another time when Peter was in a danger time was when he rebuked Jesus (Matthew 16:21-23). Jesus even said Peter's words and actions where of Satan. What was his danger time? Circumstances which excited his character.

We must ever remember the sieve. Satan recognizes and acknowledges the property of God. Of Judas it is said, "Satan entered into him". But of Peter it is said, "He asked to have you". Peter was one over whom Satan had no right. Peter belonged to God. And Satan knew that.

The battle is not against flesh and blood but against an array of spiritual forces that is intimidating -- but ultimately ineffectual. When Christians arm themselves with truth, righteousness, spiritual preparation, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and persevering prayer (the whole armor of God - Ephesians 6:10-18), the promise of God is that you can turn back Satan's attacks through His power.

Illustration - The Court Room:

The proper business of the prosecuting attorney is to accuse.

1. He is to prove that you are guilty of the crimes charged against you

2. To get the maximum sentence that the law will allow for your punishment.

In Satan's case he knows our criminal evil thoughts and seeks to keep us bound in our sinfulness.

His accusations are mostly right. Mankind deserves to die eternally. Mankind is depraved and corrupt. Paul said, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells;..." (Romans 7:18). Man is lustful, prideful, selfish, evil, and corrupt. He has broken God's laws, standards, and values.

"... And all our righteousness are like filthy rags;..." (Isaiah 64:6).

The proper business of an advocate is two things:

1. To show that his client is not guilty in the terms and manner charged on him. This is done by showing he did not do the act charged on him thus they are false accusations. Or by proving that he had a right to do the deed, such as self-defense.

2. In case his client is convicted, his office is to see that no injustice is done to him in the sentencing. This is done by:

- standing by him,

- to seek that which the law allows in his client's favor,

- to state any circumstances of age, sex, former service, or bodily health which would in any way mitigate the sentence.

This is exactly what Jesus does. He can't show that the charges are false, because they are not. He admits the charges are correct and that we are guilty has charged. He does not attempt to hide or conceal our sinfulness. He makes no apologies for it. Neither does He attempt to deny the fact nor show we had a right to do as we have done. He can not do any of these things, because they would not be true. Any plea before the throne of God which is based on a denial of our guilt would be fatal to our cause. But as our advocate and on our behalf, He pledges himself in our defense.

This He does by standing by us before the throne of God and pleading what He has done by His suffering and death on the cross in behalf of us. He argues that He has honored the law and maintained the truth and justice God demands. He took the place of the offender. His atonement secures all the good results as if the punishment was placed on the offender. He obtained for us the forgiveness and favor we must have for God to forgive us.

Jesus as our advocate becomes our surety (pledge) for good behavior. He says He will keep us. He pledges His name, property, and influence that this will be done. No earthly lawyer will do that. Nor can an earthly lawyer do that.

"By so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant" (Hebrews 7:22).

Are you God's property? Satan will still tempt you, but he has to ask permission and Jesus is your advocate.

If you aren't God's property, then Satan is your rightful accuser.

What about your danger times?

(Preached at Woodville Baptist Church, Mitchell, Indiana on October 11, 1998 by Glenn A. Hamer, Senior Pastor.)