If I Were the Devil - I Peter 5:8-11

I. If I were the Devil, how would I lead the lost away from Christ?

A. I would convince them that their sins are unforgivable.

1. Everyone has skeletons.

2. I will make sure that they can never forgive themselves.

3. Then they will never believe that God could forgive them.

B. I would convince them that they could never be good enough.

1. I’ll show them everything that they have to give up to be a Christian.

2. I’ll make sure that they stay focused on that and not on the blessings that come from being a Christian.

3. I’ll make them think that they have to be perfect.

C. I would convince them that they can always become a Christian later.

1. I’ll tell them to eat, drink and be merry.

2. Enjoy life while you are young.

3. Only old people become Christians.

4. You can become a Christian on your deathbed.

D. I would show them all the religious hypocrites in the world and convince them that all Christians are like that.

1. This one is easy.

2. There are plenty of hypocrites in the world.

3. I’ll convince them to use that as an excuse to not obey.

E. I would put so many false religions out there that they would not know where to turn.

1. I’ll give em...

a. Baptists.

b. Methodists.

c. Lutherans.

d. Jehovah’s Witnesses.

e. Mormons.

f. Pentecostals.

g. Muslims.

h. Hindus.

i. Etc.

2. They’ll be so confused that it will be a one in a thousand chance for them to stumble onto the truth.

II. If I were the Devil, how would I lead the saved away from Christ?

A. I would convince them to do as little as they absolutely have to.

1. Teaching.

2. Giving.

3. Attendance.

B. I would fill their days with so many different activities that they didn’t have time for God.

1. I would put their children in every activity under the sun.

2. I would make sure that they have plenty of reasons to travel all the time and hope that they don’t attend anywhere when they’re gone.

3. I would get them hooked on television so they wouldn’t have time to study the Bible in the evenings.

C. I would keep them ignorant of God’s Word.

1. If they read that, I’m in trouble.

2. I will just have to keep them too busy to study.

D. I would convince them that someone else will do the work.

1. After all, there are other people in the congregation who are able.

2. I would convince them to not even try for fear of failure.

E. I would do everything in my power to slowly and discreetly slip false teaching into the pulpit and classrooms.

1. I wouldn’t do it all at once.

2. That would cause to much commotion.

3. I would slip it in discreetly.

4. Let them get use to it for a while and then add a little more.

5. Like a frog in boiling water.

III. If I were the Devil, how could the lost defeat me?

A. If they read their Bible, they will see that any sin is forgivable.

1. Look at Paul (Acts 26:9-11). "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities."

2. If they repent, God will forgive them (1 John 1:7). "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

B. If they read their Bible, they will see that God doesn’t expect them to be perfect.

1. 1 John 1:8-9. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

2. Acts 8:21-22. "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee."

C. If they realize that life is uncertain, they may decide to become a Christian.

1. They could die at any time (James 4:13-14). "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

2. Christ could come back at any time (Matthew. 24:36). "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

D. In regard to hypocrites?

1. If they realize that they are just as bad off as the hypocrites, I’m in trouble.

2. If they realize that another person’s wrong doesn’t give them justification to do wrong, I’m in trouble.

E. In regard to religious division?

1. Again, its that Bible that can ruin me.

2. If they start studying their Bible, eventually they will figure out the truth.

3. That there is only one true church.

a. Ephesians 4:4. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling"

b. Ephesians 1:22-23. "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."

4. If they find the church that respects God’s authority, I’m in trouble (Colossians 3:17). "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

IV. If I were the Devil, how could the saved defeat me?

A. If they start studying their Bibles, I’m in trouble.

1. II Peter 1:3. "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue"

2. II Timothy 3:16-17. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

3. Hebrews 4:12. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

4. When they study their Bibles, I won’t be able to slip in the false teachers (Matthew 7:15). "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

B. If they start putting God and His Kingdom first, I’m in trouble (Matthew 6:33). "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.:

1. Then they will desire to attend every service (Hebrews 10:25). "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. "

2. Then they will desire to give as much as they can (II Corinthians 9:7). "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

3. Then they will want to teach others as well (Acts 8:4). "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."

4. They’ll learn to prioritize their time.

a. They’ll have more time for Bible Study.

b. They’ll spend more time teaching their children.

c. Their families will be stronger.

New Site at GJCOC.us!

P.O. Box 307408, Gahanna, Ohio 43230 • Meeting at 7816 Havens Road, Blacklick, Ohio

10/05/2012

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To help us to see the tools that the Devil uses to lead us astray. Text: I Peter 5:8-11.

Introduction.

1. God is real.

2. The Devil is real.

3. The Devil is the enemy of all mankind.

4. He desires nothing more than to destroy us all.

5. Let us try to get inside the Devil’s head today.

6. “If I were the Devil...”

Body.

I. If I were the Devil, how would I lead the lost away from Christ?

A. I would convince them that their sins are unforgivable.

1. Everyone has skeletons.

2. I will make sure that they can never forgive themselves.

3. Then they will never believe that God could forgive them.

B. I would convince them that they could never be good enough.

1. I’ll show them everything that they have to give up to be a Christian.

2. I’ll make sure that they stay focused on that and not on the blessings that come from being a Christian.

3. I’ll make them think that they have to be perfect.

C. I would convince them that they can always become a Christian later.

1. I’ll tell them to eat, drink and be merry.

2. Enjoy life while you are young.

3. Only old people become Christians.

4. You can become a Christian on your deathbed.

D. I would show them all the religious hypocrites in the world and convince them that all Christians are like that.

1. This one is easy.

2. There are plenty of hypocrites in the world.

3. I’ll convince them to use that as an excuse to not obey.

E. I would put so many false religions out there that they would not know where to turn.

1. I’ll give em...

a. Baptists.

b. Methodists.

c. Lutherans.

d. Jehovah’s Witnesses.

e. Mormons.

f. Pentecostals.

g. Muslims.

h. Hindus.

i. Etc.

2. They’ll be so confused that it will be a one in a thousand chance for them to stumble onto the truth.

II. If I were the Devil, how would I lead the saved away from Christ?

A. I would convince them to do as little as they absolutely have to.

1. Teaching.

2. Giving.

3. Attendance.

B. I would fill their days with so many different activities that they didn’t have time for God.

1. I would put their children in every activity under the sun.

2. I would make sure that they have plenty of reasons to travel all the time and hope that they don’t attend anywhere when they’re gone.

3. I would get them hooked on television so they wouldn’t have time to study the Bible in the evenings.

C. I would keep them ignorant of God’s Word.

1. If they read that, I’m in trouble.

2. I will just have to keep them too busy to study.

D. I would convince them that someone else will do the work.

1. After all, there are other people in the congregation who are able.

2. I would convince them to not even try for fear of failure.

E. I would do everything in my power to slowly and discreetly slip false teaching into the pulpit and classrooms.

1. I wouldn’t do it all at once.

2. That would cause to much commotion.

3. I would slip it in discreetly.

4. Let them get use to it for a while and then add a little more.

5. Like a frog in boiling water.

III. If I were the Devil, how could the lost defeat me?

A. If they read their Bible, they will see that any sin is forgivable.

2. If they repent, God will forgive them (1 John 1:7). "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

B. If they read their Bible, they will see that God doesn’t expect them to be perfect.

1. 1 John 1:8-9. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

2. Acts 8:21-22. "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee."

C. If they realize that life is uncertain, they may decide to become a Christian.

2. Christ could come back at any time (Matthew. 24:36). "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

D. In regard to hypocrites?

1. If they realize that they are just as bad off as the hypocrites, I’m in trouble.

2. If they realize that another person’s wrong doesn’t give them justification to do wrong, I’m in trouble.

E. In regard to religious division?

1. Again, its that Bible that can ruin me.

2. If they start studying their Bible, eventually they will figure out the truth.

3. That there is only one true church.

a. Ephesians 4:4. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling"

b. Ephesians 1:22-23. "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."

4. If they find the church that respects God’s authority, I’m in trouble (Colossians 3:17). "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

IV. If I were the Devil, how could the saved defeat me?