Devices of the Devil

TEXT: 1 Pet. 5:8

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE DEVIL SETS OBJECTIVES.

B.      IN ACHIEVING THESE, HE USES SEVERAL DEVICES.

          1.       We need to know his devices( 2 Cor. 2:10-11 ).

          2.       A thorough knowledge of the Bible will protect us from his schemes.

C.      WE NEED TO SEE HIS DEVICES IN THE LIGHT OF HIS OBJECTIVES.

I.      OBJECTIVE #1 - TO KEEP YOU OUT OF THE CHURCH.

A.      DEVICE 1.  HE SNATCHES AWAY THE WORD BEFORE IT CAN BECOME

          EFFECTIVE( Rom. 1:16;  Matt. 13:4, 19 ).

B.      DEVICE 2.  TRIES TO CONVINCE OBEDIENCE ISN'T NECESSARY( Matt. 7:21 ).

C.      DEVICE 3.  TELLS US TO PUT IT OFF( 1 Thess. 5:1-2;  2 Cor. 6:1-2 ).

D.      DEVICE 4.  TELLS US THERE IS NO NEED TO BE IN THE CHURCH.

          1.       Jesus is the savior of the church( Eph. 5:23 ).

          2.       Christ gave his blood for the church( Acts 20:28 ).

          3.       The saved make up the church ( Acts 2:47 ).

E.      DEVICE 5. SAYS ONE CHURCH IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER( Eph. 4:4 ).

II.     OBJECTIVE #2 - TO GET YOU OUT OF THE CHURCH.

A.      DEVICE 1.  WORLDLY ASSOCIATIONS( 1 Cor. 15:33;  Eph. 5:11 ).

B.      DEVICE 2.  LOVE OF THE WORLD( 1 John 2:15-17 ).

C.      DEVICE 3.  FALSE TEACHING( 2 Tim. 2:16-18;  4:3-4 ).

D.      DEVICE 4.  FACTIONS AND PETTY DIFFERENCES( 2:14-15, 23 ).

E.      DEVICE 5.  DISTRACTIONS FROM THE WORLD( 2 Tim. 2:4;  Matt. 13:22 )

III.    OBJECTIVE #3 - TO MAKE YOU WORTHLESS TO THE CHURCH.

A.      DEVICE 1.  TO RETARD GROWTH AND CAUSE IGNORANCE OF GOD'S

          WORD( Hos. 4:6;  Heb. 5:12-14 ).

B.      DEVICE 2.  TO CEASE OUR WORK( Rev. 3:1-4;  1 Cor. 15:58 ).

C.      DEVICE 3.  TO DESTROY OUR INFLUENCE( Mat. 5:13-16 ).

D.      DEVICE 4.  CONFUSE OUR PRIORITIES.

          1.       What comes first?( Luke 9:56-62 ).

          2.       Matt. 16:26;  6:33;  John 6:27.

CONCLUSION:

A.      ARE YOU IN THE CHURCH?

B.      ARE YOU A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER?