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Sunday 30 March 2003 - "The real war"
(Summary of sermon by Kjell Olsen)
1Pet 5:6 - 9
6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due
time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished
in your brethren that are in the world.
Why is life such a battle, many ask? There is a war in the heavenlies
(Eph 6) and a war on the saints. We are at war and not on a playfield.
Some things to remember in this war:
- the end is told already. Col 2:15 "the triumph of Christ over powers and
principalities". (Rev Erlo Stegen preached at Malelane (March,2003) about Lk 11: 21,
the `stronger man’, Christ, who has routed the `strong man’ and taken spoils.)
– Demons are not running wild. The disobedient ones are held in chains for judgment
according to 2Pet 2:4. God has set the boundaries of their activities.
– the final war (as in Revelations) is just the mopping up operation, the rounding up
of His enemies.
– Satan’s only `power’ is what you give him. He can only entice, deceive
and lie.
So, only if you venture into the devil’s territory (of this caged lion) are you in
danger. Some of the battles we face are:
- The battle for faith. Some struggle to keep a living faith. Even John Bunyan was
assailed with atheist thoughts but he found victory in Christ. Not so with others such as
2 co-workers of Billy Graham, Bron Cliffort and
Chuck Templeton. (see story of Templeton at
http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/magazines/docs/v22n3_Templeton.asp)
Both Templeton and Billy Graham preached together as young men and were on fire for God.
However, Templeton started to doubt God's Word. He gave heed to the theory of Evolution,
falsely called science, and lost his faith. At around the same time, Billy Graham relates
how he was at a camping site and he went aside for a while and poured out his heart to God
that he believes God's Word as inerrant and will cling to it as his final authority. From
there we have the common-used phrase used by Billy Graham, "The Bible says".
Both these men made decisions early in their life that shaped their whole life, future and
destiny. Templeton died recently as an agnostic, completely rejecting God. (read an interview Templeton had before he died)
Battle against besetting sin (Heb 12:2, "that so easily entangles"). Jesus
already obtained the victory at the cross, and His commandment is to cast of besetting
sin. You must ruthlessly deal with it. Satan cannot make you to sin, but can only entice,
deceive and lie.
Back to text (vs 6-9), "humble yourselves (submit) to God. Cast care and anxiety
upon Him. Be sober and vigilant, resist, steadfast in faith.
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