Are You Being Stalked?
Introduction:
A. From time to time we hear about someone being stalked.
1. Usually it is a woman being stalked by some man.
2. This man may follow her everywhere she goes.
3. He may write her, and let her know he is following her.
4. He may call her on the phone, not to threaten her, but just to
hear her voice.
B. What can she do?
1. The police really cannot do anything.
2. Should could tell someone (i.e. husband). What can they do?
3. Should she: not go anywhere, and not answer the phone?
4. She could threaten the stalker, but what good would it do?
5. YOU MAY THINK.. IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME!!!!
You are being stalked already.
I. Your stalker is Satan.
A. Satan has stalked men throughout history.
1. In the garden of Eden w/Adam & Eve.
a. Genesis 3.
b. II Corinthians 11:3.
2. He was with David as he sat on the throne of Israel.
a. I Chronicles 21:1-2.
b. Acts 13:22.
3. He was in the early church.
a. Acts 5:1-3.
b. Ephesians 4:27.
B. Satan is still stalking men today (you & me).
1. Peter warned us about him - I Peter 5:8.
a. Be "alert" and "watchful" = be on gaurd.
b. He walks about seeking whom he may devour.
c. Doesn't that sound like he is stalking us?
2. Paul knew what Satan could do - II Corinthians 2:11.
a. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us (church).
b. Satan could not get advantage of them unless he
was among them.
3. Satan can be anywhere we go.
a. He could show up among us today.
b. He may invite himself into your home.
c. He can go to work with you.
d. He came to Jesus in the wilderness, and he might
show up in our lives at anytime.
II. So, we need to know as much about him as we can know.
A. We can know his devices - II Corinthians 2:11.
1. Devices defined.
a. Thoughts (Thayer).
b. Plots (McCords Translation).
2. He is a murderer - John 8:44.
a. "He was a murderer from the beginning."
b. He tricked Adam and Eve into eating of the tree of
knowledge, causing them to sin, and in so doing
they were separated from God, and the tree of life.
c. Therefore, they suffered spiritual, and physical death.
d. And, every man since then has suffered death, because
all men have sinned.
3. Satan wants you to sin (he wants you to die spiritually).
a. He will use discouragement to keep you from studying
God's word, attending services, and doing what God
wants you to do.
b. He will use your friends to try to influence you to do
things that are contrary to righteousness.
c. He will use opportunities for advancement, or prosperity
to cause you to do things sinful, or turn from God.
d. He will use family to try to cause you to neglect God.
e. He will tempt you with sunshine,four wheelers, golf courses,
baseball/football games, and anything else he can.
B. The Bible tells us other things about Satan.
1. Satan is not dumb.
a. He knows the scriptures, for he quoted them - Mt.4:6.
b. He knows how to tempt with the lust of the
eyes, and the lust of the flesh.................... - Gen.3:1-6.
b. He knows how to tempt men with the pride
of life, for he tempted David with it.......... - I Chron.21:1-2.
2. Satan is dangerous.
a. He will stop at nothing to get us to sin...... - Job 1&2.
b. He can disguise himself as an angel of light - II Cor.11:14.
1) Angel = messenger.
2) Light = good.
3) He deceived Eve by convincing her that eating of
the tree of knowledge was not going to cause her
harm, but do her good (make them wise as gods).
c. And, his messengers are able to be transformed into
ministers of righteousness................. - II Corinthians 11:15.
c. He can blind those who do not believe...... - II Cor.4:4.
d. He is a threat even to the strongest Christians - Lk.22:31.
III. Since Satan is dangerous we need to protect ourselves.
A. Putting on the whole armour of God - Ephesians 6:10-17.
1. If we put it on we can defend ourselves.
a. A lot of Christians try to live B/o this armour.
b. But, God says if we put it on we can "stand."
2. We need to be armed with:
a. Truth (14) God's word is truth.
b. Righteousness (14) to resist his temptations.
c. Gospel of peace (15) so we can stand steadfast,
having the peace God offers.
d. Shield of faith (16) it will shield us from his attacks.
e. Helmet of salvation (17) our minds need to be filled
with, and confident in, the hope of salvation God has given us.
f. Sword of the spirit (17) we are soldiers of God, and
we need to know how to use our weapon (the word of God).
3. How do we put on this armour?
a. How do we put on truth?
1) God's word is truth - John 17:17.
2) Study: personal, together, preaching.
b. How do we put on righteousness?
1) Have to know what is righteous (God's word).
2) Learning to live righteously - I John 3:7.
c. How do we put on the Gospel of peace?
1) How do we have the peace of mind found in the gospel?
2) By knowing (by word) what we have in Christ,
so we can endure anything that happens to us
in life, knowing that any suffering we may face pales
in comparison to the glory that awaits us.
d. How do we put on the shield of faith?
1) Faith cometh by hearing.................. - Romans 10:17.
e. How do we put on the helmet of salvation?
1) Initially by obeying the gospel - Hebrews 5:9.
2) Living faithfully unto death - Revelation 2:10.
f. How do we take the sword of the spirit?
1) Sword of the spirit = "which is the word of God."
2) How do we come to know what the word says?
STUDY!!!! And, learn to use it!
B. Be on guard, and resist him.
1. Be on guard.
a. Peter told us to be sober, and vigilant (I Peter 5:8),
for he is like a roaring lion.
b. We need to keep our eyes open, so we can see
what he is up to.
c. He is crafty, so we need to watch carefully.
d. We need to think about everything we do, and
compare it to the word of God, and ask ourselves,
"would God be pleased if I did this?"
2. Resist him.
a. He will try to tempt us. You can count on it!
b. But, we can resist him, and he will flee from us - James 4:7.
3. But, how do we resist him?
a. If we have a problem with lust, do we resist him by
going to the swimming pool where people are dressed
immodestly?
b. If we have a problem with drinking, do we resist him
by running around with people who drink?
c. We can resist him the best by staying as far away from
temptation as possible.
d. We also resist him by knowing what is sinful, and being
determined not to give in to it.
e. It also helps to be around those of like precious faith as
much as possible.
f. And, a critical part is praying for help.
Conclusion:
A. God wants us to take Satan seriously.
1. Because He knows that Satan is dangerous.
2. Because He loves us.
B. If we do not take Satan seriously we will be casualties, therefore:
1. Make time to study God's word, so you can defend yourself.
2. Be on gaurd. Don't let him use things to cause you to sin, or
fall away.
3. Spend as much time as possible with those of like precious faith.
4. Pray without ceasing.
C. If there is any way we can help you, we would encourage you to
come, as we stand and sing.