Satan on SermonAudio

This sermon explores the directives in 1 Peter 5 for believers to humble themselves, cast their cares upon God, and remain sober and vigilant against the devil. The speaker emphasizes that God's promise is not to eliminate suffering but to bring believers through it, using the metaphor of a roaring lion to illustrate that Satan often believes he has already won. Believers are called to resist the devil steadfastly in faith, anchoring their identity in Christ rather than in their own struggles or trauma. The message concludes with the assurance that God uses periods of suffering to perfect, establish, and strengthen the character of His people, ultimately conforming them to the image of His Son.

This sermon examines the theological meaning of delivering a believer to Satan as a form of church discipline, rooted in 1 Corinthians 5. It distinguishes between struggling with sin and persisting in unrepentant, unacknowledged offenses such as fornication, covetousness, and heresy, which require exclusion from the fellowship. The teaching contrasts the spiritual protection found within the church, described as a hedge of God's care, with the domain of Satan, where the excluded individual is left vulnerable to spiritual attack. This discipline is presented not as an act of malice but as a necessary measure to protect the congregation from corruption and to prompt the offender toward repentance and restoration. The sermon emphasizes that the ultimate goal of such severe measures is the salvation of the spirit and the preservation of the church's purity.

Pastor Mark Hogan teaches on Matthew 6:13, explaining that temptation is an incitement to sin arising from Satan, our sinful flesh, and the world, not from God (James 1:13; Galatians 6:1). The petition does not ask never to encounter temptation—Jesus himself was led into the wilderness and warned his disciples to "watch and pray" in Gethsemane (Matthew 4; Matthew 26:41)—but asks God to preserve and strengthen believers so they are not overcome by and do not give in to temptation. Christians should continually pray this sixth petition, confess their weakness, rely on God's power rather than self-resolution, and seek deliverance from Satan's present attacks while hoping and waiting for the final destruction of evil. Hogan interprets "deliver us from the evil one" as chiefly concerning Satan and his domain, while the closing, "For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever" (Matthew 6:13), affirms God's sovereign rule, ability, and eternal glory. The prayer's "Amen" is thus an expression of confidence that the Father hears and answers his children's petitions.

This sermon examines the theological status of Israel in light of Romans 11, arguing that God has not cast away His chosen people despite their rejection of the Messiah. The message outlines four key truths: God's initial choice of Israel, their subsequent unbelief, the existence of a saved remnant, and their future restoration. It emphasizes that the church's current role does not nullify God's eternal covenants with the Jewish nation, distinguishing between the church's present blessings and Israel's future fulfillment in the millennial kingdom. The tone is instructional and pastoral, urging believers to reject anti-Semitism and recognize that Israel's persecution and eventual salvation are part of God's unchanging plan. The sermon concludes by affirming that God's gifts and calling are irrevocable, providing assurance of His faithfulness to both Israel and the church.

The sermon examines the divine judgment pronounced upon Solomon for his idolatry and covenant-breaking, highlighting the tension between God's justice and His mercy. It illustrates how God honors His unconditional promises to David, thereby delaying judgment and preserving a remnant, which serves as a typological picture of the mercy believers receive through Jesus Christ. The message emphasizes God's long-suffering patience with the rebellious kings of Israel and Judah, contrasting their repeated failures with His steadfast faithfulness. It further explores the theme of Satan's counterfeiting of true worship and prophecy, warning against ear-tickling messages that deviate from God's Word. Ultimately, the sermon points to the necessity of Jesus Christ as the only one who can fully deliver His people from sin, urging believers to look forward to His glorious second coming as their blessed hope.

Where did angels come from? When were they created? What are their limitations? We consider these questions and more in this study.