AN INTRODUCTION TO ‘ACTS’

AN INTRODUCTION TO ‘ACTS’

Over the next weeks we shall be taking a closer look at St Luke’s second book of ‘Acts’. Episodes from it will be the themes for the main Sunday service sermons and for the Afternoon and Evening Study Groups.  

The title actually ought to be translated ‘Acts of Apostles’ or ‘Some acts of some Apostles’. The book was not (as too with St. John’s Gospel) meant to be exhaustive; rather, it speaks of the most important events in the life of the new-born Church. We are witnessing Christianity in action for the first time in human history, and this is both exciting and disturbing. It is exciting because the young Church is setting off joyfully to spread the ‘good news’ of Jesus and win the pagan world for God through him: it is disturbing because it is a record of what the Church was, in its unspoiled Spirit-led simplicity, before it became hide-bound in power, prosperity, and the pursuit of all too worldly ambitions.

The book is sometimes referred to as ‘The Gospel of the Holy Spirit’ or ‘The True Fifth Gospel’ because the Spirit of the Risen Lord is everywhere present and it lacks the embellishments, party politics, and other such distractions of the non-canonical ‘Gospels’ favoured by Dan Brown and others. No one can read the book without being convinced that there is Someone here at work besides mere human beings: and it was on account of their readiness to believe, to obey, to ‘taste and see how gracious the Lord is’ that He was able to work through them as they turned the known world upside down by His love.

The book spans the period AD 30 – 63, that is to say, from the Ascension of Jesus to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. It was written sometime around AD 65. Luke is a careful historian and his geographical as well as historical accuracy is very notable: manuscript and archaeological evidence continue to support this.

This is the beginning of the Christian era, the beginning of the practice of those virtues that not only transformed individuals but whole families and communities; virtues which, contrary to much modern social and psychological dogma, are not ‘natural’ to all human beings everywhere but are created by the operation of the indwelling Spirit in the life of the forgiven and reconciled man or woman, the Spirit who ‘bloweth where he listeth’ and so often at odds with or beyond the constraints of purely human wisdom. Indeed, when we compare the strength and vigour of the Spirit-filled early Church before its too close association with politics and power and with the often all too inward-looking and feeble performance of the Church today, we are forced to admit that the Institution has largely lost or refused the great gift it was offered. But it still is today to those who want to take their discipleship seriously.

It is one of the curious phenomena of our day that it is considered perfectly respectable to be abysmally ignorant of the Christian Faith – an intellectual affectation increasingly in vogue: so here is a wonderful opportunity to brush up our knowledge and understanding and to pray that God will give to us opportunities to lighten the darkness of others. Here is a simple, unvarnished, conscientious account of the behaviour and actions of quite a small group of people who honestly believed that Jesus was right in his claims and knew him as a reality in their lives. External writings of opponents admit that people were unquestionably being changed at the very root of their being: cowards become heroes; sinners are transformed; fear, greed, envy, and pride are expelled by something beyond normal human experience; groups of ‘brothers’ (which for many years included ‘sisters’ - on equal standing!) sprang up and flourished in the most unlikely of places.

Study the present day persecuted Church and you will catch more than a glimpse of the real life of ‘Acts’: study the opposition to genuine life and fruitful Christianity both within and from beyond the Church and you will see the same enemies of Christ and the young Church – the self-righteous. ‘Acts’ took place because men and women were truly in touch with God, acknowledged Jesus as Lord of their lives, and practised what they believed. I hope that we shall all of us allow this book to speak to our hearts and minds.

QUESTIONS – refer to Acts Chapter 1 verses 1 - 14

1. Why do you think Jesus needed to spend a further 40 days teaching? (v3)

2. What do you think is the difference between the two baptisms? (v5)

3. Do you think they have really understood the nature of his kingdom? (v 6)

4. For whom is this commission (v8)? Just these ‘witnesses’?

5. What constraints/issues do you think makes the Church less effective?

6. How can we become, do you think, more effective disciples and witnesses?

Acts 4 verses 1 to 12

Initially in order to understand today’s passage from Acts we need to recap on what’s just happened in the previous chapter.

Peter and John – on their way to the temple in Jerusalem meet a beggar – a man lame from birth. Peter says to him; “I have no silver or gold but what I have I give you - in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.”

The man is completely healed and everyone comes running up to them in amazement. Peter explains to the crowd who has gathered that this man has been healed by faith in the name of Jesus.

He tells the crowd that they rejected and crucified the author of life but that God has raised him from the dead.

He tells them that although they didn’t realise what they were doing they must repent and turn to God so that their sins can be washed away and so that times of refreshing may come.

The priests and temple officials see the commotion and excitement and are annoyed to find Peter and John urging the people to believe in Jesus – and this is where today’s reading picks up from.

So what can we learn from this passage?

Firstly I think we need to take a step back and see the bigger picture of what is occurring in the book of Acts.

Acts is fundamentally about Holy Spirit inspired and empowered Christian living. The book of Acts demonstrates and recounts how the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Jesus - can work through Christians who live and walk in obedience to God.

So what we need to appreciate is that the type of things we read about in Acts and see God doing through the first apostles and disciples – He can also do through us - if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ – and are relying on his Holy Spirit to lead and empower us.

Just before today’s reading from Acts Peter makes it very clear to the crowd who gathered following the healing of the crippled man - that he doesn’t have the power himself to heal anyone but that the man has been healed by faith in the name of Jesus.

He says “why do you wonder at this or why do you stare at us as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk.”

We need to realise that the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Jesus which is living in Peter - is exactly the same as the Holy Spirit living in you and me. And He is the one who has the power to heal people and to touch their lives. Our part is to be open to his prompting and obedient to where he leads us.

More often than not He will prompt us to do seemingly small things – but when we obey his prompting – as we see in Acts – people’s lives can touched by God.

The writer to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever – so those things we see Jesus do in the book of Acts – he still does today where people have the faith in his name to receive it.

So I think the first thing for us to pick up from this passage and indeed the whole book of Acts, is that if we have the Spirit of Jesus living in us and are seeking to live in obedience to him – He can work through us – sometimes even in miraculous ways - if we are prepared to step out in faith.

You might be sitting here this morning thinking - not me – there’s no way God could work through me like that – but if you’re a Christian – that is completely untrue.

God can work through the shyest and seemingly most inconspicuous of his children if they obey the prompting of His Spirit.

Some of you will have heard of Jennifer Rees Larcombe who was completely healed from her life in a wheelchair by Jesus. She’s written an excellent book called Unexpected Healing which is a down to earth account of her sickness and eventual healing.

Well God chose a young lady called Wendy who was in her twenties and who hadn’t been a Christian very long and who had very low self esteem to impart the healing He wanted to give.

Wendy was so nervous about praying for Jennifer and her lack of Christian experience and knowledge that she tried to find someone else to pray for her.

Eventually she agreed to lay hands on Jenny and pray for her and God worked an amazing miracle through her. In fact Jennifer’s healing was so complete that even the muscles in her legs which had wasted away through years of inactivity – were completely restored.

You see - we of ourselves have absolutely no power to heal anyone let alone do any miracles. God is the healer and miracle worker but He chooses to work through human hands and bodies – those who believe in the risen Lord Jesus.

So firstly this morning I think that God wants us to realise that what we’re reading over the coming weeks in the book of Acts isn’t as far removed from our own circumstances today as we might at first think.

Of course we do need to be living in a close relationship with Him and seeking to serve Him in our lives but if we are doing this we musn’t limit what He may choose to do through us through unbelief or false modesty.

So over the next few weeks as we look at the book of Acts and see the range of things that God does - realise that it is Jesus at work in his church working through believers just like you and me – and Jesus hasn’t changed – and neither has his power or his gospel.

On occasion there may be dramatic healings – but more often the Holy Spirit will prompt us to do seemingly small things – perhaps to give someone a phone call or to offer to help someone or to offer someone some words of encouragement – and these loving gestures can be very significant in people’s lives.

The next thing that strikes me about this passage is that immediately following this miracle Peter tells the crowd about Jesus – and many people come to believe.

In verse 4 of today’s reading we’re told that in the short time since Pentecost around five thousand people already have come to believe in Jesus.

So what we see in today’s passage and indeed throughout the book of Acts is God at work confirming the truth of the gospel that is being preached by healing and delivering people from the powers of darkness.

Nowadays in a lot of churches in the West we preach the gospel but we have perhaps lost to some degree the expectation for God to heal and deliver us – sometimes even in miraculous ways.

Our scientific reason and widespread scepticism about miracles or healings happening today probably limit what God is able to do among us.

However the pattern we see in Jesus own ministry, the pattern we see when he sent out his disciples to heal the sick and to preach the good news and the pattern we see in Acts - is of a God who doesn’t just want to save people’s souls but who also wants to heal and deliver people from the powers of darkness.

The proclamation of the gospel and the expectation to see God touching people’s lives go hand in hand.

So what does this mean for us? – Well the gospel is preached here at Brenchley so we too should be looking for God to touch our lives with his power to bless and to heal and to deliver us.

Obviously we have prayer for healing once a month at the communion rail and this is a very useful opportunity for God to be able to touch our lives.

I’d urge you to take advantage of this opportunity as many of you already do – but let the book of Acts increase your own faith and expectation for what God can do in your life and the lives of those you love.

And do feel free to ask either myself or Campbell or indeed any Christian person you trust and feel comfortable with to pray for you or a loved one if you have a need. You don’t have to wait for the fourth sunday in the month.

Of course we can never predict what God will do and we can’t promise that He will answer your prayer in the way you may want Him to - but I believe He wants to touch your life – whoever you are – to bless you or a loved one in some way.

And please – if God does touch your life in some way – do share what He has done for you with others. If you fel confident enough why not come up to the front on a sunday morning and share your experience. It’s a great encouragement for others to hear of these things.

And if you’re a Christian who’d like to see God working through you more to reach out to bless and help those around you - do come for prayer and ask God to fill you with His Spirit and empower you.

Whatever your request come to God because He loves you and wants to pour good things into your life and the lives of those you love.

So returning to today’s passage we see a man who has been healed, the gospel preached, and then of course opposition comes.

The priests the captain of the temple and the Sadducees we are told in verses 1 and 2 are much annoyed, so they arrest Peter and John and put them in prison.

And this unfortunately is also an inevitable part of preaching the gospel. Some people won’t like what we’re saying and will be annoyed and may even try to silence us.

Fortunately in this country we are unlikely to be put in prison, although increasingly Christians here are finding themselves in trouble for sharing their faith or beliefs or even for offering to pray for someone.

The good news for us is that although others may oppose us God will be on our side working for our good in the situation we face.

And if we are called to account for our faith He will give us the courage and words to speak in our defence.

I find it quite sad that the religious leaders still fail to recognise that Jesus is risen and at work and are blind to the evidence that is staring them in the face.

They have seen numerous convincing proofs that Jesus is the Messiah but they prefer to hold onto darkness and spiritual blindness and sadly some people can be the same today.

They’ve heard the gospel preached and the testimony of others but they don’t want to come to Jesus to receive the fullness of life and forgiveness he offers.

But as Peter makes clear at the end of today’s reading this is an extremely unwise thing to do. He says “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

Jesus is the only one who has died for you and for me - and who has offered his perfect life to God to atone for the sins of mankind.

As Isaiah says, “he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; and the punishment that brought us peace was on him.”

He bore our sins in his body on the cross. Every sin that you and I have ever committed or will ever commit was put onto Jesus on the cross and he has paid the penalty for them on the cross – so that we can be forgiven and put right with God.

Notice in verse 12 that Peter says “there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

In other words it is essential that we are saved – because if we reject Jesus – we reject the only one who can put us right with God - and then one day we will have to face the consequences of our sin and rebellion against God on our own – with no one to save us.

I’ll conclude by using Peter’s words from Acts Chapter 3 – “repent therefore and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

In the name of the living God. Amen.

Pentecost Acts 2; 1 to 21

Pentecost Acts 2; 1 to 21

Today we’re starting our series of talks on the book of Acts. Hopefully many of you will have read Campbell’s excellent Introduction to Acts which he printed out for us to read last week. This will give you a good background to this second book written by Saint Luke as a follow on from his gospel.

This morning as we start to look at the book of Acts we’re looking at the coming of the Holy Spirit in power upon the first disciples as tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost. These disciples then start speaking in foreign languages to the amazement of those who are passing by.

There are different views amongst Christians as to what is occurring here but this morning I will try and explain what I think is happening and what relevance it has for our lives.

I think we can find the answer to what is happening here in the previous chapter of Acts, where Luke tells us that before ascending up to heaven Jesus says to the disciples; “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised which you have heard me speak about.

“For John baptised with water - but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit…and you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses.”

This is a direct reference to what John the Baptist had said about Jesus whom he described as the one who would baptise people with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

So, what we see in this passage is the first disciples being baptised with the Holy Spirit by Jesus on the day of Pentecost; and the purpose of this is to empower them to be witnesses of the Christian faith.

The point for us to grasp I believe though, is that Baptism with the Holy Spirit or empowerment by the Holy Spirit – whatever we want to call it - is not something that just happened 2000 years ago to the first disciples to kick start the early church. It’s something that is still available to and desirable for all Christians to empower us also to serve God.

In verses 17 and 18 of today’s reading from Acts, Peter emphasises this point. He explains to the crowd, some of whom think the disciples must be drunk, that they aren’t drunk but that God has poured out his spirit on them.

He quotes the prophet Joel and says; “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit;”

So Peter clearly doesn’t see what the first disciples have just experienced as something exclusively for them, but for all people who are servants of God, both men and women and both young and old.

The first time the Holy Spirit was poured out in this way was at Pentecost but God has been pouring out his Spirit on Christians ever since in order to empower them for his service.

But what does it mean - to be baptised with the Holy Spirit?

Well firstly it’s different from being converted or being born again. And also it has nothing to do with water baptism. The word baptism is only used to convey the idea of being immersed in the Holy Spirit.

A person receives the Holy Spirit when they become a Christian. The bible makes it clear that at the point of conversion the Holy Spirit comes to live within a believer forever.

So we see with the early disciples that they had already received the Holy Spirit from Jesus before Pentecost. Thus we read in John Chapter 20 of the disciples hiding together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus appears to them and shows them his hands and his side and they are overjoyed.

John then tells us that Jesus breathes on his disciples and says; “Receive the Holy Spirit.” So the Spirit of Jesus was already living in the disciples before the day of Pentecost.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit is therefore different to being converted or born again. It is a separate act of God in a believer’s life - that is specifically for empowerment for Christian service. Also it can take place at any time in a believer’s life from immediately after conversion to many years later.

To be baptised with the Holy Spirit is to be filled with and immersed in the Holy Spirit by Jesus - and this action releases power and new spiritual gifts into a believer’s life.

So how can we be empowered by the Holy Spirit today?

Normally this is through another Christian laying hands on us and simply asking Jesus to fill us with his Holy Spirit and to empower us.

This is very much the pattern we see in later chapters in the book of Acts where The Holy Spirit comes upon people and empowers them as the Apostles lay hands on them and pray for them.

It’s very similar to the laying on of hands for healing where we are asking God to touch people with his healing power.

It doesn’t always occur like this. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will descend upon a group of assembled Christians and empower them but generally the gift is imparted through prayer and the laying on of hands.

What does a person experience when this happens?

Different people experience different things. Some people may experience some sense of God touching or filling them. Some people may experience nothing at all and doubt that the prayer has worked - but then over the coming weeks and months notice a new power and confidence in their Christian lives and find that new spiritual gifts have become available to them.

The variety of people’s experience is as varied as with conversion. Every person is different and God knows what is appropriate for each person.

My own experience when I was prayed for, was to sense something of the holiness of God and I became conscious of my own unholiness. And over the coming weeks and months I became aware of a new power and vitality in my Christian life.

We see in today’s reading that the result of the Holy Spirit being poured out in this way is that believers receive spiritual gifts. Peter mentions prophecy, seeing visions, and having spiritual dreams.

So what type of spiritual gifts can we expect to receive?

Paul talks about gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 where he lists a range of gifts that a person may receive from the Holy Spirit.

Paul lists them as; the message of wisdom – the message of knowledge – Faith - Gifts of healing – Miraculous powers – Prophecy –– the ability to discern when evil spirits may be at work - Speaking in different kinds of tongues - and finally the ability to interpret a message given in tongues.

This isn’t necessarily an exhaustive list but it seems to encompass the most common gifts which are imparted, and these gifts can complement and enhance a Christians existing gifts and talents.

For instance after I’d been empowered by the Holy Spirit I found that God started to communicate with me sometimes – through little pictures in my mind’s eye.

They weren’t amazing technicolour pictures but just little pictures that came into my mind perhaps if I was praying with someone or trying to understand something.

Perhaps the most common gift that people experience upon being empowered by the Holy Spirit is the ability to speak in tongues which is what we see the disciples doing in today’s reading.

This is the God-given ability to speak in an unlearned human or angelic language. Tongues is entirely under the control of the person who has the gift and it can be used whenever a person feels it is appropriate.

It’s a little bit like being able to speak a foreign language. You can choose when to speak in that language or not. It’s entirely up to you.

Tongues can be used in a person’s personal prayer time or occasionally when meeting with other Christians particularly perhaps when praying for someone.

When used personally Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians that tongues can edify or build up a believer. Tongues is also helpful when you aren’t quite sure what to pray for a particular person or situation. It seems to help you find the right words to pray.

Some people are nervous of the gift of tongues. A lady I knew wanted to be empowered by God but she was afraid of speaking in tongues so she held back.

God knows each person and I believe he will not manifest gifts they are uncomfortable with. I think fear generally can be a big blockage to Christians seeking to experience being empowered by the Holy Spirit. But sometimes in order to move forward with God we need to confront and step through fear – which is a trick of the enemy.

Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians that “to each one the manifestation of the spirit is given for the common good.”

In other words the spiritual gifts and empowerment we receive are primarily for serving God and the good of others.

If we want to experience being empowered by God our motivation should be so that we can be more effective disciples; so that we can reach out to those around us more effectively with God’s power and love.

God is good and kind and loving and he longs to give good gifts to his children, gifts that will be a blessing to others and to our own walk with God.

So as I draw to a close, the question I want to ask you this morning is have you experienced being empowered by Jesus and has he released spiritual gifts in your life?

If you haven’t I’d encourage you to come to Jesus this morning and to allow him to pour His Spirit into your life to enable you to serve Him and to reach out to those around you more effectively.

Alternately perhaps you’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit in the past but you feel a bit spiritually flat and you’d just like to be refreshed and revived.

Whatever your situation, don’t be afraid and don’t be embarrassed. Jesus loves you and will only give you what is good.

As he says in Matthew’s gospel; “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.”

When I prepare my sermons I ask God to put on my heart anything He particularly wants me to say.

When I was preparing this sermon I felt that God was saying to me that He wanted me to emphasise the importance of being filled with His spirit.

And also to point out that we can do nothing apart from Him, and so the more we are filled with His Spirit the more we will be filled with His love and power – and the more we will accomplish. The more fruit we will bear.

I felt God was saying to me - tell the people at Brenchley to come to me to be filled and empowered. Tell them that I love them and that I long to pour out my blessings and gifts upon them. Tell them I invite them.

Myself and Di and Robin Brooks will be pleased to pray for anyone who wants Jesus to fill them and empower them with his Holy Spirit after the service - or indeed at any time. All you have to do is ask.

I’ve also prepared a short bible study on today’s passage which you’ll find copies of at the back of the church. In the name of the living God. Amen.

Luke 4; 1 to 13

Luke 4; 1 to 13

In today’s gospel reading we meet a very important biblical character who doesn’t often make a centre stage appearance.

He’s sometimes mentioned as being there in the backgound but we rarely get to see him in action. I’m talking of course about the devil or Satan.

The bible teaches us that Satan is a created being – a powerful fallen angel who lead a rebellion in heaven and was cast down to the earth by God - along with a third of the heavenly host, who rebelled with him.

Satan and his followers now live in opposition against God and those who seek to follow him.

So whether we realise it or not, we all live in a world that as well as being inhabited by physical beings is also populated by spiritual beings.

Thus Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians, that : “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

So there is a spiritual battle being fought in the world between the kingdom of God - the kingdom of light, and the kingdom of darkness; and unfortunately for us, the souls of human beings are the ultimate prize.

On one side is God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and numerous angelic beings encouraging us initially to come to believe in the Lord Jesus, so our souls may be saved, and then to serve him so that his kingdom can be extended.

On the other is Satan and his demonic followers creating fear, confusion, and doubt, and encouraging people away from God, towards death and destruction.

It’s an unequal battle as God is infinitely more powerful than Satan. Satan as a created being, a fallen angel with a spiritual body, can only be in one place at one time, unlike God who is omnipresent or everywhere. 

A normal individual Christian is therefore most unlikely to ever encounter Satan himself, although we will encounter other demonic beings or evil spirits even though we cannot see them.

Also Satan and his followers have limited knowledge and intelligence and importantly they cannot read our minds or see what we are thinking,

Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians – “who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him?”

Only we ourselves and God know what we are thinking at any particular time.

Now I think it’s important to have a balanced view about the devil. He and his followers are undoubtedly real and they can affect our lives and the lives of those around us – but it would be foolish to blame every negative thought or experience on the devil.

Likewise it would be foolish to discount his presence all together.

In today’s gospel reading we see Satan doing his best to destroy Jesus’ relationship with his Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit.

Luke tells us that Jesus is tempted for forty days by the devil. No doubt during this time he tried every conceivable trick to break Jesus’ relationship of total trust in and obedience to his Heavenly Father.

We are told of three temptations. Having fasted, Jesus was obviously very hungry so the devil tempts him to turn a stone into bread.

Perhaps he whispers the suggestion into his ear and then tries to justify it.

After all what harm can it do. Surely it’s not sinful to feed yourself if you’re starving hungry – and you are starving hungry.

You’ve got the power to do it so why not use it.

But Jesus resists the temptation to not trust in his Heavenly Father’s providence and quotes a verse of scripture at him – telling him that there are more important things in life than just eating bread.

Next Satan effectively tries to get Jesus to give up his mission to save mankind. He shows him all the kingdoms of the world – and says you can have all this straight away – now - if you just follow me.

Why go through all this hardship when you can have the whole world if you just come over to my side.

But Jesus again resists the temptation and quotes another verse of scripture at him about 

only worshipping and serving God.

Finally Satan takes Jesus up to a very high place – the pinnacle of the temple and encourages him to jump off.

After all it is written that God will send his angels to catch you and if He really cares about you, you’ll be fine.

Jesus quotes another verse of scripture about not putting God to the test, and eventually Satan leaves him until another opportune time to tempt him arises.

And Satan – and by this I mean any evil spiritual being - will use similar tactics with us.

He will plant negative thoughts and ideas into our minds and seek to tempt us away from God - initially to keep us from becoming Christians and once we have become Christians, to keep us from serving God and being effective disciples.

If you’re not yet a Christian realise that the last thing in the world Satan wants is for you to become one, because he knows that the second you repent and submit your life to Christ, his right to your life will be broken - forever.

When we become Christians God transfers us from the kingdom of darkness to his kingdom of light.

As Paul puts it in his letter to the Colossians,  he rescues us from the dominion of darkness and brings us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

We become God’s children and the spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us.

Once you have chosen to cease rebellion against God and to follow Christ your soul is safe – but until that time Satan will seek to keep you from finding a relationship with Jesus.

As we see in today’s gospel reading, the devil seeks to encourage us to make wrong decisions - although he cannot do anything about our free will.

So we may experience thoughts like - Why go to church – what a waste of your weekend. 

There’s so much else you could be doing.

And what would people think if you became a Christian? What would your friends think? 

They’ll think you’ve become a religious extremist. Is that what you really want?

Or he may seek to lull us into a false sense of security. You lead a good life and you’re a nice person – you’ll be fine. All this talk of being saved. Really it’s quite undignified.

Of course once you have decided to follow Christ the last thing Satan wants is for you to be a fruitful Christian who helps lead other people to Christ.

Again, he will do his best – as he tried with Jesus - to disrupt your walk with God and to cause you to focus on yourself and the world.

He will whisper lies into your life to cause you to be fearful and unproductive.

Do you really think God would use someone like you to serve him?

You’re not good enough to serve God. I mean look at your life. Call yourself Holy. And anyway you don’t have the knowledge or expertise to serve him.

Or perhaps you’ve sinned again. You know that God wont tolerate this. He’ll give up on you and abandon you if you carry on like this.

Satan is referred to in the scripture as the Father of lies and we are told that lying is his native tongue.

This is why Jesus used verses from scripture – God’s truth - to counter Satan’s lies.

And this is why it is so important for us to read our bibles and to know what is says.

We can then counter these negative thoughts and fears and lies with the truth of God’s word.

We will see that as Christians we are holy and redeemed children of God who are able to serve him and who in fact, -although we may feel weak are actually strong, because God can work through us more effectively when we have to rely on Him.

We will see that God will never leave or forsake us but that he will graciously forgive us as we confess our sins.

Furthermore we will find that as Christians we have authority over the devil and can tell him to depart and leave us alone in Jesus name.

In Luke’s gospel Jesus tells us; “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy.”

As well as discouraging people from finding and serving God, Satan delights genreally in death, destruction, discord, and despair.

He encourages people everywhere to indulge their sinful desires as he knows the more entangled we get in sin, the harder it is to break free.

In Isaiah chapter 35 we read: “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; …No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there.”

Picture the highway of holiness as a wide clear straight brightly lit path, but with woods on either side.

If we seek to lead morally upright lives and avoid sin as much as we can, we will remain on the highway of holiness, and find that our path in life is not so open to being influenced by the devil.

However the devil as we all know, is keen to lure us off the straight and narrow, and temptations are bound to arise.

It is not without reason that the Lord’s prayer includes the supplication to lead us not in to temptation and to deliver us from evil.

If we succumb to temptation, and start to leave the highway of holiness and indulge ungodly ways we will find that we start to walk along the edge of the wood. The light here is partially blocked by the trees and the going gets tougher.

If we continue to give way to temptation and start to persistently embrace ungodly practices, we find ourselves getting further away from the highway of holiness and going further into the woods.

Here the trees are thicker and the light is getting blocked; Brambles catch our clothes and life can get very dark.

Most importantly, the deeper we go into the woods, the more we find that we have opened our lives up to the influence of evil spirits.

Persistent drug taking or drinking or looking at pornography or occult practices or gambling etc, can eventually lead to bondages or addictions that are hard to break.

This may sound a dark picture but the gospel is that Jesus, by the power of the cross has overcome all the power of the evil one and that no matter how black things have got, he can rescue us and deliver us.

The story of Legion in Luke chapter 8 demonstrates this. Legion was possessed by numerous evil spirits but Jesus set him free with a word of command.

For a Christian the way back onto the highway of holiness is by confessing our sin, repenting, and rebuking any evil spirits that may have been influencing us.

As I’ve said, every Christian has the authority to tell evil spirits to get lost, although the effectiveness of this authority depends on how closely we walk with God and how much we are submitted to his authority.

Thus the bible tells us; “Submit yourselves…to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The more submitted we are to God’s authority the better able we will be to delegate it.

Ungodly behaviour can give the devil a foothold in our lives, but when we have repented and chosen once again to walk on the highway of holiness, the devil no longer has any rightful hold on us, and can be rebuked and dismissed.

To conclude we live in a world that can be very beautiful but which sadly also has a dark side and is inhabited by intelligent and deliberately malicious evil spiritual beings.

However as we submit our lives to Jesus and invite him to be our Lord and Saviour he will rescue us from the dominion of darkness and make us children of God.

And then as we seek to follow him and get to know the truth of God’s word, we will find that 

not only can we stand against the devil’s lies but that we can also rebuke and dismiss him, not only from our own lives but also from the lives of others – just as Jesus did.

In the name of the living God. Amen