TEXT: 1 Pet. 5:7-9
THESIS: To show that Satan delights when God’s children fall.
INTRO.:
A. In our text Satan is portrayed as a “roaring lion.” Elsewhere he characterized as a “an angel of light” (counterfeiter), a “serpent” (subtle), and a “dragon” (hideous and powerful). But here he is called “the devil” (accuser, deceiver), “adversary” (opponent), and “roaring lion.”
B. A lion breaks the silence of the jungle at night (under cover of darkness) when he has successfully killed his prey. He stands over his victim and roars. The devil is “as a roaring lion” i.e., he roars every time he is victorious over his prey – the believer. Matthew Henry says this “roaring lion” is “hungry, fierce, strong & cruel – the fierce and greedy pursuer of our souls.” He wants to have dominion over us so he can roar in victory.
TRANS.: The believer is to know how to stand against the “wiles of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11) The Greek word for “wiles” is “methodia” from which we get our word method. We are to be aware of the devil’s methodology so he is not victorious over us. His main weapons or “wiles” to bring down Christians (including and maybe even especially preachers), are sex, pride, & money. There are numerous examples in Scripture, but we will limit our examination to three men today…
I. DAVID LUSTED: “…AND THE LION ROARED!” 2 Sam. 11:1-4
A. The “Wile” of Sex:
1. Opportunities abound! It doesn’t take a “Don Juan” to engage in illicit sexual behavior, it simply takes a willingness or to be in the wrong place at the right time.
ILLUS.: “Harmless flirting,” lingering looks, unnecessary touching of members of the opposite sex who are not your husband or wife are dangerous and places you in a costly and deadly situation.
a. David, had retired for some “R & R” from battle and wanted to relax perhaps availing himself of the cool breezes on his rooftop.
b. Bathsheba should have known better – or was this deliberate for the King who had become a national hero?
c. She could not have been ignorant of the proximity of her courtyard to the King’s palace!
d. While she is w/out excuse, so is David who succumbed to her charms and deliberately set in motion the steps to bring Bathsheba to his home and bed.
ILLUS.: It always takes two! The man should not lust after the woman, but the woman should dress modestly and not flirt! If the woman is wearing the “attire of an harlot” with the slit up her dress or skirt, or poured into clothing two sizes too small for her, or baring too much flesh, she is asking for trouble. Jesus said if a man looks with lust he has committed adultery in his heart “with her.” (She shares the guilt!)
Bathsheba was bathing in the open advertising her charms. Possibly the bathing was for ritual purification, which would have been a further advertisement of her availability. Her husband is on the battlefield & she knows David is aware of that. Another battle is about to be mounted between David, the General of the Army, & Satan, the Prince of darkness. David loses this battle! “…AND THE LION ROARED!” (Question: Did David take off his wedding ring that night? Did he lay aside his “ribbon of blue” (Numbers 15:37-41) – his badge of ownership, sanctification, and separation?)
2. Temptation abounds…today you don’t have to go to your rooftop to be enticed to lust, just sit in your living room & flick on HBO, a suggestive movie, a sitcom, or rent a video at the local video store, or browse the internet! (One preacher said the theme for everything Hollywood produces can be reduced to 4 words: “kiss, kiss – bang-bang” sex and violence. And this is the crowd who wants to take away our guns!!!
a. The same combination that brought David down, can bring you down: idle time and a suggestive temptation. (Temptation is not sin – lusting is!)
b. The temptation is not sin…it is succumbing to that temptation and acting out the suggestion planted in your mind or heart.
c. David fell: “AND THE LION ROARED!”
WHEN THE LION ROARS, THE LAMB WEEPS!
II. PETER LINGERED: “…AND THE LION ROARED!” Luke 22:54-57
A. The “Wile” of Pride:
1. Specifically this “wile” deals w/peer pressure – a fear of being considered different, or a desire to be recognized by others.
ILLUS.: When a preacher gets successful, he may feel like “God will understand” or he is beyond the temptation others face. “Pride goeth before a fall!!” When a man or woman gets too close to another member of the opposite sex (beware spending too much time with only one couple in church), a little flattery or conversation about marital problems, starts the wheels in motion. “…AND THE LION WILL ROAR!” The Lion also roars when unsaved refuse to respond to the Gospel invitation because of pride!
👉There is a pattern revealed in our text:
a. Peter’s problem began when he decided to distance himself from the Savior. v.54 “…Peter followed afar off”
b. His problem was compounded when he decided to run with the wrong crowd. v.55 “…Peter sat down among them”
ILLUS.: Peter should have recalled the ancient words of the Psalmist to “walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful,”
or
Proverbs 4:14-16 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
c. But since Peter failed to do so, the next step in his failure was inevitable: v. 57 “…(Peter) denied Him”
“…AND THE LION ROARED!”
ILLUS.: The “Lion” will roar every time you and I ignore the counsel of Scripture, fail to recognize the “wiles” (methodia) of the devil, or don’t “resist steadfastly” his attacks. We too will fall, slip into a sinful situation or deny the Lord by our words or actions!
WHEN THE LION ROARS, THE LAMB WEEPS!
III. ANANIAS LIED: “…AND THE LION ROARED!” Acts 4:33-5:4
A. The “Wile” of Money:
1. Nothing will bring a Christian down as quick as money: lack of it or lust for it.
1 Timothy 6:8-9 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
2. God entrusts His children w/little or much depending on how much He can trust them with.
a. Ananias and Sapphira seemed to be good church members, until they succumbed to the temptation that came with having cash in their hands!
b. It is one thing to be “willing” to give what you don’t have, and another to give what you do have.
ILLUS.: Ananias & Sapphira made the mistake that many other believers have made since, i.e., THEY MADE COMMITMENTS THEY DIDN’T KEEP! Whatever we “sanctify” or make holy, God will hold us accountable for. That is the lesson of this tragic story. We are all responsible to keep our committments and we will be held accountable at the J. S. of Christ. Ananias & Sapphira lied about the amount they kept back, after making a commitment to “give it all.” “…AND THE LION ROARED!”
WHEN THE LION ROARS, THE LAMB WEEPS!
CONCL.: Sex, pride, and money – three of the most successful and effective “wiles” in Satan’s arsenal. Lusting, lingering, and lying still take their toll on Christians, as the “Lion” – the devil – continues to attack the saints. Peter’s warning in the text gives us the key to help us keep from becoming “lion’s prey” and another casualty of the Lion’s attack.
1 Peter 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Let it never be said of you “…AND THE LION ROARED!
Unsaved, don’t let Satan’s “wile” of Pride, keep you from trusting Christ today!
THESIS: To show that Satan delights when God’s children fall.
INTRO.:
A. In our text Satan is portrayed as a “roaring lion.” Elsewhere he characterized as a “an angel of light” (counterfeiter), a “serpent” (subtle), and a “dragon” (hideous and powerful). But here he is called “the devil” (accuser, deceiver), “adversary” (opponent), and “roaring lion.”
B. A lion breaks the silence of the jungle at night (under cover of darkness) when he has successfully killed his prey. He stands over his victim and roars. The devil is “as a roaring lion” i.e., he roars every time he is victorious over his prey – the believer. Matthew Henry says this “roaring lion” is “hungry, fierce, strong & cruel – the fierce and greedy pursuer of our souls.” He wants to have dominion over us so he can roar in victory.
TRANS.: The believer is to know how to stand against the “wiles of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11) The Greek word for “wiles” is “methodia” from which we get our word method. We are to be aware of the devil’s methodology so he is not victorious over us. His main weapons or “wiles” to bring down Christians (including and maybe even especially preachers), are sex, pride, & money. There are numerous examples in Scripture, but we will limit our examination to three men today…
I. DAVID LUSTED: “…AND THE LION ROARED!” 2 Sam. 11:1-4
A. The “Wile” of Sex:
1. Opportunities abound! It doesn’t take a “Don Juan” to engage in illicit sexual behavior, it simply takes a willingness or to be in the wrong place at the right time.
ILLUS.: “Harmless flirting,” lingering looks, unnecessary touching of members of the opposite sex who are not your husband or wife are dangerous and places you in a costly and deadly situation.
a. David, had retired for some “R & R” from battle and wanted to relax perhaps availing himself of the cool breezes on his rooftop.
b. Bathsheba should have known better – or was this deliberate for the King who had become a national hero?
c. She could not have been ignorant of the proximity of her courtyard to the King’s palace!
d. While she is w/out excuse, so is David who succumbed to her charms and deliberately set in motion the steps to bring Bathsheba to his home and bed.
ILLUS.: It always takes two! The man should not lust after the woman, but the woman should dress modestly and not flirt! If the woman is wearing the “attire of an harlot” with the slit up her dress or skirt, or poured into clothing two sizes too small for her, or baring too much flesh, she is asking for trouble. Jesus said if a man looks with lust he has committed adultery in his heart “with her.” (She shares the guilt!)
Bathsheba was bathing in the open advertising her charms. Possibly the bathing was for ritual purification, which would have been a further advertisement of her availability. Her husband is on the battlefield & she knows David is aware of that. Another battle is about to be mounted between David, the General of the Army, & Satan, the Prince of darkness. David loses this battle! “…AND THE LION ROARED!” (Question: Did David take off his wedding ring that night? Did he lay aside his “ribbon of blue” (Numbers 15:37-41) – his badge of ownership, sanctification, and separation?)
2. Temptation abounds…today you don’t have to go to your rooftop to be enticed to lust, just sit in your living room & flick on HBO, a suggestive movie, a sitcom, or rent a video at the local video store, or browse the internet! (One preacher said the theme for everything Hollywood produces can be reduced to 4 words: “kiss, kiss – bang-bang” sex and violence. And this is the crowd who wants to take away our guns!!!
a. The same combination that brought David down, can bring you down: idle time and a suggestive temptation. (Temptation is not sin – lusting is!)
b. The temptation is not sin…it is succumbing to that temptation and acting out the suggestion planted in your mind or heart.
c. David fell: “AND THE LION ROARED!”
WHEN THE LION ROARS, THE LAMB WEEPS!
II. PETER LINGERED: “…AND THE LION ROARED!” Luke 22:54-57
A. The “Wile” of Pride:
1. Specifically this “wile” deals w/peer pressure – a fear of being considered different, or a desire to be recognized by others.
ILLUS.: When a preacher gets successful, he may feel like “God will understand” or he is beyond the temptation others face. “Pride goeth before a fall!!” When a man or woman gets too close to another member of the opposite sex (beware spending too much time with only one couple in church), a little flattery or conversation about marital problems, starts the wheels in motion. “…AND THE LION WILL ROAR!” The Lion also roars when unsaved refuse to respond to the Gospel invitation because of pride!
👉There is a pattern revealed in our text:
a. Peter’s problem began when he decided to distance himself from the Savior. v.54 “…Peter followed afar off”
b. His problem was compounded when he decided to run with the wrong crowd. v.55 “…Peter sat down among them”
ILLUS.: Peter should have recalled the ancient words of the Psalmist to “walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful,”
or
Proverbs 4:14-16 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
c. But since Peter failed to do so, the next step in his failure was inevitable: v. 57 “…(Peter) denied Him”
“…AND THE LION ROARED!”
ILLUS.: The “Lion” will roar every time you and I ignore the counsel of Scripture, fail to recognize the “wiles” (methodia) of the devil, or don’t “resist steadfastly” his attacks. We too will fall, slip into a sinful situation or deny the Lord by our words or actions!
WHEN THE LION ROARS, THE LAMB WEEPS!
III. ANANIAS LIED: “…AND THE LION ROARED!” Acts 4:33-5:4
A. The “Wile” of Money:
1. Nothing will bring a Christian down as quick as money: lack of it or lust for it.
1 Timothy 6:8-9 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
2. God entrusts His children w/little or much depending on how much He can trust them with.
a. Ananias and Sapphira seemed to be good church members, until they succumbed to the temptation that came with having cash in their hands!
b. It is one thing to be “willing” to give what you don’t have, and another to give what you do have.
ILLUS.: Ananias & Sapphira made the mistake that many other believers have made since, i.e., THEY MADE COMMITMENTS THEY DIDN’T KEEP! Whatever we “sanctify” or make holy, God will hold us accountable for. That is the lesson of this tragic story. We are all responsible to keep our committments and we will be held accountable at the J. S. of Christ. Ananias & Sapphira lied about the amount they kept back, after making a commitment to “give it all.” “…AND THE LION ROARED!”
WHEN THE LION ROARS, THE LAMB WEEPS!
CONCL.: Sex, pride, and money – three of the most successful and effective “wiles” in Satan’s arsenal. Lusting, lingering, and lying still take their toll on Christians, as the “Lion” – the devil – continues to attack the saints. Peter’s warning in the text gives us the key to help us keep from becoming “lion’s prey” and another casualty of the Lion’s attack.
1 Peter 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Let it never be said of you “…AND THE LION ROARED!
Unsaved, don’t let Satan’s “wile” of Pride, keep you from trusting Christ today!
| lion_roar.pdf |
