Satan's Tactics with Job (Satan's Tactics: Part 1) - Zac Poonen - March 19, 2011
http://rlcfchurch.org RLCF Men's Leadership Conference 2011 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon uses the Book of Job to illustrate that God's ultimate purpose is to make believers overcomers over Satan, even when Satan attacks through various means. The speaker emphasizes that spiritual depth is unrelated to wealth, using Job's life as an example of a rich, respected, yet deeply God-fearing man. Furthermore, the sermon highlights the importance of a godly family life, noting that Job's children respected him and that a father's concern for his children's inner spiritual life is paramount.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why does God allow Satan to exist?The Book of Job is the earliest written book of the Bible, showing how a man of God suffered greatly yet came through triumphantly to prove God's ultimate desire to make us overcomers.
Job's wealth, high standing, and fear of GodJob was the richest man in the East, highly respected, and deeply God-fearing, proving that true spirituality has nothing to do with one's income.
Job's godly leadership over his adult childrenJob maintained spiritual influence over his married children, regularly praying and offering burnt offerings for them just in case they sinned in their hearts.
Satan's current location and his ministry of accusationSatan roams the earth as the accuser of the brothers, bringing true accusations before God against believers who have unconfessed sin.
Jesus's sensitivity to the fear of the LordThe Holy Spirit makes believers quick of scent in the fear of the Lord, meaning we must never judge others simply by what our eyes see or ears hear.Isaiah 11:2
Choosing the ministry of intercession over accusationWhile Satan accuses believers day and night, Jesus lives forever to make intercession, and believers must align with Christ as advocates rather than joining the devil in accusation.Hebrews 7:25
The threefold hedge around God's childrenSatan acknowledges that God places a protective hedge around a believer's body, family, and business, and he cannot touch any of these areas without divine permission.
The rapid destruction of Job's family and propertyWithin the span of a single minute, four messengers arrive to inform Job that all his livestock, servants, and children have been destroyed.
Battling sin and avoiding the foothold of the devilAs long as believers actively battle against sin and refuse to let the sun go down on their anger, the devil cannot gain a foothold in their homes or marriages.
Job's worship in the midst of devastating lossJob bows down and worships God, recognizing that he came naked into the world and that the Lord has every right to take away what He freely gave.
Satan attacks Job's body with boilsGod removes the third hedge, allowing Satan to strike Job with severe boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, though his life must be spared.
Job's wife tells him to curse God and dieJob's wife urges him to abandon his integrity and commit suicide, but Job rebukes her foolishness by asking if they should accept only good from God and not adversity.
Preachers who act as the devil's agentsJob's religious friends and preachers arrive with manufactured tears, using Job's suffering to criticize and accuse him rather than offering genuine comfort or hope.
Rejecting the spirit of criticism and standing with JesusGod ultimately rebukes Job's critical friends, teaching believers to steer clear of the accuser's spirit and instead stand firmly on the side of Jesus the intercessor.
