The Devil's Hour
Notes
Transcript
Dr. Frederick G. Sampson Jr said, “There are 3 hours.
1. Your hour; Jesus said to Mary his mother, Woman, what have I to do with thee, my hour has not come.”
2. Evil’s hour. Jesus told his captures, “This is your hour- when darkness reigns.” Then there is...
3. God’ hour- Sunday morning , when Jesus rose with all power in his hands.”
This is the Devil’s hour. I know it is because justice has turned back. Isaiah said,
So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
Violence and turmoil have increased. The Prophet Azariah said, In 2 Chron. 15:
In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
Sickness and distressed have filled the land. Deut. 28:22
The Lord will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish.
Jesus’ response to Judas's betrayal and the soldiers animosity is a sobering example on how to survive times of spiritual darkness. Jesus Christ calls us to take the highroad during tribulation and attack instead of the low road of rage and rebellion.
The church must be realistic. We act as if the Devil never reigns, evil never dominates, the wicked never prosper, the sun always shines on the righteous and every hope is fulfilled. We know evil exists, but we dismiss it like Paul snatched the serpent off his arm in Malta, (Acts. 28:5).
But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
God has given the Devil his season. The Most High allowed Lucifer to rebel in heaven and bring down 1/3 of all the angels in heaven. God have him permission to attack Job; and It was God’s plan to allow Pilate to crucify Jesus Christ. To ignore this is to make the gospel a mockery. Satan will have power until Christ returns and brings everything under his dominion (1 Cor. 15:24)*
Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
This story tell of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot, which was prophesied beforehand in the Psalms. Ps. 41:9
Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
Judas told the guards, the one I greet with a kiss is Jesus. When the Pretorian Guard, the enforcement officers for the High Priest, tried to arrest Jesus, his disciples prepared for war. Even Peter, cut off the ear of Malcus, servant of the High Priest.
Jesus restrained his disciples from going to war. Then he said to the chief priests, the guards, and the elders, “Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. This is your hour- when darkness reigns.
It is important to Know when to fight and when to submit is the key to God’s grace.
It is important to Know when to fight and when to submit is the key to God’s grace.
It takes courage to acknowledge the season of adversity. It is not a sign of weakness to recognize evil when you see it. It is a sign of wisdom and strength. You know and respect your adversary. Remember the seven sons of Sceva said to the evil spirit, “We cast you out in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches. The Devil said to them, “Jesus I know and Paul and know, but who are you? And the Devil jumped on them and defeated them. They had no respect for evil’s power. To ignore The Devil’s power is to resign yourself to the consequences of his influence.
A righteous person knows when to submit to evil circumstances.
A righteous person knows when to submit to evil circumstances.
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
Only Pride would lead a righteous man not to submit to trouble. You have power in Jesus’ name. That does not give you permission to ignore danger or tempt God. Sometimes is it right to submit to evil moments and run to save your life.
In Matthew 2, the angel of the Lord told Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus.
In 2 Sam. 15, David ran from Absolom his son, when he tried to seize the kingdom and kill his father.
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Satan reigns momentarily but not ultimately.
Satan reigns momentarily but not ultimately.
They are times when your friends act according to the baser instincts.
There are times when those who love you will react in emotions and ignore the Holy Spirit
Hold on to your grounding. Do your best to submit in the circumstance. Resign yourself to the will of God.
For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.
Never focus on your enemies might, but on God’s sovereign plan.
Never focus on your enemies might, but on God’s sovereign plan.
“When you suffer and lose, that does not mean you are being disobedient to God. In fact, it might mean you’re right in the centre of His will. The path of obedience is often marked by times of suffering and loss.” ~ Chuck Swindoll
If Jesus had focused on the might of the chief priests and the soldiers, he would have allowed his disciples to go to war. No matter how many people try to seduce you into a civil war, do not take the bate. We will not win the war of racism with guns and violence; we will win it with non-violent protest, persistence and faith in God. These are difficult days. If you know God has called you for this hour, then face it with total trust in God.
“When you become consumed by God’s call on your life, everything will take on new meaning and significance. You will begin to see every facet of your life – including your pain – as a means through which God can work to bring others to Himself.” ~ Charles Stanley
God’s plan for your victory is greater than the devil’s plan for your overthrow.
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
The great irony of the faith is when trouble is the worst, God’s grace reigns.
The great irony of the faith is when trouble is the worst, God’s grace reigns.
Jesus said, Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?” Do you think this cry to end racism, which is causing so much distress to some people, is some social movement? No. It is God’ sovereign plan to bring the world to the knowledge of justice and equality for all people. Some of us will suffer for doing the right thing. God is in the midst of our suffering. I can will go through the hardship if it will bring glory to Jesus Christ.
“Even in the greatest afflictions, we ought to testify to God, that, in receiving them from his hand, we feel pleasure in the midst of the pain, from being afflicted by Him who loves us, and whom we love.” ~ John Wesley
Do not allow the current violence and acts of retaliation against us discourage you. Take the blows, by faith as Jesus did.
“I am not a theologian or a scholar, but I am very aware of the fact that pain is necessary to all of us. In my own life, I think I can honestly say that out of the deepest pain has come the strongest conviction of the presence of God and the love of God.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot
“The moment you can see the reality of painful circumstances, you enter the presence of God. The moment you can see the true motive of my enemy, he becomes your partner in growth. The moment you can see the basis of my defeat, your suffering becomes redemptive.” JMBIII
The hour of darkness will end. the Daylight of God’s deliverance is coming.
The hour of darkness will end. the Daylight of God’s deliverance is coming.
Martin Luther King Jr. said, "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."
I will not let the Devil steal my joy and cause me to take my eyes of God’s sovereign plan. The more I go through, in Jesus name, the stronger becomes my faith.
I Know Jesus and I know Jesus is with you.
Take the high road. Fight the good fight of faith. Do not despair. Joy is coming in the morning.
Remember, the Devil lost. On Sunday morning, Jesus rose with all power in his hand. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
The song writer said, “Harder yet may be the fight...