P7 LIVING YOUR FAITH IN ENEMY TERRITORY

Home Away from Home, Part 7 – December 11, 2022

Sermon Intro: Sanford Stadium

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV2011)
8  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Kingdom citizens remain vigilant in enemy territory

1 John 5:19 (NIV2011)
19  We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV2011)
…we are not unaware of his schemes.

Satan’s schemes
He calls God into question

John 17:17 (NIV2011)
…your word is truth.

Example: Adam & Eve

Genesis 2:15-17 (NIV2011)
15  The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16  And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17  but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Genesis 3:1 (NIV2011) 

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”

Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV2011)
4  “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5  “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”


Satan’s schemes
He targets our weaknesses

James 1:14 (NIV2011)
…but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

Example: Football Coach

Satan’s schemes
He deceives

John 8:44 (NIV2011) 

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 


Example: “You can sin without consequence”
Example: “You are the exception”

 …you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:9)

Our defense plan
“Be alert and of sober mind” (1 Peter 5:8)

Example: Pearl Harbor

Our defense plan
“Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9)

Example: Shark Cage Diving

• CUE: BRING UP PICTURE OF SHARK CAGE DIVING: “There is a tourist attraction called ‘Shark Cage Diving’”