What He Will Do with the Devil, Part 2

Driving home: Not considering them as some kind of an inspired, numerically lined up checklist with everything in its proper sequence, God does not give us that in the Scriptures, but thinking of the return of the Lord Jesus as the wh…

Martin uses the analogy of a whole pie or circle to represent the cluster of events surrounding Christ's return, with large segments representing the three main questions addressed in the sermon series.

No great redemptive act of God is to follow those events that surround the return of the Lord Jesus. As to its time, for us it is always imminent, indefinite, and unknowable, regardless of what so-called special insights any man may think he has, it is arrogance and pride to presume to date set with respect to the return of our Lord Jesus. And then we considered together from the Scriptures that with respect to the events that will surround His coming, they are clearly revealed, and yet they are, they are manifold. And we have been looking at those events which Scripture says will come to pass...

5:55 - 7:23 Read in full sermon

Driving home: In view of Satan's crushing defeat at Calvary and his certain doom at the second coming, it is unspeakably sad to see sinful men give to him their allegiance and to accept his lie. As one servant of God has exclaimed, ho…

Martin quotes Professor Leahy's book, "Satan Cast Out," to reinforce the idea that Satan's doom is a concomitant of the second coming, and that his defeat at the cross and downfall in judgment are one, like lightning and thunder.

I'm not prepared to say that there is some strict sequence. The event itself will sort it all out, and you and I will know with clarity. But this much is clear. In conjunction with the fire coming down, down out of heaven, 2 Thessalonians 1, Christ coming in flaming fire, 2 Peter chapter 3, the whole emphasis of Scripture, the fieriness of the return of Christ, it is in conjunction with that return that the devil shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and they shall be tormented day and night forever and forever. It is at that point in the...

28:11 - 29:34 Read in full sermon

Driving home: In view of Satan's crushing defeat at Calvary and his certain doom at the second coming, it is unspeakably sad to see sinful men give to him their allegiance and to accept his lie. As one servant of God has exclaimed, ho…

Martin quotes an unnamed servant of God who exclaimed, "how dreadful it is that multitudes are still slaves to a vanquished, convicted, and sentenced being," to highlight the tragedy of serving the devil.

We shall see the lightning flash and hear the thunder simultaneously. We shall see the cross in relation to time from God's standpoint, not at a point along the line with the past behind us and the future before us, but at the center of a circle where the whole circumference may be viewed, and where past and future are alike. At the end of time, as we now know it, we shall see from an altogether new perspective, and while in eternity we shall remain finite creatures, we shall nevertheless view all history from the divine standpoint, as we sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the son...

29:34 - 30:58 Read in full sermon

The point: Find comfort in knowing that when you go out to serve Christ, the enemy has been conquered, and in union with Christ, you share in that conquest.

The story from Acts 19 about the sons of Sceva attempting to exorcise demons is used to illustrate that demons recognize Jesus and those truly in union with Him (like Paul), but not those who merely use His name without genuine faith or authority.

that if we go forth in the biblically enlightened faith that the enemy has been conquered and in union with Christ we share in that conquest, then Acts 19 will give us a lot of comfort. You remember Paul is laboring at Ephesus and there is some opposition as generally there was in his ministry from the Jews, and so he hires the school of Tyrannus and preaches for the space of two years. Verse 11 of Acts 19, And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul, insomuch that the sick were carried away from his body, they carried away handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them...

44:21 - 45:34 Read in full sermon

The point: Resist the devil, knowing that he will flee from you, the humblest child of God, in faith-union with Christ.

Martin references Martin Luther's defiance of the devil, calling him a "bluffing bully," to encourage believers to resist the devil with confidence in Christ's conquest.

The devil hates it. He is a bluffing bully. Martin Luther looked him straight in the eye and he said, I know who you are. This is what I think of you.

47:35 - 47:50 Read in full sermon

The point: Resist the devil, knowing that he will flee from you, the humblest child of God, in faith-union with Christ.

Martin quotes the third stanza of Luther's hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" to illustrate the believer's confidence and lack of fear in the face of demonic threats, knowing the devil's doom is sure.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark, never failing, stanza three. And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, we will not fear. Why? For God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.

47:50 - 48:11 Read in full sermon