Resisting the Devil: Embracing the Cross and Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the Deceptive Voice of the Enemy

The devil often whispers deceitful lies to keep us from the life and grace that Jesus offers. One of his common lies is, "You don't have to go to the cross," which contradicts Jesus' call for us to take up our cross daily. The cross represents self-denial and the path to manifesting the life of Jesus in us. By avoiding the cross, we fail to show Jesus' life to others. In practical terms, taking up the cross can mean setting aside our convenience and comfort for the sake of others, as Jesus did when he got up during supper to serve his disciples. Recognizing these lies and countering them with the truth of God's Word is crucial in resisting the devil. [10:28]

1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."

Reflection: What are some lies you have believed that have kept you from fully embracing the life Jesus offers? How can you counter these lies with the truth of God's Word today?

Day 2: Returning to Jesus with Confidence

The devil's lie, "You can't come back to Jesus yet," is designed to keep us in despair and away from the grace and mercy of God. When we sin, the devil wants us to believe that we are unworthy of returning to Jesus. However, Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we will receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. The difference between Judas and Peter illustrates this point: Judas listened to the lie and fell into despair, while Peter resisted and returned to Jesus, finding forgiveness and restoration. [05:20]

Hebrews 10:22 (ESV): "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel unworthy to return to Jesus? How can you take a step today to draw near to Him with confidence, trusting in His mercy and grace?

Day 3: The Power of the Cross in Our Lives

Taking up the cross involves practical self-denial, as seen in Jesus' example of getting up during supper to serve. This act of setting aside convenience for others is a tangible way to follow Jesus' call to take up our cross daily. The cross is the path to manifesting Jesus' life, and avoiding it means failing to display His life to others. By embracing the cross, we honor Jesus and live as true disciples, manifesting His life in the world. [13:25]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can take up your cross today, setting aside your own convenience for the sake of others?

Day 4: Learning from Judas and Peter

The difference between Judas and Peter lies in their response to the devil's lies. Judas listened and fell into despair, while Peter resisted and returned to Jesus, finding forgiveness. This illustrates the importance of resisting the devil's voice and returning to Jesus. By recognizing the enemy's tactics and choosing to return to Jesus, we can find forgiveness and restoration, just as Peter did. [04:53]

2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt despair after a failure. How can you choose to respond like Peter, seeking forgiveness and restoration from Jesus?

Day 5: Encouraging One Another in the Faith

Encouraging one another daily is vital to resisting the devil's schemes. By reminding each other of the beauty and necessity of the cross, we help each other stay focused on Jesus and resist the enemy's attempts to lead us astray. This mutual encouragement strengthens our faith and helps us to live as true disciples, manifesting Jesus' life in the world. [19:07]

Hebrews 3:13 (ESV): "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

Reflection: Who is someone you can encourage today in their walk with Jesus? How can you remind them of the beauty and necessity of the cross in their life?

Sermon Summary

In James 4:7, we are called to "resist the devil, and he will flee from you." But what does it mean to resist the devil practically? To understand this, we must first recognize the devil's voice and his tactics. Just as we can identify a person by their distinct characteristics, we can identify the devil by his deceitful whispers. Two common lies he tells us are: "You don't have to go to the cross," and "You can't come back to Jesus yet." These lies are designed to keep us from the life and grace that Jesus offers.

The first lie, "You don't have to go to the cross," is a direct contradiction to Jesus' call for us to take up our cross daily. The cross represents self-denial and the path to manifesting the life of Jesus in us. Satan wants us to avoid the cross because it is through the cross that Jesus' life is displayed in the world. By avoiding the cross, we fail to show Jesus' life to others. In practical terms, taking up the cross can mean setting aside our convenience and comfort for the sake of others, as Jesus did when he got up during supper to serve his disciples.

The second lie, "You can't come back to Jesus yet," is a tactic to keep us in despair and away from the grace and mercy of God. When we sin, the devil wants us to believe that we are unworthy of returning to Jesus. However, Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we will receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. The difference between Judas and Peter illustrates this point: Judas listened to the lie and fell into despair, while Peter resisted and returned to Jesus, finding forgiveness and restoration.

To resist the devil, we must recognize these lies and counter them with the truth of God's Word. We must remember that our true victory over the enemy comes through embracing the cross and returning to Jesus with confidence, no matter our failures. By doing so, we honor Jesus and live as true disciples, manifesting His life in the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Recognizing the devil's voice is crucial in resisting him. He often tells us, "You don't have to go to the cross," which contradicts Jesus' call to take up our cross daily. The cross is the path to manifesting Jesus' life, and avoiding it means failing to display His life to others. [10:28]
2. The lie, "You can't come back to Jesus yet," is designed to keep us in despair. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, knowing we will receive mercy. This confidence is key to overcoming the enemy's deceit. [05:20]
3. The difference between Judas and Peter lies in their response to the devil's lies. Judas listened and fell into despair, while Peter resisted and returned to Jesus, finding forgiveness. This illustrates the importance of resisting the devil's voice and returning to Jesus. [04:53]
4. Taking up the cross involves practical self-denial, as seen in Jesus' example of getting up during supper to serve. This act of setting aside convenience for others is a tangible way to follow Jesus' call to take up our cross daily. [13:25]
5. Encouraging one another daily is vital to resisting the devil's schemes. By reminding each other of the beauty and necessity of the cross, we help each other stay focused on Jesus and resist the enemy's attempts to lead us astray. [19:07]
** [19:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:06] - Introduction to James 4:7
[00:25] - Understanding Resistance
[01:06] - Identifying the Enemy
[02:04] - Recognizing Satan's Voice
[02:28] - The Lie: Avoid the Cross
[03:32] - The Lie: Don't Return to Jesus
[04:53] - Judas vs. Peter
[05:20] - Drawing Near with Confidence
[06:46] - Resisting the Devil's Voice
[09:14] - Jesus' Example of Resistance
[10:28] - The Importance of the Cross
[13:25] - Practical Self-Denial
[16:03] - Spiritual Maturity in Action
[19:07] - Encouragement and Resistance
[20:03] - Conclusion and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

James 4:7 - "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Matthew 16:23 - "Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.'"

Observation Questions:

What are the two lies that the sermon identifies as common tactics of the devil? How do these lies contradict the teachings of Jesus? [02:14]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus getting up during supper in John 13? How does this relate to the concept of taking up the cross? [13:25]
How does the sermon illustrate the difference between Judas and Peter in their responses to the devil's lies? [04:53]
What does Hebrews 4:16 encourage believers to do, and why is this significant in the context of resisting the devil's lies? [05:20]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon suggest believers can recognize the voice of the devil? What practical steps can be taken to resist it? [02:04]
In what ways does the sermon explain the importance of taking up the cross daily? How does this act manifest the life of Jesus in the world? [10:28]
What does the sermon imply about the role of community in resisting the devil's schemes? How can encouragement from others help in this spiritual battle? [19:07]
How does the sermon use the example of Jesus' actions during supper to illustrate practical self-denial? What does this teach about the nature of true discipleship? [13:25]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy to return to Jesus after sinning. How can Hebrews 4:16 change your perspective on approaching God for mercy and grace? [05:20]
Identify a specific area in your life where you might be avoiding the "cross" due to convenience or comfort. What steps can you take this week to embrace self-denial in that area? [13:25]
Think of a situation where you heard a voice telling you not to return to Jesus. How can you prepare yourself to resist this lie in the future? [06:46]
How can you encourage someone in your community to embrace the beauty and necessity of the cross? What practical actions can you take to support them in their spiritual journey? [19:07]
Consider the role of self-denial in your daily life. What is one specific way you can practice this, following Jesus' example of getting up during supper? [13:25]
Reflect on the difference between Judas and Peter. How can their stories inspire you to resist the devil's lies and return to Jesus with confidence? [04:53]
How can you cultivate a habit of recognizing and resisting the devil's voice in your life? What specific strategies can you implement to stay focused on Jesus' teachings? [02:04]

Sermon Clips

In James chapter four, in verse 7, he says, submit therefore to God, and then he says resist the devil and he will flee from you. And that's a phrase that I think many of us know resist the devil and he will flee from you, but I want to ask a very simple question practically, how do I know if I'm resisting the devil? [00:00:25]

Two things I found in my life that he often says, one you don't have to go to the cross, you don't have to go the way of the cross, it's not that important and two, you can't come back to Jesus yet. So those are two marks just like Joseph Jacob Potter wears a cowboy hat and drives a red pickup truck. [00:02:28]

When I hear that voice say don't come back to Jesus, that's not the voice of God, that's the voice of the devil. But if I don't know it, I can think wow this is a really godly thing to do. I can't come back to Jesus because I'm a sinner, I've sinned, I've made some mistake, I can't come back to Jesus yet. [00:03:11]

Judas kept listening to satan, and Peter resisted satan. I believe that in both of their cases, for both Judas and Peter, they both fell, and I think for both of them the enemy said you can't come back to Jesus, you can't come back to Jesus and Judas kept listening and he kept believing that and what happened ultimately he fell away. [00:04:14]

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. And for sure we want to be more and more we want to be approaching the throne of grace to receive grace but it also says so that we may receive mercy in our time of need. [00:05:20]

I have to believe with all my heart that I honor Jesus most not by staying away from him but by running back to him. But after we've sinned it's the time when we can think I just can't come back to him yet and it's really helped me to learn that's the voice of satan the voice that says you can't come back to Jesus yet. [00:06:24]

The voice of the enemy is the exact opposite, he says you don't have to take up the cross every day you don't have to go to the cross and so let Jesus go to the cross Jesus went to the cross there's no need for you to go to the cross and it's exactly it's not just a little bit off it's exactly opposite. [00:10:28]

Why does satan want us to avoid the cross? There wants us to avoid the cross but one reason that the lord brought to my mind is from second corinthians chapter four it's because that's the way the life of Jesus Christ has manifested in this world it says there what the apostle Paul says is we're always bearing about in our bodies and dying of Jesus. [00:10:48]

During supper a time when it's my time to relax to enjoy to kick back during supper Jesus the author and perfecter are our faith the one who we're always supposed to look at fix our eyes upon follow Jesus did what he got up at my house there's a funny thing that happens in my house around dinner time. [00:13:25]

And to me it's a very helpful and challenging picture to think about that's what it means to take up the cross there is an idol we heard a few weeks ago from our brother bobby about idols at the end of first john it says little children guard yourself from idols I found one of the great idols in my life is convenience. [00:14:51]

We have to have our perspective radically renewed to see things the way God sees them we have to have a heavenly perspective we have to be heavenly minded and it's only when we see the cross ultimately it's the only way that satan is defeated satan isn't defeated by his death he's defeated by the death of Jesus Christ. [00:18:00]

Encourage one another day after day so that none of you forget the beauty of the cross so that none of you become hardened to start to seek your own convenience again encourage each other every day if we know that satan is always trying to get us to avoid or ignore the cross then we'll always be encouraged to remind one another. [00:19:07]

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