THE ENEMY WITHIN

 Marcus Peters

Midland SDA Church

February 2,  2013

Opening Remarks

Theme Text: Matthew 12:43-45

Introductory Questions

• What are some things that you’re afraid of? Some things you’re scared of?
• Imagine with me, if you will, that your soul could speak. What things would he or she say they were afraid of?

Beautiful Promise - John 10:27-29

No one is able to take us out of:

· Jesus’ hands (vs. 28)

· His Father’s hands (vs. 29)

· He provides protection from any external forces (adversaries, enemies etc).

· Once we’re in God’s hands, there’s nothing we need to fear.

Thought-Provoking Statement

“The greatest burden we have to bear in this life is self. Unless we learn in the school of Christ to be meek and lowly, we shall miss precious opportunities and privileges for becoming acquainted with Jesus. Self is the most difficult thing we have to manage. In laying off burdens, let us not forget to lay self at the feet of Christ.” In Heavenly Places pg 107

Misplaced Emphasis

• Many times we focus on the enemy without, things we have no control over:
• Economic realm: debt crisis, sequester, fiscal cliff
• Political realm: gridlock
• Spiritual realm: creation vs. evolution | women’s ordination | liberals vs. conservatives
• We get distracted by all the hot-button issues and neglect the greatest issue: self
• We focus so much on the enemy without that we forget the enemy within!

Illustration from the Life of David

• There are 373 references to the words enemy or enemies in the KJV Bible
• They are found evenly throughout the Bible except for one book which has >25% of the entries
• “Thou preparest a table before in the presence of mine enemies” Psalms 23:5
• “The Lord is my light and my salvation; who shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes came upon me to eat up my flesh they stumbled and fell.” Psalms 27:1-2
• It’s clear even from a casual reading of scripture that David placed a lot of attention on his enemies.
• Explore lessons from 2 Samuel 12:1-7
• Want to know which chapter in the book of Psalms that has no reference to enemies? Psalm 51.
• “We have far more to fear from within than from without” LDE 156

Three Modes of Self Destruction

• Deception
• Deliverance
• Delay

1.         Deception

• When we hear the word deception we typically think of eschatology i.e last day events.
• Matthew 24 warnings of being deceived by false Christs and false prophets.
• Rev 20:7-8 final deception before the destruction of the wicked.
• But we’re talking about the enemy within! Even deadlier deception: Jeremiah 17:9.
• Our hearts are more deceptive than the devil himself!

a.         Deception via Denial (1 John 1:8-9)

• The average person does not walk around saying “I have no sin.”
• It’s not so much a statement that’s uttered as much as it is a condition of the heart.
• When God confronts with our sins, like Laodicea, we struggle with admitting that we have a problem.
• Wisdom tooth illustration. Suffered needless pain.
• Are you ignoring the signs? Losing spiritual desire? No appetite for the word? Skipping your devotions? Weak prayer life? Easily irritated?
• “Even one trait of character, one sinful desire persistently cherished will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel.” SC 34
• Confession is the first step to get back on the right track. 1 John 1:9

b.         Deception via Assent (James 1:21-22)

• Substituting information for application. Hearing for doing.
• Believe the truth but don’t apply the truth. The devils believe also.
• Assent but don’t implement.
• Christ is not interested in our flattery. He wants our obedience. Luke 11:27-28
• Implications of Matthew 15:9 and Luke 6:46
• Salvation: Ye must be born again! John 3 & Mark 16:16
• Relationships: Psalms 84:11 & 2 Corinthians 6:14
• Carrying heavy burdens: Matthew 11:28
• Messed-up priorities: Matthew 6:33
• Nasty attitude | abrasive spirit | baptized in vinegar: Matthew 5:16
• Dying spiritually: John 11:25
• Not enough to believe. Not sufficient to hear alone. Need transformation Jeremiah 15:16.
• Jeremiah 17:10 & Psalms 139-23-24

2.         Deliverance or Self-righteousness| Matthew 12:43-45

• At first glance nothing appears to be wrong with the picture.
• Unclean spirit was evicted.
• Who evicted the unclean spirit?
• The fact that the house was found empty, swept and garnished implies that Christ was evicted too!
• We talk a lot about being emptied of self but is that sufficient?
• It is not enough that the vessel be emptied; it must be filled with the grace of Christ.
• We focus so much attention on the “cleaning” and forget the “filling”
• Cookie illustration
• Filled with the spirit you’ll bear its fruit: love, joy, peace…
• Filled with self you’ll bear it fruit: dark clouds, vengeful vegetarians, vinegar
• Reformation of behavior without transformation of heart.
• Dress reform, health reform but no heart reborn.
• Christ is in the business of cardiology not just cosmetology.
• We need him every step of the way. John 15:5.
• How do you know whether you’re self-righteous or not?
• Mark 12:30 | the issue is not whether we love God but do we love him with all that we have.
• Hell will be filled with a lot of law abiding, church attending, tax paying, well-behaved individuals who never experience the joy of salvation.
• It is true that there may be an outward correctness of deportment without the renewing power of Christ. The love of influence and the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may perform generous actions. By what means, then, shall we determine whose side we are on? {SC 58.1} Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ’s, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.
• How is with your heart today?

3.         Delay (Ecclesiastes 8:11 | Matthew 24:48)

• Putting off for tomorrow the decisions we should be making today
• It’s the goodness of God that leads to repentance
• God has been so good what more can he do to change our hearts
• Divine frustration: Matthew 11:20-24
• Turn ye turn ye why will ye die. Ezekiel 33:11
• How many are resisting convictions the Lord has already placed on our hearts?
• Looking for a convenient season to make a decision. Acts 24:24-25
• God doesn’t call us to do what’s convenient; His call for us is to be obedient!
• Pressing questions:
• Are all my sins forgiven?
• Is Jesus weeping over you today? Luke 19:41
• What have I done with Jesus who is called the Christ?
• Have I wholly surrendered to the Lord?
• Jesus is calling on you; He’s calling on me to make a decision today? Will you accept Him into your heart?

Appeal: Hebrews 2:3