Satan Under Our Feet | Romans 16:20

Scripture

• Romans 16:20

About this sermon

Introduction: The Christian life requires the gracious strength that God provides. There is a stabilizing work, an establishing work on the part of God, an ongoing refreshment from heaven, that is necessary for our faithfulness. The Christian life is challenging. It is sometimes wearying. There are many times when we would not say that it is peaceful. It can feel overwhelming. But God provides peace. He provides strength. His grace is sufficient for every challenge in every season of our lives. ESV 1 Peter 5:10 And aafter you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, bwho has called you to his ceternal glory in Christ, will himself drestore, econfirm, strengthen, and establish you ESV Romans 16:25 aNow to him who is able to strengthen you baccording to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, caccording to the revelation of the mystery dthat was kept secret for elong ages Our hope and our help are always stationed in God. ESV Isaiah 40:25 aTo whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? aHe who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, a"My way is hidden from the LORD, band my right is disregarded by my God"? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is athe everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; bhis understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but athey who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings blike eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Our text this morning speaks of that hope. It points us to a perspective, to a strength, to a peace, that is found in God Himself, and in God alone. God promises his church that despite her challenges, despite her enemies, despite her battles, her ultimate victory is settled. We are reminded that one day Satan will be finally defeated and under our feet. We are called to remember this, as we obey our God regarding the watchfulness and the spiritual battles that belong to the present. Today we see three hopeful remembrances for the church’s future challenges. • OUR VIGILANCE EXISTS IN THE CONTEXT OF VICTORY (vs.17-20) Paul appealed for alertness in verses 17-19. He calls the church to be on the alert for sowers of discord. The warning involved challenges already on the scene, but for this church it is a warning that especially looks to the future. He makes plain that his warning is not because of any current problems, but precisely because of current obedience. He is calling for is watchfulness and readiness — “Stay on the alert for those who would sow discord in your midst.” He wants them to know what action is called for when those dissensions and stumbling blocks arise. He wants them predetermined to take that action when it is necessary. But immediately following that warning that considers the future, we have a benediction that provides the mindset for that watchfulness. In what frame of mind does the church stay on alert for divisions? The mindset is not one of suspicion. The mindset is not one of self-defense. Suspicion is really a kind of fear. It is the thought that I am going to protect myself by refusing to trust almost anyone. The mindset given to us here is not one of fear. The mindset is not one of anxiety. Our vigilance, our alertness, must exist in an attitude of spiritual confidence. Not a confidence that finds its source in ourselves. Rather, a confidence that finds its source in God’s faithfulness. WE KNOW THAT GOD WORKS THROUGH MEANS. WE KNOW THAT ALERTNESS IS ONE OF THOSE MEANS. BUT IT WILL NOT BE OUR ALERTNESS THAT ENSURES OUR ULTIMATE VICTORY, IT WILL BE GOD HIMSELF.

Topics

• Spiritual Warfare