Pray Anytime (Mark 3:22-27)
Gary McManus, 07/16/2023Part of the Prayer series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Mark 3:22-27
Satan. . .yes, Satan. What about evil? Can all agree
on the existence of evil. . .as greater than individuals:
Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918)—superpersonal
forces of evil.
Jesus gives every indication that Jesus believed in
Satan. As Pastor pointed out:
--(in the Bible) Satan is shown to us talking. . .
--WE tend to depict Satan as monstrous.
Satan=Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12 ff.)
Does he appear monstrous, really? A monstrous angel?
See 2 Corinthians 11:14.
Perhaps Satan should be depicted as fairly good looking.
Then how would we know it is/was Satan? Good question.
Do we know?
What else about Satan?
Genesis 3:1: “serpent was more crafty. . .more clever,
most cunning, more subtle. . .even the most intelligent.
So, if Satan would drop by, humans are in trouble.
(Don’t y’all watch “Twilight Zone” (original series)?)
You say you wouldn’t talk to Satan? Do we decide?
See Genesis 3:1, Matthew 4:3, 1 Peter 5:8.
To deal with Satan is not an equal fight.
Don’t fight Satan. We can’t win. Jesus never did fight
or recommend fighting Satan.
Jesus used the word “fight” once, John 18:36.
The Apostles talk about fighting a good fight. . a fight of faith,
not Satan. 1 Timothy 6:12 , 2 Timothy 4:7)
Paul uses the word struggle—sports. (1 Corinthians 9:26,
Ephesians 6:12)
(Check the writings of Stephen Joseph Rossetti and
Vincent Lampert)
In today’s God’s Word, “the strong one” may have been
a Messiah code word; see Isaiah 49:25 and 53:12.
This is how Jesus can despoil the demons possessions
(the possessed/those who are possessed) and take them back
(restore them/put them in their right minds) or redeem those
who were possessed and restore them to God’s purposes.
( Matthew 12:13, Mark 5:15, Mark 8:25, 1 Peter 5:10)
The Apostles (and the exorcists) strongly suggest prayer
and calling on the Lord to help (Matthew 26:41,
Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2, James 4:7,
1 Peter 5:9). Have your armor on (Ephesians 6:11).
Be steadfast (Isaiah 26:3, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Colossians 1;23)
Be strengthened (Ephesians 3:16 , 1 Peter 5:9-10).
Look for the way of escape from the temptation
(1 Corinthians 10:13).
Pastor suggests returning to Proverbs 18:10.
See Psalm 121. Call on the name of the Lord.
The Lord watches over us day and night.
Moonlight a problem? Sunstroke certainly is.
Adults lifted eyes and hands to the Lord.
(See Psalm 123:1, Isaiah 40:26)
Call on the name in the Lord but especially in prayer.
(Genesis 12:8, Genesis 21:33, 1 Kings 18:24,
six times in the Psalms, see Psalm 99:6, Psalm 116: 13, 17).
We don’t have to be afraid in order to go to prayer.
Pray for relief, for care, for restoration, for strength,
for help. See 1 Peter 5:7. Amen.
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