Resist and He Will Flee
David Wilkerson's sermon emphasizes the importance of resisting temptation through faith in Christ to overcome Satan's attacks.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the powerful temptation that Satan presented to Jesus, offering him dominion over the world in exchange for worship. This temptation, while seemingly absurd, reveals Satan's desperation to avoid his own fate at Calvary. Wilkerson draws parallels to how Satan continues to tempt believers today, using threats and accusations to instill doubt and despair. He encourages Christians to resist these temptations, reminding them that through Christ's sacrifice, they are free from the power of sin and can confidently declare their freedom. The key message is that by resisting the devil, he will flee from us.
Text
Satan tempted Jesus with this offer: "All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (Matthew 4:9). This sounds so outlandish, so ridiculous, how could it ever be considered a temptation? Believe it or not, this was a powerful, enticing offer. Satan was challenging Jesus, saying, "I promise that if you'll merely bow down at my feet, in a single act of worship, I'll quit the fight. I'll give up all my power over these realms. I won't possess or enslave anyone else. I know that you love humankind enough to be accursed by God for their sake. So, why wait? You can sacrifice yourself right now, and free the world from this moment on."
Why was the devil willing to give up all his power for this? He was trying to save his own skin. Satan knew his eternal destiny would be sealed at Calvary. So, if he could just keep Jesus from going to the cross, he might spare himself that fate.
You may be wondering, "How could this possibly relate to me?" Satan still tempts the righteous with a similar offer. Satan comes to us with threats and accusations. He tells us, "You don't have to worship me--because I already have access to your flesh. I know all your weaknesses. So, go ahead and testify about your freedom in Christ. At the moment you're singing your loudest praises, I'll overpower your mind with evil. I'll bring up your sin to you so powerfully, you'll despair of ever being free. You are powerless."
How do we answer Satan's accusations? "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). It doesn't matter how many temptations Satan throws at you. You needn't fear any sin from your past. If Christ's blood has covered it, then the devil can't do anything to separate you from the Father.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Introduction to the temptation of Jesus
- Understanding the nature of Satan's offer
- The significance of worship in the temptation
-
II
- Satan's motives for tempting Jesus
- The stakes of Jesus' mission
- The eternal consequences for Satan
-
III
- The relevance of temptation in our lives
- Satan's tactics against believers
- The power of accusations and despair
-
IV
- The biblical response to temptation
- The promise of resistance
- The assurance of victory through Christ
Key Quotes
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — David Wilkerson
“Satan was challenging Jesus, saying, 'I promise that if you'll merely bow down at my feet...'” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Recognize the tactics of Satan and be prepared to resist them with Scripture.
- Embrace your identity in Christ and reject any accusations that lead to despair.
- Regularly remind yourself of the victory you have through Jesus' sacrifice.