Chasing Away the Vultures
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of rejecting negative thoughts and standing firm in God's promises through spiritual warfare.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the significance of God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15, illustrating how, when Abraham made sacrifices, vultures descended upon them, symbolizing the attacks of Satan. He explains that just as Abraham chased away the vultures, believers must confront and dispel the doubts and fears instigated by the enemy, especially when they are pursuing God's promises. Wilkerson encourages Christians to measure their thoughts against the truth of God's Word, rejecting any feelings of unworthiness or insecurity that do not align with God's promises. He reassures that the sacrifices made for the Lord are honored and that believers have powerful weapons to combat spiritual attacks. Ultimately, the message is one of empowerment and assurance in the face of spiritual opposition.
Text
In Genesis 15, God made a glorious agreement with Abraham. He instructed the patriarch to take a female heifer and a female goat and cut them in two. Then Abraham was to take a turtledove and a pigeon and lay them on the ground, head to head. Abraham did as he was instructed, and as these creatures lay bleeding, vultures began to descend on the carcasses. Suddenly, Abraham felt a terrible darkness surrounding him. What was this darkness? It was Satan in a panic.
How do you think Satan reacts when he sees all the promises of God becoming yours, as you give your life to Jesus? The devil goes into a jealous rage. Then when he sees your firm resolve to go all the way with the Lord, there is only one way for him to react: all of hell goes into a panic!
What did Abraham do when the vultures came? Scripture says he chased them away. Likewise, the Lord has shown us a way to deal with menacing vultures. We don't have to be afraid of the devil's attacks, because we have been given mighty weapons of warfare.
Whenever any voice of doubt or questioning of God comes into my mind, I have to line it up against what I know about my loving Lord. I can't accept any thoughts as true if they are based on simply what I am feeling in the moment. They have to be measured against Jesus' promises to me about himself and about the victory he has won for me.
Simply put, if thoughts come to me that are accusing--if they cause doubt and fear, or are condemning, or bring a sense of rejection--I know they are not of God. We all have to be prepared for such horrible thoughts to come. Even the Lord Jesus was subject to these kinds of thoughts from the enemy during his wilderness temptation.
When vultures come at you, bringing thoughts of unworthiness and insecurity, chase them away with God's Word. The sacrifice that the Lord has led you to make is pleasing to him, and he will honor it.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to God's covenant with Abraham
- The significance of the sacrifice
- The appearance of vultures as a metaphor for spiritual attacks
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II
- Satan's reaction to God's promises
- The panic in hell when believers stand firm
- Understanding the nature of spiritual warfare
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III
- Abraham's response to the vultures
- The importance of chasing away negative thoughts
- Using God's Word as a weapon
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IV
- Recognizing thoughts that are not from God
- The example of Jesus in the wilderness
- Preparing for spiritual attacks
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V
- The power of God's promises
- Honoring sacrifices made for the Lord
- Living in victory over doubt and fear
Key Quotes
“Whenever any voice of doubt or questioning of God comes into my mind, I have to line it up against what I know about my loving Lord.” — David Wilkerson
“If thoughts come to me that are accusing--if they cause doubt and fear, or are condemning, or bring a sense of rejection--I know they are not of God.” — David Wilkerson
“When vultures come at you, bringing thoughts of unworthiness and insecurity, chase them away with God's Word.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Regularly meditate on God's Word to combat negative thoughts.
- Recognize and reject any thoughts that bring doubt or fear.
- Trust in God's promises and honor the sacrifices made in faith.