Victorious Faith Defeats Satan
Through the story of Job, we learn that victorious faith can defeat Satan's attacks and that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Theodore Epp emphasizes that victorious faith can defeat Satan, as demonstrated in the life of Job. Despite being given permission by God to afflict Job, Satan's attempts only served to strengthen Job's faith and draw him closer to God. Job's response to his calamities reveals his character, showcasing that true faith shines brightest in times of crisis. Epp encourages believers to turn to the Lord in trials, reminding them that God's grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Text
Job 1: 12-22
According to Job 1:12 the Lord gave Satan permission to afflict Job up to a certain point.
God told Satan that he could do what he wanted with all Job had, but he was not to touch Job himself So Satan set out to prove that Job was not what God claimed him to be, but God's purpose was to show that Job was a man of God.
When the great calamities fell upon Job, it was not Satan's lightning nor Satan's whirlwind that brought destruction. The lightning and the wind belong to God. Satan merely had permission from God to use them. Even Job saw this, for he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (v. 21).
The character of a person is generally revealed at a time of sudden crisis. When there is no time for reflection, our true nature is revealed. This is especially true when someone is under as much pressure as Job was.
Satan was defeated by Job's turning to the Lord. The Evil One failed in everything he tried to do against Job. Instead of driving Job away from God, Satan had driven him closer to God. Here was a man who could be faced with all that Satan could cast at him and still stand firm in his faith.
Is this how we react when Satan brings trials and testings into our lives? Or do we cringe and ask why? Do we shake and tremble under the terrible trial?
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).
Sermon Outline
- I. Satan's Permission
- A. God gave Satan permission to afflict Job
- B. Satan's goal was to prove Job was not a man of God
- C. God's purpose was to show Job's faithfulness
- II. Satan's Methods
- A. Satan used God's lightning and whirlwind to bring destruction
- B. Job recognized God's sovereignty in the calamities
- III. Job's Response
- A. Job turned to the Lord in the midst of trials
- B. Job's faith was strengthened, not weakened
- IV. Satan's Defeat
- A. Satan failed to drive Job away from God
- B. Job's faith was victorious over Satan's attacks
Key Quotes
“The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” — Theodore Epp
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- When faced with trials and testings, we can stand firm in our faith by turning to the Lord and trusting in His sovereignty.
- God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, and we can trust in His sufficiency to overcome Satan's attacks.
- We can learn from Job's example and respond to trials with faith and trust in God's goodness.