AM: “Revival is Something Satan Always Opposes”

TEXT:  EZRA 4

Introduction: The work of Satan hindering the work of God on earth.

Satan is the …

>deceiver of men Revelation 12:9, 13:4-9, 18:3, 23, 19:20, 20:7-8

>accuser of the brethren Revelation 12:10-11, Job 1:9, 2:5, Zech. 3:1-2

>enemy of God Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:13-19

I. Satan supplies opposition to God’s work on earth vss. 1-6

  1. Satan will sometimes attack us physically
  1. Satan will sometimes attack us emotionally
  2. Satan will sometimes attack us politically      II Corinthians 4:3-6,     Matthew 4:8-9, John 12:27-43, 14:30, Ephesians 2:2, 6:12, I John 5:19, Revelation 20:2-3 Exodus 23:20-22, Numbers 22:22, I Samuel 1:5-6

I Kings 5:4, 11:14, 23, 25, Esther 7:6, Job 31:35, Psalm 74:10   I Timothy 5:14-15, I Peter 5:6-11

II. Satan’s servants rarely give up until they hinder the work of God vss. 7-16

  1. One government leader can change what a previous one has done     Malachi 3:6
  1. Fear of competition or popular opinion is the downfall of many leaders     Proverbs 29:25
  1. It is always a bad decision to make a decision before you know the facts Proverbs 18:13, Deuteronomy 13:!4

III. Satan will even use some in government to try to hinder God’s people vss. 17-24

  1. Some government leaders oppose God’s work if they feel it is a threat vss. 17-20
  1. Government leaders come and go, but God remains the same vss. 21-22     Hebrews 13:5-9, Matthew 16:17-19
  1. Satan’s servant may hinder God’s work, but they can never stop it vss. 23-24