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Sunday November 6, 2016
Satan’s Most Attractive Lies: Lies Regarding Our Congregation
(Pastor)Lord, sanctify [us] by the truth
(Congregation)Your word, O Lord, is truth
Each Sunday morning for the past 6 weeks, we have been exploring a different area where
Satan spins his lies trying to deceive us, sidetrack us, and hurt us in any way he can
We have looked at lies about the devil and sin at lies about ourselves and our walk with God and
at lies about the Bible. This morning on Last Judgment Sunday we will go a little different
direction and look at The Lies the Devil Tells Us … Regarding Our Congregation. Yes, Satan
even tells lies to our members about our congregation. And he also tells lies about our roles in
this congregation. Of course, his ultimate goal in telling these lies is to negatively impact God’s
work done in and by our congregation. As always, this list of lies isn’t complete. There are
always more. But these are some that I think Satan likes to tell and which some of us believe.
First we’ll consider some of the lies the devil likes to tell regarding our congregation and then
we’ll look as some he likes to tell regarding our involvement in our congregation. Here’s the first
major deception the devil would like us to believe. The Devil Tells Us … Our Congregation
Will Always Be Here. And maybe it will be, by God’s good grace! But to expect it to always be
here regardless of how we carry on our ministry is accepting a false premise. And if we accept
this false premise the devil has us right where he wants us. And the more of us who accept this
false premise the greater the negative impact the devil can have on our ministry. This false
premise promotes unhealthy attitudes and fosters selfish and untrue mindsets which the devil is
only too happy to encourage: The devil is delighted if he can convince us that these statements
are true:
1) We’re doing what we’ve always done; it’s always worked
In other words, this congregation has been here for 130 years! We’ve always had worship
services. We’ve always baptized and we’ve always communed. We’ve always had Bibles and
hymnals. We’ve always had the basic things a church needs. We’ve always had a congregation.
What we’ve done and the way we’ve done it has always worked. Why would it be any different
for the next 130 years? All of which leads to this related lie
2) We don’t need to change
If it ain’t broken don’t fix it! We done “church” pretty much the same way all these years and
that should be how we always do “church” in the future. It doesn’t matter how the people of the
world looks at things. It doesn’t matter how our society and culture has changed. It doesn’t
matter if doing some things a bit differently in some areas would be more attractive to outsiders
we don’t need to change any of our traditions. “Furthermore,” the devil will tell us
3) We’re a Bible-based, confessional Lutheran church
The people of our community need a Bible-based, confessional Lutheran church. There are fewer
and fewer of these churches around which makes us a very precious commodity. The people
around us should recognize that they need this that they need us. They should seek us out
because here we are. We’ve got a church sign out front and even a church website. Our doors are
open every Sunday morning. We’re a Bible-based, confessional Lutheran church and we’re
doing everything we are supposed to do. “Which is why,” the devil would have us believe
4) God will preserve us
Because we have a long history. Because we are a Bible-based, confessional church. Because we
are exactly what people need. God will preserve us no matter what do or don’t do as a
congregation. God needs us here so he will never let us fall apart .
Well, these are all convenient and comfortable words which probably most or all of us would
love to believe. But are they true words? What does our Lord say? We’ll look at his Words now
but first our prayer (Pastor)Lord, sanctify [us] by the truth (Congregation)Your word, O
Lord, is truth. Satan wants us as complacent as possible regarding our congregation. If possible,
he likes it even better if we are apathetic about our congregation’s ministry and future. Because
the more of us who are complacent or even apathetic about St. Paul Lutheran Church the more
the devil can derail our work for God here.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus personally addresses seven churches. His words vary from
church to church but in every case they are sobering. And in every case, each church eventually
ceased to exist. If that can happen to the early Christian churches it can certainly happen to us!
But listen to some of Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea. They speak specifically about
complacency and apathy the very attitudes Satan would instill in our congregation and every
other Christian congregation, if he can. (Revelation 3:14-16)
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the
faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are
neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are
lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Clearly the Lord
does not like complacency and apathy. In fact, it probably isn’t overstating it to say that the Lord
despises those attitudes. We have no right to “rest on our laurels” We have no reason to be
content simply because we are continuing to exist as a congregation. The Lord never guarantees
that a congregation even if it is doctrinally sound will always exist. If we as a congregation are
not faithful in doing his work the Lord may take his blessing elsewhere.
In fact, history shows us this can happen. What work does God expect us to do for him?
Really, it’s summarized beautifully and succinctly in what is now known as “The Great
Commission” Now most people think of “The Great Commission” as a command from Jesus to
spread the gospel and it certainly is that. But there are really a number of very specific
commands in these words from Jesus. Listen carefully as you read (Matthew 28:18-20) Then
Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to
me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Did you
catch the different commands? This describes the work our Savior would have us do as
individuals and as a congregation. He wants us to go with his Gospel. He wants us make
disciples. And then he tells us how to make and keep people as his disciples. By baptizing them
and by teaching them God’s Word through which the Holy Spirit actively works. To summarize
Christ’s work then based on Christ’s own words it comes down to 2 key aspects. Jesus says “Use
my word to make disciples of those who aren’t yet “And use my word to teach those who are
disciples.
In other words, Jesus wants his churches to do both outreach and in-reach. There should be a
healthy balance of both. Healthy churches, churches with proper attitudes are actively doing
both. Which is exactly why Satan will try to build an attitude of complacency in a congregation.
He doesn’t want congregations to actively do what Jesus commands. Here’s another tack the
devil takes. It is very different than the first tack. This deception is not trying to foster an attitude
of complacency but an attitude of despair among church members. Here’s the basic premise the
devil would have church members believe about their church. The Devil Tells Us … Our
Congregation Cannot Survive as It Is
Rather than promoting the idea that our congregation is absolutely fine … and will always be
fine this deception would have people believe that our congregation is doomed. Here are some of
the ideas Satan suggests to bring people to that conclusion:
1) We’re a Bible-based, confessional Lutheran church
Wait a minute, didn’t we see that idea before, used to support that fact that God will always
preserve our congregation? Yes, we did. But the devil pushes this concept in a different manner
in this deception. I’ll explain it in a moment. But first, let’s consider some other very similar lies
2) Our liturgical worship services are unattractive
“No one in today’s world,” the devil argues, “would want to come to an old-fashioned type of
worship service “Liturgical worship services are boring and unattractive to everybody who did
not grow up with them,” says the devil. And he also says this:
3) Our refusal to alter doctrine to “modern times” is unappealing
And another very similar lie
4) Our antique ways are outdated and irrelevant to people today
The devil loves these lies and promotes them heavily. Here’s what the devil is pushing in these
arguments: He would have us believe that if we are going to survive as a congregation. If we are
going to appeal to the unchurched folks around us. If we are going to get unbelievers from our
current culture into our doors and into our congregation than we have got to loosen up in regard
to some of our confessional doctrines and traditional practices. Believing that all of the Bible is
100% true. Believing in creation instead of evolution. Or that God is all he says he is in the
Bible. Or that Jesus really, physically rose from the dead just won’t work says Satan. Believing
and teaching that sexual intimacy outside of marriage is wrong. Or teaching that those other
morals that the Bible teaches are still right. Or that only certain people should come forward to
take Communion in our church. Or that the Biblical presentation of men’s and women’s roles
still applies. Or believing and teaching any other doctrine that is not politically correct and
culturally acceptable is going to kill us as a congregation. “These ideas have no application to the
modern world,” says Satan. “They have no relevance” “They will not be accepted by anyone in
our society anymore” “So if you want to survive as a congregation,” the devil tells us, “you’ve
got to get more modern in your church” Our Lord has a completely different message.
First, let’s pray and proclaim. (Pastor)Lord, sanctify [us] by the truth. (Congregation)Your
word, O Lord, is truth. Satan wants us thinking that there is no hope. There is nothing that we
as a church can do. Our congregation is hopelessly out of touch with society and has nothing of
relevance to share with anyone. Here’s what God says and hear it well! (Isaiah 55:10-11) As the
rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the
earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the
eater,so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will
accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Why will God’s word
accomplish God’s desire and purpose? The Lord tells us through his prophet Jeremiah.
(Jeremiah 23:29) "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that
breaks a rock in pieces? There is nothing that can stand up to the power of God’s word. Not
societal attitudes. Not long-held beliefs. Not strongly embraced opinions. Not the greatest
worldly wisdom. Nothing! Because God the Holy Spirit lives in God’s word and God the Holy
Spirit uses God’s word to burn through unbelief and to crush the doubt in stubborn hearts.
As Paul explains (Romans 1:16) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of
God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Satan would have us believe that our
congregation has nothing to offer to outsiders. God, however, shows us that we have everything
to offer and that we have the means to do it as well God’s holy, powerful, saving Word. It’s the
same word that has saved you and me. It’s the same word that keeps us in the faith. It’s the same
word that shows us God’s Son, Jesus, loving the world, entering the word, living, and suffering
and dying in the world, specifically to save the world and to save you and me and to save anyone
who believes in him. You see, that’s the truth that makes the Bible incredibly relevant to
everyone in the world. Because everyone is a sinner. And everyone knows they are a sinner. And
everyone wrestles with guilt and regret with shame and sorrow because of the stupid, sinful
things they have done. Consequently the message that they have a Savior who has taken on their
sin and suffered for their sin and atoned completely for their sin and brought them forgiveness
for their sin is incredibly relevant. It’s a wonderful truth we know. It’s a wonderful truth we need
to share both amongst ourselves in our congregation and with our community, in whatever way
we can. So the devil works very hard to deceive us in regard to our congregation’s role. He also
works very hard to deceive us in regard to our role within our congregation.
Here’s the first approach he will take to try to mislead us: The Devil Tells Us … Our
Congregation Is All About Me. The devil wants to convince us that St. Paul’s exists especially
to serve our personal needs and to match up with our personal desires. Now, of course, no one
would ever admit to having such an idea. Probably most wouldn’t even consider the possibility
that they harbor such an idea within them. But what do our attitudes show? What do our actions
demonstrate? Satan wants us believing that our church is here primarily for our own benefit. So
he tries to get us to believe things like this
1) I know what is best for our congregation
The devil will argue that “You have been here longer than most. Or you have recently come in to
the congregation. Or you have talked to many in the congregation. Or you have more experience
in other congregations. Or you have more education than others so you are in the position to
really know what is best for our church. “Furthermore,” Satan wants to think that
2) Only people like me should come here
Satan will tell us that “St. Paul’s has largely been the same in regard to her members for much of
her history. And the people here all generally have the same views. So to bring in others from a
different culture. Or with different life experiences. Or who look at things differently would be
uncomfortable for the new folks and uncomfortable for many who are already here and it would
certainly be uncomfortable for you. So it’s best if that doesn’t happen. “Furthermore, Satan
wants us to hold to these attittudes
3) This church exists to make me happy
“And,”
4) If I’m not happy about something at church … no one will be happy
“You have the right and the obligation to make sure you get your way” says Satan. “You should
be lobbying among the members to pull them to your point of view” “And if others aren’t wise
enough to see that you are right well, you’ll just have to forcefully show them,” whispers Satan.
“Even if it causes some friction even it causes dissension” “It’s worth it to get your way” Now
again, most people who have listened to Satan’s lies in this regard don’t even realize they have
this attitude. And, of course, that’s how Satan wants it. The more we are deceived the more
useful we are to Satan’s efforts. Then he can use us to stifle love within our congregation. Then
he can use us to cause dissension among us. Then he can use us to kill an openness that would
welcome the unchurched. Which is why God addresses these things beautifully in his Holy
Word.
Let’s pray and proclaim. (Pastor)Lord, sanctify [us] by the truth. (Congregation)Your
word, O Lord, is truth. What does God say about selfishness? Listen to his words in
Philippians. We have referred to these words often recently in both our Bible class and sermons.
But they are so appropriate. They show us God’s heart and the hearts he wants us to have
because we recognize his love. (Philippians 2:1-5) If you have any encouragement from
being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if
any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having
the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not
only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.Your attitude should be the
same as that of Christ Jesus: That’s not how the devil would have us operate within our
congregation but our Lord couldn’t be clearer. And our Savior set the ultimate example to follow
Finally, here’s another lie the devil will bring before us. The Devil Tells Us … Our
Congregation Doesn’t Need Me. Here are some of the variations of that lie. Satan wants us to
think things like this
1) I have nothing to offer to the Lord’s work here
2) I don’t have the time to help with the Lord’s work here
3) What I do doesn’t make a difference
4) I am not needed; others will do it
Satan’s goal should be obvious. He wants to discourage as many of God’s people as he can from
actively serving the Lord in their congregation. Because the more people that check out of
serving the Lord in their congregation the more the Lord’s work is hindered in that congregation.
And the more influence Satan can have.
Let’s pray. (Pastor)Lord, sanctify [us] by the truth (Congregation)Your word, O Lord, is
truth. Satan says You have nothing to offer to the Lord’s work here. God says You DO have
something to offer to the Lord’s work. I have given you special and wonderful gifts. Satan says
You don’t have the time to help with the Lord’s work here. God says You CAN make the time
to help with the Lord’s work if you try. Everyone can be involved in some way even if it’s
service that requires less time. Satan says What you do doesn’t make a difference. God says
What you do DOES make a difference. Everything you do in your congregation is a benefit to
my work among you. Satan says You are not needed; others will do it. God says You ARE
needed. Others can’t do it all nor should they. Where does God say these things? Well, he
describes these truths in great detail in 1 Corinthians 12 (We read some of the verses in our
Epistle reading today I urge you to read them all on your own!) But here is a short and clear
summary of the 1 Corinthians 12 verses: The Holy Spirit gives it to us through the Apostle Peter.
(1 Peter 4:7, 10-11) The end of all things is near. Each one should use whatever gift he has
received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If
anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he
should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised
through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.We all
have God-given gifts. They are different gifts but we all have at least one. God wants us to use
our gifts in his church because we have something to offer that will benefit God’s work here.
God also wants us to use our gifts because the end of all things is near. You see, the more we
use our gifts in God’s church the more God’s people in the church are blessed. And the more
unbelievers come to know their Savior. And the less anyone is inclined to listen to the devil’s
lies. May God help each one of us to eagerly, actively and faithfully use our gifts for God’s work
here in our congregation. Because God will use those offerings of service in wonderful ways.
Let’s pray and proclaim. (Pastor)Lord, sanctify [us] by the truth. (Congregation)Your word,
O Lord, is truth