Pastor A. L. Perkins from Tabernacle of Faith Missionary Baptist Church of San Francisco, California was our guest speaker today. He preached, "You Can Survive the Sifting!" He used Luke 22:30-31 as his reference scriptures.
Jesus was on his way to the cross. He wanted to prepare his disciples for all that they would experience. Just like us, they didn't understand. In order to get Peter's attention Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (New Living Translation)
This passage holds three points that can encourage us today.
The Attack of Satan - The King James Version says, "Satan hath desired to have you". The enemy is a true enemy! He desires to devour us, distract us, and destroy us! 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (King James Version) Yes, the enemy is out to get us but God has given us power and authority over him! James 4:7 says, "Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you." (Common English Bible) Did you hear that? The devil will run from you when you submit yourself to God!
The Assurance of the Savior - The word "but" is a conjunction. You already know this. The word connects two parts of a sentence and basically cancels out the previous statement. Yes, the enemy wants to destroy you, BUT Jesus has prayed for you! Romans 8:34 says, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (King James Version) It's wonderful to know that others are praying for you, but even if they forget we have the assurance that Jesus will never forget. You can be confident that Jesus is praying the right prayer at the right time. Pastor Perkins summed it up in three words; Intercession, Intervention, and Inspiration. Jesus is interceding for us, this is intervention in our struggles, and knowing this should inspire us. We don't have to worry because, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Psalm 23:6 (King James Version)
The Assignment of the Saint - Jesus spoke to Peter prophetically. He said,"When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” Luke 22:32 (Message) Jesus knew that Peter would survive the sifting and he knew afterward Peter would be able to strengthen the other disciples! After denying the Lord, Peter turned around and became a strong preacher of the Gospel! He preached on the Day of Pentecost and "That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up." Acts 2:41 (Message) Pastor Perkins used the example of GPS. Many times the navigation system says go right and we go left. It will then recalculate and give us new directions to get us back on track. We have to trust God, even when we can't trace God!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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