COMPROMISING WITH THE DEVIL

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2003030

Subject: compromise

Preached Originally: 06/08/03 – Rapid City, SD

 

INTRODUCTION: 

1.  The Devil is a great “Compromiser” .. if he can get us to compromise the truth .. he is well pleased with that accomplishment.

2.  When Moses was getting ready to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage to the land of promise .. the devil tried to make some “Compromises” with them .. these are shown in chapters 8 - 10 .. of the book of Exodus.

3.  We can learn a great deal by studying these “Compromises” offered to Moses.

4.  These same “Compromises” are being offered to God’s people today .. 2003!

 

I.  THE COMPROMISE OF REMAINING IN THE WORLD (Ex 8:25)

    A.  Pharaoh (Full of the Devil) was willing for them to worship their God ..

        1.  But only if they would do it ... “in the land” .. Don’t go out of the country!

    B.  Today .. the Devil has no objection to us worshipping God ...

1. As long as we do not do it in the Lord’s church!

2. He tries to get uninformed people to think that it doesn’t really make any difference!

        3.  Where one worships ... the world says .. “Go anywhere .. just worship”

    C. God ... Cannot ... be worshipped acceptably in any of the world’s denominations!

1. Look what Jesus said in (Jhn 4:24).

2. Yes .. it does make a difference how we worship God ... Jesus said so!!

3. Worshipping according to the commandments of men is vain worship (Mat 15:9-9).

    D.  Look how Moses met this “Compromise?

        1. He said they would sacrifice as the Lord would command  (Ex 8:26-27)

    E. We had better take heed lest we sacrifice the abomination of the world to the Lord.

        1.  Moses was not going to offer just any sacrifice to the Lord (Ex 8:27)

        2. We cannot offer to God in worship .. that .. which He has not authorized!

        3.  We must be guided by the commands of the Lord  .. because ..

        4.  He is the one to be worshipped and to be pleased wit the worship (Heb 8:5).

 

II.  THE COMPROMISE OF LUKE-WARMNESS  (Ex 8:28)

    A. When the Pharaoh saw that Moses was determined to go .. he said ..

        1. “ ... only ye shall not go very far away” 

            a. That sounds very familiar .. doesn’t it?

        2. When we are added to the church of our Lord ..

            a. The Devil does not want us to go very far!

        3. He would like for us to keep one foot .. at least .. in the world!

            a. And far too many are doing that today!

    B. If we must be in the church .. the Devil wants us to be “Worldly Christians.”

        1. He wants us to believe there is no harm in “missing the assemblies.”

        2. He wants us to believe there is no harm in “innocent ... immodest dress.”

        3. He wants us to believe there is no harm in “a little social drinking.”

        4.  He wants us to believe there is no harm in “a little gambling.”

        5.  YES .. If the devil can get us to “Compromise” in this ...

            a. He knows he still has a hold on us!

    C. Our Lord has a lot of “Enemies” right in His church.

        1.They are friends of the world!

            a. A friend of the world is an enemy of God .. (Jas 4:4) (Tit 2:11-12)

        2. Christians must keep themselves out of these worldly .. compromising positions.

 

III. THE COMPROMISE OF UNDEDICATED FAMILIES  (Ex 10:8-11)

    A. Again the Devil offered another compromise to Moses.  Look again!

        1.(v. 11) .. “.. go now that ye are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire...”

        2. Did you understand that said?

            a. The men could go but they were to leave the children.

        3. The Devil does not want us to ... “... bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph 6:4).

    B.  He wants us to forget about our children!  ... “LEAVE THEM TO HIM!”

        1. Many in the church say .. “They are too young to be taking to the assemblies!”

            a. They might disrupt the worship!  ... NONSENSE!!!! ...

            b. What better place to train them than in the worship service?

c.  If they need attention .. fine .. take them out .. when they are settled .. bring them back into the worship! 

d.  I will guarantee you .. they will not disrupt me .. not anyone else if they are paying attention to what is being said!

        2.  There are many excuses why children are not brought to the assemblies.

            a. They have too much home-work ... leave them at home.

            b. They have a ball-game .. they cannot let the team down!

c. They just did not want to come .. who is doing the training .. parents or the child!

        3. If the Devil can get us to “Compromise” in this .. He has us!

    C.  The Devil does not want us to “Teach” our children the word of God!

1. If Dad and Mom must study their Bible lessons .. fine. Do not bother the children!

            a.  The Bible is too hard for them to understand it anyway! (Deu 6:4-9)

        2. I want to show you something that happened to the children of Israel.

            a. Turn with me to (Judges 2:7-10) .. let’s read it together!

 b. Brethren .. if we do not teach our children/grandchildren the truth of God’s word

                1. We will lose them in one generation!

                2. Their souls will be lost to a Devil’s Hell!  Satan will have WON the battle!

    D. My earnest prayer for this church is this ... Look one more time at (Ex 10:9) 

        1. We must do all we can to train ..teach  .. set the example .. pray earnestly ..

            a. That our children/grandchildren will know the Lord and walk in His ways. 

    E. The children of “Today” are the church of “Tomorrow.”

        1. They must be brought up in the faith ..

            a. Listen to what Joshua says in (Josh 24:14-15)

            b. Paul instructed Timothy in (2 Tim 3:14-17)

 c. The best teaching is by .. precept (doctrine) and by your example before them.

                1.  (1 Tim 4:12)   (2 Tim 1:13)

 

IV.  THE COMPROMISE OF UNDEDICATED LIVELIHOODS 

    A. The Devil offers this one last “Compromise” .. Notice what he said  (Ex 10:24)        

        1. If the Devil can just get us to leave our “stuff” .. he has us!

        2. We can go to every service .. including Bible Study ..

            a. And not use our possessions to advance the Kingdom of Heaven!

        3. We can pile up our money in the bank ..

            a. And do not put it to work for the salvation of souls!  (Many are doing this!)

        4. If the Devil can get us to think this way  .. he has us just where he wants us!

    B. How did Moses meet this “Compromise?”

        1. He made no “Compromise” with the Pharaoh ...

            a. Look what he said instead .. (Ex 10:26)

        2. That is the spirit that will take us to heaven.

    C. We must lay “Everything” we have at the feet of the Master.

        1. All that we are .. is to be given as a sacrifice to the Lord (2 Cor 8:1-5).

            a. It takes money to buy food .. clothing .. shelter .. life’s daily needs.

            b. But .. are we really purposing in our hearts when we give on the first day of the week?  (1 Cor 16:2)

        2. Brethren .. the only money we are really saving is what we are putting into the work of the Lord.  (1 Tim 6:10)

 

CONCLUSION:

1. Do not make any “Compromises With The Devil” ... because he will trap you and destroy your soul.

2. The apostle Peter said in (1 Pet 5:8)  ...

3. If you need to correct your life as a Christian or you need to obey the gospel ...

4.  I N V I T A T I O N