Characteristics of Satan

(Pastor Harlan preached this in the morning of September 6, 2009)

He Is a Murderer (John 8:44)

• He introduced death by deceiving Adam and Eve.
• He continues to work as a "murderer" nowadays.
• He tempts people to live unhealthy lives.
• He tempts people to eat unhealthy food.
• He distracts people and attract accident.
• He deceives people to keep them spiritually dead.
• He keeps people ignorant of the truth. (Hosea 4:6)

He Is a Liar (John 8:44; Revelations 12:9)

• He twists the truth.
• He deceives.
• He disguises. (II Corinthians 11:14)

He Is a Thief (John 10:10)

• He may steal our time.
• He may steal our health.
• He may steal our learning. (Matthew 13:19)
• He may steal our opportunities.
• He may steal our happiness.

He Is a Busy Worker (I Peter 5:8)

• He looks at all possibilities to let Christians down.
• He doesn't grow weary.
• He doesn't easily give up.
• He is not omnipresent, but he roams around.
• He has a team that works for and with him (the demons).
• I John 4:4 - BUT GREATER IS HE (GOD) WHO IS IN US!

He Is a Loser (Ephesians 1:21-23; James 2:19)

• Christ has triumphed at the cross!
• We must exercise His victory in our lives!
• Avoid negative thoughts and confessions!
• Focus on the positive!
• Count your blessings!

The Christian and His Tongue

James 3:3-12

The Need to Understand the Tongue (verses 3-6)

• Speech Has Tremendous Power
• Speech Has Destructive Power

The Need to Control the Tongue (verses 7-8)

• James was not declaring an impossibility.
• James was leaving a challenge to put the tongue under control

The Need to Sanctify the Tongue (verses 9-12)

• Good and evil from one source
• Effect of inconsistency on credibility
• Bearing the right fruit through speech

Looking Ahead

(Pastor Harlan originally preached this as a year-ender message last December 2006.)

Looking Ahead Thankfully

• 2 Samuel 2:50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
• 1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
• Nehemiah 12:31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
• Revelation 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

Looking Ahead Hopefully

• 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
• The Bible speaks of both long-term and short-term hope. Long-term hope refers to our expectation of the coming of Christ. Short-term hope refers to optimism of our immediate future.
• Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Looking Ahead Purposefully

• Proverbs 3:6,7 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
• God prepares our path, but it is our duty to prepare our walk!