The Devil Has Limits

And Satan is a great blinder. And Satan is a great blinder. Question is, is he ultimately powerful Question is, is he ultimately powerful Question is, is he ultimately powerful in his blinding or does God have final in his blinding or does God have final in his blinding or does God have final say whether light breaks into your life? say whether light breaks into your life? say whether light breaks into your life? Two verses later, verse 6 of chapter 4 Two verses later, verse 6 of chapter 4 Two verses later, verse 6 of chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians says this. God who said of 2 Corinthians says this. God who said of 2 Corinthians says this. God who said let light shine out of darkness has let light shine out of darkness has let light shine out of darkness has shone in our hearts to give the light of shone in our hearts to give the light of shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the the knowledge of the glory of God in the the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. face of Jesus Christ. face of Jesus Christ. When God resolves to make lights go on When God resolves to make lights go on When God resolves to make lights go on in your [music] heart, no devil can stop in your [music] heart, no devil can stop in your [music] heart, no devil can stop him. him. him. Chances are there are people [music] in Chances are there are people [music] in Chances are there are people [music] in your life right now who seem completely your life right now who seem completely your life right now who seem completely uninterested in Jesus. And maybe [music] uninterested in Jesus. And maybe [music] uninterested in Jesus. And maybe [music] you've prayed for them for years. Maybe you've prayed for them for years. Maybe you've prayed for them for years. Maybe you've shared the gospel with them a you've shared the gospel with them a you've shared the gospel with them a number of times. And yet it can feel number of times. And yet it can feel number of times. And yet it can feel impossible to imagine anything changing. impossible to imagine anything changing. impossible to imagine anything changing. I'm your host Dan Kruver. In this I'm your host Dan Kruver. In this I'm your host Dan Kruver. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper episode of Light and Truth, John Piper episode of Light and Truth, John Piper reminds [music] us that not even the reminds [music] us that not even the reminds [music] us that not even the devil can stop the light when God devil can stop the light when God devil can stop the light when God chooses [music] to shine it into chooses [music] to shine it into chooses [music] to shine it into someone's heart. This message was someone's heart. This message was someone's heart. This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem originally delivered at Bethlehem originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church [music] on August 19th, Baptist Church [music] on August 19th, Baptist Church [music] on August 19th, 2007.

Satan is a murderer from beginning to Satan is a murderer from beginning to end. He's a murderer. Jesus said so. end. He's a murderer. Jesus said so. end. He's a murderer. Jesus said so. Has the devil since his fall taken out Has the devil since his fall taken out Has the devil since his fall taken out of the hand of the Almighty the gift of of the hand of the Almighty the gift of of the hand of the Almighty the gift of life and death? [snorts] He has not. Deuteronomy 32:39. [snorts] He has not. Deuteronomy 32:39. See now, says the Lord, I I am he, and See now, says the Lord, I I am he, and See now, says the Lord, I I am he, and there is no God besides me. It is I who there is no God besides me. It is I who there is no God besides me. It is I who put to death and give life. I wounded put to death and give life. I wounded put to death and give life. I wounded and it is I who heal and there is no one and it is I who heal and there is no one and it is I who heal and there is no one who can deliver from my hand. who can deliver from my hand. who can deliver from my hand. And you remember the book of James, And you remember the book of James, And you remember the book of James, [snorts] James 4:15. Don't say I will go up to such and such Don't say I will go up to such and such a town, spend a year there and get gain. a town, spend a year there and get gain. a town, spend a year there and get gain. What is your life? It's a vapor. You What is your life? It's a vapor. You What is your life? It's a vapor. You don't know about tomorrow. rather say, don't know about tomorrow. rather say, don't know about tomorrow. rather say, "If the Lord wills, I will live and get "If the Lord wills, I will live and get "If the Lord wills, I will live and get gain.

gain. gain. And if he doesn't, I won't. If I make it And if he doesn't, I won't. If I make it And if he doesn't, I won't. If I make it home tonight, home tonight, home tonight, God got me home. And if I have a heart God got me home. And if I have a heart God got me home. And if I have a heart attack on the way home, God took me attack on the way home, God took me attack on the way home, God took me home." But he does not have ultimate say on But he does not have ultimate say on whom he murders. God does. When Satan whom he murders. God does. When Satan whom he murders. God does. When Satan wants to destroy a saint, wants to destroy a saint, wants to destroy a saint, Satan's really stupid. Satan's really stupid. Satan's really stupid. When he wants to destroy a saint, he When he wants to destroy a saint, he When he wants to destroy a saint, he must get permission before he touches must get permission before he touches must get permission before he touches him. him. him. So he comes to God and says, So he comes to God and says, So he comes to God and says, "Job only worships you because he's "Job only worships you because he's "Job only worships you because he's rich. rich. rich. If I take his camels, donkeys, servants, If I take his camels, donkeys, servants, If I take his camels, donkeys, servants, he'll curse you. he'll curse you. he'll curse you. And God gives him permission. But he And God gives him permission. But he And God gives him permission. But he puts a limit. Don't you touch his body.

puts a limit. Don't you touch his body. puts a limit. Don't you touch his body. So he kills them all. So he kills them all. So he kills them all. Job falls on his face. The Lord gave and Job falls on his face. The Lord gave and Job falls on his face. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away the Lord has taken away the Lord has taken away the Lord. the Lord. the Lord. Satan has to get permission to go after Satan has to get permission to go after Satan has to get permission to go after his body and he gets it. But don't you his body and he gets it. But don't you his body and he gets it. But don't you kill him. kill him. kill him. Isn't that remarkable? Isn't that remarkable? Isn't that remarkable? So, Satan does harm to us. Oh, he does. So, Satan does harm to us. Oh, he does. So, Satan does harm to us. Oh, he does. But not But not But not without God's say. without God's say. without God's say. Satan is a great tempter in your life. Satan is a great tempter in your life. Satan is a great tempter in your life. He'll tempt you before you go to bed He'll tempt you before you go to bed He'll tempt you before you go to bed tonight. tonight. tonight. He wants you to sin more than he wants He wants you to sin more than he wants He wants you to sin more than he wants anything. Get you sinning and sinning anything. Get you sinning and sinning anything. Get you sinning and sinning and sinning so that you make a shipwreck and sinning so that you make a shipwreck and sinning so that you make a shipwreck of your life. of your life. of your life. He was behind, the Bible says clearly He was behind, the Bible says clearly He was behind, the Bible says clearly and you all know this. He was behind the and you all know this. He was behind the and you all know this. He was behind the three denials of Peter. However, However, somebody else was also there behind somebody else was also there behind somebody else was also there behind them. Let me read you these amazing them. Let me read you these amazing them. Let me read you these amazing words from Luke 22:31.

Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, Simon, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you behold, Satan has demanded to sift you behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat. Just like Satan coming to like wheat. Just like Satan coming to like wheat. Just like Satan coming to God in the case of Job, he came to God God in the case of Job, he came to God God in the case of Job, he came to God in the case of Peter. Satan has demanded in the case of Peter. Satan has demanded in the case of Peter. Satan has demanded that he might sift you like wheat. What that he might sift you like wheat. What that he might sift you like wheat. What that means is he wants to take Peter and that means is he wants to take Peter and that means is he wants to take Peter and through some kind of fear or sin squish through some kind of fear or sin squish through some kind of fear or sin squish him through the great so that Peter him through the great so that Peter him through the great so that Peter comes out here and faith stays there and comes out here and faith stays there and comes out here and faith stays there and you got a faithless Peter with faith you got a faithless Peter with faith you got a faithless Peter with faith sifted out. That's what was going on sifted out. That's what was going on sifted out. That's what was going on that night. Get faith out of this guy. that night. Get faith out of this guy. that night. Get faith out of this guy. Make him really afraid. Take all faith Make him really afraid. Take all faith Make him really afraid. Take all faith out of his life. That's what Satan out of his life. That's what Satan out of his life. That's what Satan designed to do. [snorts] Let me keep designed to do. [snorts] Let me keep designed to do. [snorts] Let me keep reading. Simon, Simon, Satan has reading. Simon, Simon, Satan has reading. Simon, Simon, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat, but I demanded to sift you like wheat, but I demanded to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may have prayed for you that your faith may have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. not fail. not fail. When you have turned again, strengthen When you have turned again, strengthen When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. your brothers. your brothers. He did not say, "If you turn again, I He did not say, "If you turn again, I He did not say, "If you turn again, I hope you'll be a strengthener."

hope you'll be a strengthener." hope you'll be a strengthener." He was sovereign He was sovereign He was sovereign over Satan's designs right there. I'm over Satan's designs right there. I'm over Satan's designs right there. I'm praying for you, Peter. I have praying for you, Peter. I have praying for you, Peter. I have interceded with the Almighty God. And we interceded with the Almighty God. And we interceded with the Almighty God. And we have decided you will deny me three have decided you will deny me three have decided you will deny me three times. No more. times. No more. times. No more. You will cry, and when you cry, you will You will cry, and when you cry, you will You will cry, and when you cry, you will repent. And when you repent, you will repent. And when you repent, you will repent. And when you repent, you will become a rock, and on this rock, I will become a rock, and on this rock, I will become a rock, and on this rock, I will build my church. the God of this world has blinded the the God of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. minds of unbelievers. minds of unbelievers. So, Satan is a great blinder. Some of So, Satan is a great blinder. Some of So, Satan is a great blinder. Some of you in this room right now are you in this room right now are you in this room right now are spiritually blind. Meaning, you're spiritually blind. Meaning, you're spiritually blind. Meaning, you're listening to me and this message right listening to me and this message right listening to me and this message right now means nothing to you. You just want now means nothing to you. You just want now means nothing to you. You just want to get out of here because Satan has to get out of here because Satan has to get out of here because Satan has blinded your mind. blinded your mind. blinded your mind. You have no spiritual taste buds. Truth You have no spiritual taste buds. Truth You have no spiritual taste buds. Truth like I'm speaking here doesn't do like I'm speaking here doesn't do like I'm speaking here doesn't do anything. Might make you mad, but it anything. Might make you mad, but it anything. Might make you mad, but it doesn't surely awaken worship or passion doesn't surely awaken worship or passion doesn't surely awaken worship or passion or zeal or love or resolve to obey.

or zeal or love or resolve to obey. or zeal or love or resolve to obey. That's a spiritual work of God. And That's a spiritual work of God. And That's a spiritual work of God. And Satan is a great blinder. Satan is a great blinder. Satan is a great blinder. question is, is he ultimately powerful in his is he ultimately powerful in his blinding or does God have final say blinding or does God have final say blinding or does God have final say whether light breaks into your life? whether light breaks into your life? whether light breaks into your life? Two verses later, verse six of chapter 4 Two verses later, verse six of chapter 4 Two verses later, verse six of chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians says this. God who of 2 Corinthians says this. God who of 2 Corinthians says this. God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness said, "Let light shine out of darkness said, "Let light shine out of darkness has shone in our hearts to give the has shone in our hearts to give the has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of light of the knowledge of the glory of light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." God in the face of Jesus Christ." God in the face of Jesus Christ." When God resolves to make lights go on When God resolves to make lights go on When God resolves to make lights go on in your heart, no devil can stop him. in your heart, no devil can stop him. in your heart, no devil can stop him. And so here I am back at my question And so here I am back at my question And so here I am back at my question about the origin of Satan's sinfulness. about the origin of Satan's sinfulness. about the origin of Satan's sinfulness. Is God helpless before the will of his Is God helpless before the will of his Is God helpless before the will of his own angels? own angels? own angels? [snorts] Is there power outside God [snorts] Is there power outside God [snorts] Is there power outside God himself, outside of him which limits his himself, outside of him which limits his himself, outside of him which limits his rule over them?

And my conclusion is that from cover to And my conclusion is that from cover to cover, cover, cover, this book presents God as governing this book presents God as governing this book presents God as governing Satan in all he does. Satan in all he does. Satan in all he does. No exceptions. No exceptions. No exceptions. And therefore, I would never ever And therefore, I would never ever And therefore, I would never ever biblically biblically biblically extrapolate extrapolate extrapolate infer infer infer back into eternity and say back into eternity and say back into eternity and say Satan got the upper hand or God was Satan got the upper hand or God was Satan got the upper hand or God was helpless. God couldn't exert enough helpless. God couldn't exert enough helpless. God couldn't exert enough influence to win this guy's allegiance. influence to win this guy's allegiance. influence to win this guy's allegiance. Like he could get yours Like he could get yours Like he could get yours but he couldn't get Satan's. but he couldn't get Satan's. but he couldn't get Satan's. No. God holds sway over the wills of his No. God holds sway over the wills of his No. God holds sway over the wills of his angels. He commands evil spirits and angels. He commands evil spirits and angels. He commands evil spirits and they obey him. they obey him. they obey him. Therefore, if they disobey, Therefore, if they disobey, Therefore, if they disobey, he ordained that they disobey. he ordained that they disobey. he ordained that they disobey. He permitted them to disobey. He permitted them to disobey. He permitted them to disobey. If God permits Satan's fall, If God permits Satan's fall, If God permits Satan's fall, it isn't because he's helpless. It's it isn't because he's helpless. It's it isn't because he's helpless. It's because he's got a purpose for it.

because he's got a purpose for it. because he's got a purpose for it. What's his purpose? If he chooses to What's his purpose? If he chooses to What's his purpose? If he chooses to permit something, he does so for a permit something, he does so for a permit something, he does so for a reason. Just mark that. If he chooses to reason. Just mark that. If he chooses to reason. Just mark that. If he chooses to permit something, he does so for a permit something, he does so for a permit something, he does so for a reason. He's not a willy-nilly God. reason. He's not a willy-nilly God. reason. He's not a willy-nilly God. He doesn't drop the ball. He never says, He doesn't drop the ball. He never says, He doesn't drop the ball. He never says, "Oops. "Oops. "Oops. When he permits a thing, he knows he's When he permits a thing, he knows he's When he permits a thing, he knows he's going to permit it. He designs and he going to permit it. He designs and he going to permit it. He designs and he moves." And he has purposes. moves." And he has purposes. moves." And he has purposes. God is sovereign over Satan. And God is sovereign over Satan. And God is sovereign over Satan. And therefore, Satan's will does not move therefore, Satan's will does not move therefore, Satan's will does not move without God's permission. And therefore, without God's permission. And therefore, without God's permission. And therefore, every move of Satan is part of God's every move of Satan is part of God's every move of Satan is part of God's overall plan and purpose. Every move. So So question, question, question, why if he has that authority, doesn't he why if he has that authority, doesn't he why if he has that authority, doesn't he just wipe him out? just wipe him out? just wipe him out? [sighs] [sighs] [sighs] He's going to do it. He's going to do it. He's going to do it. Revelation 20:10, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 20:10, he takes Satan and casts him into the he takes Satan and casts him into the he takes Satan and casts him into the lake of fire so that he has no effect on lake of fire so that he has no effect on lake of fire so that he has no effect on anyone anymore on the renewed earth.

anyone anymore on the renewed earth. anyone anymore on the renewed earth. He's going to do that. Why not now? He's going to do that. Why not now? He's going to do that. Why not now? Or why not the moment after he fell? Why Or why not the moment after he fell? Why Or why not the moment after he fell? Why didn't God cast Satan into the lake of didn't God cast Satan into the lake of didn't God cast Satan into the lake of fire 30 seconds after the rebellion fire 30 seconds after the rebellion fire 30 seconds after the rebellion started? We saw the ultimate answer last week. We saw the ultimate answer last week. It's why I started with Colossians 1:16. It's why I started with Colossians 1:16. It's why I started with Colossians 1:16. All things were created, including All things were created, including All things were created, including Satan, Satan, Satan, through Christ and for Christ. through Christ and for Christ. through Christ and for Christ. for Christ, for the glory of Christ, for Christ, for the glory of Christ, for Christ, for the glory of Christ, [snorts] the son of God, Jesus Christ, [snorts] the son of God, Jesus Christ, [snorts] the son of God, Jesus Christ, will be honored more highly will be honored more highly will be honored more highly because of the way he defeats Satan because of the way he defeats Satan because of the way he defeats Satan through longsuffering, patience, through longsuffering, patience, through longsuffering, patience, humility, servantthood, suffering, and humility, servantthood, suffering, and humility, servantthood, suffering, and death rather than raw power. death rather than raw power. death rather than raw power. In other words, the whole of the history In other words, the whole of the history In other words, the whole of the history of redemption climaxing in the death of of redemption climaxing in the death of of redemption climaxing in the death of Jesus on the cross to nullify the work Jesus on the cross to nullify the work Jesus on the cross to nullify the work of Satan will bring more glory to Jesus of Satan will bring more glory to Jesus of Satan will bring more glory to Jesus Christ than if he had simply executed Christ than if he had simply executed Christ than if he had simply executed Satan 30 seconds after the rebellion Satan 30 seconds after the rebellion Satan 30 seconds after the rebellion started.

There is a certain glory that comes to a There is a certain glory that comes to a conqueror through raw power. conqueror through raw power. conqueror through raw power. There is more glory that comes to a There is more glory that comes to a There is more glory that comes to a conqueror when he conquers in such a way conqueror when he conquers in such a way conqueror when he conquers in such a way that he wins people's hearts that he wins people's hearts that he wins people's hearts by dying in their place. by dying in their place. by dying in their place. And thus proves himself in the And thus proves himself in the And thus proves himself in the experience of those people to have their experience of those people to have their experience of those people to have their allegiance because he's beautifully allegiance because he's beautifully allegiance because he's beautifully worthy of that allegiance, not because worthy of that allegiance, not because worthy of that allegiance, not because he took it by raw power. he took it by raw power. he took it by raw power. He wins us by the display of his He wins us by the display of his He wins us by the display of his sacrificial life. sacrificial life. sacrificial life. God knows how to get glory for his son. God knows how to get glory for his son. God knows how to get glory for his son. And it takes 2,000 years of redemptive And it takes 2,000 years of redemptive And it takes 2,000 years of redemptive history and 2,000 years of church life history and 2,000 years of church life history and 2,000 years of church life with all of its imperfections to maximize the glory that Jesus Christ to maximize the glory that Jesus Christ is meant to get in this creation. And so is meant to get in this creation. And so is meant to get in this creation. And so I close with this application.

This is very important This is very important because there are people because there are people because there are people I am told I am told I am told like me like me like me who believe in the absolute sovereignty who believe in the absolute sovereignty who believe in the absolute sovereignty of God over the devil. So that the devil of God over the devil. So that the devil of God over the devil. So that the devil never has the upper hand. never has the upper hand. never has the upper hand. And God remains God at every moment and And God remains God at every moment and And God remains God at every moment and in every place. Totally sovereign, in every place. Totally sovereign, in every place. Totally sovereign, allowing what he allows, doing what he allowing what he allows, doing what he allowing what he allows, doing what he does for totally wise does for totally wise does for totally wise purposes. purposes. purposes. There are people like me who draw, I am There are people like me who draw, I am There are people like me who draw, I am told, the inference. told, the inference. told, the inference. Evil's not so serious then. And surely Evil's not so serious then. And surely Evil's not so serious then. And surely you wouldn't want to fight evil because you wouldn't want to fight evil because you wouldn't want to fight evil because you might be found fighting God. you might be found fighting God. you might be found fighting God. [snorts] Well, [snorts] Well, [snorts] Well, here here the last three minutes of this here here the last three minutes of this here here the last three minutes of this sermon. sermon. sermon. There are eight There are eight There are eight things you should do with evil and four things you should do with evil and four things you should do with evil and four things you should never do with evil.

things you should never do with evil. things you should never do with evil. Number one, I'll just tick them off. Number one, I'll just tick them off. Number one, I'll just tick them off. Number one, expect evil. Do not be Number one, expect evil. Do not be Number one, expect evil. Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes upon you. 1 Peter 4:12. Number two, upon you. 1 Peter 4:12. Number two, upon you. 1 Peter 4:12. Number two, endure evil. Love bears all things, endure evil. Love bears all things, endure evil. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, believes all things, hopes all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 endures all things. Love never fails. 1 endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:7. Corinthians 13:7. Corinthians 13:7. Third, give thanks for the refining Third, give thanks for the refining Third, give thanks for the refining effect of evil that comes against you. effect of evil that comes against you. effect of evil that comes against you. Ephesians 5:20, give thanks always for Ephesians 5:20, give thanks always for Ephesians 5:20, give thanks always for everything to God the Father. Number everything to God the Father. Number everything to God the Father. Number four, hate evil. four, hate evil. four, hate evil. Romans 12:9, love, let love be genuine, Romans 12:9, love, let love be genuine, Romans 12:9, love, let love be genuine, abhore what is evil. Number five, pray abhore what is evil. Number five, pray abhore what is evil. Number five, pray for escape from evil. Lead us not into for escape from evil. Lead us not into for escape from evil. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. temptation, but deliver us from evil. temptation, but deliver us from evil. Number six, expose evil. Ephesians 5:11, Number six, expose evil. Ephesians 5:11, Number six, expose evil. Ephesians 5:11, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of "Take no part in the unfruitful works of "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."

Number seven, Number seven, overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21, overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21, overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but "Do not be overcome by evil, but "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Number eight, overcome evil with good." Number eight, overcome evil with good." Number eight, resist evil. resist evil. resist evil. fight evil. James 4:7, James 4:7, resist the devil and he will flee from resist the devil and he will flee from resist the devil and he will flee from you. But on the other hand, the closing you. But on the other hand, the closing you. But on the other hand, the closing four things you should never do with four things you should never do with four things you should never do with evil. Number one, never despair evil. Number one, never despair evil. Number one, never despair that evil that evil that evil is out of God's control. Never despair is out of God's control. Never despair is out of God's control. Never despair that evil is out of God's control. that evil is out of God's control. that evil is out of God's control. Ephesians 1:11, he works all things Ephesians 1:11, he works all things Ephesians 1:11, he works all things according to the counsel of his will. according to the counsel of his will. according to the counsel of his will. Number two, never give in to the sense that because of random evil, life is that because of random evil, life is absurd and meaningless.

absurd and meaningless. absurd and meaningless. That's a great temptation. And if you That's a great temptation. And if you That's a great temptation. And if you read world history, read world history, read world history, world history is a conveyor belt of world history is a conveyor belt of world history is a conveyor belt of corpses. Horribly Horribly murdered corpses. We're not naive about how much evil We're not naive about how much evil there is in the world. At least we try there is in the world. At least we try there is in the world. At least we try not to be. How uncarchable are his not to be. How uncarchable are his not to be. How uncarchable are his judgments. How inscrable his ways. From judgments. How inscrable his ways. From judgments. How inscrable his ways. From him, through him, and to him are all him, through him, and to him are all him, through him, and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Never things. To him be glory forever. Never things. To him be glory forever. Never give in to the sense that because of give in to the sense that because of give in to the sense that because of what appears like horribly random evil, what appears like horribly random evil, what appears like horribly random evil, life is absurd. Number three, life is absurd. Number three, life is absurd. Number three, never yield to the thought that God sins never yield to the thought that God sins never yield to the thought that God sins or is unjust or is unrighteous in how he or is unjust or is unrighteous in how he or is unjust or is unrighteous in how he governs the world. governs the world. governs the world. The Lord is righteous in all his ways.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways. The Lord is righteous in all his ways. Psalm 145:1 17. And finally, Psalm 145:1 17. And finally, Psalm 145:1 17. And finally, never doubt. never doubt. never doubt. Now listen carefully to this closing Now listen carefully to this closing Now listen carefully to this closing one, one more minute. Never doubt. And I wish that could be true of every And I wish that could be true of every one of you. Wish it could be true of one of you. Wish it could be true of one of you. Wish it could be true of every one of you. Never doubt that God is totally for you in Christ. that God is totally for you in Christ. If you trust him, you're in Christ. If you trust him, you're in Christ. If you trust him, you're in Christ. And if you're in Christ, And if you're in Christ, And if you're in Christ, no evil befalls you, no evil befalls you, no evil befalls you, but what God ordains but what God ordains but what God ordains for your good. for your good. for your good. Hard as that may seem, when he took when he took damnation damnation damnation out of the devil's hands and he nailed your sins to the cross, and he nailed your sins to the cross, you know what happened in the mind of you know what happened in the mind of you know what happened in the mind of God at that moment, which he planned to God at that moment, which he planned to God at that moment, which he planned to happen?

happen? happen? All of his wrath towards you was All of his wrath towards you was All of his wrath towards you was absorbed by Jesus. It's gone. absorbed by Jesus. It's gone. absorbed by Jesus. It's gone. If you get cancer, if you are on the bridge, if you are on the bridge, if the dog attacks you, if you're 180 if the dog attacks you, if you're 180 if the dog attacks you, if you're 180 miners in China or one of the three miners in China or one of the three miners in China or one of the three rescuers you might be tempted to feel, "He's mad you might be tempted to feel, "He's mad at me. There's no explanation. He's mad at me. There's no explanation. He's mad at me. There's no explanation. He's mad at me. at me. at me. And he's not. And he's not. And he's not. He's absolutely not. If you are in He's absolutely not. If you are in He's absolutely not. If you are in Christ, Christ, Christ, some of us, old or young, he just wants some of us, old or young, he just wants some of us, old or young, he just wants home now. We're his. home now. We're his. home now. We're his. We're his. We're his. We're his. He can take us whenever he wants us, He can take us whenever he wants us, He can take us whenever he wants us, however he wants to take us. We have no however he wants to take us. We have no however he wants to take us. We have no claim upon this life.

claim upon this life. claim upon this life. He has a claim upon us. And I promise He has a claim upon us. And I promise He has a claim upon us. And I promise you for those who this week have you for those who this week have you for those who this week have perished in Christ, they are very happy. So when we renounce the designs of the So when we renounce the designs of the devil, I hope you're all doing that in devil, I hope you're all doing that in devil, I hope you're all doing that in your heart right now. I hope you say in your heart right now. I hope you say in your heart right now. I hope you say in your heart right now, I renounce the your heart right now, I renounce the your heart right now, I renounce the devil in all his ways and all his works. devil in all his ways and all his works. devil in all his ways and all his works. I renounce him. I don't belong to him. I I renounce him. I don't belong to him. I I renounce him. I don't belong to him. I say no to him. I hope everybody is doing say no to him. I hope everybody is doing say no to him. I hope everybody is doing that in your mind and in your heart that in your mind and in your heart that in your mind and in your heart right now. When you renounce the designs right now. When you renounce the designs right now. When you renounce the designs of the devil and you trust in the power of the devil and you trust in the power of the devil and you trust in the power and the wisdom and the love and goodness and the wisdom and the love and goodness and the wisdom and the love and goodness of God, you know what happens? of God, you know what happens? of God, you know what happens? The supreme value of Christ is put on The supreme value of Christ is put on The supreme value of Christ is put on display. It's put on display for the display. It's put on display for the display. It's put on display for the principalities and powers. It's put on principalities and powers. It's put on principalities and powers. It's put on display for the world. And the purpose display for the world. And the purpose display for the world. And the purpose of God in tolerating this demonic, of God in tolerating this demonic, of God in tolerating this demonic, murderous, deceiving being is fulfilled murderous, deceiving being is fulfilled murderous, deceiving being is fulfilled in [snorts] your faith and your love and in [snorts] your faith and your love and in [snorts] your faith and your love and your sacrifices for people. Let's pray.

your sacrifices for people. Let's pray. your sacrifices for people. Let's pray. Father, how we praise Jesus, Father, how we praise Jesus, Father, how we praise Jesus, there is none like Jesus. there is none like Jesus. there is none like Jesus. one word out of Jesus' mouth and the one word out of Jesus' mouth and the one word out of Jesus' mouth and the demons obey. demons obey. demons obey. And we fall before him now and worship And we fall before him now and worship And we fall before him now and worship him and grieve with those who grieve in him and grieve with those who grieve in him and grieve with those who grieve in this city in Utah, in China, in Afghanistan, South in Utah, in China, in Afghanistan, South Korea, Korea, Korea, in Nepal and Bangladesh and northern in Nepal and Bangladesh and northern in Nepal and Bangladesh and northern India. So God, So God, teach us the biblical teach us the biblical teach us the biblical effect of believing effect of believing effect of believing that you are supreme in all things. that you are supreme in all things. that you are supreme in all things. Your faithfulness is our standing place. Your faithfulness is our standing place. Your faithfulness is our standing place. Though foes are mighty [music] and rush Though foes are mighty [music] and rush Though foes are mighty [music] and rush upon us, our feet are firm, held by your grace.

our feet are firm, held by your grace. Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth, where we are of Light and Truth, where we are of Light and Truth, where we are committed to providing God- centered committed to providing God- centered committed to providing God- centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Piper continues our 13-part [music] Piper continues our 13-part [music] Piper continues our 13-part [music] series, The God Who Orders Evil, with a series, The God Who Orders Evil, with a series, The God Who Orders Evil, with a [music] message titled Greater Than [music] message titled Greater Than [music] message titled Greater Than Adam. I hope you'll join us. For more Adam. I hope you'll join us. For more Adam. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, visit desiring.org.