VICTORY OVER THE SERPENT
Acts 28:1-6
INTRODUCTION: The old serpent began to spew out his deadly venom in Genesis chapter 3. From that point on it has brought death and destruction to mankind.
There is only one antidote for his venom and that is THE BLOOD OF JESUS.
The blood will never loose its power. As we see here in Acts chapter 28 it was through Christ that Paul had the victory.
WE see the:
I. ACTION OF THE SAINT, v. 3a
A. Endeavoring in holiness,
Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
B. Engaged in activity, Paul was gathering wood for the fire. The Bible does not say what the rest were doing Paul was working. God did not save us to sit down.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
C. Expectant of anything (previous situations), Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. (Paul was on a mission) – He was prepared for whatever he had to face.
II. ATTACK OF THE SERPENT, v. 3b
A. Surprising in appearance (hid), 2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
1. Struck quickly
2. Struck openly, Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3. Struck viciously (wanted to destroy), Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
B. Stubborn in action
1. Vital point (hand)
2. Vivid persistence; when the serpent latched onto Paul’s hand it would not let go. I hate to give satan credit for anything but he is a formidable foe. He stays with it. Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
C. Shocking in attack, (no doctors to be found - others feared) Paul shook off the viper, 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
III. ACCUSATIONS OF THE SOCIETY, v. 4.
A. They were fickle (Satan makes people believe false things)
B. They were fast to judge
C. They were foolish, 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
IV. ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE SERUM, v. 6; (Serum was the power 0f Christ) Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
A. It diluted the venom
B. It denounced the voices
C. It defeated the viper, v. 5; Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
D. It declared the victory (action louder than words), 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
CONCLUSION: We have discussed Satan's attacks on the people of
God - just for a moment will you concentrate with me concerning the sinner.
A. The sinner has been bitten by the serpent, Gen. 3:1-6;
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
B. The Saviour has the only serum, Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.