LUKE 22: 31-32
JOB 1: 6-12
These are two conversations that took place between God and Satan that according to scripture the believers are not privy to.
These conversations concern the sincerity and faithfulness of the believers to God.
Remember that the Devil is the accuser of all the believer(Revelation 12:10-11)
THE CHRISTIAN’S DANGER THAT PETER FACED/ENCOUNTERED
Christ warned Apostle Peter of the eminent danger that he was facing.
The Lord Christ Jesus calls for Peter’s attention by the doubling of the word “Simon, Simon”.
This doubling of the word usually carries a special intimation with it and it denotes the greatness and nearness of Peter’s danger.
This was a security alert – Peter’s own security and his unawareness of danger.
This was the great affection of Christ who monitors our faith – He is the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2).
Christ Jesus monitored and made commendations of the faith of His disciples in other instances. Matthew 8:26 “You of little faith why are you so afraid” .
Matthew 14: 31 “You of little faith, he said why did you doubt?.
Jesus Christ our Lord was alerting/warning Peter of the devilish conspiracy /Plot against him and other Apostles- “Satan hath desired to have you”.
The plots and the stratagems of Satan have not change even today- (John 10:10)
The devil’s business plan against God’s people.
Devil desired/asked to have you- not to become a better saint, but to bring the worst out of you.
The tempter/ the sifter, Satan comes not but to bring the worst/chaff out of the believer
The devil desires to winnow you as wheat.
Not to bring wheat-quality out of you- but to bring the chaff out of us.
The enemy’s plan is to make chaff out of us-
-He desires to draw us into sin (Satan’s plan)
-When trials & temptations comes our way we must stand the test of time
2 Corinthians 4:8 “We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed……”
-Satan has winnowing winds of temptations and persecutions for the sifting of believers.
We must also note that it is the wheat that Satan sift/ winnows, not the chaff, not dross or sinners
Those are all chaff – Satan will not strain or be at pain to sift them.
Two things that happens during sifting :- My personal childhood experience during sifting: YOU WAIT FOR THE WIND AND YOU EXPOSE THE WHEAT TO THE WIND- THE CHAFF WILL GO AWAY WITH WIND AND THE WHEAT WILL REMAIN.
The believer’s safety guaranteed V:32A
Jesus Christ did not say I will pray for you, but I have prayed for you.
–1 Corinthians 10:13 Every temptation has been measured by God.
Christ prayed for Peter before he knew and understood that he needed Christ’s prayer
Christ always lives to intercede for us. Hebrews 7:25.
When your prayers and the intercessions of others fail or fades Christ has and is praying for you and me (ACTS 7:56).
When we are in troubles Christ is watching and interceding for us.
When Satan attacks our faith and accusers us, the Lord Jesus has prayed and is praying for us.
Job said in the midst of his faith assaulted “I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES…”
3.YOUR FAITH IS WHAT IS IN CONTENTION (v:32B)
The Lord Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith will not fail
It is not that your faith will not be challenged but Christ says it will not fail.
During the onslaught of temptations, persecutions and suffering what is at stake is our faith.
Even in the midst of coronavirus and its threats of destabilization of our normal way of living our faith will not fail.
Sicknesses and diseases will come but our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will not fail-Jesus has already prayed for us.
Faith quenches Satan’s flaming arrows…….Ephesians 6:16
Though they may be challenges in the life of the believer- but our faith will not fail
1Peter1:6-7 “ These have come so that your faith -of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may results in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed ”
Our faith will not fail us.
4.THE VICTORY OF OUR FAITH IS THE TESTIMONY V:32
After Peter’s recovery and restoration he became the strengthening factor in the lives of other disciples.
Peter was already converted in Christ but after this he got restored.
This was not a conversion from the state of sin but from the act of sin.
Peter needed to labour, confirm and strengthen the faith other disciples
When you are restored you must become Christ’s instrument of restoration.
CONCLUSION
God sifts to purge away our dust and dross, but Satan sifts not to remove the chaff but to remove the wheat and expose the chaff.
The devil’s temptations are targeted/ levelled against our faith.
The intercession of Christ gives security, satisfaction to all believers even though they may be shaken their faith must not fail.
If you falter, do not stay there, when you recover and get restored, it is imperative that you recover and restore others and establish them in faith.