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Introduction: Satan is depicted often as having a cynical sneering smile on his face. We do not know how he looks, but from the way things are going in our world, I would believe he is smiling!!

A. Many do not believe in God or Christ.

B. Many fail to worship and serve regularly.

C. Many do not honor their Creator (Rom. 1:18-25).

D. Many disobey God in the face of direct teaching (Matt. 15:7-9).

E. Many choose their own way rather than God. "There is a way that seems right to a man…" (Prov. 14:12). "It is not in man that walks to direct his own footsteps" (Jer. 10:23).

A. Wars, murders, robberies, lies, rapes, molestations, etc.

B. Christ taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:39 and practice the golden rule (Matt. 6:12).

C. Respect for the life, property and rights of others.

D. Christians should be willing to lend a helping hand. We should have the attitude of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) rather that of looters, etc.

1. I read of a person who robbed two men who had been injured seriously in an automobile accident.

E. Christians are to be kind, gentle people rather than harsh and vindictive. The law of Christ was quite different from the Law of Moses, which was the eye for an eye, etc. teachings.

A. Christ died for the Church. His sacrifice, example, love, etc. He taught people how to live and He showed them how in a faithful condition to God also.

B. Some people today have no concern for Christ or His church. (Atheists, Agnostics, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, etc.

C. Others claim to love him, but do not obey His commands by becoming a Christian, or by living the proper life after being baptized (Matt. 7:20,21).

D. What some are saying to God, in essence, is that my way is best. You can take my life and worship as I see fit or you can leave it alone. Notice the teaching of Jesus about the wise and foolish man (Matt. 7:24-27).

E. God, through Jesus, gave us the pattern—Satan perverts it (Gen. 3).

F. Great Oaks should have as a number one priority to be a shining light in this community (Matt. 5:16). To do this, we must be busy doing what is useful to the church.

1. We must not become overly concerned in my way or what I want, but what would please the Lord?

2. Satan smiles when he sees churches diminish in size or works and become discouraged. He will do whatever he can and use whatever occasion he can to discourage us.

3. Satan smiles when he sees Christians who will not speak to one another and even avoid one another.

4. Satan smiles when Christians talk badly about one another, even in the confines of the church building.

5. Satan smiles when Christians seem more concerned over their hurt feelings than they are with the advancement of the church of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

6. Satan smiles when Christians seem to forget that Christ is head of the church and we are to please Him rather than ourselves.

A. He sees a group of Christians who can overcome any obstacle set before them, continue to love each other and resolve to settle any differences that may arise and be truly devoted to the Lord and one another.

B. He sees even the weakest Christian praying fervently to God for strength to become better and stronger.

C. A sinner obeys the Gospel.

D. Any congregation decides it is going to stand firm and fast for the Lord.

E. A faithful Christian closes their eyes in death (Rev. 14:13).

1. When Satan looks at Great Oaks—does he smile or frown?

2. When he looks at us individually—does he smile or frown?

3. Are we Christ’s disciples or Satan’s disciples?