The Sift of Faith (Luke 22:31-34)

LUKE 22:31-34
31 And the Lord said,[3] "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
33 But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."
34 Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."

INTRODUCTION
Judas agrees to betray Jesus, The Last Supper is over, Jesus talks about His death and about the coming Kingdom.

The Divine Caution – “That your faith may not fail”

1. The Gift of Faith (is both a fruit and a gift)
The fruit of the Spirit – What the Spirit produces in us, in character, through the Word
The gift of the Spirit – What the Spirit produces in us, in a specific situation, through the Word
Eph. 2:8, in both cases, is essentially, a gift of God.

2. The Sift of Faith (the trial of faith)
“Satan has asked” – Remember how he asked for Job…
The adversary, the enemy, the accuser of brethren seeks permission…
Jesus taught us to pray “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”

“asked” – Gk. exaiteomai (ex-ai-teh'-om-ai) v. to demand (for trial) (Mickelson’s Dictionary)

The devil may tempt, but it is faith that overcomes by His blood and the Word of His testimony (Rev. 12:11)

Blood is the Ground
Makes us a possession of God (Redeems)
Separates us from the world unto God (Sanctifies)
Covers us from evil….

Testimony
What the Lord means to us
What the Lord has done for us
What the Lord is doing in us
What the Lord does with us

Sift = through a sieve or just by shaking the wheat to drop on ground in order to drive off the chaff in the air. Let’s use the example of a sieve which is most often used for sifting in fine particles
• Obstacles of Faith – How do you sift through a maze or forest of anti-faith while on your way to Canaan? You need sharp vision, agility, control, that comes from the indwelling Spirit – Walk in the Spirit (Gal.5:25) – You’ll never stumble when you walk in the light (1Jn.1)
• Purging of Faith – What things does this sifting of faith dismantle or rip off you? (Heb.12:1,2)
• Sorting of Faith – Use and exercise of faith enhances the faith faculty to discern between truth and error (Heb. 5: 14)
• Distinguishing of Faith – The faith that has been sifted comes out fine and pure

3. The Lift of Faith (the perseverance of faith)
“I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail”
Divine Interest – He has an interest in us He Wishes our Good (Don’t be like Jonah)
[All heaven is interested in the salvation of the individual]
Divine Intercession – He prays and intercedes for us … He Works for our Good
[All that can be done is done for our salvation]
Divine Injunction – to us – He Wants us to be Good (Strengthen your brothers)
[All that is required from us has been declared to us]

Conclusion
Two Dangers:
• Rifting – When the anchor is dislocated (Heb.2:1)
• Drifting – When we move out of His love and His truth – the result: shipwreck

SING
We will overcome..

© Domenic Marbaniang, February 15, 2010

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