2. Introduction Last week we gave many warnings about the devices of the devil (doubting, blaming, deceiving, distracting, discouraging, and delaying man’s obedience) But even though Satan is a very powerful adversary in the world, there are many things that he could not do to Jesus. As a result of God’s promises to us in His word, there are many things that Satan cannot do to us also!

3. Satan Could not Keep Jesus from being Born Even though Adam and Eve had sinned, God prophesied to the serpent (Satan) that from the seed of woman would come one who would bruise his head while Satan would bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15). Isaiah prophesied that the child would be born of a virgin which was fulfilled in God’s timing about 700 years later. (Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:18-22; Gal. 4:4)

4. Satan Could not Kill Jesus When He was a Baby Satan (figuratively the dragon) tries to devour the child as soon as He is born but God protected baby Jesus by telling Joseph to go to Egypt knowing that Herod was trying to Kill him (Rev. 12:4, 9; Matthew 2:13-15). When Pharaoh saw that he was deceived by the wise men (who had been warned in a dream) he had all the babies in Bethlehem slaughtered, but he could not kill Jesus. (Mt. 2:16)

5. Satan Could not Get Jesus to Sin Even though Satan has gotten every accountable human being to sin (Rom. 3:23), he could not get Jesus to give into any of his temptations. Jesus responded with God’s word to every single temptation (Matt. 4:1-11). Satan did not give up, but looked for more opportunities (Luke 4:13) but Jesus never sinned (John 8:46; 1 Peter 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15)

6. Satan Could not Keep Jesus from Preaching or Performing Miracles Jesus went everywhere in Galilee preaching the gospel and healing every kind of disease and sickness of the people (Matt. 4:23; 9:35). The Pharisees couldn’t deny it so they said he did it by the power of Beezelbul, the ruler of the demons (Matt. 12:24). The miracles confirm that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 20:30-31).

7. Satan Could not Keep Jesus from Being a Sacrifice for our Sins Jesus plainly told His disciples that he would be killed but Peter rebuked him saying that it would not happen (Matt. 16:21-22). Jesus said, “Get behind Me Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.“ (Matt. 16:23) Jesus gave Himself up for us for our sins (John 10:11-18; 1 Peter 2:23-24) and Satan did not take it away from him.

8. Satan Could not Keep Jesus from Being Raised from the Dead Jesus told His disciples that he would be raised from the dead in fulfillment of prophecy. (Luke 18:31-33) There are many eyewitnesses that could testify that it actually happened. (1 Cor. 15:1-8; Acts 1:1-3) Therefore Jesus is exalted above every rule, authority, power, and dominion not only in this age but also the one to come. (Ephesians 1:20-23)

9. Satan Could not Keep Jesus from Establishing His Church Daniel prophesied that God would set up a kingdom which would never be destroyed. (Daniel 2:44) Jesus promised that He would build His church and the gates of Hades would not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18). Jesus Christ established His church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:47) and rules as Head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:22).

10. Satan Could not Keep Jesus from Coming Back to Reward the Faithful The apostles saw Jesus ascend into heaven and two angels told them that He would come back in the same way (Acts 1:9-11). Faithful brethren will meet the Lord in the clouds and forever be with the Lord and Satan can’t prevent that from happening (1 Th. 4:13-18) Christ will return a second time for salvation for those who eagerly await Him (Heb. 9:28). What does that all mean for us?

11. Conclusion Satan could not prevent Jesus from being born and he cannot prevent you from deciding to be born again (John 3:3, 5; 1 Pet. 1:22ff). Satan could not kill Jesus when he was a baby and he cannot prevent babes in Christ from growing through God’s word (1 Peter 2:1-3). Satan could not get Jesus to sin and God has promised that he cannot tempt us beyond what we are able to endure (1 Cor. 10:13).

12. Conclusion Satan could not keep Jesus from preaching the gospel and he cannot prevent His disciples from preaching either (Mk. 16:15; 2 Tim. 2:2) Satan could not keep Jesus from being a sacrifice for our sins and he cannot prevent you from presenting your body as a living sacrifice for God (Romans 12:1; Titus 2:11-14). Satan could not keep Jesus from being raised from the dead and he can’t prevent you from rising from the dead to walk in newness of life (when you’re baptized) (Rom. 6:3-4)

13. Conclusion Satan could not keep Jesus from establishing His church and He cannot prevent you from being a member of the church of Christ. (Acts 2:38-39; Col. 1:13-14; Rom. 16:16) Satan could not keep Jesus from rewarding the faithful & he can’t prevent you from going to heaven if you’re faithful until death (Re. 2:10) Satan will be cast into the lake of fire along with the deceived but he can’t prevent you from obeying the gospel now or being restored! (Rev. 20:10-15; 2 Thess. 1:6-9; 2 Cor. 6:2)