Series: Battle University

Sermon: V-Day

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11

Speaker: Pastor Richard Powell

Introduction:

"We hereby proclaim the unconditional surrender to the Allied Powers of the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters and of all Japanese armed forces and all armed forces under Japanese control wherever situated."

Those words are from the document approved by Emperor Hirohito which declared the unconditional surrender of Japan during WWII.

V-J Day stands for Victory over Japan Day -- August 15, 1945. The fighting ended the day before on August 14 when the Japanese agreed to unconditionally surrender.

The surrender was made formal on September 2 aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Acting by command of and in behalf of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese Empire admitted defeat and surrendered to the allied forces.

After V-J Day, the most devastating war in human history, was finally over.

Even though Japan had been defeated, one Japanese soldier continued fighting. According to an article in Newsweek Magazine, on March 10, 1974, Lt. Hiroo Onada was the last World War II Japanese soldier to surrender.

Onada had been left on the island Lubang in the Philippines on December 25, 1944, with the command to "carry on the mission even if Japan surrenders." Four other Japanese soldiers were left on the island as Japan evacuated Lubang. One soldier surrendered in 1950. Another was killed in a skirmish with local police in 1954. Another was killed in 1972. Onada continued his war alone.

All efforts to convince him to surrender or to capture him failed. He ignored messages from loudspeakers announcing Japan's surrender and that Japan was now an ally of the United States. Leaflets were dropped over the jungle begging him to surrender so he could return to Japan. He refused to believe or surrender.

Over the years he lived off the land and raided the fields and gardens of local citizens. He was responsible for killing at least 30 nationals during his 29 year personal war. Almost a half million dollars was spent trying to locate and convince him to surrender. 13,000 men were used to try to locate him.

Finally, on March 10, 1974, almost 30 years after World War II ended, Onada surrendered his rusty sword after receiving a personal command from his former superior officer, who read the terms of the cease-fire order. Onada handed his sword to President Marcos, who pardoned him. The war was over. Citation: Summarized from a 1974 story in Newsweek; submitted by Syd Brestel, Bend, Oregon

Dear Christian, I want you to know that Satan is a defeated foe. The Lord Jesus Christ defeated Satan on the cross of Calvary! The Bible says, in 1 John 3:7-8, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

As Christians we fight FROM victory! Ultimate victory is already ours. The war has been won.

However, Satan still fights us until he is finally and eternally put down. That’s why the apostle Paul promised believers in Romans 16:20, “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.”

As Christians we can fight FROM victory, but fight we must! While ultimate victory is ours, we must fight for personal victory over the world the flesh and the devil here and now. Before we can enjoy the sweet by and by we must fight through the nasty now and now!

Transition: How can Christians be victorious over Satan? You need three things to be victorious over Satan.

I. The Right Attitude (5:8).

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Adversary: Satan

• adversary; accuser.
• Devil: diabolos (diabolical)
• He is also called "the dragon," "the old serpent" (Rev 12:9; 20:2);
• "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30);
• "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph 2:2);
• "the god of this world" (2 Cor 4:4);
• "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph 2:2);

A. The nature of your enemy requires seriousness. ('be sober...")

B. The nature of your enemy requires vigilance.

His power is very great in the world. He is a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Men are said to be "taken captive by him" (2 Tim 2:26). Christians are warned against his "devices" (2 Cor 2:11), and called on to "resist" him (James 4:7).

II. The Right Actions (5:9).

“Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

A. Resist Satan with steadfast faith.

James 4:7, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Eph 4:25-32

25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

B. Resist Satan while remembering your spiritual family.

1 Cor 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

III. The Right Assurance (5:10-11).

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

A. God’s grace will be provided.

Phil 1:6, “...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

B. God’s kingdom will prevail.

“To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Words: Martin Luther. Translated to English by Frederic H. Hedge

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;

The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.

Conclusion:

Onada was 22-years-old when left on the island. He returned a prematurely aged man of 52. Onada stated, "Nothing pleasant happened in the 29 years in the jungle."

Like Onada, many people are fighting a lonely battle against the God who is offering reconciliation and peace.