Advent 1, 2025/Lord’s Prayer Final

“Deliver Us from Evil.”

Matthew 6:13; Revelation 12; 1 John 3:8b

Christmas Carols are Battle Songs

So much gospel in this final petition of the Lord’s Prayer: we confess our weakness and need for

the deliverer. It is Advent hope in summary: Come Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy

people free…born Thy people to deliver… Long lay the world in sin and error pining, til he

appeared…”

When the heavenly hosts ceased their song over the hills of Bethlehem, they headed straight into

holy war against satan and his forces, prevailed, and cast them out of their realm. They exorcised

heaven. Then Christ began to exorcise people. At his return, Christ will exorcise all creation.

We give thanks for his coming and the decisive difference this has made in history and in our

lives, looking forward in faith for his final appearing when the last enemy shall be cast into the

lake of fire, along with the devil and all his angels.

We acknowledge that until then, we LIVE on a dangerous battlefield, and we declare that victory

is ours in Christ even as we suffer.

I. The Reality of the Evil One - Rev 12:1-5

● The enemy and the war are real - every nativity scene needs a dragon to go with

the camels, cows, and sheep.

- Divider, Accuser, Murderer, Liar

- With the birth of jesus, the war against evil entered a new phase. Genesis

3:15 - Revelation 12

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

does seek to work us woe;

his craft and power are great,

and armed with cruel hate,

on earth is not his equal.

II. The Fury of the Evil One - Revelation 12:7-12, 17

● The prowling lion and our wayward hearts

- 1 John 2:16; 1 Peter 5:8

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.

You 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 has 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.

III. Christ’s Victory Over the Evil One - 12:10-11

The first and second coming of Christ are the twin Advents of our faith for this battle. 1

John 3:8b; Eph 6:10ff

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!

- The Cross/Blood

- The Empty Tomb

- The Right Hand of the Father

- The Appearing again of our God and Savior

Born Thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all-sufficient merit,

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.