Scripture:
We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the devil's strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NLT)
The Spirit is God's guarantee that He will give us everything He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own
people. This is just one mor
reason for us to praise our glorious God. Ephesians 1:14 (NLT)
Alleluia! Praise God in His holy place, praise Him in the heavenly vault of His power,
praise Him for His mighty deeds, praise Him for all
His greatness. Praise Him with fanfare of trumpet,
praise Him with harp and lyre,
praise Him with tambourines and dancing, praise Him with strings and pipes, praise
Him with the clamour of cymbals, praise Him with
triumphant cymbals, let everything that breathes praise Yahweh. Alleluia!
Psalm 150 (NJB)
(praise singers assembled after praise singing time, ready to do one final song)
PRAISE LEADER:
And for one last, special song, why don't we all (suddenly freezes, and lowers eyes, and all praise singers stand quietly, waiting for next cue)
(the devil comes striding up center aisle, long black cloak flapping, wearing big black sunglasses, strides to center platform, begins pacing at front, seething, angry, but alternatingly sad and troubled, paces, paces, growing in anger, begins to become more and more like an angry lion -- finally, roars, head back and voice trumpeting in exaggerated fury)
THE DEVIL:
(looks at watch, ends roar) Good night! Look at the time! So many places to destroy, so many people to deceive . . . and . . . so . . . little . . . time. (continues pacing)
(looks far away, sees someone approaching, on the horizon) Oh great. And what's THIS? One of those clownish, lesser demons. Why don't they stop hounding me? Details, details -- ah well, I guess that's why they say the "devil's in the details."
(lesser demon approaches hesitantly, wearing identical dark shades, cautious and fearful)
Oh come on Eggbert! Step up and report -- and you better be bringing me some good news for a change! Let's see, where are you stationed? Ah yes, the Little Church of Mixed Results! I gave you an easy assignment.
LESSER DEMON:
(steps forward, coughing nervously) Uh. Boss. Uh. I got some bad news . . .
THE DEVIL:
(slapping hand over face) Why can't a guy get good help?
LESSER DEMON:
Yuh see, Boss, those humans at Little Church of Mixed Results, my station, Boss, uh, well they've been praising the Lord again --
THE DEVIL:
WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT MENTIONING . . . (looks up, fearfully) HIM?
LESSER DEMON:
Sorry Boss. But that's the fault. Yuh see, they're praising Him. And it's making my head stretch this big (holding hands out to full extension), and my ears are folding up and getting sucked inside, and to tell the truth -- sorry about that, Boss, but to tell the truth, I can't stand to be there anymore. I think we need reinforcements . . .
THE DEVIL:
Always with the REINFORCEMENTS! You bunch of wimps. I have no idea why I wanted your company. I should have left the lot of you up there.
LESSER DEMON:
Please Boss. I mean, we've had some minor successes. We've started a few fights, some minor trouble here and there. But they've got a Prayer Network, and they seem to just keep praising . . . um, you know . . . Him
THE DEVIL:
(closes eyes in disgust, opens eyes to look at watch) Oh . . . (minor roar) LOOK AT THE TIME! We've just wasted precious minutes with your complaining. Oh all right! Come with me. I'll show you how to rock this joint!
(the devil puts out his hand and the Lesser Demon accepts it, they squat down and then jump off platform -- Time/Space Portal -- land looking about -- they lift their dark shades to be certain they've arrived at the right place)
THIS is the place giving you and the boys trouble? (looks about at carpet, walls, praise singers, and finally the congregation) You gotta be kidding. These people look like they're about to start their OWN riot, with or without you goons. Come on, watch and learn.
LESSER DEMON:
Oooh, this is so exciting! To see the Father of Lies in action!
THE DEVIL:
(approaches Praise Leader, stands behind her back) Look at you. What right do you have to stand in front of these people? Do you enjoy your hypocrisy? (whispers in her ear)
PRAISE LEADER:
(confused, embarrassed) Um. Yes, our final song
LESSER DEMON:
Ooooh! THIS IS GREAT! Get'em, Boss! Get'em!
THE DEVIL:
Ha! You haven't seen anything yet. (suddenly looks about, a little worried, looks up, down, all about) GREAT. He's here, right now. All about us. Be careful, Eggbert. Don't mess this up. Just keep them focused on the world, and we'll win the sweetest victory, stealing them out right from under His nose!
LESSER DEMON:
(goes to congregation, selects a woman) Oh boy. All that shopping you have to do. What's everyone going to eat?
THE DEVIL:
(goes to other Praise Singers) Come on guys, any one of you would be a better leader! And mind your spit -- you'll turn the congregation off if they see you spit. And don't raise your hands when you praise, because people will think you're holy rollers!
LESSER DEMON:
(singles out a man) Isn't there a game on today? I wonder who's winning?
PRAISE LEADER:
(struggling to regain control) Come on people, let's sing that song . . . let's sing praises to our Heavenly Father
OTHER PRAISE SINGERS:
(begin to argue, they don't really FEEL like singing any more, plus any one of them would be a better leader)
THE DEVIL:
(goes to Praise Leader and begins to push her shoulders down) Come on! You don't belong in a church! You're not good enough! You're so far away from perfection!
PRAISE LEADER:
(covers face with hands, completely beaten) What's happening?!
LESSER DEMON:
We're winning! We're winning! This praise service is shut down! You did it, Boss!
THE DEVIL:
And right in the midst of the Holy Spirit too! See? I guess if ya want a job done, ya gotta do it all yourself!
PRAISE LEADER:
(suddenly recovers) This isn't right. Come on, let's sing praises to our Heavenly Father!
THE DEVIL:
What? You idiot, not again!
PRAISE LEADER:
(invites and exhorts the congregation) Come on, brothers and sisters! Sing! Please join us!
(music starts and Praise Singers all join in)
LESSER DEMON:
(shrieks and begins fleeing) Not again! I told you! They just won't stop praising Him!
THE DEVIL:
(cowed and whipped, himself -- addresses congregation) You can't praise Him all the time! In fact, when most of you leave this place, you'll forget all about praising Him! (begins to exit) And then (laughs wickedly) . . . I'll GET YOU!
(slaps hands over ears, and exits, hunched over)
(praise music concludes)
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Always a parable. Storytelling making the difference.
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