Like Father . . .
Ann Stephens was at work in her office last month when she got a phone call from somebody claiming to be a law enforcement officer with the Social Security Administration. Her office is in Apex, North Carolina, a suburb in the Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area. The caller identified himself as “John Black,” and claimed there were a number of bank accounts fraudulently opened in her name, using her Social Security number. He began pressing her for personal information “to verify her identity.” When she balked, he got even more aggressive, threatening to send a sheriff’s deputy to arrest her within 45 minutes for “drug trafficking and money laundering.”
Of course, it was all a scam—and Ann Stephens knew it instantly. And she should; she’s a police captain with the Apex Police Department. So, when the scammer demanded her current address, she calmly repeated the street address of the police department. The scammer “transferred” her to his “superior officer,” another scammer claiming to be “Jason Brown.” This one realized quickly that she was not cooperating, so he hung up. Captain Stephens had recorded the exchange on video and uploaded it for public viewing. She reminded viewers never, ever to offer or to verify any personal information over the phone since some details can be found on the internet. It was a lie from end to end in attempt to frighten her into handing over her money. And we are reminded again that evil people will say anything for their own benefit.
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NIV).
When Jesus was teaching in the Temple, Jewish leaders sent representatives to oppose Him. They argued with Him and accused Him of wrongdoing but it was clear to all that He had done nothing wrong. In their determination to get rid of Him, the opponents began to accuse Him of being demon-possessed and not actually Jewish at all. They never seemed to reflect on the fact that they were deliberately violating God’s law by their lies. Of course, the only thing that mattered to them was getting rid of Jesus and His annoying insistence on truth, righteousness and obedience to God.
It is obvious that if a person has to lie to advance his interests, his cause is not right. Jesus always told the truth and acted truthfully. He calls His people also to tell the truth and act in truthful ways. We don’t have to listen to lies and “give the benefit of the doubt” to those who deliberately try to deceive us. They are acting in the service of the devil and we want nothing to do with him or his servants. However, we must always tell the truth and be people of truth. We want our actions to reflect well on our Father! He is good and calls all of His children to be the good people He created us to be!
Document for DBS
Series: Our Struggle “Engaging in Spiritual
Warfare”
We are in a battle. Not a battle of politics
or militaries or nations. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood; it is
against the powers of darkness that confront us daily. You don’t need to feel
defeated or discouraged. God has made a way to redeem your struggle and give
you victory!
Title: “The Evil One” (John 8:31-47)
Bookmark: Click Here
Opening Thoughts: Our
struggle is often a battle between truth and lies. Satan, known in scripture as
the father of lies, employs and arsenal of lies, deception and falsehoods
against us. But victory is found in the Truth that sets us free.
v What do you picture or think about when you
think about the devil?
o Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this
dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
o 1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
v Is it possible we are losing because we don’t
know we are in a fight?
===============================================================
Text: John 8:31-47
Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’
Opponents Are
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus
said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then
you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s
descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall
be set free?”
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you,
everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no
permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So
if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know
that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me,
because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you
what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have
heard from your father.”
39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.
“If you were
Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. 40
As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told
you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41
You are doing the works of your own father.”
“We are not
illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God
himself.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your
Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my
own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you?
Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to
your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was
a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth
in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the
father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not
believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am
telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever
belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do
not belong to God.”
===============================================================
Summarize
the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.
v Review and
retell the story.
Reflections
for applications:
v
If you know
Jesus, you know TRUTH
v
John 1:14;
John 14:6; John 18:38 “What is truth?”
v
“Our fight
with the devil is first and foremost a fight to take back control of our minds
from their captivity to lies, and liberate them with the weapon of truth.” John Mark Comer
v Three Realities:
o
DEVIL = The evil
one is real
o
DEATH = The
devil’s end goal is destruction
o
DECEPTION = The
devil uses lies
v Jesus said:
o
“You have no room
for my word.”
o
“You are unable
to hear what I say.”
o
“You don’t
believe me.”
v
What lies is
the evil one telling you?
o
It doesn’t matter
what I believe
o
I’m better than
other people
o
I need other
people’s approval
o
If I don't do it
right I will lose my salvation
o
I am defined by
my past struggles
o
Short-term
pleasure is worth it
o
I've tried and
I've tried I'm just not good enough
o
There would be no
suffering in this world if God were real
o
Nobody cares
o
All paths lead to
God
o
That person
doesn't deserve to be forgiven I don't deserve to be forgiven
o
The Bible is
outdated and not relevant for my life
o
Everything has to
be perfect
o
I am only as good
as I am successful
o
I am defined by what
I do or what I have or what others think of me
o
Everyone and
everything exists for my happiness
o
It's not sinful
Behavior if I was born this way
o
These people
don't care
v Truth will
defend you against Satan’s lies
==============================
Digging
Questions:
·
How will you
respond to God’s “In Our Struggle”? What transformative move needs to be made?
·
What do
these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?
·
What is
God calling us (me and you individually) to do?
Take
Away Challenges
·
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage?
How will you apply it to your life this week?
·
Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
·
What is
God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or
actions need to be addressed or changed?
Hashtags #Struggle#Truth#Devil
Sunday sermon link https://youtu.be/NDNVkQeD4S0
Kevin’s
Blog Link to more resources: Click here
for Kevin’s Blog Notes
Comments
and resources with some more resources:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A31-47&version=NIV
