Message Notes – May 17, 2020

“There is one who overcomes the lies”

Series Verse: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. John 10:10 

To recognize evil and Satan, but there is hope.

 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1:John 3:8

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 

Jesus wants to come and invite you into a way of life…

1.     Recognize the death/sin patterns in our life – invite your heart into a moment of prayer.

2.     Read the promises in the Bible – Ephesians 1:21

3.     Make a list of things you are thankful for – the goodness in your life, keep track of this

4.     Worship Music- listen to it frequently, not just when you are struggling

5.     Community – maintain relationships, Satan preys on the lonely

      – This is hard right now

– Community groups

      –  In person and online

6.     Scripture – seek His word in your life

What would happen if, during this time, we too focus on the Father of Truth and not the father of lies?

Family/Group Study Notes for week of May 17, 2020

“There is one who overcomes the lies”

• How would you define evil? Do you believe in Satan? Why or why not? Where have you seen evil in the world, your community or in your own life take place?  Where have you seen Satan at work? The Bible is clear that evil exists, and that Satan is the driving force behind it. There are several stories in the Bible: the snake in the garden in Genesis to the ultimate destruction of Satan in the book of Revelation. Read John 8:44 and 1 John 3:8. The author C.S. Lewis wrote that people make mistakes about Satan – either letting him consume their thoughts (seeing him around every corner) or not believing in him. Where do you lie on this spectrum of belief?

• How much does personal responsibility come into sin and our choices? If you are a Jesus follower, Satan cannot take you away from God, but he does influence us. Where do you see evil or Satan tempting you in the world and your personal life?

• Read Deuteronomy 30:15-20. We have choices, to follow Jesus or let the evil of the world overcome us. How is following Jesus life giving to you? Read John 10:10. What does it look like to live life abundantly? Can we do this all the time? What causes you to allow evil into your life? What can you do to push back?

• There are six strategies we have mentioned in order to help Christ rule in our life. (there are probably more, come up with your own too)

  • Recognize the death/sin patterns in our life – invite your heart into a moment of prayer – find a space to do this in quiet 

  • Read the promises in the Bible – Ephesians 1:21

  • Make a list of things you are thankful for – the goodness in your life, keep track of this

  • Worship Music- listen to it frequently, not just when you are struggling

  • Community – maintain relationships, Satan preys on the lonely

  • Scripture – seek His word in your life

  • Go through this list, line by line.  When you are tempted and do not feel like using these six strategies, that is the time when you need to use them the most. Who will help hold you accountable to working through this list and who will you hold accountable?

• Not many people want evil to influence them.  Right now it is easy to let Satan into our lives due to the isolation and hearing negative political views and economic updates– it is important to seek good in life, remembering all good comes from the Father of Truth! What good do you see right now? Make a list and then pray over it and pray that you can participate in the good in the world.

• Today we honor our graduates. What is something you can do to help honor our graduates at CtK: a note, text, Facebook post etc.?  In addition, we know graduates who live in our neighborhoods.  How can you reach out to them? There are also weddings, babies being born, and other celebrations -be creative in thinking of how we can help people celebrate in this time of social distancing. (Google ideas, there are a lot out there!)

• Pray to seek Jesus in all we do. The more we seek Him, the less it will seem like work and it will become natural. Pray for your family and help lead your family in resisting Satan and seeking good.