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As he begins this letter, Peter knows that God’s people are facing real trials and difficulties. He does not minimize those trials, but he reminds us of our rock-solid foundation in the sovereign and saving work of God.

Do you think of the Holy Spirit as an “optional extra”—you can take Him or leave Him? Why would I want to have anything to do with a ghost?  How can we grieve the Holy Spirit? All this and more in this week’s episode.

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Fix your eyes on heaven where you can look forward to the presence of God and a reunion with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Worshipping God acceptably also involves honouring leaders within the church—following their example, submitting to their leadership, listening to their teaching, and praying for them. Are we marked by this kind of worship as a church?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Genesis 3:1

Satan is a liar and a murderer; he wants to bring death to our happiness, joy, and purity, and he accomplishes this through lies. He wants to destroy us, and he begins by deceiving us.

Genesis 3:1 says, “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field…”

Satan cleverly crafts subtle lies about the biggest truths. In the Garden of Eden, he tells Eve three lies concerning the nature and character of God. Recognizing his tactics helps us overcome satanic deception.

Severity

Satan’s first tactic was to convince Eve to think severely about God, so that she had negative feelings about him.

The devil wants us to think God is strait-laced and cruel, and that our relationship with Him would be filled with “don’t!” But Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” God is good and loving. He does not take away joy; He gives it.

Skepticism

The devil also wants us to think skeptically about God so that we will not trust Him or His Word.

When Satan removes the truth of God’s Word, then he slips in other ideas to replace them. Other religions, spiritual practices, and New Age thoughts are simply substitutes from the enemy to divert us from the fixed standard of truth. The devil is trying to make us think lightly of God; but God is holy, and He will punish sin.

Suspicion

Finally, Satan will try to convince us to think suspiciously of God. Many people think serving God cramps their style and robs them of reaching their fullest potential. Yet, the devil, who promises total freedom, keeps his victims in bondage.

Adrian Rogers says, “There’s nothing in the world more deceiving than sin itself; those who know the least about sin are those who are the deepest in it.”

All the problems in the world today are rooted in these three ancient lies, but we do not have to fall victim to the devil’s deception. Only when we commit ourselves to the written word of God, can we overcome the devil’s lies.

Apply it to your life

Do not let the devil deceive you. yourself in the truth of God’s Word today. God is a God of love and grace. His law stands, and a relationship with Him means abundant life.

In the last three years alone, the Lord has equipped Samaritan’s Purse to distribute 750 million pounds of food to hungry families around the world. Every single meal we freely give is an opportunity for people to hear about the true bread of life and our eternal hope: Jesus Christ. Dave Phillips, a deputy director for international projects, sat down with Kristy to share stories about Samaritan's Purse work in getting food to those who need it most.

Resources:

• Check out Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Catalog, where you can help feed a hungry baby for only $9.
• Hear more from Dave Philips about how God enables Samaritan’s Purse to provide food to starving people in Sudan.
• Listen to “Evangelism Outside the Walls of the Church” to hear from Pastor Rusty Guenther, who leads a church in North Carolina, about how he sees Operation Christmas Child not only bless children around the world, but also his own congregation and community.