The church of Christ on McDermott Road

The book of Revelation tells the story of Jesus’ birth in a highly symbolic way. Satan is pictured as a dragon. God’s people are pictured as a woman about to give birth to a child. The dragon waited for the woman’s child to be born so that he could devour him. However, when the Son was born, the dragon’s plans came to nothing and the Son was caught up to heaven to “rule all the nations.” Therefore, we celebrate the dragon’s defeat and the Son’s exaltation. And we also wait patiently for his final victory over the dragon. (Scripture: Revelation 12:1-6)

What Happened in the Old Testament and How It Leads to Jesus

 

Paul finally made it to Rome, after a journey that took several months. While in Rome, waiting to stand trial before Caesar, Paul was confined to a house that he paid to use. But in spite of his chains, the word of God was not bound (see 2 Timothy 2:9). The word of God continued to be preached to both Jews and Gentiles, even while Paul was a prisoner. When we can’t go where we want and do what we want, we can sometimes believe the lie that God has forsaken us. But maybe we are right where we need to be and God is right here beside us, as he promised he would be. (Scripture: Acts 28:23-31)

What Happened in the Old Testament and How It Leads to Jesus

It’s hard to imagine a worse situation than the one in which Paul found himself: falsely accused, unjustly imprisoned for years, tossed mercilessly at sea for weeks, shipwrecked on an island, and then bitten by a viper. However, even in the middle of such horrible circumstances, Paul was still being cared for by God. We can either get discouraged and angry about our circumstances or we can try to see God’s hand providing and protecting us, even when everything seems against us. (Scripture: Acts 28:1-10)

After two weeks of stormy seas, Paul still remained confident and steadfast. He could do so because God had promised him that no one on board the ship would die. Because he trusted in the promises of God, not only was Paul able to stay calm, he was able to encourage others also. When we find ourselves in a storm, we must hold tightly to the promises of God. His promises will not only give us inner peace, but will allow us to minister to others as well. (Scripture: Acts 27:21-25)

Whether we care to admit it or not, we are engaged in a war for our souls. In this war, we face three enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Author John Mark Comer in his book, Live No Lies, suggests that the devil's tactic "to drive the soul and society into ruin, is deceptive ideas that play to disordered desires, which are normalized in a sinful society.” On Wednesday nights this fall, we will discuss how to resist these lies of Satan and walk in the truth.

When Paul made his defense before Herod Agrippa, he said, “I stand here on trial because of  my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers.” That hope is the resurrection of the dead and the inheritance God promised to his people. Paul’s defense not only included what happened in the past, but also what will happen in the future. If it is true, that God will raise the dead and judge the world through Jesus, then preaching this message and live in obedience to Jesus is the only life that makes sense. (Scripture: Acts 26:1-8)

When Paul was on trial before Governor Felix, he began with the defense that in Jerusalem, he was not, “disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.” Everywhere he went, Paul protected his reputation. He strove to live an honorable life that his critics could not use against him. The way we live our lives will either lend credibility to the Gospel or will undermine the credibility of the Gospel. We must make sure we are living honorable and blameless lives before unbelievers. (Scripture: Acts 24:10-21)

Whether we care to admit it or not, we are engaged in a war for our souls. In this war, we face three enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world. Author John Mark Comer in his book, Live No Lies, suggests that the devil's tactic "to drive the soul and society into ruin, is deceptive ideas that play to disordered desires, which are normalized in a sinful society.” On Wednesday nights this fall, we will discuss how to resist these lies of Satan and walk in the truth.