And Satan Smiles

Series: The Gospel Can't Be Contained

May 16, 2021
Frank Foreman

In John chapter eight, Jesus stated very plainly about Satan, "...When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Throughout the Bible, starting at his first appearance in the Garden of Eden, we can plainly see that Satan's chief tool of deception is the distortion of God's truth. ---------- This week's message reveals that same deceptive character of Satan in three separate glimpses of Jesus' ministry. Satan's influence and manipulation is reveled in the ongoing self-righteous actions of the Pharisees who desired to undermine the authority of Christ. ---------- Satan hasn't stopped using lies to distort God's truth today. He continues to chip away at the truth of God's Word, the faith of Christians, and the impact of the Church through hypocrisy, apathy and indifference toward purity and Godliness.

Episode Notes

BIG IDEA:

Anytime we add to or subtract from God’s Word...  Truth becomes distorted and Satan smiles.


Hebrews 13:8-9, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings...


Proverbs 30:5-6, Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.


2nd Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.


Matthew 5:17, Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.


1.  The truth about fasting.


Leviticus 16:29-31, And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month...


Matthew 6:16-18, And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others...


(Journal) Mark 2:18-22


  • Fasting was for times of grief and sorrowful reflection not joy and celebration.



2.  The truth about the Sabbath.


Exodus 20:8, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 


Mark 7:6-9 (Isaiah), This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me...  You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!


(Journal) Mark 2:23-28


  • The Sabbath was to be a day of reverence toward God and rest from work. 



3.  The truth about doing good.


James 4:17, So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.


Matthew 7:12, So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.


(Journal) Mark 3:1-6


  • Showing mercy and compassion toward people honors God.


2nd Corinthians 6:14, Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?


NEXT STEP:

Invite Jesus to expose anything hypocritical within us that prevents us from helping others and honoring Him.


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