We’re diving into a new series as we move toward Easter and celebrating the victory that Jesus secured us — Easter proofs that Jesus wins the victory over sin, death, the devil and ultimately will set all things right again..but until then, we still navigate life within a battle zone…this side of heaven.

As we follow after Jesus, we navigate life within the reality - that there is an enemy who longs to distract and detour you from following closely.
…Our enemy is not other people, but the Scriptures declare the truth of the work of the devil that seeks to stop the work of God.

We are told to resist him and to stand firm in our faith through Christ.
We resist & we rest. …and we keep on following after Jesus…even amidst the tension of the tug-a-war.

Books speaking into this series:
John Mark Comer: Live No Lies
C.S. Lewis: The Screwtape Letters
Louie Giglio: Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at your Table

What does the Bible say about the existence of evil?

There is no way to read the Bible seriously and hold onto the thought that Satan and evil are only occasional and not significant themes of the book.

Genesis practically begins its discussion of human life with the assertion that humanity has been severely influenced from the start by a hostile influence. In some 33 separate instances, in all 4 Gospels and the Book of Acts, we are told explicitly of the reality of supernatural evil.

In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul says that our most significant struggle in life "is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers ... authorities ... [and] cosmic powers of this present darkness" (Eph. 6:12)

For centuries, teachers of the Way of Jesus used a paradigm that seems faded in the modern era, that of “the three enemies of the soul.”
The world. The flesh. And the devil.
They saw the 3 enemies of the soul as a kind of counter-trinity to God himself.

“Our fight with the devil is first and foremost a fight to take back control of our minds from the captivity to lies and liberate them with the weapon of truth.”
-John Mark Comer

1 Peter 5:8-9
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Resist the LIES…

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. -Jesus (John 8:44)

The Devil will speak lies and try to get us to buy the lie… (see Genesis 3)

Jesus (the Teacher)

Jesus was continually proclaiming truth in a way that invited humanity to follow him, his teachings, his ways because (as the Author of LIFE) it would lead to the best possible way to live, to flourish!

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

We also resist by: REMINDING OURSELVES
We must stay tethered and anchored to who God says we are - our new identity given to us in Christ.

Phrase for tonight:
“RESIST GIVING THE ENEMY A SEAT AT YOUR TABLE."

Psalm 23 (unpacked)

Remind yourself:
Whose You Are — Jesus has claim over your life.
Colossians 3:3 talks about how our lives are “hidden with Christ.”
Ephesians 2:6 says, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms.”
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" -1 John 3:1

You must start from this place of identity. You remind yourself that Jesus has already won your struggle and you ride with him now. And because you are joined with Him, something powerful has already happened. Whatever He has won, you have won. You are in Christ, and Christ is in you.

Remind yourself:
-Who IS WITH YOU (AND FOR YOU)

If you are God’s child — then you can’t be anyone else’s claim. God is way bigger than any challenge or harassment the devil will throw your direction.

1 John 4:4
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory…because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

PAUSE AGAIN AND SEE THE TABLE: …start to realize that the power of this table is not what’s on it, but who’s at it.

You are sitting with the King. Not just some run-of-the-mill earthly king. You are dining with the King of the ages. You’re at the table with the wisest, kindest, most loving, most creative, most joy-filled, most interesting person in the universe.

The story we’re in is about the greatness of our God.

-communion time- come to the Lord's table...

Whether you joined us here or online, we are grateful to worship with you!

NEXT SATURDAY is our Easter Family Festival 10am - 2pm on campus. Invite a family! Read more in the app.

Join us next week as we continue our series, Resist & Rest, culminating on Easter Sunday.