Elements City Church
The Devil's Playbook: Isolation
The Scriptures paint a clear and comprehensive picture of the devil's attempts to distract, detour and destroy believers. Scripture consistently warns of Satan's deceptive and relentless nature. Believers are called to be vigilant, grounded in Scripture, to resist, stand firm against the enemy’s tactics and remain focused in our devotion to the Lord. We can do that best by not going it alone. Isolation often leads toward destruction. We tend to wander toward isolation, but we intentionally step into connection, community and spiritual growth with others.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Welcome to Elements City Church!
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https://share.fluro.io/form/6329f633da0feb00250cbd5fJesus on a number of occasions discusses the reality of the devil, as an enemy of God, one who speaks lies as his native tongue and is against God’s work in this world.
So YES, if we’re going to be followers of Jesus; we must take his claim to be true - that the enemy exists. The Scriptures are full of truths regarding this spiritual battle we are in.
So YES, if we’re going to be followers of Jesus; we must take his claim to be true - that the enemy exists. The Scriptures are full of truths regarding this spiritual battle we are in.
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."
*reminder from Apostle John - 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.
"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."
*reminder from Apostle John - 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.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
Live No Lies, John Mark Comer
Victory Over Darkness, Neil T Anderson
Don't Give The Enemy A Seat At Your Table, Louie Giglio
Your Story Has A Villain — new book by: Jonathan JP Pokluda
The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
Live No Lies, John Mark Comer
Victory Over Darkness, Neil T Anderson
Don't Give The Enemy A Seat At Your Table, Louie Giglio
Your Story Has A Villain — new book by: Jonathan JP Pokluda
Tonight I want to examine the role of isolation — and how the enemy will attempt to utilize it to detour /sideline us in our followership of Jesus…
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
WE MUST stay connected with Christ…
We’ve also have been placed and linked together — when we are "born again” - through placing our trust in Christ - we’re meant to find our place within the Church. We need community of believers around us.
The concept of Church as family dominates the New Testament.
We just don’t see Lone Ranger Christians highlighted in the first few centuries of this faith movement or within the pages of Scripture.
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
WE MUST stay connected with Christ…
We’ve also have been placed and linked together — when we are "born again” - through placing our trust in Christ - we’re meant to find our place within the Church. We need community of believers around us.
The concept of Church as family dominates the New Testament.
We just don’t see Lone Ranger Christians highlighted in the first few centuries of this faith movement or within the pages of Scripture.
In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 alone.…
5 times Paul refers to his readers as brothers and sisters (see verses 12, 14, 25, 26, 27). Five times he uses family language.
When we place our trust in Jesus Christ we not only enter into a relationship with God—a new vertical relationship; but we also enter into new horizontal relationships with other believers—we become part of a family.
5 times Paul refers to his readers as brothers and sisters (see verses 12, 14, 25, 26, 27). Five times he uses family language.
When we place our trust in Jesus Christ we not only enter into a relationship with God—a new vertical relationship; but we also enter into new horizontal relationships with other believers—we become part of a family.
Sometimes I fear (as western readers and those that live in such an individualistically dominated culture) - we miss the WE in our Scriptural CONTEXT and we end up replacing the WE with me.
WE > me — within the Scriptures.
Yes, the grace and truth of Christ is personalized - for you, for me — we are saved personally, but we’re not saved to be an isolated individual, alone.
We’re saved FOR ourselves and for others benefit!
Saved INTO the family of God!!
WE > me — within the Scriptures.
Yes, the grace and truth of Christ is personalized - for you, for me — we are saved personally, but we’re not saved to be an isolated individual, alone.
We’re saved FOR ourselves and for others benefit!
Saved INTO the family of God!!
Quote:
The New Testament knows nothing of solitary religion. We are forbidden to neglect the assembling of ourselves together. Christianity is already institutional in the earliest of its documents.
-C.S. Lewis
Quote:
"There can be no maturity in the spiritual life, no obedience in following Jesus, no wholeness in the Christian life, apart from an immersion in, and embrace of, community. I am not myself by myself."
-Eugene Peterson, A Generous Savior
The New Testament knows nothing of solitary religion. We are forbidden to neglect the assembling of ourselves together. Christianity is already institutional in the earliest of its documents.
-C.S. Lewis
Quote:
"There can be no maturity in the spiritual life, no obedience in following Jesus, no wholeness in the Christian life, apart from an immersion in, and embrace of, community. I am not myself by myself."
-Eugene Peterson, A Generous Savior
Isolation tends to lead toward destruction.
We wander into isolation. (We Drift - sometimes it’s a slow drift)
We step into connection. (We Decide. Takes intentional steps)
We wander into isolation. (We Drift - sometimes it’s a slow drift)
We step into connection. (We Decide. Takes intentional steps)
We WANDER into isolation
We STEP INTO community/connection
We STEP INTO community/connection
STEP INTO COMMUNITY (some actions steps)
-intentional connection with others (get / stay active in the family of God)
*for some of you, making church a regular rhythm is a big next step
*for others - it’s getting connected onto a serve team, Egroup, activities we do
*for others - it’s time to step toward leadership and helping others around here
-grow in authenticity (sharing and guarding others sharing)
*be a person who can openingly share the real you - to know and be known.
*vulnerability (in depth) — guard others trust in you!
*committed Egroups is where this can really happen - living life alongside
-committed community (covenant group)
*go deep with some, you don’t have to go deep with all
-confession & confidence in God and others
*we sin in secret, but we heal in community
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
*hidden things can’t get healed - bring it into the light with trusted people
*confident that we have the forgiveness of God (1 John 1:9)
-become a person who is actively encouraging and supporting others
*be intentional and on the lookout of how you can speak life into others
*don't get lost in looking only on yourself - but look to others (see Phil. 2)
-intentional connection with others (get / stay active in the family of God)
*for some of you, making church a regular rhythm is a big next step
*for others - it’s getting connected onto a serve team, Egroup, activities we do
*for others - it’s time to step toward leadership and helping others around here
-grow in authenticity (sharing and guarding others sharing)
*be a person who can openingly share the real you - to know and be known.
*vulnerability (in depth) — guard others trust in you!
*committed Egroups is where this can really happen - living life alongside
-committed community (covenant group)
*go deep with some, you don’t have to go deep with all
-confession & confidence in God and others
*we sin in secret, but we heal in community
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
*hidden things can’t get healed - bring it into the light with trusted people
*confident that we have the forgiveness of God (1 John 1:9)
-become a person who is actively encouraging and supporting others
*be intentional and on the lookout of how you can speak life into others
*don't get lost in looking only on yourself - but look to others (see Phil. 2)
Isolation never leads you to greater intimacy with God or others.
Isolation tends to lead toward a destructive reality.
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.
Hebrews 10:24-25 again…
24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
Isolation tends to lead toward a destructive reality.
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.
Hebrews 10:24-25 again…
24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
Thanks for partnering with Elements
Thank you for giving your tithes and offerings. They enable us to be the church, and they help fuel the mission of Elements City Church. Our capacity to function as a church on a daily basis is directly impacted by your support, and we are so grateful for it! You can give online at the link below, or through the Elements City Church app.
http://elementscitychurch.org/giveAren't you glad you came to church tonight?!
We love gathering together to lift up the name of Jesus over every other name, setting our eyes on what matters most before we step out into the busy week ahead. May you have a blessed week friends and we'll see you back next Sunday as we gather together. We launch a new series next weekend - Sunday at 5pm.
We love gathering together to lift up the name of Jesus over every other name, setting our eyes on what matters most before we step out into the busy week ahead. May you have a blessed week friends and we'll see you back next Sunday as we gather together. We launch a new series next weekend - Sunday at 5pm.