Sunday Words of Encouragement January 19, 2020

Our Sunday School teacher continued his lesson on “Why did God create man?” which he has given the subtitle: From Genesis to Revelation. He reminded us from last week’s lesson that God originally gave man the authority to rule over the earth but that position was taken by Satan. Satan knows the Word of God but twists it to his own purposes. That is how he entrapped Eve and Adam and how he tempted Jesus. Matthew 4:1-10 shows that Satan tempting Jesus to satisfy the three areas of sin we all face: physical cravings (food); pride of life (survival); and the lust of the eye (power over kingdoms).

Jesus faced temptation but did not sin. Hebrews 4:14-15. He was God in man, we are God with the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Still, we sin and are grateful that God gives us Grace. We have choices. Each of us is sinful. Hereditary influences impact who we are. Scientists claim that ancestral memory can carry through the DNA. Our cultural upbringing (Godly home v sinful home) impacts the choices that we make. We have no right to judge anyone else thinking they are more sinful than us. Sin is sin and we are all sinners. The Bible tells us that sins pass from generation to generation. Numbers 14:18 and Exodus 20:5. Later the Lord declares that each man shall bear his own sin. Ezekiel 18:20. We can break the chains through pray and Godly driven choices. Each man must work out his own salvation. Philippians 2:12.

Since Satan gained the position of ruler of this world we must recognize that we live in a corrupted world system. We must not love the things of this world. 1 John 2:15-17. Jesus prayed to God for his disciples “ not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” John 17:13-21.

We need to remember that we need the full armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11-12. Prayer is crucial to our battle against the strategies of the devil and most of us are weak in prayer. What schemes does Satan use? Discontent, distractions, health, and much more. The Devil knows your mind and uses it against you. Therefore, it is imperative that we control our thoughts! 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. This is not passive but requires action. We must not allow ourselves to be conformed to this world. Romans 12:2. We must learn to say “No” with the help of the Holy Spirit. Titus 2:11-13.

We sang this new (to us) song at worship time and I think it works with
 the Sunday School message today.

Verses for Today:
Titus 2:11-13 (NIV)
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

God: I pray that You reign sovereign in my life.