Week of 9/20/26 and Potlunch
Dear Church Family,
I praise God for you. I know sometimes in the flow of activities and teaching I can miss the simplicity of thanking God for growing our hearts for Him, loving Jesus and each other more. I see it and my heart is glad and knows that when we lift Jesus up as he truly is and through sacrificial love he draws people to himself. (John 12:32)
Potlunch - We will be having a potluck this Sunday(9/27) after church, so please bring a dish(or side/ or dessert) big enough for you(your family) and to share with others.
Even if you don't plan on eating, it's still a good time to get to know others and pray for one another.
Berean Enjoyment
This is our second to last Statement of Faith study. Read the statement and then the scriptures that follow it. How do these relate to the statement? Write down any questions that are raised and ask a trusted brother or sister.
We believe that Satan was created as an angelic being. Rebelling against God, he became the author of sin, our adversary and accuser, and the great deceiver of the nations. He was defeated by Christ’s death and resurrection but continues to wield power in this world under God’s sovereign control. In the end, he will be completely overcome by the Lord Jesus Christ and suffer eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Gen. 3:1,15; Job 1:6-12; Matt. 4:3-11; John 8:44; 1 Cor. 15:24; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:1-2; Col. 2:13-15; 1 John 3:8, 5:19; Rev. 12:7-12, 20:10)
A few more questions on 1) The extent of Satan's Power and 2) How do we respond to the darkness we see?
1) The extent of Satan's Power
Based on what we see in scripture of Satan being a created being...
Is Satan omniscient(all knowing)? Does he know or can he control our thoughts?
Then how does he seek to influence us?
What are some various forms of temptation/deception Satan uses in our daily lives?
Is Satan omnipresent (present everywhere)? Then what or who does he use to spread his malicious intent? How is Psalm 139:7-12 helpful when considering the presence of God vs the presence of Satan? (The whole of Psalm 139 is very encouraging here if you have time.)
Is Satan omnipotent (all powerful)? What are some truths to remember when it feels like his power is too great? Read 1 John 3:8, Hebrews 2:14, and Revelation 20:10.
2) How do we respond when we see or are tempted by darkness?
In our culture there are everything from silly to very serious celebrations or endorsements of what God calls evil.
read Ephesians 5:1-21. List out some of the instructions Paul gives when you see darkness around you?
Can you think of an example or two of places where culture seems comfortable with sin that you need wisdom in how to 'understand what the will of the Lord is'? Pray about those areas and ask a trusted friend for help to discern evil and know what response would be 'light'.
Further Personal Study
Read Matthew 4:1-11. Consider some of the temptations you face on a regular basis. Are you dealing with them in a similar way? What scriptures do you need to learn in order to combat the temptations you are facing?
A few resources on Satan
Article
John Piper - Satan's Ten Strategies Against You
Book
Erwin Lutzer - The Serpent of Paradise
Video
Gavin Ortlund - Satan, Everything You Need to Know
John Piper - Seven Ways God Reigns over Evil
John Lennox on Evil and Suffering
May God protect and strengthen you in His grace towards you!
In Christ,
Pastor Phillip
I praise God for you. I know sometimes in the flow of activities and teaching I can miss the simplicity of thanking God for growing our hearts for Him, loving Jesus and each other more. I see it and my heart is glad and knows that when we lift Jesus up as he truly is and through sacrificial love he draws people to himself. (John 12:32)
Potlunch - We will be having a potluck this Sunday(9/27) after church, so please bring a dish(or side/ or dessert) big enough for you(your family) and to share with others.
Even if you don't plan on eating, it's still a good time to get to know others and pray for one another.
Berean Enjoyment
This is our second to last Statement of Faith study. Read the statement and then the scriptures that follow it. How do these relate to the statement? Write down any questions that are raised and ask a trusted brother or sister.
We believe that Satan was created as an angelic being. Rebelling against God, he became the author of sin, our adversary and accuser, and the great deceiver of the nations. He was defeated by Christ’s death and resurrection but continues to wield power in this world under God’s sovereign control. In the end, he will be completely overcome by the Lord Jesus Christ and suffer eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Gen. 3:1,15; Job 1:6-12; Matt. 4:3-11; John 8:44; 1 Cor. 15:24; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:1-2; Col. 2:13-15; 1 John 3:8, 5:19; Rev. 12:7-12, 20:10)
A few more questions on 1) The extent of Satan's Power and 2) How do we respond to the darkness we see?
1) The extent of Satan's Power
Based on what we see in scripture of Satan being a created being...
Is Satan omniscient(all knowing)? Does he know or can he control our thoughts?
Then how does he seek to influence us?
What are some various forms of temptation/deception Satan uses in our daily lives?
Is Satan omnipresent (present everywhere)? Then what or who does he use to spread his malicious intent? How is Psalm 139:7-12 helpful when considering the presence of God vs the presence of Satan? (The whole of Psalm 139 is very encouraging here if you have time.)
Is Satan omnipotent (all powerful)? What are some truths to remember when it feels like his power is too great? Read 1 John 3:8, Hebrews 2:14, and Revelation 20:10.
2) How do we respond when we see or are tempted by darkness?
In our culture there are everything from silly to very serious celebrations or endorsements of what God calls evil.
read Ephesians 5:1-21. List out some of the instructions Paul gives when you see darkness around you?
Can you think of an example or two of places where culture seems comfortable with sin that you need wisdom in how to 'understand what the will of the Lord is'? Pray about those areas and ask a trusted friend for help to discern evil and know what response would be 'light'.
Further Personal Study
Read Matthew 4:1-11. Consider some of the temptations you face on a regular basis. Are you dealing with them in a similar way? What scriptures do you need to learn in order to combat the temptations you are facing?
A few resources on Satan
Article
John Piper - Satan's Ten Strategies Against You
Book
Erwin Lutzer - The Serpent of Paradise
Video
Gavin Ortlund - Satan, Everything You Need to Know
John Piper - Seven Ways God Reigns over Evil
John Lennox on Evil and Suffering
May God protect and strengthen you in His grace towards you!
In Christ,
Pastor Phillip
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