I. Children’s message:
Last week’s lesson was on Adam and Eve being tricked by Satan.
How did Satan appear to Eve in the garden? He disguised himself as a beautiful serpent.
Why did he put on a disguise?
So he could trick them.
He was so jealous that they hung out with God every single day talking and having fun together that he wanted to destroy their friendship with God.
Satan hates God! He uses lots of disguises and methods to trick us into wanting to do the stuff he wants us to do which isn’t what God knows is best for us and spoils our friendship with Jesus.
Satan still uses disguises and deception to try to trap us into doing stuff he wants us to do.
Jesus warned us about him! He called Satan a thief, because he is a thief.
Jesus says: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep…” John 10:10, 11
Jesus is referring to Satan as the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus is the complete opposite of a thief who steals kills and destroys – Jesus gives life!
A thief usually comes in the darkness – why?
People who sin don’t want to be seen, just like Satan – he likes to operate in the darkness because he’s up to no good disguising himself and lying.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the opposite of Satan and his dark ways and the darkness that he causes: Jesus is the Light of the World. John 1:4, 5 He came to shine on those in darkness and in the shadow of death. Luke 1:79
We’re not to have anything to do with the dark things of Satan: stealing, lying, cheating, disguising ourselves to trick people – these things aren’t pleasing to God.
Romans 13:12 tells us that “the night is almost gone and the day is at hand. Lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light”
This means that Satan’s time of tricking people into wanting to do bad things is almost over – that Jesus’ light will completely overpower Satan. As people who love Jesus we need to stop doing the things that we know Jesus doesn’t like.
What does it mean to put on the armor of light?
To live for Jesus, to do things you know are pleasing to Him. He is the Light – always know that Jesus is with you, protecting you from Satan’s lies, tricks and disguises.
II Adult message (continues from the Kids message)
God warms us about not being defiled by Satan’s lies or his disguises.
Romans 13:12 – 14 “the night is almost gone and the day is at hand. Lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly… 14 put on the Lord Jesus Christ
2 Corinthians 6:14 – 18 …what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony does Christ have with the devil? What agreement the temple of God with idols?
1 Corinthians 10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
We are living in times where Satan is hard at work to steal, kill and destroy! We must be vigilant to be aware of the disguises in which he cloaks his evil enticements.
Think about this: Costumes are a type of disguise. Does God want us to cover up, to change our identity?
I am who He created me to be.
Does disguising myself become a means of denying who God created me to be?
Be aware! While looking through Christian print-outs for the kids I saw two different coloring pictures among the Christian sites which instantly raised red flags:
Infant Jesus drawn to look like Buddha: what does this imply?
A LOL doll: Are you aware that the owners of the business who manufactures these dolls are deeply involved in grooming children to exploit them in deeds of darkness and rob them of their innocence? We need to be aware and on guard against things that seem appropriate for kids which are actually disguises to lure innocent children into traps of Satan.
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God who spilled His blood and sacrificed His life in the battle against Satan for our souls, we must be vigilant and on guard for disguises that cloak evil. Put on Jesus Christ – have the mind of Jesus Christ – ask for discernment and knowledge from the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.
As an old Gospel song puts it, “Shut the door! Keep the devil in the night!”
Scotts Mills Friends Church 