Episode 004

Title: “The Source of the Problem”

Text: Gen 3:1-6

Theme: the devil and his ways

Key Verse: Gen 3:1-6

Introduction:

• Who? The Devil
• What? Deception, Devices and destruction of the Devil
• Where? Garden
• When: In the beginning
• Why? To Disobey God
• How? Trickery and deception
• How much?

1. Beginning - He was created by God Col 1:16

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

B. Beauty - Ezek 28:12-16

Ezekiel 28:12-16 12Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

"annointed cherib"

he was a very lovely, with amazing musical talents (pipes and tabrets)

lucifer - shining

C. Blasphemy - IS. 14:13,14

Isaiah 14:13-14 13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

The Devil- Rev 12:9 (slanderer)

Prince of the Power of the air - Eph 2:2

Prince of this world - John 12:31

god of this world - 2 Cor 4:4 (men rebelled against the true God and serve satan, some knowingly and some unknowingly)

The Dragon - Rev 12

Old Serpent - Rev 12

Roaring Lion - 1 Peter 5:8

Ruler of Darkness - Eph 6:12

Beelzebub - Matt 12 (dungeon god)

Apollyn - Rev 9:11 (destroyer)

The Wicked one - Matt 13:19

Belial - 2 Cor 6:15 (worthless)

Tempter - 1 Thess 3:5

The Enemy - Matt 13:39

Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

His name is satan

The Bible does not portray satan as an evil influence, but an evil individual -Job1:6-12

Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

\Jesus being Tempted)

Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

"Sympathy for the Devil" is a song by The Rolling Stones, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and credited to Jagger/Richards. Sung by Jagger, the song is an homage to the Devil, written in the first-person narrative from his point of view, recounting the atrocities committed throughout the history of humanity in his name."

In today's society, people would rather blame God.

But when we go to the source of the problem – we find satan.

(example of laminator)

Sin problem must be dealt with.

Outline: The Source of the problem: the source is the Devil!

1. The Devil’s Deception – Gen 3:1-6

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

he's a liar, a trickster, a deceiver

he's a murderer

he destroys homes

he destroys nations

he destroys lives

satan has been opposing God's plans for ages. Whatever God plans and hopes for this World, satan opposes it and does anything and everything he can to stop it from happening.

Deception - (of a person) cause (someone) to believe something that is not true, typically in order to gain some personal advantage.

First thing – He Question’s the Word ( He cast a shadow of doubt over God’s Word:)

Verse 1-

• The Serpent: We do not know where the serpent came from, but we know the serpent was used of satan. No doubt a beautiful and majestic creature.

2 Corinthians 11:14 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

• “Queen Jadis was the sole surviving resident and the self-declared final Queen of Charn. She was an extremely powerful sorceress, and was once the most infamous ruler of Narnia. Originally from the World of Charn, she was accidentally brought to the World of Narnia on the day of its creation. Although she was banished to the North by the Great Lion, Aslan, she returned 900 Narnian-years later, and usurped the throne from the original royal family of Narnia”
• Fur coat – (Edmond) used magic and made him Turkish delights. Used flattery and deception.
• The Serpent’s temptation - It’s important to note that man was created innocent, not Righteous. Man was given responsibility to serve, glorify, and obey his Creator. This was not the only tree in the garden, this was the only tree man could not eat of. God was very clear on what man’s condition was to obey Him.

Verse 2,3

• Eve answers satan here. It’s key to note something; satan attacks Eve. Remember what Peter said;
• 1 Peter 5:8 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
• Satan did not go straight to Adam screaming to eat the fruit. He used the serpent; who goes to Eve first and tricks her into eating the fruit.
• Notice what Eve said: “Neither shall we touch it” God never said that. (Gen 2:16,17)

Genesis 2:16-17 16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

(Illustration of how satan attacks those weak in knowledge of the Word to confuse and corrupt.

Second thing – He Denies the Word

Verse 4

This is a tactic used by the World today. Question – then deny. “No, that’s not what that scripture mean’s. No, that’s not right.”

Last thing – he substitutes his own words

Verse 5

Genesis 3:5 5For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Questioning the Word; denying the Word; and then perverting the Word. That is a tactic satan has used and is still using today!

Verse 6

(Quote J Vernon)

2. The Devil’s Devices – 2 Cor 2:9-11

2Co 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Corruption – 1 Cor 5:13

In 1 Corinthians, Paul rebukes the Church at Corinth because they turned a blind eye to gross immorality. There was a case on incest in the Church and they were not dealing with it. Even the Heathens were shocked of the gross immorality. Paul told them in 1 Cor 5:13 to “put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

A member of the Church took his father’s wife, his own step mother. We are given strict instructions in the Bible that we must deal with this sin (Matthew 18:15-17)

Matthew 18:15-17 15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

In Corinth, they just compromised. They let it go on and turned a blind eye.

Illustration of Church Discipline and the one extreme of ignoring the sin.

Correction – 2 Cor 2:5-10

They obeyed Paul and the man was excommunicated, which was the right thing to do. He was openly living in sin and had no place in the Church. V.5,6

Now, the man has repented and Paul begs the Church to confirm their love to him and forgive him. V. 7-10

Illustration of Church Discipline and the other extreme of not forgiving sin.

“For your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ” Paul begs they confirm their love, he then urges them to be forgiving and uses the example that he forgives because of Christ.

Jesus Christ died for all sinners.

God’s grace is available to all men.

It’s God’s will that all men come to repentance 2 Peter 3:9

Illustration of drawing the line and staying with the Bible.

Caution – 2 Cor 2:10,11

- Gross immorality in the Church, the sin was dealt with and the man was corrected

- The man repented of his sin (turned away) and now asks forgiveness

-Paul begs they confirm their love to him and forgive and how they should all forgive one another - - -v.11 “Lest satan should get an advantage”

Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

-Itching ears

2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (Today's youth)

-Lust, Doubt, Rage

Illustration of keeping a country divided (These are all satan’s devices!)

3. The Devil’s Destruction – 2 Cor 4:1-4

2 Corinthians 4:1-4 1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Jesus gives the Light to men

The Holy Spirit convicts men

It is up to man to respond

Rejection of Jesus Christ will send you to hell

Conclusion:

The Deception of the enemy - satan decieves, he is the god of lies and deceit. God is the God of truth

The Devices of the enemy - satan uses pride,envy,strife,doubt,lust,rage, and fables. God uses truth.

God told His nation Israel that no weapon formed against them shall prosper

The Destruction of the enemy - satan destroys lives. God can make you whole.

Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.