26-0426p Transcript

(0:48) Good evening. Good to see everybody. Welcome back. I took some inspiration from Scott, (0:56) so I got a shorter sermon for tonight.

I figured, hey, it’s a long day, (1:02) you know, you got to be here twice, so I want to keep you here until midnight, like Paul. (1:08) But my sermon tonight, the father of lies versus spirit of truth, (1:14) kind of ties into the sermon from this morning. This morning we watched truth on trial in Pilate’s (1:21) courtroom.

We learned that truth is not a feeling, not an opinion, not a social construct. (1:30) Truth is a person and his name is Jesus. Tonight we turn our attention to the enemy of truth (1:40) because where truth is present, lies are never far behind.

Jesus gave us a sobering description (1:49) of the devil. Just like John just read, he was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in (1:57) the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character.

(2:05) He is a liar and a father of lies. We can see that the devil, he’s a liar. Everything he does, (2:15) you know, he tries to lie to us, to deceive us.

But praise God, Jesus also made this wonderful (2:24) promise. When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, John 16, 13. (2:35) We live every day caught in the middle of this great conflict, (2:40) the father of lies versus the spirit of truth.

Satan’s oldest trick still works. In the garden (2:51) of Eden, he didn’t openly deny God’s command. He simply whispered a question.

Did God really say (3:01) Genesis 3.1? He twisted the truth. He made sin look better than obedience. (3:11) That same subtle strategy is still his most effective weapon today.

We hear it constantly (3:20) in culture, on social media, in our own anxious thoughts, and sometimes even from (3:28) pulpits that claim to be Christian. Yet we can look at five dangerous lies we face today. (3:39) Lie number one, live your truth.

Your truth isn’t my truth. (3:47) But what is the truth? Jesus declared, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the (3:56) father except through me.

John 14.6, there’s only one truth and his name is Jesus. We had that (4:07) as our theme this morning. Lie number two, you are not that bad.

God understands. (4:18) A loving God wouldn’t send anybody to hell. You ever hear that lie? (4:25) What is the truth? All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Romans 3.23. (4:34) Sin is serious, but so is grace.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us, (4:43) 1 John 1.9. Lie number three, the Bible is outdated on marriage, sexuality, and gender. (4:53) Times have changed. It’s a big lie they tell us today.

The truth is heaven and earth will pass (5:02) away, but my words will never pass away, Matthew 24.35. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and (5:12) today and forever, Hebrews 13.8. God’s design hasn’t changed and it never will. (5:20) So he’s always been against the same things since the Old Testament as he is now. (5:30) Homosexuality, some of these other, abortion, all these things, they’ve never changed.

(5:37) It’s still wrong. Lie number four, you’ve gone too far this time. God could never forgive you.

(5:48) The truth is there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ, Romans 8.1. (5:57) No sin is greater than the blood of Jesus. No matter what you’ve done, you can still be forgiven. (6:07) Lie number five, you don’t need the church.

You can be a Christian by yourself. (6:15) I’ve heard this many times from people that they don’t want to go to church. They believe (6:20) they can have a relationship with God by themselves.

(6:26) Going to church, worshiping together isn’t important, but the truth is (6:31) that the church is a pillar and the foundation of the truth, 1 Timothy 3.15. (6:39) We were never meant to fight this battle alone. The church is Jesus' body and he’s the head. (6:48) The church is a kingdom and Jesus is coming back for his church.

So to be part of the church is (6:57) important. You can’t just please God by worshiping alone, by doing things alone. (7:06) Let’s look at how Jesus overcame every lie.

When Satan came at Jesus in the wilderness, (7:13) he used the exact same three-part strategy he used in the Garden of Eden. (7:19) He tempted Jesus physically, turned these stones into bread, just as he tempted Eve with the fruit. (7:28) It looked good for food.

He twisted scripture, misquoting Psalm 91, (7:36) just as he twisted God’s words to Eve. And then finally, the promise of power and glory. (7:46) I’ll give you the kingdoms of the world, just like you will be like God.

(7:53) So if all these things don’t work, then he promises us the world. (7:57) That’s how it is when he tempts us today. We think if we sin, we’re going to receive something good, (8:05) you know, pleasure or whatnot.

We’re not offered as much as Jesus was, but (8:12) we still can be deceived that sin’s going to bring us something that God’s not giving us. (8:21) There was one massive difference when Jesus was tempted compared to Adam and Eve. (8:27) He refused to listen to the lie.

Three times he answered the devil with authority and power. (8:35) It is written. Jesus didn’t debate.

He didn’t negotiate. He answered every lie with the (8:44) unchanging truth of God’s word. How can we overcome Satan’s lies? Paul tells us in Ephesians 6, (8:55) to put on the full armor of God so we can stand against the schemes of the devil.

(9:01) Notice something important. Every piece of armor, every piece of the armor is defensive except one. (9:11) The only offensive weapon we carry is the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians (9:18) 6.17. Jesus showed us exactly how to use it. When Satan attacked him with lies, (9:27) he just answered every time with God’s word. We defeat the father of lies the same way Jesus did, (9:37) by knowing the truth, writing God’s word in our hearts every day.

Psalm 119.11. (9:45) By believing the truth, even when the lies feel louder and more real. Romans 10.17. (9:54) By speaking the truth to ourselves, to the enemy, and to the watching world. 2 Corinthians 10.5. (10:03) By living the truth in the fellowship of the church and in daily obedience.

James 1.22. (10:12) And here’s the best news of all. The spirit of truth lives inside every believer. (10:18) It will help us recognize the lies and stand firm in God’s unchanging word.

(10:26) This morning we watched truth on trial. Tonight we declare with confidence, truth is already won. (10:35) The devil is a defeated foe, but he is still whispering lies.

(10:42) The only way to silence his voice is to stand firmly in Jesus, the living truth. (10:49) The lies have worn you down. If you’re tired of the battle, (10:54) if guilt, doubt, or confusion have left you exhausted, Jesus is calling you tonight.

(11:01) He is the truth. He is greater than every lie. And he offers you real freedom.

(11:09) Right now as we stand and sing, if you have any need of the congregation, (11:15) whether it be baptized for forgiveness of sins, or you need our prayers, (11:20) please come forward. If you are a Christian, but you’ve been listening to the lies, (11:26) and need to recommit to walking in the truth, this is your moment.