"Beasts and Dragons"
TEXT: Gen. 6; Rev. 13; Matthew 20
TRUTHS:
1. Great evil was produced when the spiritual beings mentioned in Genesis 6 “mixed” with humanity. The fallen powers of evil, as evidenced by their efforts in Gen. 6, are after the dominion that was given to humanity. That motivation is what produces all the various levels of spiritual warfare that humanity experiences upon this earth.
2. The Book of Revelation was written for and to a suffering Church. The content within it is God acknowledging that He is aware of their suffering and difficult circumstances.
3. The Christian faith, and the Bible in general, primarily addresses the sin(s) of humanity. This is not done in order to make us feel like guilty failures, but so that we can take truthful and biblical steps towards repentance, freedom, and victory.
4. The content of the Bible informs us of what will always be upon the earth. Meaning, if something is mentioned or alluded to in Scripture, it will assuredly show up on the earth to varying degrees and in various ways until the return of Christ.
5. The powers of evil know and understand your personal weakness. You can assume that the enemy will try to tempt you with those same weaknesses and sins in a season of personal vulnerability.
6. Persecution purifies the Church of Jesus Christ, whereas ease most often leads to apathy and destruction.
7. Similar to Genesis 6, Revelation 13 reveals that fallen evil beings seek to mix with humanity and human power structures (government). This is done in order to capture dominion through the spread and acceptance of deception. How do the children of God resist succumbing to such deception? We must worship God and serve people. Those two practices will keep us tethered to the truth and produce a heart that is sensitive to the voice of our Father.
TALK TO EACH OTHER:
1. How should Genesis 6 inform your worldview? In what ways does such biblical truth show up in your daily life?
2. Why is it significant for God to acknowledge that He sees the suffering of His Church? How does this equip us to advance the gospel?
3. How does 'Truth 4' change the way you read and interpret the Bible? Does it? Should it?
4. How can a follower of Christ prepare themselves to resist being enticed back into the specific weaknesses and sins they once dealt with (Truth 5)?
5. What does it mean to worship God? Many people understand this to mean the singing a congregation participates in before the preaching of God's Word. Is that a good definition and description of worship? Why or why not?
6. Why does persecution purify the Church? Additionally, why does ease often lead to destruction for the Church? Can you think of biblical examples that illustrate this reality?
TALK TO GOD:
Pray into the following areas:
To understand what it means to worship God
Serving other people
Wisdom and victory concerning spiritual warfare
To not fall back into personal weaknesses and sins
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