MESSAGE NOTES, 5/25/25

The reality is—we all have stuff.  Stuff we carry quietly, things we are working out with others, and challenges we wish would just go away. Death, disease, depression, disappointment, dependence,  and even demons—these are the real struggles that weigh us down. But we don’t have to face them alone. In this series, we’ll explore each of these challenging topics and see how Jesus meets us with His peace and power to get through.  

During this final week, our focus is on facing demons.

CONNECT

  1. What is a lie you believed as a kid that had a funny or serious impact on you? 

REFLECT 

  1. What do you think of when you think about spiritual warfare? 
  2.  Read John 8:31-47. What was the serpent’s strategy to tempt Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 and how do Jesus’ words confirm that his strategy remains the same? 
  3. Read 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Cor. 4:3-4,11:14; Prov. 14:12. Put these texts together with Jesus’ words in John 8:31-47 and define the nature of Spiritual Warfare. What is the primary weapon of the enemy and what is the primary defense for the believer? 
  4.  Read 1 John 2:15-17. Define the value system of the world (put together by the god of this world). In light of this description, what does spiritual warfare look like on a daily basis? 
  5.  In this series we have discussed death, disease, depression, disappointment, dependencies and now demons. How does the battle between the truth of Jesus and the lies of the enemy come into play in each of these issues?
  6.  The most intense spiritual warfare we’ll face is simply the battle to determine what is true and what is a lie. What lies are you especially susceptible to? How do you know when you are being deceived? Of the six topics we’ve discussed in this series, which one is most likely to keep you stuck in the enemies web? What can you do to stay out of the web? Who are the others in your life that can help? 

 

PRAY for those who need healing – use Blessing below or your own words


The Voice We Can Scarcely Hear

You are the voice we can scarcely hear
because you speak to us about dying and suffering,
and we are impacted by so many voices
that have to do with power
and competence
and success.

We do know that you are the voice that gives life,
that you are the voice that opens futures to people who are hopeless.
We are a part of a hopeless people,
because the other voices eat at our hearts,
and we are immobilized
and we become deaf.

So we pray for new ears.
We pray that your voice may be more audible to us,
that we may be able to sort out the death-giving
from the life-giving voices among us.

We pray in the name of Jesus,
through whom you have spoken
in such inscrutable ways.|
Amen.

Walter Brueggemann October 1, 1976

 

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