PUBLIC ENEMY No 1 Series (P4) – MURDERER…He Killed Us All
To learn about the origin of evil, satan, and demons, here is the link to a five-part series of messages I did last year: Deliver Us From the Evil One
Tempter. Deceiver. Accuser. Those were the first three parts of this series given to Christians to wake up to “what the hell is going on?” and who is at the root cause.
- TEMPTER I began with this descriptor because the Bible does in both Testaments.
satan tempted Eve and she succumbed (Genesis 3:1-6) bringing sin into the world. he tempted Jesus three times but failed. (Matthew 4:1) Jesus remained sinless.
Temptation is not sin. Giving in to it is sin.
- DECEIVER
Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:13
Trickery. Partial truths. Using something that sounds or looks better.
- ACCUSER
“And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world…for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12: 9-10
Good news for born-again Christians! satan can no longer accuse us before God because of the salvific work of Christ on the cross and His glorious resurrection.
“Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1-2
This week we look at the most heinous of all his acts; the one Jesus first pointed out when He called him a “murderer from the beginning”.
- MURDERER
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning,” John 8:44a
Greek word for murder: anthropoktonos; from anthropos (mankind) kteine (killer)
satan murdered all of us because after the fall of Adam/Eve sin came into the world and brought death. Two deaths: physical and spiritual
“The thief (false teachers and prophets, agents of satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; John 10:10a
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation without regret; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (kill).” 1 Peter 5:8
What Jesus Taught His Disciples about Life in a world that is satan’s domain
- Eternal Life
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies,” John 11:25
- Abundant Life)
“…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10b
This does not mean prosperity in the way false teachers describe it. It means fullness of life that can only be had in Christ; fullness of His love and grace extended to us, and joy made complete knowing what He did and what lies ahead.
- Difficult Life
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation...” John 16:33
Most of our trials and tribulations come thru the demonic realm. The closer we draw to Christ, the more intense the attacks. That is why Jesus promised…
- Overcoming Life
“the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:26-27
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” John 16:13
Invitation
We were all “murdered” by satan through sin. The good news is Jesus went to the cross and suffered the most heinous death by crucifixion of Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins. We all need Jesus. He said we are all sinners in need of repentance. (Matthew 4:17; 9:13)
That means confess your sins and change your mind (repent) about Who Jesus is and who you are apart from His saving grace. He taught that this decision is a matter of eternal spiritual life and death. Those who believe/receive Him gain eternal life. Those who reject Him will spend eternity suffering in Hell, wishing they had not refused His love, mercy and grace.
I plead with you not to close this message without confronting yourself in light of the truths I presented. I may be the last evangelist or Bible teacher the Lord puts before you to beg you to respond to Jesus, the only One Who can secure your salvation.
Will you humble yourself and receive Him today? I am praying you do!
For Christ’s sake,
