devil – Harmony Bible

Week 28 | Section 42

Jesus has gone to the Synagogue on the Sabbath but there encounters a demoniac. Astounding those present, he sets the demoniac free and word of Jesus’ authority spread throughout the region. The Good News is not limited to our salvation but our daily experience of God’s grace and power in our lives as we live Christ.

Scripture:

[one_half last=”no”]Mark 1:21-28
21 They went into Capernaum,¹ and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue² and taught.³¯⁴ 22 They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.⁵ 23 Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit,⁶ and he cried out, 24 saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us?⁷ I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!” 25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”⁸ 26 The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” 28 The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.⁹ [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Luke 4:31b-37
31b He was teaching them on the Sabbath day, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.¹⁰ 33 In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 saying, “Ah! what have we to do with you,¹¹ Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!”¹² 35 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.[/one_half]

Group Dialog:

What kind of authority does Jesus have in the synagogue? In his teaching? And over evil spirits? How should this truth influence our daily lives?
What is the source of (Jesus’/ of our) truth, authority, and power?
What spiritual struggles do you face? How can Christ’s authority, truth, and power help you overcome these things?
What is our role in relationship to the authority of Christ in our lives? In regards to truth at work within us? And in regards to the ministry to which we have been called?

Learning Objectives:

Jesus is all powerful, Jesus is Holy, Jesus is the Messiah, submission, free will, Jesus is the source of truth, our authority in ministry comes from Christ and our association in him.

Image: The Old Veteran – The Old Veteran Cypress resides on the North Shore Trail of the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Naturalists at Point Lobos estimate the Old Veteran has already exceeded the 300 year lifespan of most Cupressus macrocarpa but he still rests through the fog, and rain, despite the eroding cliff from the waves crashing below.

Study Notes:

Week 16 | Section 25

Immediately after Jesus was baptized he was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit and there he was tempted fiercely by Satan. Just after his baptism having heard God affirm him saying “you are my Son”, Satan jumps on the opportunity to confuse Jesus by trying to undermine his identity, distort God’s Word, and redirect his purpose. Wonderfully, Jesus spiritual foundation, knowledge of Scripture, and integrity protected him being deceived.

Scripture:
[one_third last=”no”]Matt 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led]note]Heb 2:18, 4:15[/note] up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.¹ 2 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”² 4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ”³ 5 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you.’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 9 He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”⁴ 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ ”

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 1:12-13
12 Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals;

and the angels were serving him.[/one_third]

[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 4:1-13
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness 2 for forty days,⁵ being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”⁶ 5 The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The devil said to him, “I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want.[The Devil indeed had the authority to do so (Rev 11:15), but the temptation was to get the Messiah to forfeit his Eternal purpose for temporal authority. Had he done so we would not have a Savior. Jesus is clear about this point (John 18:36) as were the Apostles 2Cor 4:17; Eph 2:2; 6:12.[/note]¯⁷

7 If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “Get behind me Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ ”⁸ 9 He led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you;’ 11 and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”⁹ 12 Jesus answering, said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” 13 When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time.¹⁰[/one_third]

Group Dialog:

Give some thought to the question, How does temptation most often come upon you?
From today’s lesson what can you learn about temptation and overcoming it?
What Scripture passages have given you most resolve and fortitude to resist temptation and fulfill the ministry to which God has called you? (2Tim 1:6; James 4:7)
Which of these temptations is most difficult for you? 1. Fear of scarcity; 2. Worldly possessions and social opinion; 3. Self reliance vs trusting God to lead and guide.

Learning Objectives:

Baptism, Trinity, Deity & Humanity of Christ, sin, humility, acceptance, angels, heavenly ranks, devil, temptation, overcoming temptation

Study Notes: