Offense, Unforgiveness, & Bitterness.
March 07, 2020 Series
Thieves and Robers
John 10:1–16 (NIV) 10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Verse 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.
- Whose voice are you listening to?
“My concern is that many are more familiar with the voice of thieves and robbers than the voice of good shepherd.”
John 9:35-41 (NIV) 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” 41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
Blinders are Binders
Satan is a deceiver
- Father of Lies(Johnn 8:44)
- “Did God really say….”(Gn 3:1)
- He masquerades as an Angel of light (2 Cor 11:14)
God is an exposer
- God is light. (1 Jn 1:5)
- The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. (John 16:13)
- Jesus is the light of the world. (Jn 8:12)
John 9:39 (NIV) For judgment I have come into this world…
Defeating Deception
1. Turn on the light
...To what God says.
John 8:31–32 (NLT) 31 “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Know the word then follow it.
James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
“He didn’t just give the word to lift you, but to lead you!”
John 10:27 (NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
2. Search your house
Fact check your feelings.
Feelings are the seasoning of life, not the meat.
Don’t ignore feelings; they are great servants but terrible masters.
3. Identify the culprits
Identify the lies
Don’t identify with the culprits; identify them so you can reject them!
LABLES LIMIT!
4. Stop listening and kick them out
