Week 79- Free Weekend Program for Children.

Date: 10 February, 2025

Text : Genesis 3: 1-9

Theme : Deceit, Disobedience, and the Consequences

In our last study, we saw that God gave Adam specific instructions. He also gave him a wife, Eve, and she knew that God had commanded them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Has God given us instructions? Yes! Has He also given us relationships—parents, siblings, friends, spouses, associates, etc.? Yes! God's instructions are clearly written in scripture, and as we grow, we learn more about them.

But for now, as little children, God instructs us through our parents, teachers, and others. He commands us to obey our parents until we reach an age when we can begin making decisions for ourselves (Ephesians 6:1-3; Galatians 4:1-2). He also leaves clear instructions for our parents, and they better know them (Ephesians 6:4; Matthew 18:6).

For Christians, He has given us someone even more—The Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth (John 16:13).

However, there is a devil on earth, Satan, who is cunningly deceptive. Just like a snake, he appears harmless, vulnerable, and innocent, but he is incredibly crafty, intentional, swift, deeply deceptive, and filled with poisonous venom—death. (John 10:10).

It’s easy to avoid the threat of an angry barking dog or a fierce lion because you know danger and destruction await. But a snake lurks, coiled in a corner with such “gentleness” that it can easily elude us without careful discernment.

Nonetheless, Satan does not always appear as a snake—subtle and deceptive. Sometimes, he roars like a lion (1 Peter 5:8). He comes through rebellion, false accusations, pride, opposition, arguments, etc. Even worse, he can come as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14)—quoting scripture, twisting it, or simply professing scripture without possessing eternal truth. He cannot bear fruit and can never do so; he quotes just enough to enter the fold and accomplish his goal: to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

Unfortunately, Satan succeeded in deceiving Eve. He convinced her that God was withholding great experiences, untold wisdom, and splendor from her. He tells us daily that there’s more to life than godliness and contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-7). He entices us to experience the pleasures of this world, to seek self-glory rather than live for God's glory. He suggests that we need praise from friends and family and the recognition of others, rather than the praise of God (1 John 2:16; Acts 12:21-23). Indeed, sin can be pleasurable for a season.

Make no mistake, everyone who has received the word of His grace - the gospel goes through trials. Mark 4: 14-20. Satan also ask specific permission over some, Luke 22: 31-34. Faith cannot be real without trial. It must be tested and must bear fruit to prove its worth. Job 23:10.

But once Satan had conquered Eve, he didn’t need to go to Adam—she went to him on his behalf. He does the same today, coming to us through the flesh - feeling, relationships, he may not use an obvious harlot, that’s too glaring. He came to Jesus through the mouth of Peter, but the Lord saw through it and cut it off Matthew 16:22-23. Watch out once you begin to make subtle compromises to please the flesh, carving out a small portion of ease as opposed to God’s entire will and instruction for your life.

In Adam’s case, he had a choice to make. We are not led by friends, family, or feelings; with God, there are no excuses or gray areas. It’s either obedience or disobedience. No one who has heard the gospel and is currently under a false church and false teacher will escape the consequences of such poisonous pills. Galatians 5:9. If God has called you out by the gospel, stop slithering like a snake with many clever excuses. Have a small group of two or three and encourage each other. We have a responsibility to flee though it cost everything, even our lives. There is no waiting for fair weather. Proverbs 26:13, Ecc. 11:4. Pilgrim ran from the city of destruction, leaving wife and children. Each of us will give an account of our own lives (Romans 14:12).

Just as God gave Eve to Adam, relationships are great gifts from God—they complement us. But a believer is led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14), not by anyone else or by feelings. If we compromise God’s word or give in to the flesh, even a little, to please anyone, we sin. We see this in examples like 1 Kings 13 and 1 Samuel 15:20-23. Saul “obeyed” all but left provision for the flesh, proposing to use it for sacrifice. This was very offensive to God!

Ultimately, disobedience brings fear, guilt, doubt, anxiety, discontentment, frustration, discomfort, and more. Their eyes were opened, and they saw their nakedness—everything lacking. Adam and Eve did not become like God; instead, they lacked the grace to trust Him, to believe in Him. They began to strive to help themselves, but without faith, it’s impossible to please God.

Though they hid from God, He came for them. Always remember, it’s futile to run from God (Psalm 139:7-12). As Christians, we must learn to run to Him. Our disobedience has grave consequences, but they are not eternally fatal because we are His children (Hebrews 12:1-13). However, for those without faith in Christ, their disobedience has eternal consequences.

Next week, we will see how God helped Adam and Eve, covered their nakedness, and brought justice through the punishment for their disobedience.

This message is rendered in ways that intrigue the children. Yes, it instills the fear of God, and I see their eyes wide open, but it also warns against sin and encourages us to trust God by His word because it is impossible for Him to lie.

The older kids are still engrossed in 1 Corinthians and are also doing a second review (this time through dramatic expression) of The Pilgrim’s Progress, led by Evang. Heshimu Colar. You can read his messages through this link - https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/27251602236

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