Christmas on Purpose

To Destroy
December 8, 2024
Chris Seidman, Lead Minister, The Branch

1 John 3:8 (NIV)
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

Genesis 3:15 (NIV)
“… he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Matthew 8:29 (NIV)
“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

Luke 4:34 (NIV)
“Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!”

John 8:32 (NIV)
“… the truth will set you free.”

John 8:44 (NIV)
“He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Colossians 2:15 (NIV)
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV)
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

1 John 3:5-9 (NIV)
But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.

1 John 3:5-6 (NIV)
… in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning.

1 John 1:8-2:22 (NIV)
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 3:6 (NIV)
No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

Learning to live in Jesus, fixing our eyes on Jesus, and getting to know Jesus will interrupt “business as usual” when it comes the sins that have beset us.

1 John 3:7 (NIV)
The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

1 John 3:8-9 (NIV)
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.

John 1:12 (NIV)
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The One who appeared to destroy the work of the devil lives inside of us to destroy the work of the devil in us and through us.

Jesus’ birth has everything to do with the possibility of a new birth for us.

Baptism Liturgy

Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
Answer: I renounce them

Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer: I renounce them

Do you renounce all the sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Answer: I renounce them

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
Answer: I do

Do you put your whole trust in His grace and love?
Answer: I do

Do you promise to follow and obey Him as your Lord?
Answer: I do

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
Answer: I will, with God’s help.