2. Many tales – All lies! John 8:44 Devil: Slanderer, accuser Satan: Adversary 2

3. Does not believe his own lie, Gen. 3:1; Job 1:6-7; Matt. 4:3 –Yet, he convinces many, Psa. 10:4, 11; 14:1 –“There is so much suffering in the world; how can there be a God?” –“If God is real and loves me, why doesn’t He help me?” –“God so loved the world…” (Jno. 3:16) 3

4. Evidence for God abounds –Provided by God, Acts 14:15-17; Rom. 1:20 –Heavens declare His power, Psa. 19:1-2 –The earth shows His excellence, Psa. 8:1 –The one who believes the devil’s tale is a fool, Psa. 14:1-3 –The wise will fear and acknowledge Him, Prov. 9:10 4

5. Minimizes the danger and power of sin –Says prohibition greater than privilege, 3:1 –Denies the severity of God, 3:4 –Attacks the goodness of God, 3:5 –Today: “God will not punish sinners in hell; Otherwise, God is not good.” –Cannot fall from grace: “You will not surely die!” Lk. 8:13; Gal. 5:4 5

6. Sin is still real –Sin is powerful, Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 6:23 –Sin is dangerous, 1 Jno. 3:4; 5:17; Jas. 4:17; Rom. 14:23 –Only Christ can save you from your sins, Acts 4:12; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28 6

7. Devil offers you the “church of your choice” Jer. 10:23 –“One church is not better than another.” (Denominations, Ecumenism) –To the devil, every church is better than Christ’s church! 7

8. Bible: One church –Built by Jesus, Matt. 16:18 –Purchased with His blood, Acts 20:28 –Body and fullness of Christ, Eph. 1:22-23 –Cleansed and saved by Christ, Eph. 5:23, 25-27 –We know why the devil says the church is not important: So people will believe it and be lost! 8

9. “The church of Christ you are a member of is not important.” Rev. 2:16; 3:16; 1 Jno. 2:18-19 –When Christians fall away, the churches they form are apostate! 2 Jno. 9-11 (Gal. 1:8-9) –The word of the Lord must go forth from a congregation – not the word of error, 1 Ths. 1:8 (Gal. 1:6-7) 9

10. Many false teachings on how to be saved (Heb. 12:25) –Hear gospel, Jno. 6:45 –Believe God and Christ, Heb. 11:6; Jno. 8:24 –Confess faith in Christ, Rom. 10:9-10 –Repent of your sins, Acts 17:30; 2:38 –Be baptized, Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27 10

11. Exclusive plan (pattern) –“Things aren’t as simple as a ‘5 step plan’ like we teach.” –“There are Christians in all churches.” (denominations) How did they get there? If they did not believe and obey the gospel plan of salvation – they are still lost! 11

12. They are all lies! Jno. 8:44 Beware his lies and deceptions –Submit to God and His truth, Jas. 4:7 –Resist the devil in faith, 1 Pet. 5:8-9 12