The Midweek Newsletter
New City of Nations Church
November 30, 2016
Introducing … Our Enemy
(Gen. 3:1-7)
December 3
 Heart-to-Heart Holidazzle
December 4
 NCNC Business Meeting
Starting January 16
 Perspectives on the World
Christian Movement
 Congratulations to the
Vanderaa Family
 Help needed for
Audio/Visual
 Van Needed for Christine
Ndayishimiye’s Family
 Please be on time to
church
See details on p. 3
By Erik Hyatt, Lead Pastor
Genesis 3 starts with a new character that’s not human, but
manifested in an animal. Who is he? What’s his purpose?
What happens to those who listen to him? (Read Gen. 3:1-7)
1. Satan’s Identity
a. Manifesting a Serpent. “More crafty” (‘ārûm,
“shrewd”) than all. Shrewdness is not evil in itself
(Jesus said, “Be wise/shrewd as serpents…” Mt.
10:16). But it can be used to deceive and manipulate
people.
b. Serpents were worshiped by pagans in Moses’ day.
God used poisonous snakes to judge Israelites for
“speaking against God and Moses” (Num. 21:5-9).
Many died. The people repented. So God had Moses
place a bronze serpent on a pole. When people
looked upon the bronze serpent they were healed.
Jesus likened this to his work on the cross (John 3:14).
c. Nature and Origin of the Devil? OT/NT names reveal
his nature: “Satan/Adversary (Job 1:6); Father of Lies
(Jn. 8:44); the dragon, the old serpent (Rev. 12:9;
20:2); Prince of this world (John 12:31; 14:30); Prince
of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2); the god of this
world (2 Cor. 4:4); the spirit that works in the children
By the grace of God, we exist to advance the reign of Christ among all peoples through a redeemed community of all peoples. 1
Continued from p. 1
of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2); accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). We aren’t told about his origin but
we can assume he existed before the creation of the world, like the angels.
2. Satan’s Intent (2-6)
a. Isolate the Woman. Man and Woman are created equal in value, intellect, and spiritual
endowment, but with an order and roles. Adam first, then Eve from man’s rib. Man is to lead, love,
and protect. Woman is to assist alongside. But neither should operate independent of the other.
Satan isolated the woman to usurp husband’s role.
b. Make God Impersonal. Satan refers to God as Elohim, not Yahweh-Elohim (The personal name of
God).
c. Question God’s word and goodness. Eve either didn’t know God’s command very well or didn’t
want to remember it [Contrast her words (3:3) with God’s original commands (2:16–17)]. She
added to the prohibition (“neither shall you touch it”), and weakened the penalty (“lest you die”).
After Satan heard this, he blatantly negated the penalty of death that God had given (3:4). He also
cast doubt over God’s character, suggesting that God was jealous, holding them back from their
destiny (3:5). They would become like God! How many people have bought this lie?!
3. Sin’s Consequence (6-7) She took, ate, (without consulting husband) and gave to husband “who was
with her.” SHAME.
a. Eyes of both “opened and they knew they were naked.” Now seeing self AND other with evil
intent. Mistrust and alienation.
b. Sewed fig leaves to cover themselves.” Insufficient to cover their sense of SHAME.
c. Hid from God (3:10) SHAME and SPIRITUAL DEATH (more on this next Sunday). If it was only guilt
feelings, they could have covered it with lies. Werner Mischke puts it this way, Guilt is about what
I’ve done. But SHAME is about who I am. So they feared and hid their whole beings from the
presence (lit. “face”) of God.
God’s provision? Jesus lifted up on the Cross (Jn. 3:14), despising the shame (Heb. 12:2), and giving us
access to the Armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18).
Question: When and how do you access the Armor of GOD to combat the deceptive power of the evil one?
Conclusion: God is not the cause of the Fall. Nor was it Satan! Neither FORCED man to sin. Man alone is to
blame. We all bear the shame of Adam’s sin. One way Satan can easily lure people away from God and to
disobey him is by keeping people IGNORANT of God’s word! Don’t deny or ignore your spiritual enemy who
“prowls like a lion…” (1 Pet. 5:8). Only Jesus can defeat him and give us the power to resist him! (1 John
3:8; James 4:7).
By the grace of God, we exist to advance the reign of Christ among all peoples through a redeemed community of all peoples. 2
NCNC EVENTS
 Women's Heart-to-Heart Holidazzle
Let’s get into the Holiday spirit with a cup
of hot cider (or hot cocoa!) while browsing
crafts and foods of local vendors!
When: Saturday, December 3, 2:00pm
Where: Loring Park, in Minneapolis, at the
pedestrian bridge near Oak Grove Street
(west side entrance to Holidazzle)
What to Wear and Bring: Wear
comfortable shoes, dress warmly for the
outdoors, and bring bags for any items you
purchase.
Contact: Sara Schiebout, 414-331-9186.
Carpools available.
 NCNC Business Meeting
NCNC Members – Please attend an important
business meeting where we will discuss church
budget and finances, future church planting,
and church discipline of a NCNC member.
When: Sunday, December 4, after service
Where: NCNC Sanctuary
 Perspectives on the World Christian
Movement
Perspectives is a fifteen week course designed
around four "perspectives": Biblical, Historical,
Cultural and Strategic. Each one highlights
different aspects of God's global purpose.
When: Monday nights January 16 - May 1,
6:00-8:30pm
Where: Stadium Village Church, Minneapolis
Contact: Renee Kim, 612-210-1543
Go to www.perspectives.org
 Time for Church Service
NCNC Members – Church starts promptly at
10:00am. Please try to arrive at least 15
minutes early to be available to greet our
guests and to fellowship with each other.
MINISTRY NEWS
 Congratulations to Vanderaa Family
Congratulations Joel and Julianne Vanderaa.
Baby girl Solene Muriel was born on November
17 at 3:45am, weighing 6 lbs. 15 oz., measuring
19 in. long. Solene rhymes with “so then."
Meals: We would like to bless the Vanderaa
family by delivering a meal to them. Visit the
website www.takethemameal.com to sign up.
Under the Find tab enter the last name
“Vanderaa” and password “Solene.”
Contact: Joel at 612-859-1196 to confirm the
time/day after signing up.
 Van Needed for Christine Ndayishimiye's
family
We are prayerful that Christine Ndayishimiye
will be reunited with her family from Burundi
one day soon. In the meantime, we would like
to make sure she has everything she needs for
her family when they arrive from Burundi.
Specifically, they will need a van or large
vehicle, in good working condition, to seat a
family of eight. She also needs transportation
to go to and from her job. Please reach out to
your friends and family to see if anyone is
willing to donate a van for Christine’s family.
 Help Needed for Audio/Video
NCNC is in great need of people to run the
sound equipment – one weekend per month.
Training will be provided.
Contact: Joel Vanderaa on The City to volunteer.
By the grace of God, we exist to advance the reign of Christ among all peoples through a redeemed community of all peoples. 3