SF308 - SATAN'S COUNTERFEITS (Acts 19 13-20)
@PAGE NUMBER = SF308
@TITLE = SATAN'S COUNTERFEITS
@LEVEL ONE = ACTS 19:13‑20
@LEVEL ONE = INTRODUCTION
@ILL TITLE = CHARADE OF THE CUCKOO
@ILL TEXT = Nature provides a fitting illustration of Satan's tactics. Observers tell us that in the spring of the year the cuckoo bird can be seen mimicking the flight of the sparrow hawk. Flapping, gliding, and soaring like a natural predator, this impostor frightens songbirds and distracts them to the point that they leave their nests unattended. She then moves in and devours an unguarded egg, leaving one of her own in its place.
@LEVEL TWO = Satan's Scheme
@LEVEL THREE = 1. Convince man that he is real.
@LEVEL THREE = 2. Convince man that he is real but of no danger.
@LEVEL THREE = 3. Convince man that he is God.
@LEVEL TWO = Satan's Method
@LEVEL FOUR = Knows most men are too smart to worship for who he really is.
@LEVEL FOUR = Disguises himself in religion
@LEVEL TWO = Satan's Favorite Counterfeits
@LEVEL THREE = Works religion
@LEVEL THREE = Mormonism ‑ family
@LEVEL THREE = Jehovah's Witness ‑ Bible study
@LEVEL THREE = Eastern Mysticism ‑ supernatural
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@LEVEL THREE = New Age ‑ man centered
@LEVEL FOUR = Astrology
@LEVEL FOUR = Witchcraft
@LEVEL FOUR = Spiritism
@LEVEL FOUR = Satanism
@LEVEL FOUR = Demonism
@LEVEL TWO = How does Satan pawn his counterfeits?
@LEVEL ONE = 1A. HIS METHOD: DECEPTION
@LEVEL TWO = 1B. Sensational Experience (v.13a)
@LEVEL FOUR = Driving out demons
@LEVEL FOUR = Out of body experience
@LEVEL FOUR = Fortune told
@LEVEL FOUR = Funny feeling
@LEVEL TWO = 2B. Superficial Association (v.13b)
@LEVEL FOUR = Uses Jesus's name
@LEVEL FOUR = Religious double‑talk
@LEVEL TWO = 3B. Supporting Cast (v.14)
@LEVEL FOUR = Sons of a respected community leader
@LEVEL FOUR = Friend
@LEVEL FOUR = Family
@LEVEL FOUR = Work associate
@LEVEL FOUR = Celebrity
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@ILL TITLE = IS IT EXPEDIENT?
@ILL TEXT = Native to Central America is a plant called nardoo. Although it satisfies the hunger of the one who eats it, it contains very little nutritional value. A group of Englishmen, thinking nardoo was good food and unaware of its deceptive character, died of starvation while using it as their source of nourishment. Likewise, spiritual malnutrition results when Christians begin to feast on the tantalizing but worthless things the world offers.
@LEVEL ONE = 2A. HIS MOTIVE: DESTRUCTION
@LEVEL TWO = 1B. Inescapable Revelation (v.15)
@LEVEL THREE = Eventually we will be found out
@SCRIPTURE = GAL 6:7<R>Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
@LEVEL TWO = 2B. Inevitable Result (v.16)
@SCRIPTURE = ROM 6:23
@ILL TITLE = BEWARE! THE STICK MAY BREAK!
@ILL TEXT = The "Western Messenger" periodical carried a story by Evangelist Joe Boyd. He tells how he met a man with a missing index finger. "How did it happen?" Boyd inquired. "A snake bit me when the stick broke," he replied. "What stick?" asked the preacher.
@ILL TEXT = The man then told how he had kept a large 6‑foot rattlesnake in a cage as a pet. One day, however, he took it into the living room and released it just to tease his wife. As she fled in terror, he quickly took a stick and placed it behind the reptile's head, holding it firmly to the floor. As the irritated snake writhed and twisted, the man pushed harder to maintain control.
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@ILL TEXT = Suddenly the crotched limb gave way with a loud crack. As quick as lightning, the rattler arched its back and made its attack. Its deadly fangs, filled with venom, struck the man on the hand. Medical treatment saved his life, but his finger had to be amputated. Evangelist Boyd says, "Sin is like that rattlesnake. You can't tease or play with it, for it will never be satisfied until its poison is injected into your soul.
@LEVEL ONE = 3A. HIS MATCH: DELIVERANCE
@LEVEL TWO = 1B. Conviction (v.17)
@SCRIPTURE = "Seized" = to embrace
@SCRIPTURE = "Fear" = phobos ‑ get phobia from. Controlling ‑ reverential fear (ACT 5:11)
@LEVEL TWO = 2B. Confession (v.18)
@SCRIPTURE = "Believed" = faith
@SCRIPTURE = "Came" = implies voluntary coming
@SCRIPTURE = "Openly" = to announce, declare ‑ public
@SCRIPTURE = "Confessed" = acknowledge, agree fully, idea of repentance (MAT 3:6)
@LEVEL TWO = 3B. Conversion (v.19)
@LEVEL THREE = House cleaning
@SCRIPTURE = "burned..."
@SCRIPTURE = "fifty thousand drackmas" drackma = 1 days wage
@LEVEL TWO = 4B. Continuation (v.20)
@LEVEL THREE = Real commitment always produces real growth
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@LEVEL ONE = CONCLUSION
@LEVEL TWO = Deceived In Danger Of Destruction
@ILL TITLE = THE DANGER OF UNBELIEF
@ILL TEXT = During the Franco‑German War two shells fell close to a house near the scene of the conflict. The owner decided to keep them as a curiosity. After polishing them, he put them near his fireplace.
@ILL TEXT = One day he showed these interesting objects to a visiting acquaintance. His friend was suddenly struck by a horrible thought. "What if they're still loaded?" he inquired in alarm. Being an expert in such matters, he quickly examined the shells. "Get them away from the heat of the fire immediately! They're as deadly as the day they were made!" he exclaimed.
@ILL TEXT = Without realizing it, his host had been in grave peril. So, too, many go on enjoying "the pleasures of sin for a season," ignorant of impending doom. By failing to obey the Gospel, they face the dreadful prospect of being "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord."
@LEVEL TWO = Deliverance is Available
@SCRIPTURE = 2TI 2:21<R>If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.