When Perfection Is Not Good Enough

WHEN PERFECTION IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH (Outline)

February 26, 2023 – Lent 1 – GENESIS 3:1-15

INTRO: The Lord God created a perfect world. At the end of each day of creation the Lord declared it was good. Our world is no longer perfect. Humans were given a free will. Adam and Eve decided perfection was not good enough. They wanted even more. Disobeyed. Sinned. They were discontent. "I know what it is to live in humble circumstances, and I know what it is to have more than enough. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, while being full or hungry, while having plenty or not enough" (PHILIPPIANS 4:12). How does such a disaster happen? WHEN PERFECTION IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. I. Satan’s is the father of lies. II. Lord is our Father of lives.

I. SATAN IS THE FATHER OF LIES.

A. Verse 1b. Satan tempts with a question that introduces doubt. “Has God really said....”

1. Verses 2, 3. Eve knew they could eat from all the trees except one: middle garden tree.

2. Eve even added that they were not even to touch it. Something God did not say.

B. Verse 4. “You will certainly not die”. More doubt from Satan.

1. Verse 5. Eating the fruit will open their eyes. They will know good and evil.

2. What? Already knew good. Lived in perfect perfection created by the Lord God of Armies.

C. Verse 6. Fruit was appealing. Took some and ate. Gave to Adam to eat. Eyes opened to know evil.

1. Verse 7. Now ashamed of their nakedness. Before no shame. Covered themselves.

2. Verse 8. They heard God’s voice. They hid among the trees. Satan lied. Perfection ruined.

D. Perfection just was not good enough for Adam and Eve. Their discontentment ruined everything for everyone forever. It is easy for us to see our world is no longer perfect. Far from it. Notice how the devil deceives. Satan makes that which is evil sound good. Seem good. Satan led Adam and Eve into doubt. Discontent. Sinning. They lived in a perfect world! His tempts us. “Did God really say?” “Is the Bible really true?” “How can God forgive such a sinner as bad as you?” Do not be fooled. These are all lies. That is the only thing the devil does. Can do. Will do. " …the Devil…was a murderer from the beginning and did not remain standing in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks from what is his, because he is a liar and the father of lying" (JOHN 8:44b). NO truth. Father of lies.

E. The first thing the Lord created was light. “Let there be light.” Light separated the day from night. Light was the opposite of darkness. Light and darkness have nothing in common. It is the same example concerning the Lord and Satan. One would think that the Light would be far more appealing than darkness. Goodness rather than evil. Satan is still alive. Active. Lying. He is the father of lies. Prince of darkness. "In the case of those people, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from clearly seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is God’s image" (2 CORINTHIANS 4:4). Do not be blinded by the devil’s lies. His empty offers to sin. Temptations.

F. Make no mistake. Satan is our dangerous enemy. His only desire is to have each one of us live with in hell. Suffering forever. Dear believer, he does not give up. Satan is proud. Relentless. Always a liar. In today’s gospel (Matthew 4:1-11) Satan even tried to tempt Jesus into sin. Such is the arrogance of the devil. We always want to be watching. Alert. Recognizing the danger. "Have sound judgment. Be alert because your enemy the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 PETER 5:8). Sound judgment is the enemy of Satan. As is the Truth.

WHEN PERFECTION IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Satan is the father of lies.

II. LORD IS OUR FATHER OF LIVES.

A. Verse 9. Tragedy. One day Adam and Eve walk and talk with God. Next day hiding from God.

1. Sin exposed Adam and Eve to shame. Guilt. Evil of sinning. Unworthiness before the Lord.

2. Vss. 11-13. The Lord asks Adam. Adam blames Eve. Asks Eve. Eve blames the serpent.

a. So quickly Adam and Eve learned to lie. b. Blame others. c. Not confess wrongdoing.

B. Verse 14. God cursed the serpent to be the lowliest of all creatures. Crawl on ground. Eat dust.

C. Verse 15. The Lord God of Armies gives life. God did not destroy Adam and Eve. Or the earth.