Key Scriptures: Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Lesson one: God prepares a table in the presence of our enemies and joins us there.
• The table is a picture of hospitality and generosity
• The table is a picture of our relationship with Jesus
Psalm 23:5-6, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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Lesson Two: The enemy seeks to hijack the table that God has prepared for us.
John 10:1, Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
1 Peter 5:8, Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
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HOW DO YOU KNOW IF THE ENEMY IS AT YOUR TABLE?
Lesson Three: The enemy is at your table if you are being told that it is better at another table.
• The table is about life and life to the full…any other table is about stealing, killing and destroying
John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
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Lesson Four: The enemy is at your table if you are being told that you’re not good enough.
• Christ values us enough that he gave his life to sit at this table with us
John 10:11, I am the good shepherd—and the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
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Lesson Five: The enemy is at your table if you are being told that you’re not going to survive the struggle.
• The Good Shepherd leads us through the valley—and out to green pastures, still waters, and restoration
Psalm 23:4, Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
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Lesson Six: The enemy is at your table if you are being told that everyone is against you.
• The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see that Almighty God is for us
Romans 8:31, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Psalm 118:6, The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
1 John 4:4, Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
2 Kings 6:16, “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
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Lesson Seven: As children of God; we have the authority to deny the enemy a seat at our table.
1 Peter 5:9-11, Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
James 4:7, Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.