Jesus is More Powerful Than Satan

Short Talk (SHT156) Jesus is more powerful than the evil one © Jane Hulme 2019 SHORT TALK: “Jesus is more powerful than the evil one” Aim of Short talk: Use of Short talk: Main themes: Biblical references: Lectionary: Before the Service: Props: To encourage people that Jesus is much more powerful than Satan and that His power to bless us is much stronger than Satan’s power to destroy us. This is a short All Age talk picking out one issue from the Lectionary Gospel reading of the Sunday main service. The talk stands alone and assumes that the Gospel Bible reading may not yet have been read to the congregation. It could be used for example, for the whole congregation before the children go out to their age specific groups, leaving the adults with a full sermon later. Jesus, power, freedom, Satan, blessing Luke 8:26-39 Year C – 1st Sunday after Trinity You need 2 volunteers: • a small child • a large adult Explain to them before the service that you want them to have a tug of war competition. Brief the adult that you want them to win convincingly! You will need a short strong piece of rope that can be used for a “tug of war” competition! .................................................................................................................. Can I invite my 2 volunteers to come forward? (Child and adult come forward) • Today we are going to have a tug of war competition and see who wins. (Give either end of the rope to the child and the adult, getting them to stand apart at the front of the church) • Now this side of the church (point to the side of the church nearest to the child) is going to support NC, (name of the child) • and this side of the church (point to the side of the church nearest to the adult) is going to support NA. (name of the adult) Are you ready supporters to back your contestant? • Are you ready contestants? • Ready, steady, go! (Volunteer adult and child have a tug of war competition and the adult wins) Thank you very much. • Our winner today is NA, • but was that a fair competition? (Receive responses) It wasn’t an even match was it? • It was obvious to everyone here who would win, because NA is much bigger and stronger than NC. (Send volunteers back to their seats) © Jane Hulme 2019 2 I want you to imagine for a moment that the spiritual battle going on between God the Creator and Satan the destroyer is a bit like a tug of war. • Some people think that it is an even match, a bit like having the tug of war between NA and another adult, where we aren’t sure who is stronger and who will win; • God or Satan. But the truth is that it is not an even match. • It is more like what you have just seen today. God the Creator is much, much more powerful than Satan the destroyer. • Jesus showed us that truth when He was living on earth over 2000 years ago. • When Jesus met people, whose lives were under the control of Satan the destroyer, Jesushadthepowertosetthemfree. (Luke8:26-39) With a word of command, Jesus could tell Satan the destroyer to get out of the person’s life; • to leave them alone, • and because Jesus is stronger, Satan had to go, • and the person was free to enjoy the life of freedom that Jesus gave to them. Jesus also showed us, when He rose from the dead, the truth that He is much more powerful than Satan the destroyer and He still is. Today some of us may long for freedom from all kinds of things that have a hold over us and that we cannot seem to let go of. • We may have a bad habit or an addiction to something harmful that we cannot get free of by ourselves. The good news is that Jesus has the power to set us free from everything that is destructive in our lives, • but we do need to turn to Him and ask for His help. So be encouraged today. • Jesus, our Creator is much much more powerful than Satan the destroyer. • Jesus’ power to bless us is much stronger than Satan’s power to destroy us. • That is good news indeed! [If your church has a prayer ministry team, you may like to invite people for prayer at the end of the service] © Jane Hulme 2019 3