Sermon Tone Analysis

To begin with we have to see that Temptation does not come only to the evil, or to the weak in faith.

Jesus himself was tempted for 40 days in the desert.

*Heb 4:15* For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was *in all points* tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

*Temptation is not sin!

He was tempted, but not Tempted(or drawn away)*

*We have to decide what our attitude will be toward it!

Because our attitude will determine our altitude!*

*James 1:1-4*

*1* James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

*2* *Consider it pure joy*, my brothers, *whenever you face trials of many kinds*,

 

·      *Wait a minute**!

Why should I consider any hardship PURE JOY? How is that possible?

*

*/ /*

·      *First of all let´s make a difference between facing a trial and falling into one.

Just like in the example of Jesus, we will all face temptation, but we do not have to fall into it.

*

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·      */Zb.. a forest full of traps, we all have to cross the forest, but if we know that the traps are there, we can avoid them, we do not have to put our foot in a trap!

Going into a test with all the answers is not a scary thing.

Right?/*

·      *Secondly because we know why we are crossing the forest, we are growing in the kingdom, we are doing the will of God, We have a great reward on the other side…*

 

*3* */because you know/* that the testing of your faith /develops/ perseverance.*

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*4* Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

* *

*Rom 5:3-4*

*3* Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings(Pressures), */because we know/* that suffering

produces perseverance; *4* perseverance, character; and character, hope.

·      *One of our first questions when something happens is “WHY”.

We don´t understand why this is so hard, why me, why did god do this to me, or why did he allow this, why now etc..?*

 

·      *Our attitides will be determined by what we believe about temptations and trials.

By what we Know!*

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*1.    **What is Temptation and where does temptation come from?*

* *

*What is Temptation*

* *

*TEMPTATION (to do Evil)*

*/An enticement or invitation to sin, with the implied promise of greater good to be derived from following the way of disobedience.

In this sense, God does not tempt man, nor can He Himself as the holy God be tempted <James 1:13> (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)/*

* *

*TEMPTATION (to test or try out).*

*In the Old Testament, temptation can best be understood as testing or proving.

The context is the covenant relation of mutual love and faithfulness between God and His people.

The Lord tests  to prove the true nature of faithfulness to Him.

His purpose is not to induce His people to sin but to confirm their faith <James 1:2-4>.

John 3:20-21 */For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light(of God´s inspection), that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God./

* *

*Zb.. use the example of testing new glasses.

(in Russia banging on the glass)*

*1.   **To see if it is fit to drink out of.(one good, one with a hole in it) *

* *

*Where does temptation come from*

* *

·      *God is not the Tempter*

*James 1:13-17*

13 When tempted, *no-one should say, "God is tempting me."*

For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;(with evil)

 

·      *The Devil is the Tempter*

*Matt 4:3*

3 And when *the tempter* came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

(I Thess 3:5)

 

·      *People say “But it comes from God Because he allows it to happen!”*

 

1.

The fact is God allows what you allow*!

We seem to go back and forth about the sovereignty of God.

Does he control everything or not?

What about the free will of Man?*

* *

*1 Cor 10:13*

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you(will be with you, will not leave you alone) to be tempted above that ye are able; but will(be) with(you in) the temptation also (he will be and )make a way to escape, that ye may be able (have the power) to bear it.

·      *You are only weak, when you do not rely on his strength.

At that time you are open for your flesh to lead the way.

James 1:14 *but each one is tempted (to do evil) when, by his own evil desire…

·      *What about the Lord´s Prayer?

If God doesn´t tempt us with Evil, why do we have to ask God not to tempt us?

If it is the good kind of temptation or proving, shouldn´t I be asking him to do it?*

* *

* *

*Matt 6:9-13*

9 "In this manner, therefore, pray: our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11 *You *Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And *You *forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And *You *do not lead us into temptation, but *You *deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and *Yours is *the power and *Yours is *the glory forever.

Amen.

(NKJ)

 

I Believe that the Lord´s Prayer has been read wrong for years.

Because it is read in a begging attitude instead of a confident I trust in my Father one.

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*2.

How does temptation work?*

 

14 but (1)each one is tempted (to do evil) when, by (2)his own evil desire, he is (3)dragged away and (4)enticed.

15 Then, after (5)desire has conceived, it gives (6)birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to (7)death.

1.

*each one is tempted:* as we have said, we are all able to be tempted.

As long as we are on this earth we will be subject to the temptations that are common to man.

2.    *his own evil desire**:* It´s not God´s desires that draw us away it´s ours.

Often we are quick to blame the devil for the temptation, but God has given us the tools to reduce the chances of falling.

NOTE: There are sources of temptation that have nothing to do with our personal choices, ie.. the curse of generations.

This is like having a womb that is fertle for the seed.

Unfortunately we are all like this in this world!

The heart of man is only evil!

3.    *dragged away:* This is the drawing away of our attention.

We begin to feed on the thought of this sin.

This begins in our thought life and can become an occasional thought till it is coming more and more often.

It is at this point that we are most able to combat the Temptation!

The Bible says to cast down the imaginations and the High things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

4.    *enticed:* This is where the actual hunger begins to develop.

When the thought becomes more and more pleasurable.

Where we choose to think about it.

Where we play with the thought and no longer resist it.

This is where the desire develops and our wills begin to give in.

It is a little harder at this point, but still possible to cast it down.

5.    *desire has conceived**:* It is at this point that this temptation turns into Sin*!

At this point IF I had the OPPORTUNITY I would do it!*