OVERCOMING TEMPTATION
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Temptation
Luke 4:1-13
Luke 4:1-13
January 23, 2011
Introduction:
Illustration: Bernard “Kip” Lagat is a world class runner from Kenya. During the Sydney Olympics he was asked in an interview how his country was able to produce so many great distance runners. With clever wit, Lagat told of the African strategy for motivating success in running-he said “It’s the road signs. ‘Beware of Lions.’”
The Christian should flee temptation just as if it is a lion attacking him, because the devil is like a lion.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
o The Devil has always been one that seeks to tempt, interfere, discourage, destroy, etc….
o The devil has no new tricks because the old ones work so well:
o Genesis 3- he tempted Adam and Eve to sin against God
o Job 1:6-9- Came to get God’s permission to tempt and attack Job
o Zechariah 3:1-2- Came to tempt the leaders of the nation of Israel
o Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4-he tried to tempt Jesus
o Mark 8:33- tempted and influenced Peter to rebuke Jesus concerning His trial, crucifixion, and death
o Luke 22:3- tempted and succeeded in getting Judas to betray Jesus
o 2 Corinthian 11:14- uses false religion to tempt millions to believe a lie
o 1 Thessalonians 2:18- tempted the Apostle Paul to quit by hindering the work of the ministry
o Revelation 12:9- one day he will be cast out of heaven; losing access to God
o Revelation 20:10- cast into the lake of fire where he will burn forever
In our passage of Scripture: the devil tempts the Lord Jesus Christ to disobey the Heavenly Father and follow fleshly desires….sounds like the same way he has tempted most all of us at different times.
Note-The word “tempted” means “To try or test or entice with evil.”
Temptation will Commence, continue, and consume unless we have a plan to overcoming it.
Note- the name devil means “slander”. He wants to ruin as many lives as he can; however he can.
I. The Pattern of the Devil
I. The Pattern of the Devil
The attacks come in the form of 3 ways creating the desire: to do, to be, or to have
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
The desire: to do, to have, to be!!!
A. The Temptation of the flesh- To do-Vs. 3
A. The Temptation of the flesh- To do-Vs. 3
1. Temptation comes at a time of weakness
1. Temptation comes at a time of weakness
Note – It is a dangerous time in a Christian’s life when we are tired or hungry or sick, as we often are vulnerable to self pity and rationalization.
We must yield to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives at all times, especially in a time of physical weakness!!
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2. Temptation to misuse of power
2. Temptation to misuse of power
There are those that are willing to go into sin because God will forgive!!!
God will forgive but there are always consequences to our sinful actions.
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Ex.- forgiveness from a lifetime of abusing your body through: overindulgence of drugs, alcohol, pornography, food, tobacco, etc.; but there are consequences that still must be dealt with….
Ex.- Steve Currington---10 years of heavy drug and alcohol abuse…..body suffered and God took him home early!!!!
B. The Temptation of the eyes-To Have- vs. 5-7
B. The Temptation of the eyes-To Have- vs. 5-7
1. We often fall into the trap of “I deserve this, or I am owed that.”
1. We often fall into the trap of “I deserve this, or I am owed that.”
Most will find a way to justify their sins. I know it is wrong….”BUT…”
2. God was going to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in His perfect time!!!!
2. God was going to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in His perfect time!!!!
3. Not every promotion or position change is God’s desire for you.
3. Not every promotion or position change is God’s desire for you.
4. This temptation was based on Satan’s temporary power in this world.
4. This temptation was based on Satan’s temporary power in this world.
Satan has taken many a godly Christian to the mountain of temptation and offered them power and prestige if they would follow his plan…..more money, better position, better life for your family, etc…..
“the things of this world will soon be past and only what is done for Christ will last”
(Mat 6:19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
(Mat 6:20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
(Mat 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
C. The Temptation of Pride- To Be- Vs. 9
C. The Temptation of Pride- To Be- Vs. 9
Note- Pride was the original sin of the devil.
Note- Satan like a good fisherman baits his hook according to the taste of the fish.
Quote- “be not proud of race, place, face or grace”
1. The plan of God was for Jesus to go to the cross not through sensationalism. The temptation was the surely the Jews would accept Jesus as Messiah if they saw angels swoop in and rescue Him…..
1. The plan of God was for Jesus to go to the cross not through sensationalism. The temptation was the surely the Jews would accept Jesus as Messiah if they saw angels swoop in and rescue Him…..
2. Pride is when we deliberately step in and change Gods plan for our lives.
2. Pride is when we deliberately step in and change Gods plan for our lives.
3. Pride is following through on the desire to be something that we are not…
3. Pride is following through on the desire to be something that we are not…
Ill – A young attorney started his first practice. He was ambitious and excited about how great his firm would soon be. His phones had not yet been hooked up, but he quickly picked up the phone when he heard footsteps toward his office.
Looking as dignified as possible, the new attorney said, “Yes, this is Attorney Jones. I need to do depositions tomorrow.” Then a man walked into his office.
“Can I help you?” asked the young attorney.
“Yes, I’m here to turn on your phone service.”
Note- the there is no age or spiritual place that we get to where temptation quits coming.
II. The Power of the Word of God
II. The Power of the Word of God
A. They Promise a Way of Escape
A. They Promise a Way of Escape
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.
B. They Provide a Way of Escape – verses 4,8,12
B. They Provide a Way of Escape – verses 4,8,12
Note – Each of the responses of our Saviour
1. Man shall not live by bread alone. – verse 4
1. Man shall not live by bread alone. – verse 4
Deuteronomy 8:3
3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Note – The way to spiritual life and vitality is to live by the Word of God.
2. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God. – verse 8
2. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God. – verse 8
Deuteronomy 6:13
13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.
3. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. – verse 12
3. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. – verse 12
16 Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
III. The Promises to the Overcomer
III. The Promises to the Overcomer
A. There Is Victory in the Word of God.
A. There Is Victory in the Word of God.
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Note – One of our Baptist Distinctives is our belief in the authority of Scriptures. But to believe in their authority and to claim their authority are two different things.
B. There Is Victory in Submitting to God.
B. There Is Victory in Submitting to God.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Ill – A little girl was asked how to deal with temptation. She said, “When Satan comes knocking at the door of my heart, I send Jesus to answer.”
Ill – Some people fall into temptation, but a great many make plans for disaster ahead of time.
Ill – “Son,” ordered a father, “Don’t swim in that canal.” “Ok, Dad,” he answered. But he came home carrying a wet bathing suit that evening. “Where have you been?” demanded his father. “Swimming in the canal,” answered the boy. “Didn’t I tell you not to swim there?” asked the father. “Yes, sir,” answered the boy. “Why did you?” he asked. “Well, Dad,” he explained, “I had my bathing suit with me and I couldn’t resist the temptation.” “Why did you take your bathing suit with you?” he questioned. “So I’d be prepared to swim, in case I was tempted,” he replied.
C. There Is Victory in Resisting Satan
C. There Is Victory in Resisting Satan
Note – If you don’t want a rotten apple—get out of the devil’s orchard.”
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Too often we say “maybe,” when we should say “no.”
Too often we say “maybe,” when we should say “no.”
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Verse 13 – He departed from Him. Thank God that our Lord led the way in facing and defeating temptation.
Note – Jesus Christ understands temptation.
Hebrews 4:15-16
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. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Note – Jesus went to the Cross in order that we might be saved.
When temptation comes, learn to focus on Jesus Christ and not on the temptation!
When temptation comes, learn to focus on Jesus Christ and not on the temptation!
Do you know Christ?
Quote – “Trying to understand the Bible without knowing the Lord is like trying to read a sun dial without the sun.” – Moody