Facing Temptations Matthew 3:16 4:1-11 1-13-02

Sermon 1-13-02 Matthew 3:16--4:1-11 Facing Temptations

Have you ever been tempted to do something that you shouldn’t
Cheat on taxes/dispose of your neighbors noisy dog
No temptations??? Good week or facing spiritual pride
Two part message on temptations- verse one today

Jesus baptized, spirit upon him, my beloved son
Then immediately into wilderness
Spirit does not make us comfy for too long

The spirit leads you where you do not want to go

Romans 8: it is given on the behalf of Christ, both to believe on his name and also to suffer for his sake
=We want the honor, but not the struggle
=Joy but not the sorrow
Jesus, in order to fulfill his mission had to put himself in a position that no one would want to be in. It was a vital part of preparing himself for the future

Paul, had a thorn in the flesh
A messenger from satan, prayed for it to go away
It did not, my strength is made perfect in weakness

Source of temptations
-they are a natural part of our world
-James 1:12-14 we are drawn aside by our own lusts and tempted

What do you gain from the trouble that you face
Unhappiness, discomfort, character
1 cor 13? God of all comfort 2 cor 1:3-4

There are things that none of us want to find in our lives
Ecclesiasticus 2:1
Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.

Methodist preachers…go to places where no man has gone before
New faces, new town
“well, that is the life that you chose”
yes it is. It is also the life that you chose when you chose christ