Lent 3 Temptation 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Sermon 3-27-11 Lent 3 - temptation 1 cor 10:12-13 = =
12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Temptations – Jesus resisted temptation – lent is a good time for us to

Story of gods relationship w man does not begin w sin, but w love

The msg today is not about who much we are all great sinners.
It is about temptations that are real and what we can do to over come them and live as God intended us to live.

Problem of temptation is real
Only a relationship with God can fill the mystery of life
When we try to fill this other ways, we end up broken, and in sin

source of temptations
first important step is to take responsibility for your sin, and temptation

flip Wilson- the devil made me do it.

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. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith

natural part of human living – Paul - spirit wars vs the flesh

James 1:13-14 we are drawn aside by our own lusts and tempted
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

What are some of the big ones
Trying to fill the need with that which will not satisfy
Life a house w many rooms, be careful in kitchen – u will get burned

Shopping – kohls
if the definition of sin is sep from God, what separates you
if it doesn’t separate you, don’t worry about it [fight inappropriate guilt]
only you know if it is sin to you, but you do know.

Sexuality – a blessing
Infidelity -pornography
Addiction- Drinking- drugs - Eating
Love of money – stealing, cheating, your employer, the government

Ultimately temptation and sin is all about pride
Its about me- envy coveting pride
No one questions me
I will do what I want
It is my money,
It is my life

1 peter 5:5 in the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[a] 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Why is God against this stuff?

1. god is not the cosmic killjoy he wants to save us from the pain

Paul Harvey tells an incredible story describing how Eskimos kill a wolf simply by coating several layers of frozen blood on a sharp knife sticking out of the frozen tundra. Apparently the wolf picks up the scent, and after circling the knife warily begins licking the frozen blood. He begins to lick faster and faster as the desire for blood literally drives the wolf wild. So great becomes his craving that the wolf never notices the sting of the sharp blade on his tongue as the blood being consumed gradually becomes his own. Morning finds the wolf lying dead in the snow.

2. it is bad for us -
succumbing to temptation leads to brokenness and guilt

3. sin is the great deceiver- always promises what it cannot deliver
you thought this was cool, but now you see it hurts

the farmer who picks up the snake – you knew what I was when you picked me up

God will make a way for you to get out of it
Do not judge those who are struggling w something
there are three things we do not know:
1. First, we do not know how hard he or she tried not to sin.
2. we don’t know the power of the forces that assailed him or her.
3. we don’t know what we would have done in the same circumstances.

God will make a way for you to get out of it
You do not have to succumb habitually

fight temptations
Put your mind somewhere else
Make good choices
avoid compromising situations
Don’t put yourself in positions of temptation

stay connected to Christian friends
find new friends

pray read scriptures [find words of hope]
Jesus is tempted in the wilderness Mt 4 - how did he counter? by the word

Call upon the name of the Lord for strength
take it to Jesus cast your cares upon him for he cares for
1 peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

lord give me strength

conclusion
2 cor 12:8-10 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul had a thorn in the flesh-
three times he prayed for it to go away
my strength is made perfect in weakness

what is your weakness
Stay out of the kitchen and spend more time in the chapel
What is your weakness – it is also the thing that drives you toward God

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endur

Jeff Brinkman
Pastor
Woods Chapel United Methodist Church

You can read Jeff's blog at www.canyouhearthebirdssing.blogspot.com