Do As I Do

INTRODUCTION

Honesty Defined

truthfulness, sincerity

freedom from deceit or fraud

We can all agree, christian and non-christian, that a Bible-based Christian must be truthful, sincere, not deceitful, and definitely not perpetrating a fraud.

Christians Must Be Honest

Note title of lesson

Play on “do as I say, not as I do”

Good example in Paul

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Was Paul a perfect Christian? (read rom 17)

Honest When We Admonish & Judge

Romans 2:21–24 ESV

you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

A Sinner’s kryptonite for the Christians is in Matt7:1

show judgment slides

honest Christian will first:

Matthew 7:5 ESV

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Honest When We Are Tempted.

We are most prone to give into temptation, not at our lowest moment, but at our highest moment.

Proverbs 16:18 ESV

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Satan’s primary tool to get us is “Pride”

Don’t believe the hype

Keep even (not too high, not too low)

Thank God for your blessings

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1. Temptation is common to everyone

In All Honesty - I am not here to tell you how stop temptation - impossible why

Every single person who has walked the face of the earth has been tempted including Jesus Christ

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Being like Christ is to be tempted because He was tempted

And to be like Christ we must overcome that temptation and not give into it.

2. Temptation takes place in a controlled environment

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

...God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability...

Temptation in and of itself is not a sin - Jesus was tempted

Giving in to the temptation is the sin

James 1:12–15 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

The Bible does not give us hope that we will ever be free of temptation.

It does offer encouragement in order to fight it

Some may think that more mature I become in my Christianity the less I will be tempted. Let me be Honest - NOT

Satan does his fiercest fighting with those who are walking closest to Jesus.

3. God Provides a Way of Escape from Temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

...but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Don’t say I couldn’t help it - you didn’t want to help it

God sees the temptation from beginning to end. He is not caught off guard. - There are always options (the escape route God provided and the give in route)

Bosian War - Scott O’Grady story

We have a role

Man with the donut addiction

God provides the way of escape, but we have to take it!

Recognize the possibility of it

Request help in advance of it

Resist the Devil and he will flee from you