Temptation: Can You Resist?
Experiencing God • Sermon • Submitted
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· 3 viewsWhen we are tempted to take control of our lives from God, his grace can give us the way out.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction (5m)
Introduction (5m)
Lent Inspiration: Sam, his doughnuts and a parking space
Lent Inspiration: Sam, his doughnuts and a parking space
Eve couldn’t resist temptation either. How does her story help us to avoid giving in to temptation?
Eve couldn’t resist temptation either. How does her story help us to avoid giving in to temptation?
Explanation (5m)
Explanation (5m)
What Eve wanted was power
What Eve wanted was power
“God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
Eve wanted to be her own boss - she wanted power and control over her life
Eve wanted to be her own boss - she wanted power and control over her life
She did not want to know just the difference between good and evil (which she already did), she wanted to decide what was good and what was evil - to become like God.
She did not want to know just the difference between good and evil (which she already did), she wanted to decide what was good and what was evil - to become like God.
Be autonomous, live life without consulting God, exert yourself - you can be and do anything you want.
Frank Sinatra - My Way
Eve convinces herself she knows better than God - she rationalises why it is OK to give in to her temptation
Eve convinces herself she knows better than God - she rationalises why it is OK to give in to her temptation
The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.
She rationalised that the tree was beautiful
She rationalised that the tree was beautiful
World tries to seduce us with the beautiful. Underneath what often passes as beauty is an inner life that is far from beautiful.
She rationalised the fruit look delicious to eat
She rationalised the fruit look delicious to eat
It was useful. We are often tempted by something useful - we need that second car/extension/latest gadget, etc.
She rationalised that it would bring her wisdom
She rationalised that it would bring her wisdom
But we can learn from both good and bad decisions! Did bring wisdom, but not in the way Eve hoped! Better to learn wisdom by learning God’s ways/following his footsteps.
Application (5m)
Application (5m)
Like Eve and Adam, we are tempted by the power to live independent of God, to make our own decisions, to follow our own will
Like Eve and Adam, we are tempted by the power to live independent of God, to make our own decisions, to follow our own will
Our will must be healed from its desire to disobey God - this can only happen through God’s love and grace
Our will must be healed from its desire to disobey God - this can only happen through God’s love and grace
His grace means he is sympathetic to our battle with temptation - after all Jesus was tempted
His grace means he is sympathetic to our battle with temptation - after all Jesus was tempted
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
God’s grace is the way out. His grace will give us the strength we need to resist temptation and live the godly life he desires from us.
Next Steps
Next Steps
SB 707 - I need thee every hour
SB 707 - I need thee every hour
I need thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord,
No tender voice like thine
Can peace afford.
I need thee, O I need thee,
Every hour I need thee;
O bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to thee.
2 I need thee every hour,
Stay thou near by;
Temptations lose their power
When thou art nigh.
3 I need thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
4 I need thee every hour,
Teach me thy will,
And thy rich promises
In me fulfil.
Annie Sherwood Hawks (1835-1918) (verses), Robert Lowry (1826-1899) (chorus)
Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 135015
Copied from The Song Book of The Salvation Army
Song Number 707
