2025-02-09 - Just Because (4)
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Just Because (4)
Just Because (4)
Introduction:
I’m working to install a new thermostat at the Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen in St. J. In order to do it, I need to have a plan, a blueprint if you will to know how to hook it up. Their blueprint was missing info but through research and brainstorm I figured out what the company told me was the correct configuration. We have to have blueprints and maps. Unfortunately the enemy has them too.
Today will look at Satan's’ Blueprint to devouring us.
Satan has his blueprint but we have ours too, it was given to us by God. But we must use it just as Jesus did when He was tempted.
Review:
I. Satan’s True Nature and Role
Ephesians 4:27 (NKJV): “Nor give place to the devil.”
II. The Effect of Satan’s Deception
Start HERE, 02-09-2025.
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III. Temptation’s Blueprint: How Satan Tempts Today
Temptation’s Pattern:
Satan’s tactics in Genesis provide a blueprint for how temptation works in people’s lives today. He lied, deceived and tempted them as he does to us today.
Application 2: As I mentioned last week, this could be, getting drunk, or drug use that alters your mind to sexual immorality that is spelled out in the Bible, to skipping church, using God's name in vain. Bringing disunity in the Body by backbiting, not talking with someone about a problem you see with them…
When these things come our way, don’t be like Eve and Adam and let satan justify why you should do these things. Look at them, recognize they are what they are, sins your being tempted with and turn to God for help.
Don't think the world is over for you if you fall or have fallen into one of these things. God wants to rectify the mess we get into. Don’t do something just b/c God will get you out. But know He’ll get you out if you get into the sin.
Don’t look down on others who get into these or other sins. If you do, then you yourself are sinning. Rather come alongside those in sin, and lovingly pray with and for them and help them out.
Matthew 4:1-11 (NKJV):
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Jesus therefore quoted
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
The MacArthur Bible Commentary 3. His Temptation (4:1–11)
According to the Jewish historian Josephus, this was a drop of nearly 450 feet.
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: The King’s Credentials (Matthew 3–4)
The devil offered Jesus a shortcut to His kingdom. Jesus knew that He would suffer and die before He entered into His glory (
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
The MacArthur Bible Commentary 3. His Temptation (4:1–11)
God Himself is never the agent of temptation (
Jesus resisted temptation,
we can too,
with God’s help, Just Like Jesus Did.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: The King’s Credentials (Matthew 3–4)
Jesus was tempted so that every creature in heaven, on earth, or under the earth might know that Jesus Christ is the Conqueror. He exposed Satan and his tactics, and He defeated Satan. Because of His victory, we can have victory over the tempter.
Stop HERE
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IV. The Serpent’s Role and the Human Response
We talked earlier about Satan and his appearance as a serpent. Let's revisit this just a bit more to help us drive home what we were just thinking about within we talked about Satan's Temptation Blueprint.
The Serpent as an Instrument of Satan:
Satan used the serpent to deceive, but it was still a created being, not inherently evil.
Satan uses good things today to cause us to sin.
Deceptive Wisdom: The serpent offered false wisdom, not based on the fear of God.
Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV): “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Focus Shift: The serpent tries to shift Eve’s focus away from the abundance of God’s provision, making her doubt what she already has.
V. The Profound and Simple Word of God
The Word of God:
God’s Word is both profound in meaning and simple to understand.
Psalm 119:105 (NKJV): “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and interest of the heart.
Satan’s Deception often thrives on complicating or distorting the simple truth.
VI. Conclusion: Beware the Bite
Cutting off the head of the serpent: Just because Jesus crushed the head of Satan does not mean Satan is powerless or gone.
Satan’s persistence: Even though Christ crushed him at the cross until he is cast into the Lake of Fire, he can still find ways to strike and poison.
Vigilance: Continually be alert and rely on God’s Word to resist temptation and remain steadfast in faith.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV): “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
One Day Satan will die: One day Satan will be cast into the lake of fire and will no longer tempt you to sin.
In my profession, I would say that one of the biggest ways Satan deceives someone who goes to church or calls themselves a Christian is when they think they have a personal relationship with God and they really don’t.
They think they do b/c they think they know what it takes to have one. Really you need to know what God says it is to have a personal relationship with Him.
ABC
Satan is after your soul but so is God: Illustration: Consider How Precious a Soul Must Be, When Both God And The Devil Are After It. - Charles Spurgeon
Romans 10:13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
