Triumphing Over Temptation

Introduction

Sermon Outlines for Seekers Triumphing over Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:1–13)

Triumphing Over Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:1–13

Introduction

A man had a sign on his door which said, “Lead me not into temptation, I can find it for myself.” We can all make that statement. Temptation will make itself known on a daily basis.

Since it is very easy to find temptation, we should consider Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, so that we can learn how to gain victory.

Paul’s advice consists of warnings drawn from the history of the children of Israel. These events are so ancient they may seem foreign to us, but they do speak to universal tendencies and needs. Even though the Israelites lived in close fellowship with God, they found themselves tempted.

Let’s go on a scouting report, so that we may see what temptation is and how it may be defeated.

I. Facing temptation (vv. 1–10).

A. There is the temptation to dethrone God (v. 7).

B. There is the temptation to give in to lust (v. 8).

C. There is the temptation to test God (v. 9).

D. There is the temptation to grumble (v. 10).

E. These are not the only temptations, but they are all still among us today.

II. Fighting temptation (vv. 11–13).

A. We must be constantly vigilant—temptation will come (vv. 11, 12). It shouldn’t catch us by surprise, but it often does.

B. We must be constantly hopeful—temptation can be defeated (v. 14). We need not despair. God gives us the tools necessary to say, “No.”

1. God will not allow us to suffer any temptation we cannot bear. At times, it may seem that we cannot bear it, but we must believe that we can, because we really can.

2. God will always provide a way of escape. Like Joseph we need to keep our eyes on the exit. There will be an escape provided, if we will watch for it and use it.

Conclusion

We will never triumph over temptation pretending it doesn’t exist. We cannot afford the luxury of thinking it can’t happen to us. Thanks be to God who can give us the victory over temptation.

Illustrations

Temptations will come and they are not in themselves sins. If they were, then Jesus would have been a sinner for He was tempted as we are. Nevertheless, the time of temptation is a time for vigilance. Martin Luther said, “You can’t keep the birds from flying overhead, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”

Ancient mythology tells of the sirens’ call. They were beautiful sea maidens who enticed a ship to sail close by singing a beautiful song. The ship would then wreck on the rocks. Many a soul has been lured to ruin by what at first seemed beautiful.

Temptation is like the Turkish Delight candy in C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. One boy found it irresistible. The more he ate, the more he wanted, but the less he liked it.

Sermon Outlines for Seekers Triumphing over Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:1–13)

A man had a sign on his door which said, “Lead me not into temptation, I can find it for myself.” We can all make that statement. Temptation will make itself known on a daily basis.

Since it is very easy to find temptation, we should consider Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, so that we can learn how to gain victory.

Paul’s advice consists of warnings drawn from the history of the children of Israel. These events are so ancient they may seem foreign to us, but they do speak to universal tendencies and needs. Even though the Israelites lived in close fellowship with God, they found themselves tempted.

Let’s go on a scouting report, so that we may see what temptation is and how it may be defeated.

A man had a sign on his door which said, “Lead me not into temptation, I can find it for myself.” We can all make that statement. Temptation will make itself known on a daily basis.

Since it is very easy to find temptation, we should consider Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, so that we can learn how to gain victory.

Paul’s advice consists of warnings drawn from the history of the children of Israel. These events are so ancient they may seem foreign to us, but they do speak to universal tendencies and needs. Even though the Israelites lived in close fellowship with God, they found themselves tempted.

Let’s go on a scouting report, so that we may see what temptation is and how it may be defeated.

lets read

1 Corinthians 10:1–13 NKJV

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Facing temptation (vv. 1–10).

Sermon Outlines for Seekers Triumphing over Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:1–13)

I. Facing temptation (vv. 1–10).

A. There is the temptation to dethrone God (v. 7).

B. There is the temptation to give in to lust (v. 8).

C. There is the temptation to test God (v. 9).

D. There is the temptation to grumble (v. 10).

E. These are not the only temptations, but they are all still among us today.

A. There is the temptation to dethrone God (v. 7).

B. There is the temptation to give in to lust (v. 8).

C. There is the temptation to test God (v. 9).

D. There is the temptation to grumble (v. 10).

E. These are not the only temptations, but they are all still among us today.

Sermon Outlines for Seekers Triumphing over Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:1–13)

Fighting temptation (vv. 11–13).

A. We must be constantly vigilant—temptation will come (vv. 11, 12). It shouldn’t catch us by surprise, but it often does.

B. We must be constantly hopeful—temptation can be defeated (v. 14). We need not despair. God gives us the tools necessary to say, “No.”

1. God will not allow us to suffer any temptation we cannot bear. At times, it may seem that we cannot bear it, but we must believe that we can, because we really can.

2. God will always provide a way of escape. Like Joseph we need to keep our eyes on the exit. There will be an escape provided, if we will watch for it and use it.

Fighting temptation (vv. 11–13).

A. We must be constantly vigilant—temptation will come (vv. 11, 12). It shouldn’t catch us by surprise, but it often does.

B. We must be constantly hopeful—temptation can be defeated (v. 14). We need not despair. God gives us the tools necessary to say, “No.”

1. God will not allow us to suffer any temptation we cannot bear. At times, it may seem that we cannot bear it, but we must believe that we can, because we really can.

2. God will always provide a way of escape. Like Joseph we need to keep our eyes on the exit. There will be an escape provided, if we will watch for it and use it.