The Faithfulness of God.

Temptation

1 Corinthians 10.

The people of the Exodus.

Led by God: Under the cloud and all passed through the sea”

Led by God’s chosen: baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

Fed by God: ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink.

drank from the spiritual rock and the rock was Christ.

We were chosen by God

God chose you for salvation

John 6:44 NASB95

44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

He leads us through the same Holy Spirit.

We hold fast to the same Gospel.

There is a direct correlation between us and the Jewish people of the Exodus.

And so Paul gives us a warning NOT to follow their example.

1 Corinthians 10:5–6 NASB95

5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. 6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.

Warns against: Idolatry, immorality, tempting the Lord,

grumbling against the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:12 NASB95

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

We all think that we are the most important person around. It is our opinion that matters most. But if you decide to put that to the test with God, He will quickly show you that His plan will succeed with or without you.

The Promise

1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB95

13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

This morning, I want us to look at this promise as it applies to a young, unmarried couple that were part of God’s plan for the redemption of all mankind.

And in that, Glory in the faithfulness of God and His way of escape for Jesus’ earthly parents.

Matthew and Luke’s account. Matthew addresses it from Joseph’s perspective and Luke from Mary’s.

The birth of our Savior:

Joseph

Matthew 1:18–19 NASB95

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.

Joseph was a Jew: In that culture she could have been executed.

He believed that she had cheated on him.

Yet he still had compassion on her.

For him to maintain his standing in the culture, he couldn’t marry her, and yet, if you took her to the courts, she could face death.

Matthew 1:20–21 NASB95

20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Son of David:

At the right time, God gave Joseph honor, comfort, and purpose.

Matthew 1:24–25 NASB95

24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

Joseph was obedient.

If you want to know the way to most men’s heart, it is by giving him respect, confidence, and a job to do.

Mary

Luke 1:28–35 NASB95

28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.

I’m going to be labeled a harlot and everyone will either think I’m a liar or a lunatic.

The temptation would have been run, hide, and keep her secret.

The angel of the Lord gave her reason, explanation, and honor through the Son she would bear.

But watch this.

Luke 1:36–37 NASB95

36 “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

He gave her a relationship she could grab hold of.

Luke 1:38 NASB95

38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

If you want to know how important that relational aspect was for Mary, look what she did next.

Luke 1:39–40 NASB95

39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

After the visit:

Luke 1:46–47 NASB95

46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

The way to a woman’s heart is patience, explanation, honor, and relationship.

We are told that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months.

After Jesus was born:

The Shepherds:

Luke 2:8–14 NASB95

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Pep rally.

Luke 2:16–19 NASB95

16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Simeon:

Who was told by the Holy Spirit that he wouldn’t die until he saw the Christ.

Luke 2:27–33 NASB95

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

The magi

Matthew 2:11 NASB95

11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Gifts for royalty.

No doubt after Jesus was born, They would have had a time of “Now What?” They were Jews and Jews suffered because they were stiff neck people.

For Joseph and Mary, the Magi would have represented the continued faithfulness and promise of God.

Matthew 2:13–14 NASB95

13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.

Fast forward:

Matthew 2:19–21 NASB95

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Not only did God provide the physical way of escape for Mary and Joseph, more importantly, he provided the spiritual and emotional way fo them to escape their own temptation.

How are you tempted today?

Is there something that you are tempted to put above God? Money, security, self?

Are you tempted with immorality? Tempted to give into sexual immorality, or greed, or anger?

Are you at the point where you are tempted to test God? “if you don’t do this or that, I’m going to turn my back on you.”

Are you tempted to lead a revolt against God? I firmly believe that when you are alone with God, be honest with Him. If you feel the need to gripe about your circumstance, fine, but be prepared for Him to answer you.

Job 38:4 NASB95

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,

It is another thing to demean God.

Where ever you are tempted, know this:

You’re not special.

He is faithful!

He will provide the way of escape from your temptation.

You may have to overcome your fear, or pride, or selfishness, or anger, or unforgiveness, to take it. But know this: His way is The Way.

And let’s be honest, we are going to fail at times to take His way of escape. We are going to fall to temptation.

And when you do, repent, accept his forgiveness and keep going.

1 John 1:9 NASB95

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.