February 25, 2024
Temptations
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ” - Luke 11:2-4 NIV
When it’s possible: Let the Bible explain the Bible.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. - James 1:2-3 NIV
Trials: something that breaks the pattern of peace, comfort, joy and happiness in someone’s life. The verb form of this word means ‘to put someone or something to the test,’ with the purpose of discovering that person’s nature or that thing’s quality. - From Got Questions.org
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:13-15 NIV
H.A.L.T.
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
Temptation: comes from within but can be triggered by the Evil One.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” - Matthew 6:13 NIV
The key here is to see God as your partner in this battle.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. - James 4:7-8 NIV
”If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” - Luke 11:13 NIV
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.” - Luke 11:21-22NIV
Jesus has already gone to battle with the Strongman holding you back, and He won!
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’” - Luke 11:24 NIV
“When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.” - Luke 11:25 NIV
“Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” - Luke 11:26 NIV
Ridding yourself of a habit is not enough. Your life needs filled with one greater than your best!
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” - Acts 2:38-39 NIV