Topical Sermons                                                                                                       

Power Point Show      MP3 audio

Scripture Reading: James 1:12-16

Lead Us Not into Temptation

Intro.

1.    “Lead us not into temptation” (Matt 6:13) bothers some people; seems to present God as an active agent in man’s temptation to sin (Jas 1:13).

   a.    The problem: “Most people would like to be delivered from temptation but would like it to keep in touch.” (Robert Orben)

   b.    Protect us against temptation; do not allow us to be led into temptation, cf. Lk 22:40 (Matt 26:41).

   c.    There is a way of escape, 1 Cor 10:13.

2.    Avenues of temptation (individual and congregational) that we must identify and avoid.

 

I. TEMPTATION TO GROW (SUCCEED) AT ANY PRICE.

   A.    Desire to be “Progressive” / “Innovative” at the Expense of Truth, cf. 1 Sam 8:19-20. (cf. Acts 17:21)

      1.    Social gospel (“whole man” approach).

      2.    PMA (meet people’s felt needs): Don’t offend with straightforward truth (cf. Jesus, John, etc.).

      3.    Violations of church government:

         a.    Sponsoring churches: “a resource pooling strategy”; cf. “One Nation Under God”; Women in leadership roles (1 Tim 2:11-12)...

      4.    Unity in spite of scriptural error, Eph 4:3 (Jno 17:21).

   B.    These Things Amount to Compromise of Christ’s Doctrine and an Abandoning of the Old Paths of Truth, 2 Jno 9-11; Acts 20:28-31 (Jer 6:16-17).

 

II.  TEMPTATION TO BE POPULAR AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR PERSONAL CONVICTION AND CONSCIENCE TOWARD TRUTH.

   A.    The Appeal of Popularity is Strong, Jno 12:42-43; cf. Gal 1:10.

      1.    This temptation can lead us to:

         a.    Forsake our faith and our service to Christ, Gal 2:11-12.

         b.    Compromise our preaching, 2 Tim 4:2-5.

      2.    We must fear God in doctrine, morality, values and in what we participate, Phil 4:8. Lk 12:4-5 (Heb 13:5-6)

 

III.  TEMPTATION OF FITTING INTO THE WORLD’S MOLD, Rom 12:1-2.

   A.    These Temptations Include:

      1.    Materialism, Matt 6:24; Lk 12:15.

      2.    Worldliness (mind things of here and now with little/no eternal perspective and point of view, Col 3:2.

      3.    Situation ethics: Self rather than God’s truth, postmodernism of no absolutes, Jno 17:17.

   B.    Solution: Be Conformed to the Image of Christ, Col 3:10; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 Pet 2:21.

 

IV.  TEMPTATION TO BECOME COMFORTABLE IN NOT FULFILLING OUR SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

   A.    By Losing Our Vigilance to Serve, Jno 9:4; Rom 12:11.

   B.    By Regarding Opportunities to do Good as a Nuisance, Gal 6:10.

      1.    “It does no good” / ”They’ll never change.”

      2.    An “inconvenience”, cf. Lk 10:29-34, 36.

      3.    Turn away from opportunities to teach, to study, to encourage because it would be hard / time-consuming / put me out!

   C.    By Seeing no Need to Personally Mature, Heb 5:12-14.

 

V.   TEMPTATION TO LOVE THIS PRESENT WORLD AT THE EXPENSE OF SALVATION IN THE WORLD TO COME.

   A.    This Present World Offers the Prospect of Immediate Pleasure and Satisfaction, Heb 11:25; 1 Jno 2:16 (2 Tim 4:10).

      1.    Tempted to envy wicked – appear to be blessed, Psa 73:3, 12-14 (17-19).

      2.    Must live with heaven as our goal, Matt 6:33 (Col 3:1).

   B.    This World (Evil) Will Pass Away, 1 Jno 2:17. (Do the will of God…)

      1.    Be lights in the world / Hold forth the word of life, Phil 2:14-16.

      2.    Do this without complaining (murmuring) and disputing (arguing), 2:14.

 

Conclusion

1.  Temptation is not sin; it is the invita­tion to sin (Jas 1:14-15).

2.  Your faith will be tried by Satan. Pray the Lord for His protection to help you successfully avoid yielding to temptation (Lk 22:40).