I'm Not Tapping Out Series

I’m Not Tapping Out

James, the half brother of Jesus writes the following in the first chapter of His letter,

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, He will receive the crown of life.

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 1:12-15

Prayer

GOOD MORNING MGCC – and welcome to week 7 of our series, “Overcome, The Challenges We Face.”

A SERIES – where God’s Word has given us both (powerful and practical) advice, tools and truths…

THAT – can help us overcome some of the most difficult and common challenges that everyone in this room both has and will face, as we strive to live out the life God’s intends for us to live… So far we have talked about…

• Reversing Anxiety (C.A.L.M.S.)

• Moving Beyond Insecurity (R.U.N.)

• Getting Over Our Hurt (B.R.AV.E.)

• Making Fear A Friend (F.R.I.E.N.D.)

• Overcoming Discouragement (The Looks…)

• A Grace Disguised (Accept-Trust-Wait)

NOW NEXT WEEK – we will talk about overcoming what at times is your biggest and most unrelenting challenge to living the life you were create to live… ‘Getting Over Yourself.’

AND – this morning we are going to talk about overcoming yet another HUGE challenge (temptation) in a conversation that I am calling, ‘I’m Not Tapping Out.’

NOW – term ‘tapping out’

Tapping Out - is a combat sports term for yielding to the opponent, and hence resulting in an immediate defeat. This submission is often performed by visibly tapping the floor or the opponent with the hand or in some cases with the foot, to signal the opponent and/or the referee that I give up, you win.

UNDERSTAND – my goal today is to focus on some moves that we can make against our opponent ‘temptation’ – such that… we will yield and be defeated, but instead stand firm against him and tell him “I’m Not Tapping Out.’

NOW – the main points in your notes are…

• The reality of temptation

• Reasons to resist temptation

• Taking down temptation

• The rewards of take downs

I. The Reality Of Temptation

OKAY – here are a few quotes from various Christian leaders about temptation….

Temptation usually comes in through a door that has been deliberately left open. – unknown

Every time you defeat temptation, you become more like Jesus. – Rick Warren

The ability to resist temptation is directly proportionate to your submission to God. – Ed Cole

Many of us suffer from temptations from which we have no business to suffer. – Oswald Chambers

Christ, because He was the only Man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only Man who knows to the full what temptation means. – CS Lewis

Temptations are never so dangerous as when they come to us in a religious garb. – Dwight L Moody

Unwillingness to accept God’s ‘way of escape’ from temptation frightens me what a rebel yet resides within.

- Jim Elliot

Temptations are an appeal to meet righteous needs in an unrighteous way. – William Thrasher

OKAY – let’s do this…

The Reality Of Temptation

UNDERSTAND - Temptation is no respecter of persons.

IN FACT – it is one of the great equalizers in our world and no one escapes it’s pull.

QUESTION…

• How many in this room have ever been tempted to sin?

• How many have ever given in, yielded and tapped out to that temptation and sinned?

• How many have ever effectively resisted temptation?

UNDERSTAND – the reality of temptation is that it is real, it is here and that it is never going away…

NOTICE – that James says…

When tempted, no one should say… - James 1:13

He didn’t say if… he said ‘when’ tempted.

SURE - it would be awesome if we could live out our lives without facing the temptation to sin, but such is not the case.

YOU SEE – just as Jesus said in this world you will have trouble…

MGCC – in this world you will always face temptation.

IN FACT – temptation has been one of man’s greatest challenges ever since Genesis chapter 3…

WHERE - satan (in the form of a serpent) whispers lies into the ears of Adam and Eve.

Lying to them about God, about who God is, about what God said and about where life can be found (btw why he still whispers those same lies today).

AND SO – he tempts them with a piece of fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,