Sermons on Avoiding Temptation:

Tempted

Contributed by James Jerpseth on Mar 3, 2001

Having grown up in hte desert, I know how harsh the place is and how tempting the options presented by hte devil really are. On the surface the temptations seem harmless and perhaps even good in the right hands but they all take our attention off God.

I grew up going to the desert, and thought that I knew what the desert lands are all about. I’ve been camping many times in the Anza Berrego wilderness and understand that the desert is a harsh and foreboding place. I know to stay on the trails, look for snakes and take lots of extra water. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Sowing Discord

Contributed by James Dina on Aug 7, 2020

Sowing discord among brethren is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. Considering yourself better than others fosters division but considering others better than yourself fosters unity. Watch out for those who cause divisions and avoid them. Love binds us, discord separates us.

SOWING DISCORD “A perverse man sows’ strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends” (Proverbs 16:28) Brethren are created by God to live in unity (How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:28, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ministry Under The Microscope

Contributed by Scott Maze on Feb 15, 2007

This message seeks to instruct church leaders to honor the name of God above all other matters.

Ministry under the Microscope On June 17, 2002 Federal authorities arrested a United States Forest Service employee for starting the largest fire in Colorado’s history. Terry Barton was a 38-year-old woman and had worked every summer for the Forest Service for 18 or 19 years. She had ventured ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Can Satan Indirectly Lead Us To Success? Series

Contributed by Alis Cerrahyan on Aug 30, 2019

Remember, satan was not able to tempt Jesus without the permission of the Holy Spirit. And he also could not tempt Job without God's permission.

We must be careful not to attribute to satan the abilities and honors which belong to God and Him alone. The Bible says the Devil does not have unlimited power; he cannot be everywhere at once and he does not know everything. He is a created, limited being. He depends upon God for his existence. He ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:10, 1 John 5:18

Not By Bread Alone

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 25, 2020

Let us always be thankful for God's grace in Jesus Christ.

Not by Bread Alone Matthew 4:1-11 We have now come to the Christian season of Lent, which is a forty-day reflection upon one’s life and its relation to Jesus Christ. It is to be observed as a time of fasting and prayer. The 40 days reflects the 40 days that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, 1 Peter 5:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Wilderness Of Lent Series

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 3, 2018

how should we spend the forty days of Lent?

Mark 1:9-15 Today is the first Sunday of Lent – the annual period of reflection leading to the joy and celebration of Easter. It is also the Sunday that we hear in the reading about of the baptism of Jesus and God’s affirmation that He is His well-beloved son. It surely helps to remind us of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Episcopal

Four Vital Truths About The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 18, 2021

He didn’t place an angel inside of you. He placed God inside of you. He didn’t place a saint inside of you. You don’t have the spirit of your godly grandmother in you. You have the Spirit of God in you!

We are living in confusing times, and for many are moving ahead with little hope. In the midst of our confusion, there is God. God loves you so much He gave you Someone to comfort, strengthen, and love you in ways you and I cannot imagine. You have a tremendous ally in the Holy Spirit. The Bible ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:30, John 14:15-29

Denomination: Baptist

We Do Not Lose Heart

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 18, 2023

When we grow discouraged, we will be encouraged by the knowledge of what God has done and what He is doing in our lives because of Christ our Lord.

“We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Protection Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jul 24, 2023

The devil took this passage to entice Jesus to jump off the pinnacle. The devil used or misused this text as though it provides unconditional security in any and every circumstance. Jesus own experience shows that even faithful ones suffer, have emotional anguish and physical pain.

The theme of this Psalm is God’s protection. There is a sense that Psalm 91 stands alone from all other passages of the Bible. It contains the only passage of the Bible quoted by the devil. Scripture teaches us that God protects those who love him and will help them in their trouble. The devil ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Struggle With Satan Lent Sunday 1 Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 23, 2023

Was the Lord bragging about how He defeated the old Worm, man’s adversary, Satan? No.

First Sunday of Lent 2023 How did St. Matthew come by the story he shared in today’s Gospel? It was easy to understand the first line, what happened when Jesus, who was fresh from His baptism by John, where the Holy Spirit came upon Him in form of a dove, went into the wilderness of Judea. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Heaven's Open Door Policy

Contributed by Scott Maze on Mar 3, 2025

The Bible says you can open up your innermost thoughts and just spill them out on the ground before Jesus. He’s not going to look at you like, “Oh gross!” He’s not going to laugh at you or mock you.

We are beginning the new year by praying together as a church. Maybe you are not sure of yourself when it comes to prayer. If prayer were a high school sport, you’re not sure you’d receive a “letter” on your varsity jacket for prayer. Many of you have picked up the little book, 21 Days of Prayer. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

You Have A "Tell”

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Nov 14, 2022

In the game of Poker, a player will look for behaviors to determine what kind of cards another player is holding. In the same way, Satan looks for behaviors in our lives to see if he can get an advantage ver us.

Open your Bibles to First Peter chapter five. We’re going to read verse eight. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.” The word “seeking” means “to seek with the intention of killing.” Now let that sink in. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, Isaiah 14:12-15, Matthew 4:1, Revelation 12:10, Psalm 103:12, Matthew 4:10, Proverbs 3:25, Mark 4:15, Matthew 13:19, Luke 8:12, Luke 6:45, Matthew 4:3, Matthew 4:5-6, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Hosea 4:6, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life According To Plumb

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 10, 2008

We are drowning in a sea of impurity. Everywhere we look we find temptation to lead impure lives. The psalmist asked a question that troubles us all: how do we stay pure and holy in a filthy environment? Where can we find that strength and wisdom?

Opening illustration: Charlie Riggs has been called “the man behind Billy Graham.” For nearly 40 years, Riggs was the director of counseling and follow-up for Mr. Graham’s evangelistic meetings. In his counselor training classes, Charlie taught thousands of people the basic principles of how to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Jesus Measures Success

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus knew that human success is often a temptation that leads to greater worries, riches and troubles in this life. The Lord Jesus said, "Still, others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth

How Jesus Measures Success Illustration: One thing I do, . . . I press toward the goal. --Philippians 3:13-14 In Daniel Schaeffer’s book on Esther, Dancing With A Shadow, he summarizes with a single sentence the lives of each of the main characters in that wonderful Old Testament book. For ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Man Of Contrasts

Contributed by Vladimir Lukyanov on Oct 8, 2002

Samson was a man of contrasts. He was separated as a Nazarite, yet tampered with evil associations; a man of mighty strength, but very weak in resisting temptation; He was occasionally Spirit-possessed, but yielded to carnal appe

Samson - a man of contrasts Overcoming the Roller-Coaster of Spiritual Growth Judges 13:24-16:30 Objective: • to see that we are a lot like Samson: redeemed, but carnal • what do we need to be spiritual Intro: I would love to say that when a person gets saved - his or her life gets forever ...read more

Denomination: Baptist