Temptation Series

Temptation

From the Ashes Series

Week 1 – Temptation

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, James 4:7-10, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Timothy 6:9, Hebrews 2:18 and 4:12, James 1:2-3

Opening idea- chocolate on the seats

Introduction

Today we begin a 6-week sermon series called From the Ashes.

It’s going to be addressing bringing our lives back to normal after the bottom drops out. Sometimes in life we have that sudden event that makes us question everything.

One moment you living life, comfortable, and think you have a handle on everything.

The next moment- CRASH. Everything you thought was sure crashes down, and you are left sitting in a pile of ashes.

We can be broken, shattered and destroyed.

However, the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is that we can experience new life. Our lives, no matter how bad we have messed things up, are never irredeemable.

Said another way, you are not broken beyond repair.

In and through Christ, you can rise above the ashes and experience new life.

But this isn’t just a series for the broken and shattered - this is for anyone who wants to grow in the knowledge and understanding of Christ. Each week we will look at one aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry during His time here on earth and what we can learn from Him.

We begin this week with a conversation about temptation.

Some of the newer people may not realize this- but immediately preceding the start of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he experienced a 40-day period of temptation.

Chocolate given to you.

While resisting the temptation of free chocolate is difficult, can you even imagine a persistent and prolonged season of it?

Now imagine the person overseeing your temptation is none other than the devil himself?

I cannot even imagine what this would have felt like, looked like, or been like to endure. And yet, this is the exact scenario that Jesus had to overcome.

We begin today with a look into this season of Jesus’ life and how we can learn from and be encouraged by the fortitude of our savior.

Prayer

Main Teaching

First and foremost today we all need to acknowledge that temptation should be expected in our lives.

We all experience temptation each and every day. No one is immune from the desires to have things or do things that do not align with the way of Christ.

Temptation comes in many forms, and in many ways, it can seem innocent enough.

Sneaking in some social media time at work, binging that extra show on Netflix, shaving a few dollars of income off your tax return… In the eyes of many these don’t seem like huge problems, but it’s the little foxes that spoil the vine. (Song of Songs 2:15) And believe me, when I say that the temptations and desires behind these actions can grow into big problems.

This can lead to things that we all would agree are devastating; Broken marriages, ruined relationships, careers in the toilet, ministries closing down, the list goes on and on.

It does us no good to pretend like we are immune to temptation. Or to think that we can handle things on our own. Listen to what 1 John says;

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10

Today, let’s begin by confessing and acknowledging that we all deal with temptation in our lives and that there are times when we follow temptation down paths that are neither Christ honoring nor consistent with our heavenly citizenship.

So, how do we manage temptation? How do we respond to temptation? How do we model the fortitude and endurance Jesus had?

It begins with your identity- who are you?

Before we look at the temptation of Christ in Matthew chapter 4, we need to talk about the event that immediately preceded his 40 day temptation in the wilderness.

Turn with me to Matthew 3:13-17, and the baptism of Jesus;

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”