The Garden Series

Theme: Jesus’ last night gives us a model to overcome temptation.

Intro: We are all tempted. Whoever you are there is something that drives

you to the brink of sin.

**PP- What is your temptation?

Money

Food

Sex

Power

Possessions

Whatever we are tempted by, God has given us a model to overcome in our lives.

I. Jesus understood temptation

Jesus had a face-to-face showdown with temptation.

“At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert and he was in the desert for forty days, being tempted by Satan.” Mark 1:12-13

Jesus never gave in to temptation.

“he (Jesus) was tempted in every way we are—yet was without sin.”

Hebrews 4:15

Jesus’ temptation in the garden was to by-pass God’s plan.

“Papa, Father, you can--can’t you? – get me out of this. Take this cup away from me.” Mark 14:35 (The Message)

**PP- Jesus Praying

Jesus and Satan

All temptation leads us to our desire rather than God’s.

II. Jesus defeated temptation

Jesus overcame temptations by following God.

“But please, not what I want—what do you want?”

Mark 14:35b (The Message)

Jesus was willing to follow even if it meant death.

Jesus’ victory crushed Satan.

**PP- Jesus and Snake

“he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:15

III. Jesus’ model for us.

There are specific actions we can take to help us overcome the temptations in our lives.

1) Develop a support structure.

“He took Peter, James and John with him. He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony. He told them, ‘I feel bad enough right now to die. Stay here and keep vigil with me.’” Mark 14:33-34 (The Message)

2) Choose to follow God.

“Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer.”

Mark 14:41-42

3) Trust God to provide a way out.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” I Corinthians 10:13

God allowed Jesus to escape the temptation, but not his will. Sometimes the things God calls us to are hard, but God blesses our faithfulness to overcome the temptation to pursue our own goals.

4) Make your plan to stand.

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11

**PP Costa Rican Tomato Frog

NARR: The Tomato Frog

Deep in the Costa Rican jungle lives the small tomato frog. Red in color like a tomato, he has a unique defense against predators. Once he’s attacked, he emits a deadly, milky white poison all over his skin. As the attacking animal bites into a tomato frog, it tastes the poison and spits the frog out of its mouth.

Unfortunately, by the time the predator spits out the frog, the traumatized amphibian dies anyway.

The problem is we only us our defenses after it is too late.

Close:

**PP- What do you choose?