ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES
In Times Of Temptation
Text: Matthew 4:1-11 IBCSWS November 4, 2007
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
Temptation is an undeniable part of man’s life. Its presence is always around and it will continue to be so until man’s physical death. It cannot be wiped out from his life because man is still in the tempter’s sphere of influence. But it is comforting to know that temptation can be resisted through the help of God.
No normal person is exempted from temptation. Day and night, each one is being tempted by the devil in many different ways, but God is always faithful to deliver those who are dependent on Him. In I Corinthians 10:13, it is written, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV) What an assurance of deliverance from sin to be claimed in times of temptation.
Anywhere and anytime, the devil may come to tempt us to commit sin. Being aware of his serious plan should lead us to prepare and be equipped with the Word of Truth so we may have victory over the devil. We should not underestimate the power and devious way of our adversary because doing so will surely lead us to unpleasant humiliation.
Some people don’t take temptation seriously though they believe that Satan could tempt and attack them ruthlessly. We must keep in mind that spiritual battle is not an imaginary war but real and crucial one and how we handle temptations reveals the level of our spirituality.
A careful study of the temptation of Christ will surely give us important insights on how to overcome the tempter and live a victorious and well-pleasing life before God. May we have an intense desire to become strong believers so we could fight a good fight against the author of falsehood.
(I) Resist The Tempter
Matthew 4:1-4
-Don’t follow his deceitful advice
The “It seems good” advice of the devil usually comes to our way deceitfully in times of temptation. We need to take a careful scrutiny because it may look like a “timely and perfect help”, but behind it is a well-planned trap to ensnare its victims.
We must be mindful of God especially when we are weak and in need lest we embrace the deceitful offers of the devil which could lead us to shameful sin. In Matthew 4:1-3, it is written, Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (KJV) In times of survival, don’t listen and follow the devil’s deceitful advice. Keep on trusting the Lord and He will deliver you from all kinds of danger.
-Remember the power of the Word and use it
Jesus used the Scriptures when He was tempted and the devil was not able to deceive Him. In verse 4, it says, But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (KJV) We must focus our lives on things that are spiritual more than on things that are physical, and surely, the Lord will be pleased. Consequently, God will provide all our needs.
(II) Don’t Take His Deceitful Challenge
Matthew 4:5-7
-Be watchful of his tricky quotation
Keep in mind that even the devil could use Scriptures in manipulating his potential victim. Believers must be watchful of the devil’s well-spoken quotations so they may not be caught by his hidden bait. In Matthew 4:5-6, it is written, Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (KJV) We really need to study the Word of God and pray for spiritual discernment so we may not be deceived by the slyness of the devil.
The pride of life is what the adversary wants to see in a person so he could easily destroy him through death-defying show. When pride tries to lift us up, don’t forget what the Bible says about its consequence. Truly, pride goes before destruction.
-Be equipped in using Bible passages
Don’t make a pride-triggered show before the devil, show him the Word of God instead. That is exactly what Jesus did when He was tempted by the devil. In Matthew 4:7, it says, Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (KJV) Be equipped with the Word of God and use it powerfully in times of spiritual battle and don’t forget that the battle is the Lord’s.
(III) Don’t Worship Satan
Matthew 4:8-11
-Resist his earthly offer
Some people may be not aware, but the more a person embraces Satan’s offer, the more he will worship him. He usually offers things that are eyes-friendly, flesh-friendly and self-friendly. Such things are deceitful and should be resisted by true Christians. Many are being derailed from the path of faith because they tend to look through their fleshly eyes rather than through eyes of faith.
In Matthew 4:8-9, it is written, Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (KJV) Be resistant when the devil entices and promises you what the world could offer in exchange for your worship. Worship God alone and let Him do His blessed will for your life.
-Rebuke him
Jesus rebuked the devil when he tried to present himself as an object of worship. In Matthew 4:10, it is written, Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (KJV) It is disheartening to see professing believers these days being led to false worship because their hearts are not right with God. As a result, they don’t have the power to rebuke the tempter. They become victims instead of victors.
Christians should not let the devil dominate them, but should gain position to rebuke the enemy of Truth through the power of Christ our Savior. Be strong in the Lord.
-Make him flee away from you
Christians should not yield to temptation but overcome it as the Lord Jesus did when He was tempted by the devil. In Matthew 4:11, it is written, Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. (KJV) What a humiliating defeat for Satan before the presence of the Lord; and what an assurance of victory for us to remember and claim in times of temptation.
Don’t give in to temptation. Stand firm in the Lord. People who are bought and washed by the precious blood of Christ are never meant to be defeated but predestined to become victors in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In James 4:7, it is written, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV) Be watchful and prayerful. Fear God, submit yourself to Him, resist the devil, and surely, he will flee from you.
ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH
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