July 8, 2007 Am Service

TEMPTED AND TRIED

TEXT: James 1:12-14 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been

1. Matthew 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For

2. Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is

3. Living the Christian life is not a bed of ease or a life of idleness.

a. It requires much toil and labor.

b. It will be a constant fight with temptation.

4. Like dangling the carrot before the horse to get him to go our way, Satan constantly

dangles temptations before our eyes.

A. It is the enticing or inducement to yield to the lust of the flesh James 1:14 "Each one

1. After becoming a Christian, the desires are still there for the drunkard, profanity,

stealing, lying etc.

2. There is no "second blessing" where one becomes sinless, with no desire to sin.

B. Temptation is a trial or testing of one's faith and loyalty to God.

1. James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been

2. Job 1:6-2:10 Lost everything as a test of his faith.

3. Matt. 4:1-11 Jesus was tempted as part of His preparation for the ministry.

A. Not from God James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by

1) God tries or proves His children, but He does not enduce them to do evil

Gen.22:1 God tested Abraham.

2) He does, however permit us to be tempted.

B. From Satan 1Cor.7:5 "So that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of

control"; Matt.4:1

1. Satan's avenues of sin 1John 2:15-16 and Adam & Eve

a. Lust of the flesh - good to eat

b. Lust of the eyes - delight to look upon

c. Pride of life - make one wise

2. Christ had the same temptations Matt.4:1-4

a. Lust of the flesh - stones to bread

b. Lust of the eyes - All the kingdoms of the world

c. Pride of life - cast self off the temple

C. From Within Ourselves James 1:14 drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

1. Avenues of sin within 1John 2:15-16 flesh, eyes & pride

A. By no circumstances, enviroment or condition are we exempt from temptation.

B. Not by character or spiritual power: Jesus was tempted right after receiving the Holy

Spirit Mtt.3:16-4:1.

C. Not by Sonship: Jesus was tempted right after being called God's Son Mtt.3:17.

D. Not by solitude: Jesus was alone, Solitude might add to the intensity.

A. The Bible- All things that pertain to life and godliness;

B. The complete definitive work for Christianity, contains all the rules etc.

Yet we don't always follow.

C. Do you love your neighbor? (Mtt.22:39) Love your neighbor as ourselves

D. You attend the services of the church, how many do you attend? (Heb.10:25, 13:17).

E. In raising our children? (Eph.6:4, Prov.22:6).

F. Give money, how? (1Cor.16:1-2, 2Cor. 9:7)

G. Sometimes we are embarrassed about being a Christian (Rom.1:16; Paul's example)

H. Help those who are less fortunate than yourself? (Gal.6:10; Jms.1:27).

I. Have you tried to get others to be what you are? (Mtt.28:18-20).

J. What is the most important thing in your life? family, home, job? (Mtt.6:33, 12:30)

A. The temptation itself is not a sin. We sin when we yeild to it.

1. Song: Yeild Not To Temptaiton for yeilding is sin.

2. James 1:13-15 : 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for

3. The temptation is not sin, until it sits in the mind long enough to "conceive" or

"take root".

B. To the man who yields, it is a curse, but to the man who overcomes it is a blessing

Jms. 1: 2,13.

C. One who yields is made weaker. One who overcomes is made stronger.

D. Temptation results in patience James 1:2-3

E. It should increase our desire to go to Heaven where there are no temptations.

F. Enduring results in receiving the "crown of life."

A. God's people can overcome any temptation 1Cor.10:12-13.

B. What is this way of escape?

1. Preparation Psalms 119:11-12 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might

2. Jesus overcame when He filled His heart with God's word Matt.4:1-4.

3. Prayer and watchfulness Matt.26:41; 6:13

4. Strong purpose, A man with his heart set is hard to move Daniel 1:8; 1Cor.9:27

5. Sometimes it requires flight 1Cor.10:14 Flee idolatry; 2Tim. 2:22;

6. Sometimes it requires fight Ephesians 6:10-12

7. Avoid bad company Psa. 1:1-2 walks not in the counsel of the ungodly;

nor stands in the path of the sinners nor sits in the seat of the scornful

1 Cor.15:33 evil companions corrupt good morals.

8. Assembling regularly with the saints helps escape temptations by giving us

strength Hebrews 10:25

9. Keep busy doing good, idleness is the devil's invitation to come in Matt. 12:43-45

Phil.4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,

1. Are you the victim of giving in to temptation?

2. The Lord has made provisions for all who have fallen.

3. Plan of salvation, and/or restoration