Series: Abundant Living
Title: How to Abound over Temptation
Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Title: How to Abound over Temptation
Introduction: We are living in a day of relentless temptations by Satan. Never before
has our adversary had such powerful technology with which to glamorize sin.
James 1:14
14 But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then
when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin: and sin when it is finished bringeth forth
death.
Temptation commences, continues, and consumes…unless we have a plan for dealing
with it!
I.
God’s Purpose in Temptation – verse 1
Note – The Spirit led Him…
A.
Christ’s temptation proved His deity.
Hebrews 4:15
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with our
infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without
sin.
He could not have fallen. We have a perfect Saviour.
B.
Our testing is meant to strengthen us.
Romans 7
7 For that which I do, I allow not, for what I would, that do I not:
but what I hate, that I do… for the good that I would I do not but the
evil that I would not, that I do…Oh wretched man that I am, who
shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through
Jesus Christ is Lord.
Note – Temptation is an opportunity to have victory through Christ!
II.
Satan’s Plan in Temptation – verse 2-3
A.
Satan comes at a time of weakness.
Note – Satan will wait until you’re away from home and church…
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Series: Abundant Living
Title: How to Abound over Temptation
Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Ill – Man who could not walk by alcohol.
B.
Satan questions truth. – verses 3, 6
“If thou be the Son of God.” – pride of life
Ill – Eve… “yea, hath God said?”
C.
Satan constantly fights. – verses 3, 6, 9
Ill – Samson & Delilah
D.
Satan promises, but can’t deliver. – verse 9
Ill – Cigarette billboard vs. cancer
Ill – Liquor vs. abandoned children
Ill – Horse racing vs. repossession
Note – Satan wants us to worship this world system rather than
Christ.
Ill – Satan promises no one will get hurt… “If it feels good, do it.”
Ill – Man who got trapped in pornography – Lust turned his wife into
an object to use, not a person to love.
Note – Satan packages sin, but don’t buy it!
III.
Christ’s Power over Temptation – verses 4, 7, 10
Note – The key to victory over Satan’s temptation is God’s Word.
Psalm 119:11
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.
Ephesians 6:17
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit which is
the word of God.
Note – The devil and his crowd hate the Bible.
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Series: Abundant Living
Title: How to Abound over Temptation
Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Ill – On plane next to a man – I pulled out my Bible… he jumped!
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 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.
Note – When tempted to…
Miss church - Hebrews 10:25
Miss Bible study - 2 Timothy 2:15
Be silent about Christ - Matthew 28
Drugs or alcohol – “your body is the temple”
Become immoral – “flee youthful lusts”
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