Category: Temptation
Subject: Temptation
“Sinful Nature” VS “Flesh”
There is a song that we occasionally sing, Amazing Grace, that was written by a man who believed the Calvinistic concept of inherited depravity. When he wrote the words, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…”, he meant something other than what the scriptures teach concerning sin, grace and redemption. However, because he used scriptural language in the text of the song, we may sing it with a good conscience and an honest heart because we take the words to mean what is taught in scripture rather than what was intended by the author of the song. If the language he had used had clearly indicated his incorrect views, we would not be able to use the song.
Sermon: Our God is Able
The sermon begins in Daniel 3, and demonstrates that Our God is able to:
- Give and sustain life
- Save our souls
- Deliver us
- Reward us
- Punish the disobedient
Invitation: Why God’s Armor is Needed
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Using Ephesians 6:12, Stan explains why the armor of God is needed.
Invitation: What it Means to be Courageous
Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera
Sin and temptation is everywhere in our society. In the face of all this temptation, it is important for all of us to be courageous in standing against sin. James 4:1-10.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Politeness and Choice
In the Fort Worth Star Telegram on the crosswords page, there are two “jumble” type puzzles, where you have to rearrange letters to uncover the intended words. Each of them have a “payoff” word that comes with a clue. I liked the “Scramlets” puzzle from Tuesday. The clue was:
Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts.
Wisdom comes from the most unexpected places. The quote acknowledges that everyone has thoughts that are rude or inappropriate, but a polite person chooses carefully those thoughts he will express.
This reminds me of James’ thoughts regarding temptation and sin in James 1:14-15, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings for death.”
All are tempted to sin. No matter the enticement, no matter the desire, sin is avoided when we choose not to pursue it. The choice is not always easy to make, and is made easier only as a Christian matures spiritually. However, two things are indisputably true. First, we can resist the temptations to sin. Paul wrote, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Second, we are accountable for the choices we make! “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Invitation: The Methods of Satan
Invitation delivered by: Ron Doss
In this talk, Ron discusses what the scriptures reveal about Satan’s attempts to destroy the faith of Christians. Whether deception, persecution or temptation, we must be on guard against his devices.
Sermon: 7 Promises of God
The sermon first establishes that all of God’s promises are sure. Then, discusses the following promises of God:
- To supply every need we have.
- That His grace is sufficient for us.
- That His children will not be overtaken in temptation.
- Victory over death.
- That all things work together for good to those who love Him.
- Those who believe and are baptized will be saved.
- Eternal Life.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Illicit Pleasure Brings Diminishing Returns
I recently came across the following quote from the pen of C.S. Lewis in his book, The Screwtape Letters, (pages 41-42). They are the words of a demon tempter to his young apprentice, explaining the difference between God given pleasure, and illicit perversions of it.
“Never forget that when we are dealing with any pleasure in its healthy and normal and satisfying form, we are, in a sense, on the Enemy’s ground. I know we have won many a soul through pleasure. All the same, it is His invention, not ours. He made the pleasures; all our research so far has not enabled us to produce one. All we can do is to encourage the humans to take the pleasures which our Enemy has produced, at times, or in ways, or in degrees, which He has forbidden. Hence we always try to work away from the natural condition of any pleasure to that in which it is least natural, least redolent of its Maker, and least pleasurable. An ever increasing craving for an ever diminishing pleasure is the formula.”
How true! Sexual activity within the loving confines of marriage is pure and uplifting. Fornication of all types leads to dissolution and complications. The same can be said for illicit drug use, the pursuit of money, and all sorts of activities that are not even objectionable if practiced with the moderation and priority God prescribes.
Remember, the devil seeks our ruin! (cf. 1 Peter 5:8). Sin is alluring, but it’s end is never satisfying to the soul.
Sermon: The Devices of the Devil
Sermon by Wayne Goforth:
The devil seeks to amuse, excuse, confuse and accuse. Each of these four things can derail a Christian as he seeks to serve the Lord.
Inspiring Prose
A couple of Wednesday nights ago, in our lesson discussing the discipline of meditation, I admitted to the fact that poetry holds little appeal to me. My tastes run to the prosaic, (some may say uncouth).
However, I did note that a well formed paragraph can inspire me, and I thought I would share a few with you. For example, the wonderful expression of our victory in Christ, from the pen of the apostle Paul:
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created things, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
Sermon: Resisting the Devil and His Devices
The Bible reveals the devil to be a personal and imposing adversary, with devices that need to be recognized and resisted.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Sermon: Three Truths About Temptation and Sin
The sermon establishes three important truths regarding the relationshiop between temptation and sin.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Sermon: Temptation and Sin
An examination of the relationship between temptation, and the sins of man.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Sermon: Emulating Christ
Even as we pattern ourselves by those who live righteously… (“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ”, 1 Corinthians 11:1), …ultimately our pattern to follow is the Lord Himself.
What did Christ do for us as our example?
- He suffered for us
- He repelled the tempter through God’s word and prayer
- He forgave sinners seeking His mercy
- He was compassionate
- He exemplified humility
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Committing Menticide
Due to the proliferation of murder mystery stories and police procedurals on television, most people are familiar with the term homicide. The term comes from the Latin “homo” – (man) and “cide” – (killing). Another familiar term is suicide. This term comes from the Latin “sui” – (oneself) and “cide” – (killing). Other terms that are well known: patricide (killing of a father); matricide (killing of a mother); infanticide (killing of a baby); and genocide (killing of an entire national or cultural group).
I recently came across another term in the same vein — menticide. The term comes from the Latin “ment” – (mind) and “cide” – (killing). The definition of menticide: The systematic undermining of a person’s beliefs, attitudes and values.
