Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Temptation
Subject: Temptation
Lust of the Eyes & Flesh, the Pride of Life
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16).
The description given by John in this text seems to categorize all sin into at lease one of three groups. A practical consideration of this seems so. Every sin I can think of can be categorized as a consequence of illicit desire (brought from what we see, what we feel, or pride). Continue reading “Lust of the Eyes & Flesh, the Pride of Life”
Mining the Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16
Paul uses Christ’s position as the Christian’s High Priest to encourage faithfulness to God. The points are these:
Jesus has passed through the heavens. This references His leaving the earth to return to God’s right hand, receiving His exaltation. He is the Son of God. (This declaration is another indicating His divine nature, as it makes Him equal to His Father). See John 5:18.
His efficacy as High Priest comes not only because of His deity, but also because of His humanity. As a man he was tempted as we are, so He can sympathize with us as we pray. We note that Jesus did not sin, but that does not indicate anything other than his strength and righteousness. He was a man with the same physical frailties and desires as our own. Temptations were suffered by Him, (cf. Matthew 4:1-11) and yet He did not sin.
These truths are why we may be confident of Jesus as our mediator. This is why the Hebrew writer called upon his readers to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need” (16). Praise God for sending His Son to earth for us!
Sermon: Pursue? Or Flee?
Both the word Flee and the word Pursue are used in 2 Timothy 2:22-23. We discuss the significance of these words, and show certain things that should either be pursued, or run away from!
Audio
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(4 of 13) Shoring Up Weaknesses
In Romans 3:23, Paul affirmed, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This should be understood as a statement of fact rather than a necessary requirement for mankind. While it is true that we all have transgressed God’s commandments, we have free will and can choose not to succumb to any particular temptation which befalls us.
Jesus is the wonderful example to follow in this. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (4:15). Each of us fail because there is a war waging within us. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:17). While the apostle hits the nail on the head here, he also confidently affirms in the same context, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Continue reading “(4 of 13) Shoring Up Weaknesses”
Sermon: How the Devil Works
A discussion of Genesis 3:6 and Luke 4:1-13, showing how the Devil works to tempt men, and what can be done to deal with the enticements he places before us.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: The Inclination to Sin
A discussion of man’s inclination to sin and how it can be mitigated.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: Jesus, Satan, and Peter
Tyler uses the account of Satan’s successful temptation of Peter, and then Peter’s restoration to make some salient applications for us today.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: The Trials of a Christian
Speaker: Thackery Scroggins
Christians are beset with trials and temptations. What could be an advantage for the devil can instead bring maturity, if handled correctly.
Causing Grief
In 2 Corinthians 2, the apostle Paul gives instructions to the church to “forgive and comfort” the man who had been disciplined by them. It’s almost certain that the man under consideration was the man guilty of fornication, referred to in 1 Corinthians 5. They had done as Paul commanded, and withdrew fellowship from him. The text obviously intimates the man’s eventual repentance, and now Paul calls upon the Corinthians to forgive him, and receive him back into their fellowship.
Why would they hesitate to bring him back? Because his sin and rebellion had caused them grief! He hadn’t personally grieved Paul, as Paul was not part of that congregation, but all of them in Corinth, “to some extent,” had been caused grief by him.
The word grief here, (lupeo), means to make sorrowful, to offend, (Thayer). Two simple, but important points are here made.
First, no matter the trouble, sorrow and offense we endure from a man who is caught and remains in sin — we are called to forgive and comfort him upon repentance. It is not right for us to hold sin against another. We are to express our love to them and receive them back, regardless of the grief they may have caused us.
Second, when you sin, your sin causes grief to others. It may be slight, it may be great, but your actions impact your brethren! Sin is characteristically selfish and self-centered. You’re not only hurting yourself. Something to think about!
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Sermon: Sinful Lusts
Defining it, determining its origin, discussing who is vulnerable, and a discussion of the admonitions against the lust that brings sin and death.
Sermon: Knowing Good and Evil
A discussion of the Serpent’s temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden. The consequence and destructive nature of sin, and the importance of knowing God’s will for man.
Sermon: The Benefits of an Increasing Faith
As our faith grows, and with it we mature spiritually, it enables us in various ways. It gives us the ability to: 1) Discern good and evil; 2) Resist temptation; 3) Forgive; 4) Deal with those who oppose the truth; 5) Cope with physical decline; and 6) Face death.
FB: Do not give place to the Devil!
In Ephesians 4:26-27, Paul wrote, “‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”
There are many ways we can “give place to the devil.” Mentioned in the text are lying, stealing, all types of evil speaking, bitterness, clamor and malice. In verse 26 the problem Paul addresses is anger.
We all get angry. But, we must control it when it comes, and rid ourselves of it as soon as possible. Otherwise, Satan will use it to cause us to sin. Do not give place to the Devil!
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Invitation: Overcoming Temptation
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul notes that temptations are common to all men. We must resist temptation, and if we do we have the assurance that God will help us.
Invitation: God was not well pleased
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 1 Corinthians 10:1-5,11, the apostle Paul refers to the Israelites as an admonition to us, for God was “not well pleased” with them. From this, Paul makes three applications in verses 12-14. 1) Pride is a problem; 2) God is faithful; 3) Flee idolatry.
