theme god’s promise: every temptation we experience is just weak enough so that together – with...
TRANSCRIPT
How To Deal WithA Messy World
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
“And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you
can’t stand up against it.” 10:13b NLT
ThemeGod’s Promise:
Every temptation we experience
is just weak enough
so that together – with God
we can resist it.
IntroductionWe Have A Common Problem: Life Is Messy & We Mess Up.
1. Lots Of Messy Problems With Messy Consequences
Israelites rescued but rebellious – they didn’t live to see the Promised Land (1-6)
Israelites spiritual Idolatry – 23,000 die in a day (7-11)
2. Lots Of Warnings About Messy Living (6,11)
Same problems today
Same consequences today
3. God offers help
1 Corinthians 10:12,1312 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you
don’t fall!
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to
man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he
will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
13 But remember that the temptations that come into your
life are no different from what others experience. And God is
faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong
that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he
will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.
1. INEVITABLE: You can’t escape the mess in a messy world
12a So, if you think you are standing firm …
2. RESISTIBLE: But you don’t have to surrender to the mess
12b …be careful that you don’t fall!
3. COMMON: Everyone faces the same kinds of mess every day
But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. 13a
What is a “temptation”?
Proof trial/test: An event or activity that reveals the true character of something.
It can be positive or negative.
• Stress Test at the doctor’s office: Will you go? Will you avoid it?
• A purse falls off the roof of a car: Will you return it?• Someone insults you? Will you take offense? Will you
return with evil words?• Pornographic website link appears on the computer: Will
you click on the link?• You see an ad for something you don’t need but want:
Will you buy it anyway?• You have overheard a juicy piece of gossip: Will you tell
others what you heard?• You see a child abused by someone: Will you deal with
it?• The waiter at the restaurant does an exceptional job:
Will you keep the tip?
4. HINDER: God promises to get in the way of the mess, aiming and controlling it. 13b
NIV: And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
NLT: And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it.
God’s Promise: Every temptation we experience is just weak enough so that together – with God – we can resist it.
5a. VICTORY: God makes it possible for you to get beyond the mess safely.
When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Victory over temptation will never be achieved by eliminating temptation.Can’t do it!
5a. VICTORY: God makes it possible for you to get beyond the mess safely.
Temptation…
…to do nothing
…to yield to the temptation
…to fight the temptation with the flesh
Ask God for His grace and experience victory!
Sometimes the “escape” is through a door or window.
Sometimes the “escape” takes us through it.
Sometimes the “escape” is avoiding the “temptation zone” in the first place.
Our Challenge
God’s Promise:
Every temptation we experience
is just weak enough
so that together – with God
we can resist it.
Identify the Temptation/Test
Get God’s Help First
Enjoy the victory!