Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Sermon Series / The Sermon On The Mount
Raising The Bar With Prayer (Part 8) 2/17/08
Message: ‘Raising the Bar with prayer ’ pt.8
Text: Matthew 6:13
Introduction: boy was standing near an open box of peanut butter cookies. “Now then, young man,” said the grocer as he approached the young man. “What are you up to?” “Nothing,” replied the boy: “Nothing A young.” “Well it looks to me like you were trying to take a cookie.” “You’re wrong, mister, I’m trying not to!”
Isn’t that where we want to be…fighting temptation instead of giving in each time we encounter it?
I haven’t met anyone who can honestly say they’ve battled with temptation and won the war. We will win some of the battles, and we’ll lose some, but the war is never over. We’ll fight temptation until we meet our Lord in heaven.
Transition: So, it’s a good idea to have a plan for the long haul. A plan to defeat temptation when it comes. This morning I hope to help you formulate a plan to fight the battles of temptation you’ll face as you travel on your spiritual journey of faith. Open your Bibles to Matthew 6:13 (pg. 741 in the Bible under the chair in front of you.)
It’s here that we’ll find we raise the bar of spiritual expectations and actions in our lives by prayer.
I. Temptation: The Problem
The Definition
The Process (James 1:12-18)
Two weeks ago we saw that the enticement to sin and it’s deception are powerful. So why does God allow it? Perhaps for at least two reasons.
The Purpose
Read: Matthew 6:13a
First, the Bible shows us that God uses temptation to reveal what’s in our heart. Temptation tests our character.
· When David was tempted by the sight of Bathsheba, God used it to show that lust ruled in David’s heart.
Second, the Bible shows that God uses temptation to strengthen our will to obey him.
· The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy said that we are to ‘train ourselves to be godly.’ Perhaps your translation says ‘exercise yourself unto godliness’
Just as exercise helps make our muscles stronger, so exercising our will by doing what is right will strengthen our will to obey God.
Transition: While God is not the author of temptation, He can use it for our good. Because the ruler of this world is using western society to effect how we view temptation and the purpose is to destroy us. Let me explain.
II. Temptation: the Person
Read: Matthew 6:13b
The World
Western civilization has an anti-supernatural bent to it. We’re products of a society that places a high priority on empirical thinking…
· things we can see, touch, smell, taste, feel and know by experience.
We’re taught from a very early age to value the scientific approach to life and to look skeptically at anything outside the natural realm. Because of this, many have removed the supernatural / spiritual as a valid explanation for the way things are in life.
But, God’s Word tells us that there is a very real and active spiritual/supernatural realm that is occupied by spirit beings.
· Some of these spirit beings the bible calls angels and they are obedient to the will of God and serve Him faithfully.
· The other spirit beings the bible calls demons or fallen angels and they are not obedient to God and they serve Satan faithfully.
There is spiritual warfare going on right now…I believe God’s angels are right now surrounding this building protecting us from attacks by Satan’s demons. Because…
· Satan’s demons want nothing more than for God’s Word to fall on deaf ears this morning.
· Satan’s demons want nothing more than for you to be so distracted that you’re unable to encounter God’s presence in worship this morning.
· Satan’s demons want nothing more than for you to think bad thoughts about your church family so that you leave feeling that you don’t belong here.
These are forces bent on your destruction as a Christian and our destruction as a community of faith. It’s real! They’re real!
And it’s with this in mind that Jesus teaches us to pray… ‘deliver us from the evil one.’
The Ruler of the World
‘The Evil One’…lets talk about him.
ILL: The Barna Research Group conducted a national survey concerning belief in Satan. They found that
· 60% of all Americans believe that Satan ‘is not a living being but a symbol of evil.’ That’s to be expected especially when you consider the way society portrays Satan…ref, pointy ears and a pitchfork.
· 45% of those calling themselves ‘born again Christians’ believe Satan is not a living being but a symbol of evil.’ Not what’s not expected considering we have the Word of God that tells us Satan is a real being.
The Evil one…perhaps your translation says ‘deliver us from evil.’ But the word in the Greek is better translated ‘evil one.’ When Jesus prayed his high priestly prayer in John 17 He used the same word.
Read: John 17:15 ‘My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.’
This implies that we’re in danger from both the sinful desires in our heart AND from Satan.
Aligning himself against God, Satan is also the enemy of every child of God…which means he’s your enemy too. He’s out to destroy you and this church fellowship. Spiritual warfare is a reality for each of us this morning.
Jesus saying that we should ask for God’s protection implies that we’re vulnerable to his attacks. So, we need to reach out beyond our own strength…we need to pray for God’s protection and for Holy Spirit power!
Transition: Did you know that Satan, the Evil One has a plan to destroy you? Have you got a plan?
III. Temptation: the Plan
Statements we don’t want to make
In formulating a plan to defeat temptation when it comes, you need to start with 4 things you don’t want to say.
1. ‘That couldn’t happen to me.’ Often we’re the most vulnerable when we believe we’re the strongest. So we don’t take the proper precautions against the temptation to sin and soon we find ourselves deeper in a mess than we ever imagined. The truth is we’re not the exception to the rule when it comes to temptation.
2. ‘I’m the only one.’ Sometimes we think that we’re the only one who struggling with temptation. The truth is temptation comes to everyone.
3. “I didn’t have a choice.’ You may have thought that you were so overwhelmed by the temptation that it was impossible for you to make the right choice. The truth is God never allows us to be tempted beyond what we can handle.
4. ‘God abandoned me.’ Because we may not feel a closeness to God at the moment of temptation doesn’t mean he has left us. The truth is ‘God is faithful’ he will ‘never leave or abandon us.’
Transition: Remove those statements from your vocabulary. They’re lies and they’re a destructive part of Satan’s plan. Instead go to the ‘B’ list. 10 Behaviors to fight temptation.
Actions/Attitudes we must have
1. Be aware that boundaries must be set: In other words draw a line in the proverbial sand. Know beforehand what your boundaries are, before you’re tempted.
ILL:
· The backseat of a car on a dark lonely road is not the place to fight off temptation.
· Standing with your plate in front of the all you can eat buffet is not the place to start fighting temptation when you’re dieting.
The problem many of us find ourselves in when it comes to temptation, is that we try to fight the battle when we’re already in the middle of it. But the outcome of the battle will often be determined before we enter the battlefield. So determine your boundaries, set you limits and standards ahead of time and don’t allow yourself to get near the line.
2. Believe the truth about Satan: Scripture tells us over and over again that we need not fear Satan.
Read: 1 John 4:4 ‘You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.’
3. Be submissive to God’s will: Remember God’s God and your not. He knows better than you what’s good for you. Trust him…submit to him.
Read: James 4:7 ‘Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’
4. Be ready to fight: Our best defense against temptation is a right relationship with God through the living out of his Word in our everyday lives. Scripture warns us to be prepared for our battle with temptation and Satan.
Read: Mark 14:38a ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’
Read: Ephesians 6:11 ‘Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.’
5. Be men and women who call out to God in Prayer: Prayer is an effective and powerful weapon against temptation in our lives. But it must be used persistently if it’s to be effective.
Read: Psalm 50:15 God says ‘and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.’
6. Be assured that temptation can be overcome: We don’t have to go down for the 10 count time and time again. There is victory for the Christian who believes and trusts in their Heaven Father and in the finished work of His Son, Jesus on the cross.
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:13 ‘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.’
7. Believe there is another alternative: The way you think determines the way you feel, the way you feel determines the way you act. Temptation always begins with a thought. One key to victory over temptation is to refocus your thoughts.
Read: Philippians 4:8 ‘Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’
8. Be sure to tell someone about your struggles: Don’t misunderstand me…I’m not saying you should tell everybody about your struggles with temptation. But you should have at least one person (preferably of the same sex) that you can talk openly and honestly to.
Read: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!’
9. Be ready to run: God’s Word tells us over and over again to flee temptation. You know what ‘flee’ means? RUN like the wind.
ILL: A senior pastor told his quite handsome new assistant pastor to avoid the dangers of immorality in the ministry. The assistant pastor quite sure of himself said ‘I’ll do much of my socializing in groups, there is safety in numbers.’ The wise senior pastor however responded, ‘Yes, there is safety in numbers but there is more safety in Exodus. Run away from temptation.’ (D. Greg Ebie)
Read: 2 Timothy 2:22a ‘Flee the evil desires of youth…’
10. Be ready to count the cost: Remember the bait and hook illustration from 2 weeks ago?
See the bait for what it is and what it will cost you to take the bait…that’s the hook! Count the cost of your sinful choice before you make it.
ILL: The story is told of a man and his wife who were shopping at a mall kiosk. A shapely young woman in a short, form-fitting dress strolled by. The man’s eyes followed her. Without looking up from the item she was examining, his wife asked, “Was it worth the trouble you’re in?” (Drew Anderson Reader’s Digest)
Read: Luke 14:28 ‘“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
Finally, if you need specific help for a specific temptation come talk to me. We’ll figure it out together.
Remember, it’s been said ‘Fail to plan, plan to fail’ and I believe it’s true. Make a plan and seeks God’s help to stick with it.
Conclusion: The Prayer
OK…how do we pray this prayer without using the words in the text? Perhaps something like this.
Heavenly Father, I feel like the boy who has been saving for a new baseball glove and when he almost had enough money he heard the sound of his favorite ice cream truck off in the distance. I am reminded of my weakness when he prayed ‘Lord, please don’t let that ice cream truck come down my street today.’ Like that boy, I’m weak, Lord and I know that without your intervention I’m vulnerable to the destruction my sinful desires and Satan place before me.
Help me to recognize those things that draw me to sin whether it be
· gossip, anger, jealousy, discontent, revenge, lust, envy, or pride.
Help me to recognize and deal seriously with the sinful desires that tempt me.
Lord God, I know that Satan has no power over me, no claim over your children. Help me to remember that Jesus has already defeated Satan and will always defeat him. Conquer, my King, the forces of evil that so very often attack and weaken me.
Precious Savior, when faced with the temptation to trample upon your grace and love, and to soil your holiness in us, lead us away from our sinful desires, protect us from the arrows of the evil one and allow us to walk rightly before you.
Holy Spirit, keep me from going down the wrong path and help me to have the strength to say no to Satan, the world and to my own sinful desires. Amen.
We raise the bar of our spiritual expectations and actions in our lives by prayer.