God’s Faithfulness in Temptation

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-7-2026

1 Corinthians 10:11-15

 

Introduction: 

 

1.  In verses 1-10, we saw: Great Privilege, Great Failure, and Great Warning.  To whom much is given, much is required.  The admonition to us, upon whom the end of the world has come, is to heed that warning. 

 

2.  We spent a couple of weeks looking at the Lord's chastening.  Tonight, we will look at the potential for failure and God’s protection from failing.

 

A.  Temptation is something that all of us face.  Verse 13 uses the word “common.”  Universal, common placed, familiar, or shared.  We often call these shared places at universities called “Student Centers” or “Commons;” in Basic Training and AIT, Day Rooms; in the military, Service Clubs; in Laurens, the Town Square.  When something unlawful is placed before our eyes, we face a “Common” battle.  James chapter 1 thoroughly explains the where, when, and how of temptation.

 

James 1:12-16  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  (13)  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  (14)  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  (15)  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  (16)  Do not err, my beloved brethren.

 

B.  With that said, it is good to know that we are all in good company!  James uses the phrase “But every man.”  There is nothing we are tempted with that others have not faced in the past millennia. 

 

1.  Talking about “good company,” our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted!

 

Matthew 4:1  Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

 

Hebrews 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

 

2.  Interestingly, the Bible says that when we are tempted, there is a blessing (“Blessed is the man”) attached to it for those who do not give in, along with a sure reward, the Crown of Life (one of five crowns to be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ).

 

3.  The Crown of Life is a reward promised by God to faithful believers, especially those who endure trials, suffering, and persecution for Christ.

 

James 1:12-16  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

 

Revelation 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

 

C.  Though God has made us a precious promise in verse 13, we still, at times, fail God and give in to the flesh. 

 

1.  At this point, thank God for 1 John 1:9!  There is an old-worldly expression from Hollywood that says, “The Devil made me do it!” Satan cannot make us do anything!

 

2.  When we leave the will of God, we need to recognize that we made a conscious decision to do so, and that there is no one else to blame for the penalty we receive except ourselves. You cannot make me get out of the will of God! 

 

D.  So many Christians are now on the sidelines and out of God’s will while justifying where they are by blaming others and circumstances.  If you fail God, take the blame and confess the sin. We sin because:

 

1.  Because of the wickedness of our flesh - Romans 7:14-25  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

2.  Because of the weakness of our flesh - Romans 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

 

Galatians 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 

3.  The Deceitfulness of our Heart - Jeremiah 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

 

E.  God’s Grace is sufficient for us:

 

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Romans 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

 

1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

F.  If God’s grace is sufficient, abounding, and manifold, then why do Christians fall into sin?

 

SIX REASONS FOUND IN THE CONTEXT TO SHOW WHY WE FALL

 

1.  By Not Hearing God’s Word – Verse 11.  “ensamples”  Patterns, warnings, and object lessons for believers.

 

          a.  Through lack of Bible reading and study.

 

          b.  Through willful absence from church and the pulpit.

 

          c.  Through failing to make personal application of Scripture.

 

2.  By Pride And Self Confidence – Verse 12.  “thinketh he standeth”  Confidence placed in experience, knowledge, position, or past faithfulness can lead to carelessness.  Israel assumed they were secure because of their privileges, yet many fell in the wilderness. The Corinthians assumed liberty meant immunity.

 

          a.  Failing to realize the wickedness and weakness of the flesh.

 

          b.  Failing to realize that you are no better than anyone else and can also fall.

 

          c.  Failing to remove yourself from the presence of temptation to sin.

 

3.  By Giving In To The Lusts Of The Flesh – vs. 13 “God is faithful…will not suffer”  God does not promise a temptation-free life, but He does promise measured trials. He will not allow us to be tempted above our ability to bear it.  The Lord controls the testing of His people.

 

          a.  Realizing that we are nothing and can do nothing without the Lord’s help.

 

          b.  Realizing that we are weak and have besetting sins.

 

          c.  Realizing that we can make no provision for the flesh and stay pure.

 

4.  By Not Taking God’s Way Of Escape – vs. 13  “way to escape…may be able”  This does not mean that God will remove every temptation, but that He will give the strength need to endure it without sin. The escape may be a verse of Scripture remembered, or the closing of a door, a conviction remembered, or the strength given to say no.

 

          a.  God is a faithful Friend.

 

          b.  God knows your needs and weaknesses and provides for them.

 

          c.  God will give you both the grace, direction, and strength you need to escape.

 

5.  By Not Fleeing Idolatry – vs. 14  “flee idolatry”  Paul addresses them as “my dearly beloved,” showing his pastoral care and affection for the Corinthians, along with the command to flee.

 

a.  Idolatry is more than bowing to images or idols. It is allowing anything to take the place of God in the heart—desires, pleasures, ambitions, or liberties.  Idolatry is whatever takes first place in your thinking or life.

 

          b.  Idolatry is a slap in the face to the Lord who owns us and loves us.

 

          c.  Idolatry leads to more idolatry:  sin begets sin.

 

6.  By Not Heeding God’s Warnings – 15  “wise men” vs. “foolish men”  Truth brings responsibility.  Great truth, great responsibility!

 

          a.  He has given us a plain picture of sin and failure.

 

          b.  He has given us a perfect and reliable Scripture.

 

          c.  He has given us a promise of wisdom and understanding.

Satan’s Devices – Defilement

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-9-2024

Proverbs 7:6-13

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Satan’s Devices are things that are knowable to the believer.  We need not be ignorant of them.

 

2 Corinthians 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

 

B.  Satan cannot destroy our salvation; therefore, he tries to destroy our testimonies and lives, rendering us saved but useless!

 

C.  Satan uses circumstances but his main weapon it the believer’s flesh.  We still have an old nature that is depraved.  The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest Christians who ever lived said, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18)

 

D.  In the context of Romans 7:18,  we find the man of God not doing what he knew to do that was right but often doing the things that he knew to be wrong.  Why?  A question to be answered.

 

E.  Too often, the believer suffers from self-enticement.  Not to our verses for this morning:

 

1.  We find a “simple one” who was a “youth.”  A young man void of understanding.

 

2.  This young man knew who the harlot was and where she lived.  These things are ones of common knowledge.  We would call it a “Red Light District.”

 

3.  He advanced from the “street near her corner” to “the way to her house.”

 

4.  He did so 3 times: in the “twilight”, in the “evening”, and in the black and dark night.  Three chances to make the proper choice and failed to do so.

 

5.  It is now nighttime, and she is “without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.”

 

6.  She “caught him, and kissed him” with an “impudent face.” 

 

7.  Here, we need to go no further.

 

F.  Defilement!  I would dare to say that every adult in this congregation this morning, as I made that statement, could think of someone who has destroyed their testimony and usefulness through sinfulness. 

 

G.  There are many that we once went to church with that are now back out in the “world” with testimonies that are permanently tarnished.  Some are men that have ruined their service because of their love for strange women.  Some are men who went back to a life of alcohol or drugs. 

 

H.  Many times, Satan knows our weaknesses because we “telegraph” them.  He is not omniscient and, therefore, must rely upon what information that we give him.

 

J.  In these last perilous times, people are exposed to so many things that defile the mind and body.  In times past, most people who lived in sin remained “out of the spotlight” because their sin was not acceptable to people in general.  Today, the things that were once hidden are not publicized and acceptable by society.

 

K.  This morning, I want to name just a few of the things that you and I will face when we go out those doors and into our “Jerusalem” that may defile us.

 

1.  The Defilement Of Compromised Situations – Satan Will Offer You Opportunities For Compromise - 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 

 

a.  This verse does not speak of evil but merely the appearance of evil.

 

1 Peter 3:16  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

 

b.  We must have good conversation (lifestyle) that cannot be compromised.

 

Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

 

c.  You must be “above board” with your testimony in order to stave off false accusation.  STAY AWAY FROM POTENTIALLY COMPROMISED SITUATIONS!

 

2.  The Defilement Of An Uncontrolled Tongue – Satan Will Cause You To Say Things That You Will Later Regret - James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

 

a.  Never leave your tongue in gear when your brain is idling.  Be careful little tongue what you say!

 

Luke 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

 

b.  God gave you two ears and one tongue.  This should be all the warning that you need.  Hear twice as much as you speak!

 

Titus 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

 

3.  The Defilement Of A Bitter Spirit – Satan Will Lead Others To Say And Do Things To Hurt You And Tempt You To REACT! - Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

 

a.  The grace of God is sufficient to quench bitterness.  There will be things done that you do not understand or are unfair.  People can be both wicked and hateful.

 

b.  Each of us have a choice to be made at this point:  we can be bitter or we can be better.

 

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

 

4.  The Defilement Of Fleshly Allurement – Satan Will Place A Woman (or a man) In Your Life To Entice You To Commit Adultery - Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 

 

a.  This is not just a “man thing” and ladies should take extra care not to get too friendly with men other than their husbands.  There is so much interaction between men and women in our day because of lack of fidelity in marriage and closeness in workplaces.

 

5.  The Defilement Of Fornication – Satan Will Certainly Compromise The Purity Of Our Youth In The Area Of Sexual Impurity - Genesis 34:2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

 

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

 

Ephesians 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

 

6.  The Defilement Of Sinful Habits – Satan Has Made Sinful Habits Both Appealing And Easily Accessible - 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 

 

(One good “Rule Of Thumb” is to never start something that you are going to have to quit!  Smoking, cursing, drinking, drugs, pornography, etc.)

 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 

 

7.  The Defilement Of Evil Thinking - Mark 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23  All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

 

1 Peter 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

 

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 

Conclusion:  How do I keep myself from both physical and physical defilement? 

 

The Protection Of A Purposed Heart - Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

When God Casts You Down and Weakens Your Strength

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-3-2022

Psalm 102

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In Psalm 102, we find the Psalmist (unnamed with no history of the “why” of the Psalm) reflecting on the hard time that he is in.  His reflection is honest in his view and his conclusion is the spiritual wealth that he gains.

 

Verses 1-2 – The Psalmist’s Plea – He does the right thing!  If you don’t ask the question, the answer is automatically “NO!”

 

Verses 3-11 – The Psalmist’s Perception – My days are consumed, my heart is stricken,            like a pelican without water, a sparrow unprotected, at the mercy of my enemies, ashes to eat, and withered like grass!

 

Verses 12-28 – The Psalmist’s Praise – “Just praise God anyway!”  This was what we often said while in Bible College and times were tough.  Praise ye the Lord!

 

Verses 10, 23 – The Psalmist’s Predicament – Something that God does or allows to be done. 

 

1 Corinthians 10:13  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.

 

B.  As humans, we think that these verses are the opposite of what they should be in hard times.

 

1.  It should have been: “Thou as lifted me up” instead of “thou hast … cast me down.” 

 

2.  It should have been: “He strengthened my weakness” instead of “He weakened my strength in the way.”

 

3.  The Holy Ghost said just the opposite of what we think and want.  God sometimes allows hard times to weaken our strength. 

 

Isaiah 55:8-9  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  (9)  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

 

(We neither know God’s way nor wisdom in His allowing things to transpire that He could correct or make go away.)

 

Jeremiah 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

 

Ephesians 1:8-9  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;  (9)  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

 

C.  Why?

 

1.  Weakness humbles the saint.  It brings us to the reality that we are not in control.

 

Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 

 

2.  Weakness centers the saint.  It keeps our eyes upon the Lord instead of the circumstances. 

 

Psalms 56:3  What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

 

Isaiah 12:2  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

3.  Weakness reminds the saint.  That we are but flesh, and therefore subject to the “powers that be.”  Sin, Satan, sickness, etc.

 

Psalms 73:25-26  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.  (26)  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

 

Matthew 26:41  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

 

4.  Weakness introduces the saint.  To the strength of God that is only found at the end of ours.

 

2 Corinthians 12:8-10  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  (9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 

How To Walk Godly in An Ungodly World

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-5-2022

Psalm 101

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We live in difficult times: 

 

1.  As it was in the days of Noe: The mixing of the godly and ungodly lines.  Noah was the only just man alive.

 

2. As it was in the days of Lot: living in a world of sodomy.  Though God spared Lot, he lived a compromised life and died in a cave without repentance.

 

3.  As it was in Laodicea and now the Laodicean Church Age:  Apathy that brings about lukewarmness.  People no longer seem to have a desire for living for Christ.

 

4.  As it was in the perilous times of Timothy's Day:  A worldly Christianity.  Everybody is "saved" but few act like they are.

 

5.  As it was in the times of Apostasy: A general "falling away" from adherence to the Word of God.  Everything that Christians once stood for is under constant attack and the multitudes follow the apostate's pernicious ways.

 

6.  Have we said enough.  I am not trying to discourage you tonight, I am trying to exhort you and so much the more as we see the day approaching: the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

 

B.  In this Psalm, we find some directives concerning our steadfastness in these last perilous times.  3,000 years ago, when Psalm 101 was written, God gave Israel the solution to our problems today!  What a glorious Bible we hold in our hands!

 

C.  A simple outline is found here for godly living.

 

1.  Verse 1.  Your Worship.  I WILL SING!  Thank God for His mercy and judgment.  He loves us enough to both correct us and to be merciful to us at the same time.  That ought to make your heart SING!  "I will sing … O LORD, I will sing!"

 

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 

2.  Verse 2.  Your Walk.  I WILL BEHAVE!  We cannot control everything, but we are to control what we can.  It matters not how the world behaves because our behavior is a choice that we personally make.  When we were in our parent's house, we had to behave; when we came of age, we choose to behave.

 

Proverbs 28:18  Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

 

3.  Verses 3-5.  Your Witness.  I WILL NOT FOLLOW!  We are surrounded by the ungodly and they try to incorporate us into their way of thinking and lifestyle.  Stay close to God's House and God's people!  Keep your eyes on Christ, your hearts in the Bible, and constantly renew your minds. 

 

Exodus 23:2  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

 

3 John 11  Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

 

4.  Verses 6-8.  Your Watch.  I WILL KEEP MY EYES UPON THE FAITHFUL!  Know that there are still good, godly people that walk with you.  Stay around and walk with these as God will destroy and cut off the wicked. 

 

Hebrews 10:22-25  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  (23)  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)  (24)  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  (25)  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.