"TEMPTATION."
I. DIVERSE TEMPTATIONS.
A. What is meant by temptation?
1. Any situation in life that draws me from my walk in the Spirit, into my flesh.
2. It is thus a proving of my faith.
B. The diverse forms it takes.
1. My greatest temptation comes when I drive.
a. A driver that pokes in the fast lane.
b. Someone who pulls in front of me, forcing me to brake, then crawls ...
"THE TESTING OF OUR FAITH"
PSA 34:19 Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
I. WE EXPERIENCE MANY DIFFERENT TESTINGS IN LIFE.
A. The tiles that were used on the nose cone of the space shuttle were subjected to all kinds of severe testings.
1. The purpose of the tests was not to destroy the tiles but to to prove their worth.
"BECOMING MATURE"
I. THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT.
A. Jesus said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."
1. The Greek word telios which is translated perfect when relating to a sacrifical animal meant that it was fit to be offered as a sacrifice to God.
2. When used of a scholar, it meant mature.
3. When used of a man meant to be of full age.
"SIN"
Intro: Each of us face powerful forces and pressures to sin. My inherent weaknesses, the daily pressures. God has made available to me His resources stronger than any force. Sin is an act, a choice of my will. Sin (Greek & English).
I. SIN, ITS BEGINNING: "LUST."
A. The word means strong desire, through use it has been limited to desire of one thing.
1. Desire is not sin, ...
DOERS OF THE WORD.
I. "BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD."
A. Hearing alone does not justify.
1. Christ said "He that hath my command..."
2. Rom. 2:13, Jews mistaken notion.
a. Just having the law doesn't save.
B. Our actions, not our words are counted.
1. Parable, Matt. 21:28-32.
2. Matt. 7:21.
C. Just having full Gospel message is not enough.
II. DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES.
I. GREATEST FAULT TODAY.
A. Hearers not doers.
1. We all seem to hear well.
2. We agree with what is being said.
a. We ought to read Bibles more.
b. We ought to pray more. AMEN.
c. We ought to witness more.
3. Parable of two sons.
II. GOD RECKONS WHAT WE DO.
A. "Every man rewarded according to his works."
1. How do you know you have enough faith for salvation?
a. Grain of...
21 Brs. of 0.T. 15 references to Sermon on the Mount.
I. ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE BIBLE IS TO ACT AS A GLASS.
A. "Natural face." The face you were born with.
1. You can't help your face - or can you?
B. The mirrors were not made of glass.
1. Highly polished metal - usually brass.
2. Teachers recommended mirrors as aid to moral culture.
a. Socrates - carry mirror - if you ar...
"Worldly Wisdom"
Intro. The Bible declares that God has made foolish, the wisdom of this world. For the world by it's wisdom knew not God. That the wisdom of this world comes to nothing. That the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
A. The paper this week announced that researchers have found the fossil of the oldest flower ever discovered, it is 142 million years old. Th...
"ENEMIES OF GOD"
I. THERE ARE TWO OPPOSING KINGDOMS THAT RULE IN THE UNIVERSE.
A. The kingdom of God which is a kingdom of light and life.
B. The kingdom of Satan which is a kingdom of death and darkness.
C. You are in one or the other of these kingdoms.
1. If you are not in the kingdom of light, you are in the kingdom of darkness.
2. These kingdoms are mutually exclusive so t...
I. THE EFFECTUAL PRAYER.
A. Does not stop until the job is finished.
B. Majority of prayers are not effectual.
a. We pray for five minutes, and because we do not gain immediate results, we quit.
C. Tarry ye until.
D. Pray without ceasing.
E. James says, "The effectual..."
F. We are too easily discouraged.
a. Shouldn't stop praying until God moves.
b. Must pray through lull ...
"THE MAN GOD USES"
Intro: James has just exhorted us to pray, encouraging us by saying "The effectual fervent prayer..."
I. WE ALL DESIRE TO SEE THE POWER OF GOD DEMONSTRATED THROUGH OUR LIVES.
A. We want to be used by God.
1. When we read of Peter, how they would position the sick so his shadow might fall.
2. When we read of Paul, the aprons and the sweat bands.
3. When we re...