October
27- 28, 2007 Doors!
Genesis 4:7, Selected
A Door is Alarmed!
(Senior Pastor Roger Storms)
*** Romans 7:15-17, 19 “I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good. But I can't help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things. 19When I want to do good, I don't. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.” [New Living Translation]
*** Genesis 4:6-7 “Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." [NIV]
DOOR OF TEMPTATION!
*** James 1:13-16 “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting
me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but
each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it
is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.”
[NIV]
1. By Accepting that Temptation is Certain!
*** James 1:2-3 “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
[NIV]
• TRIALS: are difficult events that happen in life
because we live in a fallen world!
• TESTS: are difficult events sent by God to strengthen
our character and develop maturity!
• TEMPTATIONS: are deliberate enticements to sin sent
by Satan to weaken us spiritually and pull us away from God!
*** Luke 4:1-2 “Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River.
He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness, where the Devil tempted
him for forty days.” [New Living Translation]
*** 2 Cor. 2:11 “…so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very
familiar with his evil schemes.” [NLT]
2. By Realizing Temptation’s Source!
*** James 1:13 “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting
me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone….”
[NIV]
God is not the author of temptations - Satan is!
*** 1 Peter 5:8b “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.” [NIV]
The Devil Can’t Make Me Do It!
3. By Owning the Responsibility!
*** James 1:14 “…but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire,
he is dragged away and enticed.” [NIV]
A GODLY NATURE – inherited from God!
A SINFUL NATURE – inherited from Adam!
*** Romans 7:21-23 “It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to
do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all
my heart. 23But there is another law at work within me that is at war with
my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still
within me.” [NLT]
AS A CHRIST-FOLLOWER IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO “JUST SAY NO!”
*** Romans 13:14 “But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and
forget about satisfying your sinful self.” [New Century Version]
4. By Understanding the Process!
*** James 1:14-15 “…but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire,
he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives
birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
[NIV]
A. THE SPIRITUAL IS REMOVED! - Matthew 26:41 “Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." [Today’s English Version]
B. THE DESIRE IS STIMULATED! - 1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends… I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that fight against your soul.” [NCV]
C. THE WILL IS SURRENDERED! - 2 Tim. 4:10 “Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life….” [NLT]
D. THE SIN BEGINS! - 1 John 2:16 “For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world.” [NLT]
E. THE HABIT IS SET! - Romans 6:16 “Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.” [NLT]
F. THE SOUL IS DESTROYED! - Romans 6:23 “When people sin, they earn what sin pays—death.” [NCV]
5. By Keeping the Door of Temptation Closed!
*** Genesis 4:7 “If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your
door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." [NIV]
• Wake Up! - 1 Peter 5:8 “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.” [CEV]
• Pray Up! - Luke 22:40 “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” [NIV]
• Make Up! - James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [NIV]
• Dress Up! - Eph. 6:11, 13
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devil's schemes. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the
day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have
done everything, to stand.” [NIV]