March 22 2015 Overcoming Temptation Under Pressure
/OVERCOMING TEMPTATION UNDER PRESSURE
1 Peter 4:1-11
TEMPTATION IS: The process that attempts to draw us away from God.
EIGHT WAYS TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION
1. Propose to what’s right.
Verse 1 – Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourself with the same attitude (or purpose).
Lesson: The battle can be won before the battle has begun.
Three Hebrew children.
Hebrews 11: 36 – 38
2. Stop doing what’s wrong.
Verse 1 – Because He who suffered in His body is done with sin.
3. Stop running with the wrong crowd.
Verses 3 & 4 – For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do, living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it is strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation and they heap abuse on you. What the world expects: They expect us to change and be different, the reject us when we live for Christ.
4. Live for the Will of God.
Verses 2 & 6 – Live for the Will of God, but live according
Verse 5 – But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
5. Live in the light of accountability.
Verse 5 – But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6. Be serious and watchful in your prayers.
Verse 7 – Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Peter’s experience: Went to sleep on the job.
7. Minister to one another.
Verses 8, 9, 10 – Above all, love each other deeply, offer hospitality to one another, use whatever gift he has received to serve others.
THREE WAYS WE MINISTER TO ONE ANOTHER
- Love.
- Offer hospitality.
- Use your God given gift.
8. Rely on God’s power.
Verse 11 – Do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised.
SAMSON’S FOUR STEPS TO FAILURE
- He was fascinated with sin.
- He flirted with sin.
- He forgot his source of power.
- Then he failed.
