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

1. Love.
2. Offer hospitality.
3. 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

1. He was fascinated with sin.
2. He flirted with sin.
3. He forgot his source of power.
4. Then he failed.

May 25 2014 iGod AM All Powerful

iGod AM All-Powerful

iGod: Part 2 of 4

Exodus 3:14 “God replied to Moses, ‘I Am the one Who Always IS. Just tell them, “IAM has sent me to you.”’”

Omnipotent: God has unlimited power.

Isaiah 40:25-26 “’To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”

Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God.”

BECAUSE GOD IS ALL-POWERFUL

1. I CAN overcome my problems

John 16:33 “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
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• No problem is too big for God.

Jeremiah 32:27 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
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• No problem is too small for God.

Matthew 6:28-30 (Jesus) “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!” —
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• I DON’T HAVE TO feel defeated.

2. I CAN make a difference in the world.

Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” —

Matthew 17:20 “I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

• I DON’T HAVE TO forgettable.

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God’s power.”

3. I CAN be forgiven.

Romans 6:10“He died once to defeat sin, and now he lives for the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 “I know very well how foolish the message  Memory Verse “Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with."