GateWay Church of Visalia
The Model: A Blueprint for Life
Pastor Lance Ainsworth Sept. 21 & 24, 2023
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction
Matthew 6:13 NASB
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Jesus understands and sympathizes with our temptation.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Jesus understands and sympathizes with our temptation.
Hebrews 4:15-16 NASB
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Believe -----> Follow
Engage in spiritual warfare.
Engage in spiritual warfare.
A friend of God is an enemy of Satan.
“a continual and irreconcilable war” – Westminster Confession
“a continual and irreconcilable war” – Westminster Confession
James 1:13-18 NASB
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
Recognize the source of temptation.
Understand the process of temptation.
1. Temptation – “But each one is tempted”
2. Fantasy – “Enticed by his own lust”
Matt. 6:22-23
3. Moving toward Sin – “Carried away”
2 Tim. 2:22
4. Act of Sin – “When lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin”
Proverbs 24:16
5. Death – “When sin is accomplished, it brings forth death”
Proverbs 14:12
1. Temptation – “But each one is tempted”
2. Fantasy – “Enticed by his own lust”
Matt. 6:22-23
3. Moving toward Sin – “Carried away”
2 Tim. 2:22
4. Act of Sin – “When lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin”
Proverbs 24:16
5. Death – “When sin is accomplished, it brings forth death”
Proverbs 14:12
Follow Jesus to avoid temptation. – “Do not be deceived… every perfect give is from above”
Avoid harmful influences.
Counter temptation with God’s Word.
Develop healthy relationships.
Fall in love with Jesus.
Counter temptation with God’s Word.
Develop healthy relationships.
Fall in love with Jesus.
“In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”
It’s difficult to plan evil while praying for God to lead you away from it.
Matthew 6:13 NASB
13 . . . For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
13 . . . For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
When are you most tempted?
What steps can you take to avoid temptation?
Where have you romanticized temptation?
What passages of scripture can you turn to in times of temptation?
Who knows your secrets and keeps you accountable?
Discussion Questions
Prayer:
Group Discussion: If you could be the best in the world at something, what would it be?
Read aloud: Matthew 6:13, James 1:13-18
1. Hebrews 4:15-16 “15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” What is the difference between mercy and grace? How do mercy and grace relate to Jesus sympathizing with our temptations?
2. v.13 “And do not lead us into temptation…” Do you consider yourself a follower of Jesus? What does that mean to you? When you hear the term leader, who or what do you think of? Does that relate to how Jesus wants to lead us? How does Satan feel about followers of Jesus?
3. Do you think proximity to temptation influences our ability to resist it? Can we fully avoid temptation? What is the difference between a temptation and a trial?
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
4. Has there been a time in your life when God provided a way of escape from temptation? Did you take the opportunity or not? Why do we sometimes have a “want-to” problem with temptation?
Prayer:
Group Discussion: If you could be the best in the world at something, what would it be?
Read aloud: Matthew 6:13, James 1:13-18
1. Hebrews 4:15-16 “15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” What is the difference between mercy and grace? How do mercy and grace relate to Jesus sympathizing with our temptations?
2. v.13 “And do not lead us into temptation…” Do you consider yourself a follower of Jesus? What does that mean to you? When you hear the term leader, who or what do you think of? Does that relate to how Jesus wants to lead us? How does Satan feel about followers of Jesus?
3. Do you think proximity to temptation influences our ability to resist it? Can we fully avoid temptation? What is the difference between a temptation and a trial?
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
4. Has there been a time in your life when God provided a way of escape from temptation? Did you take the opportunity or not? Why do we sometimes have a “want-to” problem with temptation?