Worship for Sunday, February 26, 2023

We are quite good at offering reasons why something is not our fault - The dog ate my homework - It is just the way I am wired - It is because of social structures - It is my wife/husband's fault - The traffic was terrible - The Brothers Osbourne wrote a song using the kind of circular reasoning we use We like to shed blame The devil made me do it President Harry S Truman - "The buck stops here." - We need a sign for our spirit that says, "The buck stops here." James 1:13-15 -13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Why it is so important to take responsibility for sinful decisions and actions? Without acceptance there can be no repentance Psalm 51:3-4 - For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Unconfessed sin becomes the short stave in our spiritual barrel How do we begin to take responsibility and win the victory? 1) Know yourself The temptations offered to Jesus were an attempt to take a shortcut - Glorification was the end result - It had to come through the cross The temptations came when he was physically weakened - Know your vulnerabilities - Know your limitations - Know your weaknesses 2) Know your God 1 Corinthians 10:13 - 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. - Know His presence Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness Jesus was ministered to by angels - Know His love Psalm 51:1 - Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions - Know His forgiveness Psalm 51:14 - Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. - Know His truth Jesus responded to temptation with the truth of God's Word 3) Know your armor Ephesians 6:11-13 - 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. At the beginning of the day put on the armor - Visualize yourself dressing in the armor of God Belt of truth Breastplate of righteousness Shoes of the Gospel of peace Shield of faith Helmet of salvation Sword of the Spirit - word of God Have a worship/devotional/prayer time Throughout the day - check in Ephesians 6:18 -18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints Have set times that you: - Re-check the armor - Do a quick self-examination - Read a devotional/Bible - Pray for forgiveness/guidance Have Christian conversations - Develop accountability and support partners - Quick conversation/text/email/instant message At the end of the day - evaluate - What went well? - Where did I give in to temptation? - What do I need to change? Work on spiritual growth Ben Franklin's 13 virtues and his plan for improvement Fruit of the Spirit - Love - Joy - Peace - Patience - Kindness - Goodness - Faithfulness - Gentleness - Self-control Seek to grow in these areas Take responsibility for your sinful actions and for the changes that need to take place THE DEVIL DID NOT MAKE ME DO IT MATTHEW 4:1-11 (PAGE 809) 2 | Page