Called to be Holy: Part 2
The Church of Corinth; Struggling to be in the world but not of the world • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 48:56
0 ratings
· 14 viewsFiles
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Raise your hand if you know what the FUZZBUSTER was? In 1968, a disgruntled recipient of a speeding ticket had the brain power to retaliate. Dale Smith from Ohio created a device with enough range to detect the x-band frequency of the radar used by police. It would then alert you to slow down your speed when you approached that isolate frequency. These devices don’t work today because x-band is no longer in use.
But the system was nice because if you were speeding, the warning alerted you to the presence of police using radar nearby and this product came very popular in most vehicles of that day.
Paul teaches us that just as the fuzzbuster would detect a radar, so also our consciences that are transformed by salvation in Christ and informed by the word and Spirit, alert us to the dangers of sin.
Today we are going to look at Paul’s word on temptation to sin in the life of a believer striving for holiness. He gives us a great message of hope in the our struggle with sin so that we can be equipped with confidence to fight the good fight of faith.
Review:
1. The Reality of Temptation
1. The Reality of Temptation
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Paul repeats himself again and states that the history of Israel’s disobedience serves as a lesson for the church as to how we might live holy lives. As this history is recorded, it is recorded for us to learn about the reality that the church is engaged in a spiritual war. We must wake up every morning and accept the reality that Satan wants to destroy us and he does so by tempting us according to flesh. ]
A finalized war
Reverse must recognize in studying the idea of temptation to sin that Christians belong to a victorious, spiritual kingdom that has already won the war against sin. Our leader, the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished all that is necessary to defeat sin once, and for all.
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
A continual battle
While Satan has been defeated, he is not yet destroyed until Christ returns.Until then he seeks to destroy the church and God’s people by any means necessary. Therefore looking back further past Israel, temptation is highlighted in Adam and Eve’s fall to rebellion.
Adam and Eve in the garden, serve as the most instructive lessons on temptation to sin, and what not to do. They teach us that Satan wants God’s people to reject the word of God, reject God's creation, and reject how God organized that creation under his authority.
Take, for example the temptation for our kids in this culture to embrace LGBTQ plus minus or as some people like to call it ?alphabet soup ideology.” They are being tempted to embrace a worldview that renounces gods created order, god's good design of that creation, and the very word of God that describes these things to us. We must understand that Satan is working behind the scenes in establishing these attacks in our culture.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Notice that with the reality of temptation there is also the reality to resist temptation. V. 13 “take up full armor of God ...able to resist.” This essentially is Paul’s message to the Corinthians as he calls them to live holy. When you pray in the mornings, do you ask the Lord like Jesus did....Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil.:”
A Imminent Consummation
Paul states that the war against sin, which is impacted by the word of God is coming to a close. Paul states that this history given to us is written to admonish us who are experiencing the ends of the ages.
For Paul the end of the ages was the conclusion of the great story of God’s redemption when God’s Son returns in glory and fitted for battle. In this final battle, he will destroy his enemies once and for all. Therefore, Paul thinks of John’s promise
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
Paul wants to think with this promise in mind as well so that the church will endure until Christ returns. Our temptations are real but not forever. They will cease when sin is vanquished. They will be done away with when Satan is destroyed. Temptation to sin has a shelf life.
2. The Warning of Temptation
2. The Warning of Temptation
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
In verse 12 Paul gives the second thought about temptation, which is a warning in regards to temptation. His warning is simple. We can be overconfident in the work of Christ in such a way that we are no longer alert to temptation. In our overconfidence we let down our guard, and that becomes the moment that we slip into sin. That arrogance is similar to the temptation that David gave him to after his great victories over his enemies. He is in Jerusalem and his home reveling in the great successes that God had done. David was not an alert to the temptations of a woman on neighboring rooftop his overconfidence blinded him to the spiritual battle that was raging for his soul.
So Christen, it is good to find great hope in the work of Christ on the cross. It is good to have confidence in the finished work that allows us to be free of any burden of shame or guilt. It is also helpful to be reminded that the Holy Spirit and dwells believers, so that Temptations to sin are not too much for God to handle, but we must not allow that to make us arrogant and blinded to the battle that rages.
In verse 12 Paul gives the second thought about temptation, which is a warning in regards to temptation. His warning is simple. We can be overconfident in the work of Christ in such a way that we are no longer alert to temptation. In our overconfidence we let down our guard, and that becomes the moment that we slip into sin. That arrogance is similar to the temptation that David gave him to after his great victories over his enemies. They are in Jerusalem and his home reveling in the great successes that God had done. David was not an alert to the Temptations of a woman on neighboring rooftop his overconfidence blinded him to the spiritual battle that was raging for his soul.
So Christen, it is good to find great hope in the work of Christ on the cross. It is good to have confidence in the finished work that allows us to be free of any burden of shame or guilt. It is also helpful to be reminded that the Holy Spirit and dwells believers, so that Temptations to sin are not too much for God to handle, but we must not allow that to make us arrogant and blinded to the battle that rages.
Thanking of Christ in the wilderness, being tempted by the devil, we can learn how Jesus was keenly aware of his weaknesses. He had not eaten, and so therefore he was aware of his hunger, and as Satan attacked him in that area, Jesus was ready we should have no doubt that Jesus knew his human weaknesses would be an area of attack. Therefore, our pride and overconfidence should never blind us to our own weaknesses. Instead, as we start the day, being very open and honest about this weaknesses, we can be aware of the camouflage traps that Sutton has late for us, so they can be avoided.
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
How do you prepare your mind for action and keep sober in spirit?
Fix your hope
Be alert for former lusts and do not be molded back into that previous sinful shape.
3. The Scope of Temptation
3. The Scope of Temptation
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB95)
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;
Thirdly, Paul encourages the believers that as they are tempted, they should understand the scope of that temptation. Just as there's nothing new under under the sun, there is also no new temptation under the sun. That other people have not faced in the church we must be aware and understand that we fight on a familiar battle ground that believers before us have already faced. They are familiar with the terrain, and therefore stories like Israel remind us that the Temptations are not new and that. Faithful believers, who have overcome the Temptations of that turf are an asset to the church in our fight for the faith.
When we think about Joseph escaping the allurement of Potiphar’s wife, we often realize that our Temptations are similar to Joseph, just with a different pursuer. We are all being a lured in someway to disregard the blessings and purposes of our Lord, and indulge in the flesh. Joseph shows us that his temptation to sin will be our temptation as well until Christ returns
This encourages us because it reminds individual Christians that they need fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to fight with them in temptation. Paul's message is that the spiritual warfare is a community fight not an isolated one.
We can fight this battle together, through the power of prayer. Praying for one another, and our daily battles is a way in which Christ teaches us to love our neighbors and pray for them.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Also, we fight this battle together by admonishing one another. When we see Temptations, arise in the lives of our church family being silent, is being hateful toward them showing true Christian love is too instead speak up. And help them stand firm, fighting against the temptation to sin in that way.
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
This is an offensive and defensive attack against the temptation to sin in a brother or sister's life. We can help those who are being tempted, or who has fallen into sin.
We must not believe the lie of the devil that an individuals sinful habits is none of our business. Instead, we must lift up the weak arms and uplift, the weak knees of those who are being tempted, and their former lusts.
This is also defensive though, because as Paul tells the Galatians, we two must be careful, so that we are not tempted, and would fall. Are used to give the analogy to our students that have one student stands in a chair while holding the hands of two students on the ground, it is easier for those two students to pull the one student off the chair than it is for the one student to pour both students up into the air off the ground. This illustrates for us, the delicacy, we face with temptation from others.
T: Of course our community battle against sin would not even be possible if the Lord Jesus did not first accomplish the completed redemptive work upon the cross. In this final point, we will see our hope in Christ in the midst of temptation to sin.
4. The Victory over Temptation
4. The Victory over Temptation
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB95)
... 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.
God’s gracious gift to provide a way of victory
- Victory through the Son
As we already stated before, the victory comes through the completed work of Christ. The war has already been won with the sinless lamb of God was slain.
Christ’s sinless perfection is a key to the work of redemption because in his temptation by the devil, he was obedient to fulfill the law in every respect. Jesus attested to his own obedience to the Father.
10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
Also, the writer of Hebrews tells us that
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.
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
We can clearly see that Christ being sinless in every way, was able to represent humanity in a way that Adam failed to do. He was the better Adam and faced temptation with perfection. He was tempted yet without sin which means he was victorious in every Satanic scheme and trap. Thus he not only serves as an example to avoid temptation but he gains victory as our substitute in his sinlessness. Finally, on his death on the cross he offers himself as a sinless sacrifice, the perfect lamb of God to provide a necessary offering to God to redeem sinners. Finally, his victory is displayed by his resurrection. The resurrection proves death and sin are powerless under the strong arm of the Lord.
- Victory through the Word and Spirit
Looking back to 1 Cor. 10, we see also that God proves a practical way for us to escape temptation. Because of Christ’s work of redemption, there is escape and we know that escape comes through the Lord. Without it being said in this passage, we know that the Spirit of God was given as a gift upon the ascension of Christ to all believers and the Spirit guides us in our daily struggles with sin.
13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
We see then that it is the Spirit of God that is our way of escape in temptation. It is not in our strength and we must consider that so so that we too will not fall into overconfidence and pride, which would lead to our stumbling. But instead, we trust the power of the Spirit to guide us, convict us of sin, and teach us the truth of God’s word that is our source of truth in contrast to evil in this world.
Practically then, by Paul’s exhortation to the church, sin has no great power over Christ and the Spirit. Christ has defeated sin and death. The Spirit continually defeats sin by the power of God in each one of us daily.
As we rest in the power of God, we also are commanded with responsibility to act. We must as v 14 says, flee idolatry. It is commanded because we are empowered to flee but we also must obediently flee. God calls us to action and therefore there must be a response by the Christian every day to turn from sin and turn to Christ.
Richard Baxter
300 Quotations for Preachers from the Puritans Do Not Spare Sin; It Will Not Spare You
Use sin … as it will use you. Spare it not, for it will not spare you. It is your murderer, and the murderer of the world. Use it therefore as a murderer should be used. Kill it before it kills you; and then, though it kill your bodies, it shall not be able to kill your souls; and though it bring you to the grave, as it did your head, it shall not be able to keep you there. If the thoughts of death, and the grave, and rottenness, are not pleasant to you, do not let the thoughts of sin be pleasant. Listen to every temptation to sin as you would listen to a temptation to self-murder, and as you would do if the devil brought you a knife and tempted you to cut your throat with it; so do when he offers you the bait of sin.
Friend, if you trust in Jesus Christ, if he is truly your savior and Lord, then sin has been defeated in the great war and you have been given the tools to defeat it daily in you. God has given you an escape. Don’t look at the door of the Ark that Noah built and turn away. Flee rightly from sin with the power of Christ. You can escape!
If you have never trusted Christ, then temptation and sin are your masters. They rule you and every indulgence of the flesh is satisfying to you because your hearts has not been changed by Christ. You need transformation, not a makeover. Put your faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin and for the power to overcome that which enslaves you!