Turning Temptation into Triumph

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
- Matthew 6:9-13

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your Go and him only shall you serve.’”
- Matthew 4:1-10

3 Things to remember in regards to temptation

You are not Immune - God allows us to experience temptations and trials

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
- Matthew 4:1

You are not Unique - The temptations you experience are the same ones every human experiences.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
- 1 Corinthians 10:12

You are not alone - God is our deliverer and He is with you and is able to help you

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.
- 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
- Hebrews 2:17-18 (NIV)

The Heart of Forgiveness

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
- Matthew 6:9-13, ESV

21 “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.

28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
- Matthew 18:21-35, ESV

Forgiveness is RELATING to others based on God’s MERCY toward US and RELEASING others to God’s JUSTICE.

“And out of PITY for him, the master of that servant RELEASED him and FORGAVE him the debt.”
- Matthew 18:27, ESV

“And in anger his MASTER delivered HIM to the jailers, until he should PAY all his debt.”
- Matthew 18:34, ESV

FORGIVENESS ISN’T the same as Justice.

Forgiveness ISN’T the same as RECONCILIATION or TRUST. (although in some cases, this can be re-established.)

We are ALL in DEBT.

“And forgive us our DEBTS, as we also have forgiven our debtors...”
- Matthew 6:12, ESV

“And out of pity for him the MASTER of that servant released him and forgave him the DEBT.”
- Matthew 18:27, ESV

“For the WAGES of SIN is DEATH, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Romans 6:23, ESV

“God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the OFFERING for our sin, so that we could be MADE RIGHT with God through Christ.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT

“REPENT therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that TIMES of REFRESHING may come from the presence of the Lord...”
- Acts 3:19-20, ESV

Forgiveness Should be EXTENDED to Others.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- Matthew 6:14–15 (ESV)

HOW should we forgive?

Intentionally (it’s a decision)

“And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.”
- Matthew 18:27, ESV

Repeatedly (it’s a process)

“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but SEVENTY-SEVEN TIMES.”
- Matthew 18:21–22, ESV

Compassionately (From the heart)

So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
- Matthew 18:35, ESV

Restoratively (if possible)

Unforgiveness leads to TORMENT.

“And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
- Matthew 18:34-35, ESV

“Strive for PEACE with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “ROOT of BITTERNESS [poisonous]” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled…”
- Hebrews 12:14–15, ESV

SAMPLE PRAYERS:

For Personal Forgiveness:

“Father, in the name of Jesus, please forgive me for _______(describe what happened)______ . Thank you for forgiving me and for helping to live for you. Amen.”

For Forgiving Others:

“Father, in the name of Jesus, I choose to forgive___(person, yourself, or a situation) for _____(describe what happened)___________. Amen.”

All I Need

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

- Matthew 6:9-13

Acknowledge God is your provider. He intimately knows what you need and when to give it to you.

Confess your need to God. He is expecting it and is ready to provide. 

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

- Matthew 6:31-32

Trust God. He delivers daily.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

- Matthew 6:33

The Power of Persistent Prayer

“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

- Luke 18:1-8, ESV

1. Persistent Prayer Begins with RELATIONSHIP

“Pray then like this: “Our FATHER in heaven…”

- Matthew 6:9, ESV

“And will not God give justice to HIS ELECT...”

- LUKE 18:7, ESV

2. Persistent Prayer Allows God to CHANGE Something IN us.

• He “SENSITIZES” Us. (Our Heart)

• He STRENGTHENS Us. (To Obey)
  
  “And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly…”

  - Luke 22:41-44, ESV
  

• He SHAPES Us. (Our Character)
  
  “Through him [Jesus] we have also obtained access by faith into this GRACE in which we STAND, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces ENDURANCE 4 and endurance produces CHARACTER...”

  - Romans 5:2–4, ESV

3. Persistent Prayer Allows God to Change the World THROUGH Us.

“And will not God GIVE JUSTICE to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.” 

- Luke 18:7-8, ESV

Create a V.I.P. List

• A V.I.P. List (or “Very Important Person” List) is a simple list of people who can commit to praying regularly to know Christ.

• Prayerfully consider at least five people that you believe God wants you to persist in praying for and write their names down in a notepad or in a note app.

• Take a few minutes to pray that God’s Kingdom will come and God’s will will be done in each person’s life. Also pray that each person would experience God’s love and commit to follow Jesus as Lord in their life. (Matthew 6:9-10, John 3:16, Acts 3:17, Romans 10:9-10)

• Think of a place and time where you can pray for these people regularly. (ex. Every Morning at home, Mondays during lunchtime at work, etc.)

Coming to God isn't Complicated

God wants us to come to Him.

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.

- Mark 10:1

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

- Revelation 3:20

We complicate things.

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

- Mark 9:33-34

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.

- Mark 10:13

God wants us to approach Him like children.

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

- Mark 10:14-15

35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

- Mark 9:35-37

How do we practically pray like children?

• Children are honest about their feelings.

• Children play.

• Children blurt things out.

• Children are messy.

Be a Blessing

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

- Jeremiah 29:4-7 NIV

God’s people are commanded to work towards the good of others in their community.

“let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

- Matthew 5:16 NIV

Being a Blessing demonstrates God’s love and points people to Jesus.

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

- James 2:14-18 NIV

“…conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

- Philippians 1:27 NIV

Being a blessing opens doors for relationships to be built.

“…for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.”

- 2 Corinthians 8:21 ESV

Relationships open the door for the Gospel to be preached. 

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
- Mark 16:15 ESV

Being a blessing open’s the door for God’s provision.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

- Philippians 4:19 ESV

A Touch of Heaven

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

- Matthew 6:9-15

God wants us to understand His Kingdom.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

- Matthew 6:33

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:8-9

God wants us to experience His Kingdom.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

- Matthew 16:9

God wants to advance his kingdom on earth through you.

“…on earth as it is in heaven”

- Matthew 6:10

1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

- Luke 9:1-2

7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. 9 You received without paying; give without pay.

- Matthew 10:7-9

Our Father

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

- Matthew 6:9-15

We can pray for extraordinary things based on our relationship with God “our Father.”

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

- John1:12

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

- John 20:17

We can pray for extraordinary things because our father “in heaven” operates in a totally different realm.

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool;

- Isaiah 66:1

We can pray for extraordinary things as we “hallow” God’s name because he’s in a class all by himself.

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of  holiness.

- Psalm 29:1-2

Mental Illness and the Christian

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. 6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. 7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 

- Galatians 6:1-7

With mental illness, Christians must understand that:

The battle must be waged on three fronts… mental, physical, and spiritual.

23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Every Christian struggles with some form of the “Big 3.”

• Anxiety: divided with distracting worries and outcomes.

• Depression: weighed down with anxiety and discouragement.

• Control (OCD): grabbing for control due to anxiety and fear.

2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

- Galatians 6:2

God has given us a strategy for victory (mental wellness)!

• Knowing the truth.

• Believing the truth.

• Speaking the truth.

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

- Galatians 4:6-8

Fixing Frustration

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

- Proverbs 4:23

We will find ourselves frustrated. We will also find lots of different reasons to be frustrated.

1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her.

- 1 Samuel 1:1-7

Our frustration can build until we reach a breaking point.

...Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.

- 1 Samuel 1:7

10 She was deeply distressed…

- 1 Samuel 1:10

God invites us to “pour out our souls” to Him.

10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.

- 1 Samuel 1:10

15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.”

- 1 Samuel 1:15-16

We can choose to put our faith in God.

17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

- 1 Samuel 1:17-18

Find God’s favor through our frustration.

19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”

- 1 Samuel 1:19-20