August 7, 2011
Escaping Sin's Power: Christ's Way!
Mike Fritscher

Matthew 4:1-8

Every Christian Possesses the Power and a way to Escape the Lure of Sin and Its Power!

Hebrews 4:14-16

Follow Christ’s Way! Matthew 4:1-8

1. Know Yourself! (Weaknesses and Propensities!)

Sinner, Saved, Having the Spirit of God!

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 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.

2 Peter 3:1-5 – What We Have!

1. Be Aware of Your Enemy!

2 Corinthians 2:11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

• The Thief Who Comes To Steal, Kill and Destroy!

John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have {it} abundantly.

• The Deceiver Who Comes To Deceive You.

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

• The Tempter Who Comes To Entice You!

Matthew 4:3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

• Bear In Mind God’s Purpose!

Hebrews 10:11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, 13 waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

• Tempted to Live By the Flesh!

• Tempted to Test the Lord!

• Tested as In Presumption versus Living By Faith!
• Testing as In Improper Response to Trial!

Deuteronomy 6:16 “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah. NASU

The Story – Exodus 17:1-7

• Tempted to Worship Something Other Than God!

Other Gods – Greed, Power, Desire for things, love of Money. . .

• Family – Matthew 10:37
• Heritage, Family and Tradition – Philippians 3:1-9

Tempted At the Passion: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Where Do We Go From Here? 1 Peter 5:6-11

• Humble Yourself! – Take an Honest Inventory of Your Life!
• Cast Your Care On Him!
• Be On the Alert!
• Resist the Enemy!
• Be Firm in Your Faith! Believe that There’s Always A Way Out!
• Remind Yourself You Are Not Alone!

1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

• Rejoice In the Ultimate Promise!