Disciples Follow Jesus and Fight Sin

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. JAMES 1:14-15 NLT

I MUST KILL SIN OR SIN WILL KILL ME

Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. ROMANS 5:12 NLT

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. MATTHEW 4:1-11 NLT

4 WAYS DISCIPLES FIGHT TEMPTATION:

1) BUILD A LIFE THAT AVOIDS THE WILDERNESS

I wrote… so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. 2 CORINTHIANS 2:9-11 NLT

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. PROVERBS 22:3 NLT

2) FLEE TEMPTATIONS THAT SURPRISE YOU

Flee from sexual immorality…1 CORINTHIANS 6:18 NIV

So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:14 NLT But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 1 TIMOTHY 6:11 NIV

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, 2 TIMOTHY 2:22 NIV

3) LIVE WITH A MISSION WORTH SUFFERING FOR

… let us lay aside every weight, and sin… looking to Jesus, who for joy set before him endured the cross. HEBREWS 12:1-2 ESV

WHERE ADAM FAILED, JESUS OVERCOMES

Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. ROMANS 5:18-19 NLT

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. HEBREWS 4:15 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, HEBREWS 7:25 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. HEBREWS 4:16 ESV

4) REACH TO JESUS FOR SUPERNATURAL HELP

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place where you can become quiet in your thoughts and emotions. Take some deep breaths, and ask God to help calm you at a deep level. Go for a walk If you think this will help. When you are ready, pray that God will guide you during this time with Him. Read Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT). Ask God to search your heart and reveal any specific sin in your life that He wants you to fight against. What thoughts and feelings surface as you reflect on the statement, “I must kill sin or sin will kill me.” Reach out in prayer to Jesus for His power and guidance in putting this sin to death. Is there a temptation you will need to say “No” to and flee from? Ask Him to help you imagine how killing this sin will enable your life to be better, and help you to live out His mission for you. What is a significant step you sense that Jesus is leading you to take to fight against sin and temptation? Take action this week. Ask Him to help you determine what short-term inconveniences and pain you can expect to endure in gaining victory and accomplishing His purpose for you. Ask Him to help you see that His mission is worth suffering for? Reflect on Jesus’ devotion to us and how your life could be more devoted to Him. Thank Jesus for the merciful and gracious help that He will give you in continually resisting temptation and pursuing righteousness.

Discussion Questions

Is your group a safe space for people to be real with ourselves, God and others? Review these Ground Rules (sandalschurch.com/groundrules) with your group before discussing the questions.

For our Matthew series, we’re offering a couple options for how to discuss the sermon and Scripture. Choose option A or B to guide your group’s discussion time.

(A) The R.E.A.L. Bible Study Method:

Read the Passage. Start by reading Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT) out loud.
Explore the Theme. What is the main point or theme of the passage? What does this passage reveal about God and/or humanity?
Ask God. How do we apply this passage to our lives today? How might God be encouraging or challenging you?
Live It Out. What prayerful and specific action will you take based on this passage?

(B) Choose a couple of questions from each section below to discuss as a group:

START HERE: Have you ever done an intentional fast? What was that experience like and what was revealed to you?

START HERE: What are you pursuing that’s worth suffering for?

START HERE: How have you seen sin drag people down?

KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT). How does Jesus encourage us to resist temptation?

KEEP GOING: What lies does the enemy try to make you believe?

KEEP GOING: What temptation have you said “no” to in the past? How did that change you?

KEEP GOING: Read Colossians 3:5 (NLT). How do we put sin to death in our life? How is that going for you?

KEEP GOING: What personal temptations do you struggle with the most today? (As each person shares, the group should listen with compassion and pray for God’s supernatural help in their area of struggle. This is not the time to offer quick suggestions.)

LIVE IT OUT: What could your life look like if you continually pursue Jesus and resist temptation?

LIVE IT OUT: What steps can you take this week to strengthen your spiritual discipline (prayer, fasting, memorizing Scripture, etc.) to resist temptation?