Runner’s World (8/91) told the story of Beth Anne DeGiantis’s attempt to qualify for the 1992 Olympic Trials marathon. A female runner must complete the 26 mile, 385 yard race in less than two hours, forty-five minutes in order to compete in the Olympic Trials.
Beth started strong but began having trouble around mile 23. She reached the final straightaway at 2:43, with just two minutes left to qualify. Two hundred yards from the finish, she stumbled and fell. Dazed, she stayed down for twenty seconds. The crowd yelled, "Get up!" The clock was ticking--2:44, less than a minute to go.
Beth Anne staggered to her feet and began walking. Five yards short of the finish, with ten seconds to go, she fell again. She began to crawl, the crowd cheering her on, and crossed the finish line on her hands and knees. Her time? Two hours, 44 minutes, 57 seconds.
We are in a constant struggle to run our race. It is a marathon of trials and effort.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 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. James 1.12-15
Look to the long-run – marathon; not sprint
I. Perseverance On Trial (v. 12)
A. Perseverance Brings a Blessed Victory
1. Not Easy – Tribulum
The Roman method of threshing grain has one man stirring up the sheaves while another man rides over it in a crude cart equipped with rollers instead of wheels (sometimes flat boards were used). Sharp stones or bits of iron were attached to the cylinders to help separate the husks from the grain. The cart was called a Tribulum. This is the origin of the word, “tribulation.”
When afflictions come to us, we may think of ourselves as being torn into pieces under cruel pressures of adverse circumstances. Yet, the purpose of the Tribulum was not to tear up the sheaves, but to expose the grain. We are never put under the pressures of a trial needlessly.
2. Crown – Athlete’s award/King’s crown
3. Reward from God
a. He loves to Give – Colossians 3.23-24
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
b. We Seek Him and he rewards – Hebrews 11.6
B. Perseverance Brings a Blessed Life
1. “Blessed” = Happy/Idyllic life of Greek gods
2. Jesus’ Purpose – John 10.10
3. Eternal Life – Now and Later – 1 John 5.11-12
11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
II. Ambivalence In Trial (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.
A. Produces Struggles
1. We Are a Walking Civil War
a. Two Natures in Conflict – Romans 7.15
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
b. [Realize Weakness – Sermon “Overcoming Temptations” – Jason Cole
A mother told her son not to go swimming. However, when he came into the house his mother noticed that his hair and bathing suit were wet. "I told you not to go swimming," the boy’s mother scolded. "I couldn’t help it mom," he defended himself. "The water looked so good." "But why did you take your bathing suit with you?" "In case I was tempted."
In the 1980’s it was first lady Nancy Reagan who popularized the slogan "Just say no." Remember that? Though simple and straight forward, that little two letter word can still be a difficult choice to make.
Whether you are on a diet and get in line at all you can eat buffet, or if you are taking a test and are tempted to cheat, or whether you are facing the temptation to sin, it can be difficult to just say “no”.
Temptation to do the wrong thing is very real. Are you ever tempted to do what you know is wrong? Do you ever give into those temptations? Do you ever struggle to do what is right in the eyes of God? Temptation to sin is a part of a Christian’s daily life, and most likely we will give in on a daily basis.
2. The Conflict Is NOT Over After Conversion
[“Temptations Church Members Face” – Michael Luke “Battle of the Bulge” – WWII.
It was the autumn of 1944 and Germany had been beaten back behind its borders. The Nazi war machine was in tatters and the repeated bombing raids of the Allies all but assured that Hitler’s forces would never rise again. Around the perimeter of Germany’s borders, the Allies spread a thin line of forces. One person observed that Allied forces were so scattered that a man could slip between its lines without being observed.
All across Europe, there was celebration. There were parties, dances, speeches all rejoicing in Germany’s defeat. The war was effectively over. The only problem was (pause) somebody forgot to tell Hitler.
Even as his forces were being shattered and driven back Hitler was devising a plan for one last onslaught. Underground factories churned out more weapons, armament and ammunition. More of Germany’s young and old men were conscripted and trained for war. And as Europe rejoiced, Hitler planned.
His goal was not to drive back the Allies into the sea, as much as it was to divide the British to the North and Americans to the South, so demoralizing them that they would sue for peace on his terms. Hundreds and thousands of men died because somebody forgot that the enemy still lived and that the war was NOT (completely) over.
B. Produces the Spiral Down
1. Desire (v. 14)
Evil = fulfilling God-given desires outside of his parameters
Eating vs. Gluttony
Sleep vs. Laziness
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Hebrews 13.4
2. Deception
No evil desires appears as it really is
“Lured” (RSV)
[Monkey Traps -- Temptations Ch. Members Face – Michael Luke
Native hunters in the jungles of Africa have a clever way of trapping monkeys.
They slice a coconut in two, hollow it out, and in one half of the shell cut a hole just
big enough for a monkey’s hand to pass through. Then they place an orange in the
other coconut half before fastening together the two halves of the coconut shell.
Finally, they secure the coconut to a tree with a rope, retreat into the jungle, and wait.
Sooner or later, an unsuspecting monkey swings by, smells the delicious orange,
and discovers its location inside the coconut. The monkey then slips his hand through
the small hole, grasps the orange, and tries to pull it through the hole. Of course, the
orange won’t come out; it’s too big for the hole. To no avail, the persistent monkey
continues to pull and pull, never realizing the danger he is in.
While the monkey struggles with the orange, the hunters simply stroll in and
capture the monkey by throwing a net over him.
As long as the monkey keeps his fist wrapped around the orange, the monkey is trapped. It’s too bad-the poor monkey could save its own life if it would let go of the orange. It rarely occurs to a monkey, however, that it can’t have both the orange and its freedom.
Satan knows our strengths and weaknesses/what will entice us
3. Disobedience (15)
Adam and Eve – Forbidden Fruit
Ahab and Naboth’s Vineyard
4. Death – Romans 6.23;
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14.12
[Matador Plant –
In South America there is a strange vine known as the “Matador.” Beginning at the foot of a tree, the vine makes its way to the top. As it grows, it kills the tree. When it finally reaches the top, it sends forth a flower to crown itself.
Sin can creep into our lives. It slowly takes over our whole being until it crowns us for its own.
Separation – Adam and Eve “Die”
Conclusion
We see the danger of trials and the opportunities
How do we persevere?
1. Make a conscious Effort – Philippians 4.8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
[Hurricane Katrina – “Overcoming Temptation” – J. Cole
After Hurricane Katrina rocked the city of New Orleans, you could hear the word “negligence” on the news quite often. People talked about the negligence of having an evacuation plan and effectively getting people out of danger zones. People talked about the negligence of the State and Federal governments to act upon a problem that they knew existed. For years the proper authorities we warned about the dangers of a big hurricane in the city of New Orleans. People knew that because of the condition of the levees and the location of the city that a major hurricane could literally wipe the city out. Neglecting a big problem led to a major catastrophe. The reality is ignoring a problem does not make it go away.
2. Follow the Directions/Instructions – Read the Bible
Weapon of War – 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 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. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6.10-20
Sin Prevention – I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119.11
3. Ask for Direction – Pray (Ephesians 5.18)
More than asking for stuff
Expression of relationship with King of Universe//Father-Child
4. Seek Support – Community of Encouragement
Acts 2.42 – Daily
Avoid the Pitfalls – 22 For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil. Proverbs 4.22-27
OVERCOMING THE GREAT WALL
In ancient China, the people wanted to defend themselves from the barbaric hordes in the North and they built the Great Wall of China. It was too high to climb over, too thick to break down, and too long to go around. Very secure. Yet during the first hundred years of the wall’s existence, China was invaded three times. Was the wall a failure? Not really. Not once did the enemies managed to climb over the wall, destroy it or go around it. How then did they get into China? They bribed the gatekeeper, and then marched right in through a gate. The fatal flaw was in placing too much reliance on a wall and not putting enough effort into building character.
