AN APPLE A DAY:
THE MESSAGE IS AFOOT
James Series 5: Temptation
INTRO: For years, people have been saying, and say it with me “an apple a day keeps (the doctor a way). Though I honestly do not know if that’s true. But I can tell you one thing that is for certain, and that is I sure wish Eve hadn’t eaten that apple!
TRANISTION: Let’s take a brief look at Eve’s temptation, by beginning with a look at the author of temptation.
BIBLE VERSE: James 1:13
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
SHERLOCK HOLMES: It’s official… Robert Downey Jr. is more than Iron Man. He’s actor man and mega kudos to him for bringing back one of the coolest characters in all of literary history: Sherlock Holmes.
If you didn’t know, the tales of this incredible detective’s adventures have been around for over 120 years. Way, waaaay before your grandparents were born, super sleuth Sherlock Holmes was on the case, mystifying folks with his incredible intellectual prowess and bringing the bad guys down to Chinatown.
Now in 2009, he hits the big screen with not only brains, but also mad, Chuck-Norris skills that he uses to bring an extra slice of beat-down on his adversaries.
ONE OF THE GREAT MYSTERIES OF ALL TIME: Why did Eve eat the apple (yeah, I know Adam too)? And why do we succumb to temptations?
In a sense: 1) Why do we fall? 2) Why did Adam & Eve fall?
1. OUR FALL:
A. Falling to Temptation is on YOU AND ME!
Information from an article: “9 Reasons Why People Cheat.”
The Answers: Bored, Dependence, Confused, Because They Let You (They Can), Nurturing, Revenge, Confirmation of Attractiveness (Said Nice Things About Looks), The Thrill, & It’s Not Cheating!
Now, I could use any example, any article, on reasons for why people do things. I chose cheating because it is so awful. But how many of the 9 are from an outside source?
None, it’s all on the cheater right? Is any one of us going to excuse the behavior, no way. The first aspect of temptation we need to learn is that it’s all about us (by the way, this lesson is not about how temptation happens but instead on where the blame lies, which I feel is true to the verse in James).
B. Refusing to Stop Sinning is like BLAMING GOD for Sin!
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
1:12-18 It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be a crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect. The commands of God, and the dealings of his providence, try men’s hearts, and show the dispositions which prevail in them. But nothing sinful in the heart or conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of the dross, though his fiery trial exposes it. Those who lay the blame of sin, either upon their constitution, or upon their condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep from sinning, wrong God as if he were the author of sin.
Dog Example: I have a dog named Lombardi, he is a loving family dog. And if you ever yell at him (for whining, barking, etc), he may stop, squat, and pee right there in the family room. Now, I am sure, he would love to speak back to us and say “it’s your fault that I pee’d on the carpet.” “If you as my owner wouldn’t yell at me for whining, I wouldn’t get scared and pee.”
But, is it the owner’s fault? No way! The pee comes from the dog.
Friends, Christ is not just our friend, he is our King! And our pee is NOT His fault.
C. Tempting God to Keep You From Sinning is STUPID.
Have you ever thought:
“Lord, if you would stop me (from going to the party/or something else really idiotic), I would follow you.”
NEW AMERICAN STANDARD TRANSLATION: BIBLE: James 1:13
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
Explanation: This is a side point but may apply to the message. The phrase “God cannot be tempted by evil,” which is clearly written in this version for us to understand, carries within in the connotation that “Go must not be tempted by evil people.” Meaning, to “tempt God” or “to do something stupid in order for God to rescue me” is very, very stupid. And there will no saving grace provided for people that act that way.
2. EVE’S FALL: (Use Eve’s fall for this, though technically both she and Adam sinned, in this particular prophecy, Jesus comes through her lineage, the heritage of her womb). We find our first clue in a conversation that took place thousands of years ago, when the first man and woman on earth made the biggest mistake in the universe. They disobeyed God’s one and only rule, and brought physical and spiritual death to all humanity. But look closely at what God tells Satan in the midst of this:
BIBLE VERSE: Genesis 3:14-15 Then the LORD God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this, you are cursed
more than all animals, domestic and wild.
You will crawl on your belly,
groveling in the dust as long as you live.
And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel” (Gen 3:14-15).
STRIKE YOUR HEAD: At first glance, it looks like snakes and people just won’t get along to well – Duh! But notice God refers to “her offspring.” This is the only time God refers to Eve’s descendant, not Adam’s.
Q1: Why? And what does He mean with the whole “strike your head” and “strike his heel” thing?
HOLD ON HERE, BEFORE WE GUESS ON MEANING LET’S LOOK UP SOME MORE SCRIPTURES The next two clues come from songs written by one of the greatest Kings of Israel, David:
BIBLE VERSE: Genesis 3:14-15 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
an evil gang closes in on me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat.
They divide my garments among themselves
and throw dice for my clothing.
Q2: This sounds like a death scene, but how could David write this if he were dead?
BIBLE VERSE: Psalm 16:10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
Q3: Wait a second…does David really think he’ll live forever?
The final clue comes from a great prophet of God named Isaiah:
BIBLE VERSE: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Q4: OK, now the mystery has gone to a whole new level… A virgin has a child? Also, “Immanuel” literally means “God with us” – as in, God in the flesh. What does that mean?
MYSTERY ANSWERED: Here’s the deal, 1000s of years ago, the serpent tempted Eve and won (so he thought). But punishment for the serpent was dictated right a way as God said right a way that the best the Devil could ever do was “nip” at Christ and his followers. Wow! The worst, most evil force in world history can only take nips at us! That is awesome.
Satan clearly grovels in the dust, Eve’s offspring (Jesus) clearly reign! Though the serpent led to the pierced sides (the soldiers piercing of Jesus) and the casting of lots were foretold (what are the odds) and David knew that the savior could not be held in the grave, the ultimate thing that the Devil really gets to do after the fall of man…
IS TO NIP AT CHRIST’S HEELS. That’s it.
Temptations…yours…mine…Eve’s…are just nips. And we can overcome them, so let’s just view them that way.
Sources:
Dare2share.org. Soul Fuel archives: The Gospel is Afoot!
Henry, Matthew. Concise Commentary, James 1:13.
Santos, Rich. 9 Reasons Why People Cheat, Marie Claire, March 16, 2009.
THE MESSAGE IS AFOOT
James Series 5: Temptation
BIBLE VERSE: James 1:13
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own __________________ _________________, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to _______________________.
SHERLOCK HOLMES:
1. OUR FALL
A. Falling to Temptation is on _________________________________!
9 REASONS WHY PEOPLE CHEAT: _______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B. Refusing to Stop Sinning is like ______________________________________ for Sin!
MATTHEW HENRY’S CONCISE COMMENTARY:
C. Tempting God to Keep You From Sinning is _______________________________________.
NEW AMERICAN STANDARD TRANSLATION: BIBLE: James 1:13
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by ____________________, and He Himself does ________________________ tempt anyone.
2. ADAM & EVE’S FALL
BIBLE VERSE: Genesis 3:14-15
Q1: Why? And what does He mean with the whole “strike your head” and “strike his heel” thing? BIBLE VERSE: Genesis 3:14-15
Q2: This sounds like a death scene, but how could David write this if he were dead? BIBLE VERSE: Psalm 16:10
Q3: Wait a second…does David really think he’ll live forever? BIBLE VERSE: Isaiah 7:14
Q4: OK, now the mystery has gone to a whole new level… A virgin has a child? Also, “Immanuel” literally means “God with us” – as in, God in the flesh. What does that mean?