The Two Questions

The Two Questions

September 21, 2008 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: What you do when no one is looking tells who you really are.

Focus Passage: Exodus 2:11-15

Supplemental Passage: (1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB) 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.

Introduction:

The Great Wall of China is a gigantic structure which cost an immense amount of money and labor. When it was finished, it appeared impregnable. But the enemy breached it. Not by breaking it down or going around it. They did it by bribing the gatekeepers.

John Piper says that sin "gets its power by persuading me to believe that I will be more happy if I follow it. The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier."

I. Am I willing for others to see me do this?

a. Notice Moses looked around to make sure nobody was watching before he took action. If we will have to hide to do something, it's most likely not a good move.

b. The thing that makes men and rivers crooked is following the line of least resistance.

II. Am I going to have to cover this up after I finish?

a. Notice Moses had to cover up the murdered Egyptian in the sand. If we will have to backtrack and hide something after we're through, it's most likely not a good move.

III. The Key to Temptation: Resist the Devil and flee from immorality

a. Jas 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

b. 1Corinthians 6:18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.

c. It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it. Benjamin Franklin

d. When you flee temptation, be sure you don't leave a forwarding address.

Invitation: What settings are you in when you fall? Avoid them. What props do you have that support your sin? Eliminate them. What people are you usually with? Avoid them. There are two equally damning lies Satan wants us to believe: 1) Just once won't hurt. 2) Now that you have ruined your life, you are beyond God's use, and might as well enjoy sinning. "Learn to say no." Charles Spurgeon.

Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow. I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak. When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke.

"I am about to die," said the snake. "It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley."

"No," said the youth. "I am forewarned. I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me."

"Not so," said the snake. "I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you."

The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass, when suddenly the snake coiled, rattled, and leapt, biting him on the leg.

"But you promised..." cried the youth.

"You knew what I was when you picked me up." said the snake as it slithered away."