Always a Way Out

1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • Have there been times that, with God’s help, you’ve stood under a terrible weight in your life? What did you learn from the experience?
  • What are ways in which God has provided a way out for you when things were too difficult to bear? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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“I’ve Been There”

Hebrews 4:14-16

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 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. 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.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What does it mean that Jesus can sympathize with our weakness?
  • How does knowing that Jesus experienced temptation give us confidence to draw near the throne?  

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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“Don’t Test Me”

Luke 4:9-13

“And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What is the difference between testing and tempting? 
  • Where is the line between trusting God and testing God? 
  • How important is the journey in regards to the destination?

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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“Saying No to the Shortcut”

Luke 4:5-8

“And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you, I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,

and Him only shall you serve.’”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • When have you been tempted to cut corners to get what you want? Does the end justify the means? (Why or why not?)
  • What did Jesus use to battle Satan and how might that same tool help us?

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Focus this Week – the Temptation of Jesus

Luke 4:1-4

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”

1 John 2:16

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world.”

Have you ever been tempted to put yourself first? Of course you have. Tempted with lust, money, self-preservation through lying, self-worth through gossip, and many other things. It is often a daily struggle to check our egos and desires. However, in the passages this week, Jesus shows what it looks like to resist temptation, and to recognize it for what it is: Satan’s plan for us to skip out on God’s best.

Also, we can see that Jesus was more than an example of resistance. Through His perfection, He became our way to escape temptation. Essentially, when Jesus takes over my kingdom, Satan no longer has power over my life. Therefore, this passage shows Jesus’ attack on Satan in each temptation. 

So, pour through the verses this week, think on them, and pray for God to show you how to move forward. Most of us, if not all, know temptation is not easy to deal with. If we yield to it, we potentially destroy all that is good and holy. We need a way of escape, and Jesus has provided.

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Pastor Stephen Williams

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This Week’s Preview

Good morning! We hope you’ll join us for worship today.  

On-Campus – Contemporary worship 9am and 11am, Blended 9:45am. 
Streaming online 9am and 11am at mybelmont.org/sermonsonline or facebook.com/mybelmont/live 

Verses for the week:

  • Monday – Luke 4:1-4, 1 John 2:16
  • Tuesday – Luke 4:5-8
  • Wednesday – Luke 4:9-13
  • Thursday – Hebrews 4:14-16
  • Friday – 1 Corinthians 10:13

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