Facing Temptation As Church Leaders

Background Scripture – Mark 1:9-14

Two things necessary to understand Jesus’ ‘temptation

1.       Confirmed his messianic consciousness

2.       Conscious of his mission to be fulfilled through suffering

THREE TEMPTATIONS CHURCH LEADERS FACE—we do not face the temptations Jesus did but we see the similarity in the way workers are tested and the principles are the same—

Text for exposition---Matthew 3:13-4:11. We do well to fortify ourselves with the knowledge that 1)       Jesus was tested; and 2) Workers and  church leaders face their own kinds of temptation, not faced by just every disciple:

I. Since you are the Messiah AVOID SUFFERING … The Jews did not expect a suffering Messiah and Jesus was tempted to exempt himself.

A.       Jesus alternative was to accept a spiritual mission

B.       You will be tempted to exempt yourself from what you expect of others under you.

C.       You face the deceit of a mission satisfied with physical successes rather than spiritual.

       II .  Jesus tempted to presume on God’s goodness – will not God care for you – jump off -- use                  sensation and be sensational Savior—He realized spiritual goals not achieved via shortcuts.

            A. You will be tempted to use your authority and position. As teacher, you feel assured you                        know what your pupils need.

             B. You will be tempted to use any means possible because you have good intentions.
             C.       You will be tempted to form a coalition with God.

     D.      Since you are the Messiah, and you intend to win, compromise with me (Satan) and I will help you (SH          ORTCUTS)

1.       Jesus was tempted to accept the Devil’s help via compromise and do God’s Work the Devil’s way.

a.       Jesus to Peter – Mt 16 – Get thee behind me Satan

b.       Jesus constantly  told those he healed to tell no one.

2.       You will be tempted to do God’s Work the Devil’s way or use the World’s measure of success

a.        Compromise your zeal.

b.       Compromise your concern for people.

c.       Compromise your preparation.

    1)      Song leader only  helps people worship God

    2)      Singer does nothing to detract personally but lift to God

    3)      Teacher is God’s instrumental for using God’s truth for God’s mission

    4)      Committeeman whose service is not directly motivated by God’s redemptive            purpose has compromised

         d.      You will be tempted to see your struggle as other than the spiritual warfare it really               is, but this is the point of Jesus’ success: he recognized Satan.

CONCLUSION…Jesus refused to compromise because sin-Satan cannot be conquered by yielding to it.

           1.       You face principalities and powers but you do so with the resources of God’s Word,                               Presence.

           2.       Worldly standards can never measure the work you will do if you acknowledge Gods                           purposes for man and acknowledge yourself as an instrument of his will

           3.        Jesus gave his answer in Mt 4.10 – You shall worship the Lord your God and him only 

                   shall you serve.

This is walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com:  "How will you answer in your time of testing?"