Thanksgiving and Praise… Key Actions for Christian Victory Thanksgiving, Praise, and Victory Pastor Dan Hiatt 11/22/15 Cookies – the classic temptation. I love warm chocolate chip cookies sandwiched together with a slab of vanilla ice cream. (thankfully my wife is not saying I can’t have any But many children have been told – no cookies to after you eat your dinner. Can you see the desire and conflict on the face? We even have a saying: caught with your hand in the cookie jar. But Temptation is much more than a cookie – Last week through the parable of The Wheat and the Weeds, we learned We are in a war with the devil, the enemy our souls Today: How do we win the battle and the war over temptation and the Devil Thanksgiving and Praise… Key Actions for Christian Victory

Thanksgiving and Praise… Key Actions for Christian Victory Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Thanking and praising God ahead of the victory, in the midst of the battle , is faith that leads to victory!

Jehoshaphat And the Victory Choir 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 (NIV) V1-2 The Problem: A huge army coming against Judah. V3-4 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him When faced with a big problem and the battle is looming... Go to God in prayer 1st (V3) Ask others to pray earnestly with you (V4) This is not a deep theological treat of the subject – it is meant to be a relative simplistic set of statements that will help us understand the nature of temptation and how to move towards victory. Read through T/F Have them formulate an answer then …. F Temptation is NOT sin – this is very important understanding. T Temptation is an enticement or invitation to think or do what is wrong. T Temptation becomes sin when one gives in, or yields, to the temptation, and develops an attitude, or does an action, that is wrong according to the Bible. F Satan forces people to sin (The Devil made me do it!) not it is a result of our choices. James 1:13_15 Note the progression 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (answer to 2) 15 Then, after desire (our choice) has conceived, (answer to 1, 3, 4) it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. We will discuss other scriptures shortly that relate to God making a way of victory over temptation and the Devil

Jehoshaphat’s Prayer for Help (V5 -12) Principles of prayer Reaffirm God is God (V6) Rehearse God’s past victories (V7) Remember God’s promises (V8-9) Request God’s help, acknowledging our need(V10-12) “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” V12 This is not a deep theological treat of the subject – it is meant to be a relative simplistic set of statements that will help us understand the nature of temptation and how to move towards victory. Read through T/F Have them formulate an answer then …. F Temptation is NOT sin – this is very important understanding. T Temptation is an enticement or invitation to think or do what is wrong. T Temptation becomes sin when one gives in, or yields, to the temptation, and develops an attitude, or does an action, that is wrong according to the Bible. F Satan forces people to sin (The Devil made me do it!) not it is a result of our choices. James 1:13_15 Note the progression 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (answer to 2) 15 Then, after desire (our choice) has conceived, (answer to 1, 3, 4) it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. We will discuss other scriptures shortly that relate to God making a way of victory over temptation and the Devil

God Answers The Prayer for Help (V13-17) God says through Jahaziel to Judah (and to us today): ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. (V15) You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” (V17) God says: I will give you the victory - this is my battle! This is not a deep theological treat of the subject – it is meant to be a relative simplistic set of statements that will help us understand the nature of temptation and how to move towards victory. Read through T/F Have them formulate an answer then …. F Temptation is NOT sin – this is very important understanding. T Temptation is an enticement or invitation to think or do what is wrong. T Temptation becomes sin when one gives in, or yields, to the temptation, and develops an attitude, or does an action, that is wrong according to the Bible. F Satan forces people to sin (The Devil made me do it!) not it is a result of our choices. James 1:13_15 Note the progression 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (answer to 2) 15 Then, after desire (our choice) has conceived, (answer to 1, 3, 4) it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. We will discuss other scriptures shortly that relate to God making a way of victory over temptation and the Devil

Worship & Praise for God’s Answer (V18-19) Worship and praise the Lord for the answer; for the victory that has not yet been accomplished . By faith it had been won! Encouragement for the Day of Battle (V20) Have faith in the promises of God (The Word) Take action – obey what God says to do This is not a deep theological treat of the subject – it is meant to be a relative simplistic set of statements that will help us understand the nature of temptation and how to move towards victory. Read through T/F Have them formulate an answer then …. F Temptation is NOT sin – this is very important understanding. T Temptation is an enticement or invitation to think or do what is wrong. T Temptation becomes sin when one gives in, or yields, to the temptation, and develops an attitude, or does an action, that is wrong according to the Bible. F Satan forces people to sin (The Devil made me do it!) not it is a result of our choices. James 1:13_15 Note the progression 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (answer to 2) 15 Then, after desire (our choice) has conceived, (answer to 1, 3, 4) it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. We will discuss other scriptures shortly that relate to God making a way of victory over temptation and the Devil

Jehoshaphat And the Victory Choir (V21-22) Lead into battle with thanksgiving and praise (V21) “Give thanks to the Lord,  for his love endures forever.” (from Psalms 136) Because thanksgiving and praise releases the victory “As they began to sing and praise… (V22) This is not a deep theological treat of the subject – it is meant to be a relative simplistic set of statements that will help us understand the nature of temptation and how to move towards victory. Read through T/F Have them formulate an answer then …. F Temptation is NOT sin – this is very important understanding. T Temptation is an enticement or invitation to think or do what is wrong. T Temptation becomes sin when one gives in, or yields, to the temptation, and develops an attitude, or does an action, that is wrong according to the Bible. F Satan forces people to sin (The Devil made me do it!) not it is a result of our choices. James 1:13_15 Note the progression 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (answer to 2) 15 Then, after desire (our choice) has conceived, (answer to 1, 3, 4) it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. We will discuss other scriptures shortly that relate to God making a way of victory over temptation and the Devil

The Victory and the Praises (V23-30) God caused the enemy to destroy each other (V23-24) “There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.“ (V25) Give more thanksgiving and praises after the victory for what God has done! (V26-28) Praise and thank God • For who he is (all: powerful, knowing, present) • For what he has done (past) • For what he is doing (present) For what he is going to do (in faith) This is not a deep theological treat of the subject – it is meant to be a relative simplistic set of statements that will help us understand the nature of temptation and how to move towards victory. Read through T/F Have them formulate an answer then …. F Temptation is NOT sin – this is very important understanding. T Temptation is an enticement or invitation to think or do what is wrong. T Temptation becomes sin when one gives in, or yields, to the temptation, and develops an attitude, or does an action, that is wrong according to the Bible. F Satan forces people to sin (The Devil made me do it!) not it is a result of our choices. James 1:13_15 Note the progression 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (answer to 2) 15 Then, after desire (our choice) has conceived, (answer to 1, 3, 4) it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. We will discuss other scriptures shortly that relate to God making a way of victory over temptation and the Devil

Thanksgiving and Praise… Key Actions for Christian Victory Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Thanking and praising God ahead of the victory, in the midst of the battle, is faith that leads to victory!

Where am I on the path to VICTORY? Problems? Pray (Reaffirm, Rehearse, Remember, Request) Promises (What does The Word say to Me today) Praise and thanksgiving For who he is For what he has done (past) For what he is doing (present) For what he is going to do (in faith) What is my next step towards releasing the victory God has for me in my life?