I Corinthians 10:1-15

There are many challenges that we face in our lives. We will all be tempted James 1:14 “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” I Cor. 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man:... ”

There are many challenges that we face in our lives. We have all given in to temptation and committed sin. Rom 3:23 “... For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...”

There are many challenges that we face in our lives. We will all have bad and good things happen in our lives. Eccl. 9:11-12 “I returned and saw under the sun that – The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.”

We all face Choices Prepare to make the right choices. Ephesians 6: Putting on the whole armor of God Study – know what God would have us to do. Matt. 4:3-5 – Jesus said ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ II Tim. 2:15 - ‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ‘ II Tim. 3:16 - All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We all Face Choices Preparation continued: Look for good examples – those who have faced adversity and over come it. Hebrews 11 Abel - vs 4 Noah - vs 7 Abraham and Sarah - vss 8-19 Paul – II Cor. 12:7-10; I Cor. 11:1 Christ – Our ultimate example!

We all face Choices Be careful about the places and people that can tempt us to make bad choices. I Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” We need to be able to reach out to those in the world with out getting caught up in activities that are sinful or can lead us to sin. The Internet can be a very dangerous place. Gambling Pornography Violent and explicit videos

Dealing with the things that are beyond our control! We need recognize that God is in control! He knows our troubles– Look at Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12: 22-31

Dealing with the things that are beyond our control! Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

Dealing with the things that are beyond our control! We should always remember that God hears our prayers! Paul, in closing his first letter to the Thessalonians, encouraged them to ‘Pray without ceasing’. 5:17 He WILL answer our prayers. Understanding this will bring comfort to us in both good times and bad!

Dealing with the things that are beyond our control! We need to draw strength individually from God’s word! Remember what Paul told the Phillipians – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13

Dealing with the things that are beyond our control! We need to draw strength collectively as God’s ‘Family’! Paul says in the next verse– “Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.” Phil. 4:14

Dealing with the things that are beyond our control! We need to draw strength collectively as God’s ‘Family’! We should all provide love, support, and encouragement for each other!

Conclusion: We will face temptation! We must prepare for battle against the evil one. Put on your armor! And remember: God will provide a way of Escape! We will face difficulties in this life! But with strength from God and support from each other, we will get through them. We have a better life to look forward to!

Conclusion: Two scriptures to consider in closing: Matt. 6:19-34 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. If thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Conclusion: Matt. 6:19-34 (cont.) Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Conclusion: Two scriptures to consider in closing: Matt. 6:19-34 II Tim. 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.