August 8, 2004: Kimber Kauffman, Senior Pastor
of College Park, presented a follow up message to Matthew 4:1-11 with a primary
focus on applicational points drawn from the temptation of Christ. After a brief review of last week’s message,
Kimber focused on two main issues – 1) the way Satan tempts us, and 2) ways to
overcome temptation. He emphasized again that we will never have freedom from
temptation in this life (even Jesus was never free from temptation).
1.
Spiritual Discipline of the Week – This
week, Pastor Anderson talked about Serving.
Is this an issue that the people in your Flock Group need to discuss?
a.
What does the Bible say about
Serving? How do the “One-Anothers” and
the dynamics of Flock Groups play a role in this Spiritual Discipline?
b.
Consider this quotation: “The second service that one should
perform for another in a Christian community is that of active
helpfulness. This means, initially,
simple assistance in trifling, external matters…One who worries about the loss
of time that such petty, outward acts of helpfulness entail is usually taking
the importance of his own career too solemnly.”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
2.
Kimber stated, “Satan wants you to
believe that God is hard to please.”
a.
What does the Bible say concerning
pleasing God?
b.
How do we balance God’s mercy and
justice? Is a holy God hard to please?
3.
Kimber noted that Satan always tempts
us to go the easy way out. “Christianity hasn’t been tried and found lacking;
it has been found difficult and left untried.”
a.
In a culture where being comfortable,
safe, and healthy is so highly valued, how are you taking the easy way out in
your Christian walk?
i.
Would you rather not multiply as a
Flock Group because you’d rather be comfortable with the friends you already
have rather than accept God’s difficult call to make disciples?
ii.
Have you equated God’s blessing with a
comfortable lifestyle of materialism? Do you make financial sacrifices for
God’s work?
iii.
Do you refrain being with unbelievers
because it’s easier to remove yourself from the world rather than be salt and
light? (Jn. 17:15ff)
b.
Are you willing to “take up your
cross” and follow Christ? Is Jesus
Christ worth your obedience and willingness to suffer for his sake? (Phil
3:1-10)
4.
How do you need to work on these
different aspects of overcoming temptation?
a.
Recognize you are responsible for your
choices – Are you taking ownership over your own sinful actions?
b.
Recognize areas in your life Satan (or
your own flesh) is guiding you to live contrary to God’s way– Do you spend time
daily asking God to search your heart and see if there be any wicked way in you
(Ps 139:23-24)?
c.
Pray! (Mt 6:13; 26:41) – Are you
spending time in prayer asking God for help in regards to the obvious
temptations in your life?
d.
Remember God’s past faithfulness (1
Cor 10:13) – Are you quick to forget how God has protected and provided for you
in the past?
e. Use the Scriptures- How’s your Scripture memory? Consider memorizing 2
Tim 1:7; Phil 4:6-8; or 2 Cor 10:3-5 this week.