The Science of Temptation: Part 1
Temptation has been a reality to all humans since the beginning of time. It lured the fall of mankind; even Jesus faced it!  Join us as we discover exactly what temptation is and how God has prepared us to fight it.

Genesis 3:1-13

They should have been running to God in their need
But instead they HIDE

They should be taking ownership and responsibility
But instead they BLAME

Is temptation a sin?
No, we all face temptation, even Jesus

Hebrews 4:15

Sin is….
….a voluntary violation of a known law of God
…a violation of the law of love (because we are people who have been given a choice)

Matthew 22:37-40

Temptation is….
…the act of being enticed to sin
Temptation begins with a desire, which if we aren’t careful, can give birth to sin.
Temptation is anything that promises satisfaction at the cost of obedience.

James 1:14-15

What was the strategy (science) in the first sin?
What did the serpent know that he used to break down their defenses?

The strategy (science) behind the temptation:
• Humans tend to want.
• They can be coerced into wanting.
• They can be persuaded that they are not getting what they deserve.
• They can be convinced to “want it all” and to act on that want.
• They can be easily convinced that they know better.
• They have the capacity to want something more than they want God.

The serpent didn’t use bad temptation approaches.
Strategies such as the following would likely not have worked on Adam and Eve:
• You should hate God.
• Disobeying God is a good idea.
• Ignore everything God says.
• God is wholly untrustworthy
• Bad things might happen but the risk is worth it

Perhaps the greatest threat temptation poses is that, in the moment, it makes a proposal that seems to make sense.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Stand firm…
…affirm God’s truth
What is your foundation?
Who is it that is leading and guiding your life?

…affirm God’s character….
Are you trusting in what you know to be true of God?

…affirm God’s presence….
Isolation breeds destruction
Affirming God’s truth & God’s character will always lead us to affirming His presence

The battle against temptation begins with the choices I make today

http://bible.com/events/628594
HFCN Definition:
The Gospel is the good news message that God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. He was raised to life, victorious over the power of death. In choosing to live for Him, we can be free from the power of sin and experience abundant life today and eternal life in Heaven.  1 Corinthians 15: 1-2
The Gospel Is….
-Your gift 
I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received 1 Corinthians 15:1
The Gospel is not something we invented and it is not something we discovered
The Gospel is the gift of God for us 

-Your foundation 
Which you received and on which you have taken your stand 1 Corinthians 15:1
The Gospel is your foundation and your solid rock 

-Your salvation 
By this gospel you are saved 1 Corinthians 15:2
Not a past tense “you were saved” but a present tense…”you are being saved” 

1 Corinthians 15: 3-8 Our series “The Pure Gospel” 
The Life of Jesus 
The Death of Jesus 
The Resurrection of Jesus 

1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Why is resurrection critical? 
What does it mean to us today?

Truth is stronger than lies 
The Truth of God is stronger than any lie of the enemy

Good is stronger than evil 
The resurrection proved that evil had lost and that God is greater 

Love is stronger than hate 
When Jesus rose again, He proved that the perfect love of Jesus    
overcomes ALL

Life is stronger than death 
Powerful implications….
 1. This life is not all there is 
 2. In this life, freedom is possible 

If there is no resurrection, there is no…
Life
Freedom from Sin
Victory
Hope

Two Questions that the Gospel asks of us:
Will you believe in that which you don’t fully understand? 
Does your daily life reflect victory over sin?