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Jul 21, 2024

Temptation & Evil

Temptation & Evil

Passage: Matthew 6:9-13

Speaker: Andrew Kerhoulas

Series: Practice the Presence - Prayer

Keywords: evil, deliver, temptation

After the call to the marathon that is forgiveness, we move to the final petition in the Lord's Prayer. You don't need a pastor to tell you that temptation and evil are ubiquitous today. But we do need clarity as to what God does for those overrun by them.

Readings & Scripture

PRE SERVICE TEXT: Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

PRAYER: The Lord’s Prayer
ALL: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

CENTRAL TEXT: Matthew 6:9-13
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

CONFESSION OF SIN: Adapted from The Worship Sourcebook
LEADER: King Jesus, from pleasure, pride, and power that will not last,
ALL: deliver us.
LEADER: From paralysis of will, from lies and deceit, from terror of truth,
ALL: deliver us.
LEADER: From hardness of heart, from trading unity for division, from walking in darkness,
ALL: deliver us.
LEADER: By the folly of your gospel, by your incarnation, by your nakedness and pain,
ALL: heal us.
LEADER: By your weeping over the city, by your refusal of the sword, by your dying for your enemies,
ALL: heal us.
LEADER: By your bursting from the tomb, by your continual intercession, by your coming in judgment,
ALL: heal us. Grant us peace. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Hebrews 2:14-15
LEADER: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

BENEDICTION: 1 Peter 1:6-7
LEADER: In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

ALL: Amen

POST SERVICE: Matthew 6:13
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.

RELATED SCRIPTURES:

  • Genesis 25:29-34 - “Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”
  • Matthew 4:1 - “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” 
  • 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 - “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
  • Hebrews 2:14-15 - “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
  • James 1:13-14 - “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”
  • 1 John 5:4-5 - For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 

  1. When you consider Matthew 6:13, a question may immediately come to mind: Does God tempt us? Read James 1:13-14 and then discuss. 
  2. If God can’t tempt us, what does Jesus mean for us to ask in the first part of the prayer? (Hint: temptation can also mean trial in Greek). 
  3. Of the three temptations of Jesus in the desert (see Matthew 4), which one(s) are you bombarded with the most? Pleasure, pride, and/or power? Discuss. 
  4. The second half of verse 13 can also be translated “deliver us from the evil one.” How does that translation shape the way you think about evil  and the way you pray for deliverance from it? 
  5. What did Jesus do in both his life and his death to triumph over the evil one? 
  6. Of the following questions, which one(s) resonate most right now? Take them to the Lord in prayer. 
    • Who is my enemy? 
    • Where am I weakest? 
    • Have I prayed for spiritual protection in light of my victory in Christ? 
    • How can I utilize my creativity against the darkness?

ILLUSTRATIONS:  

 

 

QUOTES:  

  • Whoever has God for his friend, will find Satan to be his enemy. Herman Wistius
  • Satan always offers a crown without a cross, success without sacrifice, admiration without affliction. Kevin DeYoung 
  • When we forget we have an enemy we fight each other. Jon Tyson

BOOKS / DOCS: