Dynamic Life Baptist Ministries - Pastor Victor Clay

Sermon Title: Help! For the Struggling Christian
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 10:11-13
Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to trust in the God who is faithful to take us through temptations.
Sermon Proposition: There are 3 guarantees for struggling Christians.

11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 (NKJV)

1. The provisions for struggling Christians. v.11

   • God has provided human illustrations for Christians v.11a

   • Positive illustrations

   • Negative illustrations

   • God has provided heavenly instructions for Christians v.11b (Hebrews 11; 1 Peter 4:1-6; Jude 9, 10)

   
   

2. The problem for struggling Christians. v.12 (Proverbs 16:18; Galations 6:3; Proverbs 20:6, 28:26; Hebrews 4:15; James 5:16; Philippians 2:14; Jude 16; Proverbs 19:3)
   
   

3. The promises for struggling Christians. v.13

   • All temptation is common to man. v.13a

   • No temptation is superhuman.

   • No temptation is unique.

   • No temptation is beyond man's capacity to handle.

   • No temptation is terrifying in a sense of the word.

   • God is faithful to limit all temptation. v.13b (2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 91:4; Job 5:19)

   • God is faithful to provide a way of escape. v.13c (Hebrews 2:18; James 4:7; Isaiah 30:21; Isaiah 42:16)

   • God is faithful to take us through temptation. v.13d

   • The Christian must pray to Christ daily

   • The Christian must trust in Christ daily

   • The Christian must focus on Christ daily

   
   

   Conclusion:
   "I am tempted to think that I am now an established Christian, -- that I have overcome this or that so long, -- that I have got into the habit of the opposite grace, -- so that there is no fear, I may venture very near the temptation -- nearer than other men. This is a lie of Satan. One might as well speak of gunpowder getting into habit of resisting fire, so as not to catch a spark. As long as powder is wet, it resists the spark; but when it becomes dry, it is ready to explode at the first touch. As long as the Spirit dwells in my heart, He deadens me to sin, so that, if lawfully called through temptation, I may reckon upon God carrying me through. But when the Spirit leaves me, I am like dry gunpowder. Oh for a sense of this!" -- Robert M'Cheyene