"In Christ – My New Power Over Temptation"

Review: Central to the Bible story is the character of God and His plan for each of us. God wants to create us anew – to give us a new heart, new character, a new way of thinking. When we accept Jesus as our Savior we become children of God. We receive His HS. We then learn to act and think in accordance with God’s perspective.

“Connectedness” – “identification” is the key. Many places Jesus teaches this concept that is so central to the Christian life. In the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6.9) when he teaches us to pray, “Our Father” this is part of what He has in mind. But nowhere does He make it any clearer than in His own prayer to the Father in John 17.20-23. This is a oneness with the Father and the Son.

Who I am determines HOW I live. We need to constantly remind ourselves WHO we are in Christ.

2 Cor 5.16-21…look at Christ, others, and myself differently: from God’s perspective

1 John 3.1-2…Now children of God.  Who I am in Christ determines how I live in the world. He is my Savior and my Example.

âIf the Christian life is so easy, why is it so difficult?

âHave you ever struggled with a negative thought pattern, a behavior, or a non-healthy relationship that you just couldn’t break away from? What helped you? âHow have you overcome known sin/bad habits in your life?

Satan’s approach in the Garden…Gen 3… “you can’t trust God” He isn’t really your Father

Matthew 4…Temptations of Jesus- not just our Substitute, but also our Example. If He can do it, can we? How did Jesus handle temptation? By dependency on His Father through faith in Word.

At the core of each temptation was the issue of identity. Jesus knew WHO He was – this empowered Him to resist and win. He trusted what the Father said, not what He felt. If we Live by our senses, not by faith we shall constantly be under Satan’s control. We must learn to live by faith – trusting God, His word, His reality. We cannot just live by our feelings.

John 8. 42-47…Your father makes a difference. These are religious leaders – ouch! Who are we identifying with? Are you acting more like you are the offspring of the Devil? In rebellion? Or, like God?

 The empowerment principle of the Christian.

Phil 4.13…I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. How does He strengthen you? What has been your experience? How does God do this thing? Why aren’t more of us experience victory? Are our genetics and learned behavior stronger than the Holy Spirit? Are drug addictions, alcoholism, etc stronger than God?

Ephesians 6. 10+…put on the armor of God

1 John 3.6-9,24…If  you are in Christ, you do NOT sin. âWhat does he mean? Is he serious? Maybe he knows something we aren’t tapping into. Maybe our solution is NOT to water down the Gospel and it’s power in our life, but to tap into it. Maybe we are NOT connected enough.

Before and After Christ…there is a REAL difference – but is begins with our thinking about who we are and who God is and our relationship together – our faith in the TRUTH of what God says…

Ephesians 4. 17-25…put off the old/put on the new

Colossians 2.6-12…be who you are –children of our heavenly Father

Colossians 3.1-17…put your mind on things above

Rev 2-3…the overcomers get the prize. Why overcomers?

Romans 7…a struggling Christian: awareness, no power àguilt, shame

Romans 8…an overcoming Christian. âWhat makes the difference? Should we expect victory?

Conclusion…Jn 5.1-9…Paralytic by pool of Bethsaida – choosing to act on His Word. Is it more difficult for us today, than for this paralytic?

Life Application…Remember the story of 4 friends bringing a helpless man to Jesus in Mark 2 (also in Matt 9 and Luke 5): the miracle creates a discussion about forgiveness, but it also demonstrates the power of our thoughts: guilty thoughts destroy life, while an awareness of forgiveness brings healing. The man had to act on what he chose to believe about what Jesus was saying, versus what others were saying. When he identified himself with his sin – it caused sickness. When he identified himself with Jesus – it caused health. –Apply and begin to think true and healthy thoughts about yourself, your Father, and your future together.