Ed Loney: If you have your Bibles, we're going to go to Matthew chapter four. Matthew chapter four for the reading of God's word this morning. That's a great song, isn't it?

And an even greater truth. Romans 5:7–8 says, for scarcely for a righteous man would one die, yet peradventure for a good man, one would even dare to die. But God, he commended his love toward us and that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

I'm thankful that he died for me and he died for you. And if you're here this week and you have not placed your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, I trust that you'll get that settled before you leave this conference this week. That's what it's all about.

It's not just about things that's going on in time. It's about what's going on in eternity. And we trust that you can get your minds and hearts settled on that this morning.

Matthew chapter four. It is a blessing to be here with you all this week. I've heard much about this conference and I was excited when the invitation was extended to me to be a part of it.

I came in when y'all were doing all this craziness and I thought to myself, where am I?

But it's good to see young people that's having a good time the right way. You don't have to go out into the world and sin and do wrong and do a bunch of foolishness to enjoy yourself. You can enjoy yourself and not regret it the next day.

So I'm encouraged to see that here this week. And I look forward to getting to know some new people and get reacquainted with some familiar people as well. Matthew chapter four.

If you're there, would you say amen? I'm going to begin reading in verse number one.

Verse one, the Bible says, Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. When he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, he was afterwards and hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into a holy city and setteth him on the pinnacle of the temple and saith unto him, If thou be the son of God, cast thyself down. For it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning thee.

And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against the stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain and show them all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee if thou will fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

With God's help this morning, I want to preach on this thought, rising above temptation, rising above temptation. Let's go to Lord in prayer and then we'll jump into this text. Father, we thank you once again for waking us up this morning.

God, we thank you for giving us another day of life, another day where we can live for you, honor you and serve you. And God, we thank you that we can gather together here this morning and listen to the preaching of your word, the teaching of your word. Hear songs that lift up your name.

And God, we can do it in a free country. And God, it may not always be that way for us in our lifetime, but God, we thank you that it's like that right now. And God, I pray you just help us now as we look into your word.

God, I pray you help me as I preach your word. God, I want to rightly divide the word of truth. And God, I'm mindful that nothing I say can really be impactful and change the inner man of these young people.

But God, what you say through me, it can certainly make a difference. So, God, I pray that you help these young people, God, to not just listen to my voice, but God, may they be sensitive to your spirit and your voice. And God, may we leave here not just saying that we've heard something from Brother Eddie, but God, we need to hear a word from you.

So, God, speak through me and to us in a way that only you can. And God, we'll give you all the praise and all the honor for it. In your name, Jesus, we do pray.

Amen. When we get to about Matthew chapter three, we are closing out about an 18 year gap in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that we see Jesus when he was a baby when he was born in Bethlehem. We see Jesus when he was a 12 year old boy in Jerusalem when he was left there during the time of the Passover. But from the time that Jesus was 12 years old until the time that he was 30 years old We really don't read anything about the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the meantime, the Bible teaches us that John is preparing the people for the coming of the Lord. John is preaching repentance.

John is baptizing And according to chapter three, the Bible tells us that many people are believing on Jesus because of John. Then one day, as John is preaching about Jesus, Jesus shows up. Wouldn't you have liked to have been in that church service?

I'm talking about the man of God is standing up preaching about Jesus and then in walks Jesus. And while John is preaching, it's almost like he just stops and says, behold, the Lamb of God, which taken away the sins of the whole world. It's almost like John is saying, hey, guys, look over there.

That's who I've been talking about. That is Jesus. That is the son of God.

John would go on to say things like this. I'm not worthy to unbuckle this man's shoe latch. John would say he that cometh after me is preferred before me for he is before me.

That sounds like a tongue twister, doesn't it? He that cometh after me is preferred before me for he is before me. You know what John is basically saying?

John is saying, look, though from an earthly standpoint, I am older than Jesus. Jesus is not just a man. He is God.

And since he's God, he was not made. He was not created. He was not formed.

He always has been and he always will be. So even though this man is coming after me, he's before me because he is God. John would go on to say things like this.

He must increase, but I must decrease. John would say he is mightier than I. John would say I came to baptize with water.

But there is one standing among you that will baptize you with the Holy Ghost. You know what John is doing? John is lowering himself so he can lift up Jesus.

You know, you're going to have a hard time in your life lifting up Jesus if you're only focused on lifting up yourself. John said, I'm going to lower myself so I can lift up Jesus. And look, get this now.

After 18 years of obscurity, where we don't read anything about the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus shows up and says, John, I am here to be baptized by you. Now, that sounds a little backwards, doesn't it? We would think Jesus would show up to baptize John, but Jesus shows up to be baptized by John.

And it's an absolutely amazing thing. It's one of the few times in Scripture that we see all of the Godhead active at the same time. Jesus is standing there in the water.

God, the father is speaking from heaven, saying, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. And the Holy Spirit of God is descending upon Jesus like a dove. It's an amazing scene.

And let me just pause for just a moment and say this. Baptism does not save anyone what baptism picture saves. So as a man is standing in the water, that water is crossing that man's body.

We're reminded that one day Jesus died on the cross for us. When a man goes into the water, we're reminded that one day Jesus went out, went into the grave for us. And when a man comes out of the water, we're reminded that three days after he died, just as he said, our Savior rose again.

So baptism does not save, but what baptism pictures saves. And God, the father says, this is my beloved son and whom I am well pleased. You know what we're witnessing here in John chapter three?

We are witnessing God, the father validating the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. He's validating the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, with all of that in mind, I want you to look at the very first word of Matthew chapter four.

Now, the Bible simply says then. Then, young people, I want you to hear me well this morning. There will always be temptation in your life whenever God is trying to take you to the next level.

Look, we don't hear anything about Jesus for 18 years. We really don't hear anything about the devil himself attacking anyone. But as soon as God the Father says, this is my beloved son and whom I am well pleased, then comes the devil to attack the Lord Jesus Christ.

And you better mark it down. Whenever you commit to do anything that is honoring and pleasing to the Lord, you better brace yourself because temptation is coming. And I want to tell you this this morning, young people, that if you are going to be the young person that God intends for you to be, you're going to have to learn how to rise above temptation.

Look, when we look at Matthew chapter four, we'll see clearly that Jesus was victorious in his temptation. And because he was victorious in his temptation, you and I, we can be victorious in ours. The Bible says that because he died, he was buried and he rose again.

We can now walk in newness of life. So this morning we're looking at how do we battle our temptations? How do we rise above our temptations?

Now, before we look into Matthew chapter four, I want to make a couple of practical observations about temptation. One is this. Temptation is common.

Temptation is common. The Bible says in first Corinthians chapter 10 and verse number 13, there have no temptation taken you, but such is common to man. I want you to hear me well.

Every man, every woman, every boy and every girl is in this battle of temptation. Look, from the one that's standing up here preaching to you right now, I am in the battle of temptation. You will never grow to a point in your life where you're so spiritual that you're no longer tempted.

Look, you know why we all battle temptation? You know why? Because we all have the same common sinful nature.

The Bible says for all have sin and come short of the glory of God. The Bible says there is none righteous, no, not one. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin, so death passed upon all men for all have sinned.

By the disobedience of one, that was Adam, many were made sinners. But by the obedience of one, that's Jesus, many shall be made righteous. Look, hear me very well.

Everyone look up at me now. Any man is capable of doing anything that any man has ever done. I'm going to say it again.

Any man is capable of doing anything that any man has ever done. Be very careful when you start looking at somebody else's sin and say, oh, I would never do that. You better watch it.

The same sinful nature that is in that man is the same sinful nature that is in you and the same sinful nature that is in me. So temptation is common. But then the second practical thing is this.

Temptation itself is not a sin. Temptation itself is not a sin. So how in the world can you say temptation itself is not a sin?

Well, someone tell me in Matthew chapter four, who's being tempted? Who? Jesus.

But according to Hebrews chapter seven, verse number 26, the Bible tells us he's holy. He's harmless. He's undefiled.

He's separated from sinners. Hebrews chapter four says he was tempted in all points such as we are yet without sin. So Jesus is sinless.

Jesus is holy. But in Matthew chapter four, he's being tempted. So temptation in and of itself is not a sin.

But when you give into the temptation and when you refuse to rise above temptation, that is where sin comes in. And because Jesus was victorious over his temptation, you and I, we can be victorious over ours. So let's zoom in on Matthew chapter four just for a moment.

I want you to notice firstly in Matthew chapter four, the reality, the reality. We have to examine the reality of the tempter. How many of you have your Bibles with you?

Have your Bible? Say amen. All right.

Y'all follow along with me. When I pause, say the next word. OK, are you ready?

Verse number one, it says, then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Verse number three. And when the tempter came, look at verse number five and verse number five, then the devil.

Look down at verse number eight. Again, the devil. Look at verse number 10.

Then say of Jesus unto him, get the hence. Verse number 11, then the. Look at look at me now.

The first thing you have to know in this battle of temptation is that the devil is real.

I said the devil is real. Look, the devil is not just some made up creature that's walking around in a red suit with a pitchfork. Look, the devil is a real being and he has one goal.

Here's his goal. His goal is to ruin and destroy your life. First Peter five and verse number eight, a very common verse.

The Bible says, be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, He walketh about seeking whom he may devour. If you're sitting here right now and you're saying, well, I don't believe the devil is real. Look now that is proof that he exists.

Because he has now deceived you into unbelief. Look, the devil is just as real today as he was in Matthew chapter four. The same devil that tempted Jesus, same devil that's tempting you.

The same devil that attacked Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is the same devil that wants to attack and ruin you. Look, I love how the Bible said it in 1 Peter 5a. The Bible says he is as a roaring lion.

You know what it did not say? It did not say he was one. Said he was as one.

You know why? Because Revelation tells us, according to Jesus, that he is the true lion of the tribe of Judah. Look, look, look now.

The devil is as a lion. But Jesus, he's the one true lion. Look, yes, we have a great adversary in the devil, but in Jesus, we have a greater advocate.

And when you're going through temptation, let me remind you that greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. You don't battle your temptations and rise above your temptation because you're so strong. We rise above temptation because he is strong.

He's just as a lion. He is not the real lion. The Bible says that the devil is real.

We saw that the tempter is real. But then we're going to see that temptation is real. Temptation is real.

When we get to verse number three, we're going to see the devil is going to begin tempting Jesus on three separate occasions.

Look down at verse three. The Bible says, and when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the son of God, command that these stones. Be made bread.

Isn't it something that immediately after God the Father says, this is my beloved son. What does the devil say? If thou be the son of God.

If thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread. And look, we are looking at the opening of the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. One thing I find interesting is that the same statement that opens his earthly ministry is the same statement that begins to close it.

You remember when Jesus was on the cross, they looked up at him and said, if thou be the son of God, come down from this cross all throughout his entire earthly ministry, his deity or his godness was challenged. And let me just say this for a moment. The devil is not doubting the deity of Jesus.

James chapter two says even the devils believe in tremble. Look, I believe that the devil believes in Jesus as deity more than most men.

If you look at in the gospel records, when people who were demon possessed, they would speak out. Oftentimes the demons would speak for the person. They would say things something like this.

Master, comest thou to torment us before our time? Look, the demons and the devils know exactly who Jesus is and what he has come to do. So they are not doubting the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is what the devil is doing. The devil is tempting Jesus to do something that is contrary to what the Father and the Spirit just led him to do. He's tempting him.

The first temptation we'll see is to his physical appetite. His physical appetite. Turn these stones into bread.

Now, we read that Jesus was led into the wilderness. He was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And while he's in the wilderness, he's fasting for 40 days and 40 nights.

Now, think with me for just a moment. You think it's a coincidence that the first temptation has turned these stones into bread?

You think that's a coincidence? After he the Bible tells us that he was afterwards and hungered. And the devil's first temptation is this.

Turn these stones into bread. Listen to me, young people. If you know where you struggle at and when you struggle, you better guard yourself in those times because that's most likely when and where the devil's coming.

Guard yourself in what you know are your weak areas. The Bible says he was hungry. And the first temptation is turn these stones into bread.

Now, I'm going to say something that may be a little unpopular take to this text. But I want you to hear me well. It would not have necessarily been a sin if Jesus turned the stones into bread.

I want you to hear me out now. Don't we see Jesus take a little boy's lunch, break the bread and feed 5000 men, not counting the women and children. Don't we see Jesus in his first miracle?

He takes water and he turns it into wine. So throughout the gospel records, we see Jesus doing miracles with with with food and drink before. So it would not have necessarily been a sin for Jesus to turn the stones into bread.

Look, if he wanted to, he could have turned them into Texas Roadhouse rolls. All right. I don't know if you know about Texas Roadhouse out here, but I'm talking about the fresh ones with the cinnamon butter.

Amen for that. All right. But look, this is what's going on now.

The father just led him to fast. The devil comes right behind. This is what he says.

Feast. Look, I want you to hear me well, young people. There are some things.

Listen to me now. There are some things in this battle of temptation. Listen to me now.

That may be OK later. That's not OK right now. I'm going to say it again.

There are some things in this battle of temptation that may be OK later. That is not okay right now. And one thing that you have to guard yourself of in this season of your life right now is satisfying your physical appetites outside of God's timing.

Because a blessing that is taken outside of God's timing is not a blessing, it's a curse.

We all have to learn how to operate within God's timing. So he's tempting him with this physical appetite. Turn these stones into bread.

The first temptation is to the lust of the flesh. The lust of the flesh. And then in the second temptation, he's tempting him with this mental acceptance, his mental acceptance.

Look at verse number five. It says, then the devil taketh him up into a holy city and set them on the pinnacle of the temple. And saith unto him, if thou be the son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against the stone.

Look here, the devil is being very crafty in his temptation. And listen to me now. If the devil has been tempting people since Genesis chapter three, I think it's safe to say he's probably good at it by now.

Look, the devil is so crafty in his temptation that if you stay around what he's tempting you with long enough, you will start to say things like that. Well, say things like this. Well, what's wrong with that?

What's the big deal? Well, what's the problem? A hungry man can't eat.

What's the big deal? Look, if you don't watch it, you'll find yourself buying into the craftiness of the devil's temptation. Consider where we are right now.

John is the big name preacher. Everyone knows John. Everyone looks up to John.

People are probably going to John for counsel. John is baptizing and Jesus comes on the scene and no one knows who he is.

The devil says you know what you come with me Jesus come with me come with me come up to this pinnacle of the temple. Some people say that the pinnacle of this temple was 450 feet high. And this is what the devil says do jump.

Jump let these people see you for who you truly are. You're the son of God and you're out here with no place to lay your head. Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the son of God has no place to lay his head.

You're in the wilderness with nothing to eat, nothing to drink.

Jump off of here and let these people see you for who you truly are. Psalm 91 says the angels won't even let you dash your foot against the stone. Let them see you for who you truly are.

He's trying to gain a mental advantage over him. Listen to me. I'm noticing this in your generation right now and young adults alike that the devil is trying to gain a mental advantage over this generation.

And let me just pause for just a moment and say this. You know what the devil is plainly trying to do? He's trying to tempt Jesus to commit suicide.

450 feet high. And he says, jump. Listen to me now.

If you're sitting here this morning and you are battling suicidal thoughts, I want you to hear me well. That is of the devil. All of our lives should end in God's timing, not in our own.

He's tempting him with his mental acceptance. With this physical appetite, he's tempting him with the lust of the flesh. With this mental acceptance, he's tempting him with the pride of life.

He's trying to get Jesus with the very same thing that got him when he was in heaven. He's trying to tempt him with pride. Now, I want to pause for just a moment and consider this.

What if Jesus would have sinned? What if Jesus would have sinned? Now, we know from a theological perspective, Jesus never sinned, nor could he have sinned.

But what if he did? You know, one thing that qualified Jesus to go to the cross, he was sinless.

He was holy. He was harmless. He was undefiled.

He was separated from sinners. The lamb that God offered was a spotless lamb. Look now, when the first Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, it brought condemnation to this earth.

If Jesus being the second Adam would have sinned, it would have brought condemnation for all eternity. Think about what it would have cost if Jesus gave in to temptation. Salvation would have been off the table for us.

Look, you know, one thing that will help us all. When we're trying to rise above temptation, look, before you do what you're thinking about doing. Before you do what you've been considering doing.

Before you do what you've been waiting to, as soon as I get out of this school or as soon as I get out of this house, I'm going to look before you do it. Take a step back and consider the cost. Consider the cost.

Look, I did not grow up in a Christian home. I grew up in church, but I didn't grow up in a Christian home. And I remember as a as a teenage boy.

I this is going to sound crazy to some of you, but I had not noticed a black family. Until I looked at my pastor's family.

Everyone that I knew was being raised by mom, being raised by grandmother. But that was the first time I sat in my pastor's house. I said, wait a minute, this is a black.

I never noticed it. And I remember as a young person, I prayed in my mind and in my heart. I said, God, would you give me a family like this one day?

And God has given me an amazing wife. Four beautiful children. I want you all to hear me well.

I can make one decision today and ruin it all. I can make one decision and ruin it all. Look, this is what I'm urging you to do.

Before you do what you're considering doing, take a step back and consider the cost. Takes him up to the temple and he says, just jump. He's tempting him with the mental acceptance.

You know what the devil is doing? He's giving Jesus the formula to avoid the cross. Just sin.

Tempting him with his physical appetite. He's tempting him with this mental acceptance. But then he tempts him with financial acquisition.

Financial acquisition. Look down at verse number eight. Again.

I wish I could tell you that you just got to fight it one time, but there will be an again. Again, the devil take them up into an exceeding high mountain and show them all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. And say to them, all these things will I give thee if thou would fall down and worship me.

Here, the Bible tells us that the devil takes Jesus up to a high mountain and showed them all the kingdoms of the world. Said, if you bow down and worship me, look, this is what he says. I'll give you everything that your eye can see.

First temptation was to the lust of the flesh. Second temptation was to the pride of life. The last temptation is to the lust of the eyes.

Look, now, the lust of the flesh is when you're desiring to do something that God said you can't do. The pride of life is when you're desiring to be someone that God says you cannot be. And the lust of the eyes is when you're desiring to have something that God said you cannot have.

The devil said, if you just bow down and worship me, I'll give you everything that your eye can see. Listen, young people, don't live your life going through life saying, I'll do anything if I could have that car. I'll do anything if I can have that much money.

If I can take that vacation, I'll do anything. If I can have that house, I'll do it. You better watch it.

The devil may make you a proposition. And I truly believe that we have some people in this world today. They have what they have because they bowed down.

They bowed down. Let me let me just quote a verse to you in Philippians chapter two, verse number eight through 11. Listen, listen to this verse and says, and being found is talking of Jesus.

Now, I'm being found in fashion as a man. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore, God have highly exalted him and given him a name that is above every name that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow.

Listen to this of things in heaven, of things in earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Now, I know you all are out of school today. All right.

But let's have a quick math class. The devil says, if you bow down and worship me, I'll give you everything that your eye can see. I'll give you all the kingdoms.

Look now of the earth. OK. The devil is offering Jesus a crown to avoid the cross.

Well, when we read Philippians chapter two, you know what God the father did? He gave Jesus a crown because of the cross. This is what the devil said.

If you bow down and worship me, I'll give you all the kingdoms of the earth. But when Jesus was victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave on the cross, God the father says you now have dominion of things in earth. Of things in heaven and things under the earth.

Look at me, young people. The devil only offered him one third of what God gave him. Look, I can say this with no hesitation this morning.

What God has for you in righteousness is greater than what the devil has for you in wickedness. Don't believe the lie of the devil that a wicked life is the greatest life to live. A sinful life is the best.

No, the greatest life a man can live is a man that surrendered to almighty God. Make a commitment today that you're going to rise above your temptation and not give in. Because the life that is lived in holiness is greater than a life that is lived in wickedness.

We see the reality, but then we're going to see the response. When we are tempted, look now, not if we are tempted. When we are tempted, how do we respond to our temptation?

Look at verse number four. But he, that's Jesus, answered and said, look at these next three words. It is written.

Look at verse number seven. Jesus said unto him, it is written again. Look down at verse number 10.

Then say of Jesus unto him, get thee hence Satan, for it is written. Each time the devil came and tempted Jesus, Jesus responded with this. Now, look at me now.

He said it is written. Every time. Look now, he's responding with the word of God.

Can I remind you that Jesus was the living word of God? Look now, if the living word of God had to use the written word of God, how much more do you and I have to use the written word of God? Look, if you're going to battle your temptation, look now, you're going to have to learn how to use this sword.

Look, you're going to have to learn how to use this book. You're going to have to learn how to properly use the word of God. Jesus said it is written.

When we look at this a little bit more closely, we're going to see that Jesus, he is not just using some random verses of Scripture. Every Scripture that he used was associated with the temptation that he was facing. For example, the devil says, turn these stones into bread.

Jesus says, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God. He's tempting him to jump from the pinnacle of the temple. And Jesus runs, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

The devil says, bow down and worship me. He says, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve. He's not just using some random word.

He's using Scripture that is associated with the temptation that he's facing. I'm amazed that when some people they're going, they're going through temptation and even some people after they fall, they'll say things like this. Look at me now.

They'll say things like this. Well, the Bible says for all have sinned. And come short of the glory of God.

Oh, they're facing temptation. They feel like they're about to sin. And this is the only verse that comes to mind.

There is none righteous. No, not one. I want you all to hear me clearly.

God never intended for Christians to use his word to defend their sin. The word of God is not meant to be used to defend sin. The word of God is meant to be used to defeat it.

There is a word of any temptation that you're facing, that there is a word of Scripture that you can use to defeat it. So if you've been struggling with lying and you leave here, OK, I'm not going to I'm not going to tell any more lies. And you go home and you start feeling yourself tempted to tell lies.

OK, Brother Eddie said, I need to use some Scripture. I need to use it. I'm about to tell a lie.

I got a Scripture in the beginning. God created the heavens and the earth. Look, look, that that.

Yes, that is Scripture. But that's not the one you need in that moment. You need to go over to Exodus chapter 20 and read.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Look, if you're struggling with lust, say, OK, I'm struggling. I'm struggling with my lust.

Brother Eddie said I need to use some Scripture. OK, OK, I got one. Jesus wept.

Look, yes, that is Scripture. But that Scripture is not going to help you with your lust. You need to go over to James chapter 1 and verse number 15.

The Bible says, then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. And sin, when it is finished, it bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Listen now, there is no temptation that you're facing that God hasn't given a Scripture. For? There's none.

So we have to have the right response to Scripture. We must say it is written and use Scripture to combat that temptation. Let me just say this.

This Bible is not our good luck charm. Everybody hear me? The Bible only works if it is used properly and if it's applied.

How many of you drive? Legally. Look, if you just started driving, you say, oh, man, I'm going to take my Bible out and I'm going to put my Bible on my dash and I'm going to go 80 miles an hour in a 40 mile zone.

And I'm not going to get a ticket because the Bible is on my desk. You're crazy.

Look, this is not your rabbit's foot. It's not your four-leaf clover, your good luck charm. It only works if it is used properly.

And if you look at the text again, you'll notice that Jesus is not the only one saying it is written. The devil himself is saying it is written. It is written.

So the Bible only works if it is used properly and if it is applied. We must have the right response. But then we have to have some resistance.

We have to have some resistance. James chapter four and verse number 17 says, submit yourselves, therefore, to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. That's exactly what we see here in Matthew chapter four.

Jesus is resisting. By the time the temptation is over, the devil flees. Look, contrary to popular belief, the devil cannot make you do it.

Every now and then you'll run into a kid who grew up in church and knows a little bit about the Bible, knows a little about God. He does something I'm supposed to do. You say, well, why did you do that?

And that little eight year boy looks up at you with tears in his eyes and says, the devil made me do it.

Listen, the devil can create the temptation, but he cannot cause the sin. Sin is always a choice. And when sin comes to us, we must learn how to resist it.

Now, First Corinthians, chapter 10, verse number 13, I quoted the beginning of that verse to you earlier. But the Bible says there has no temptation taken you, but such is common to man. But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above all that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way.

Look at this now to escape. To escape. So when you are going through the battle of temptation, here's our goal.

This is what we're looking for. Where's the exits? Where's the escape?

Look, how do I get out of this? Look, God is so good that he will never let the devil corner you.

Listen to the verse again. But God is faithful. Look, if you're if you ever get into sin and you say something like I had no other choice but to do it, you might as well go on and say God has been unfaithful to me.

God is so faithful that he will always make a way to escape in the morning. We're going to look at this topic on how to rise above shame. How do we rise above shame?

But look, let me tell you this. The same God that is faithful to get you out of sin is the same God. Faithful to keep you from ever getting in it.

There's always a way to escape. So there has to be a resistance. Now, let me give you something very practical quickly.

Okay. Very practical. When the temptation is internal, we resist it.

When the temptation is external, we remove ourselves. I'm going to say it again. When the temptation is internal, something that's on your heart, something that's on your mind, something that you're thinking, a thought life.

When it's internal, you have to resist it. But when it's external, you have to remove yourself. This is what I'm saying.

Don't sit in an external moment of temptation. Talking about I'm resisting, I'm resisting, I'm resisting. Look, don't just resist.

Get up and leave. Look, you remember the story of Joseph? Potiphar’s wife continued to cast herself at Joseph every day.

The Bible says that Joseph, he fled. I think Joseph was an athlete. I think he hit her with an in and out and a spin move because the Bible says he lost his coat.

Look, look, there are some things in the Bible where the Bible does not say resist. The Bible says flee. The Bible doesn't say resist fornication.

It says flee it. The Bible does not say resist youthful lust. It says flee it.

So don't put yourself in a situation that's going to make it even more challenging for you to battle your temptation. Get up and leave. Look, if a man is a drunk, you think he ought to go in the liquor store to buy potato chips?

A man has a gambling problem says, man, I'm trying to get victory over my gambling. But that casino, they got the best cheeseburgers in town.

No, don't put yourself in a situation that's going to make it even more challenging for you to choose righteousness. If you're being tempted with something that's external, don't sit there and resist it. You get up and leave.

So there is a resistance. There's a reality. There's a response.

I'll give you one more quickly. There's a relief. There's a relief.

Over in Luke chapter two, which records this same account, the Bible says, then the devil leave with him. But it says this for a season.

For a season. There was a time where the devil left him and he came back to tempt him again. Look, I'm telling you, I wish I could tell you, you're going to have one big battle.

You're going to have one big fight. We just got to once you win that one battle of temptation. Oh man, you get relief and you don't have to battle anymore.

If I told you that I'd be lying to you. So Brother Eddie, when do we get relief? Look now, we don't get any relief down here.

But we do get relief when we get up there. We get relief when we're in heaven with him. But until then, you got to battle it.

You have to make a commitment as a young person that you are going to rise above temptation. Look, the devil is throwing so much at this generation.

And let me just say this some people look at your generation and they talk about you all like y'all though y'all are the worst generation to ever live Look, that's not true. Y'all just have access to more stuff Everybody all right The there's some adults in here.

They would do what some of y'all are doing if they had access to it and Some of you you have your cell phones you have all this internet access and your parents doesn't don't understand the danger of it They don't they don't understand how bad it is some of you gonna have to make some look now some grown folks commitments as a young person that you're going to battle it because this is what the devil is trying to do.

The same thing he tried to do with Jesus. As soon as God, the father says, this is my beloved son and whom I am well pleased. His earthly ministry is just about to start.

And then the temptation comes and the devil wants. Look now, the devil wants to get you before God does. The devil wants to get you before you really start ministering and serving the Lord.

Look, don't let it happen in your life. Make a commitment that you are going to rise above temptation. When we look at this story, we saw that in the second temptation, he says, jump off of this temple and the angels are going to catch you.

Look at what the Bible says in verse number 11 and says, then the devil leave with him and behold, angels came and ministered unto him. But look now, the angels didn't come because the devil made them come. The angels came because God sent them.

Now, I wish I could tell you right now. I can't tell you this, but I wish I could. Whenever you go through your temptation, angels are going to descend from heaven and angels are going to help you in your temptation.

Look, I can't tell you that. I have no biblical grounds to tell you that. But I do have biblical grounds to tell you this.

When you go through your temptation, God has left you help from heaven. In his word, he's left you help from heaven. When you go through your temptation, look now, you can rise above it.

You can rise above it. Would you make a commitment this morning that you're not going to fall to the ploys of the devil, but you're going to be victorious over your temptation? Aren't you thankful that we have a great example in Jesus?

It lets us look. Jesus living in humanity lets us know that living this Christian life in a wicked world is possible. It's possible.

You can be victorious.