Behind the Curtain, Part 1: “What’s at Stake?”
January 9, 2022

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Message Review

We all face temptations of different kinds. Too often we surrender to temptation because, well, it’s tempting, and we’ve failed and have given into that temptation before. But in every temptation we face, there’s always more at stake than we realize.

Main Point | Behind the curtain of every temptation, there’s always more at stake than we realize.

Scripture References | Matthew 4:1, Matthew 3:13-4:3a

Challenge Question | What is potentially at stake behind the curtain of your biggest temptation? Is what’s at stake worth defeating that temptation?

Questions

  • As we began our new series, what stuck out to you the most from the first week’s message?

  • Temptation: how would you define this in your own terms?

  • Let’s be honest, everyone has at least one temptation. What’s yours? Where have you experienced the struggle with temptation the most?  

  • What is it that leads us to keep falling into the same temptation over and over and over again?

  • Pastor Ronnie said “Behind the curtain of every temptation, there’s always more at stake than we realize. He listed three things: 1) Future, 2) Family, 3) Faith. Regarding these things, what is potentially at stake behind the curtain behind your biggest temptation?

  • Is what’s at stake worth defeating that temptation?

Next Step Challenge

Giving into temptation is giving up everything for one thing. Obedience to God is giving up one thing for everything. In every temptation, our future, family, and faith is at stake.  The way to start defeating temptation is to say no to it by continually saying “Temptation, you will not steal my future, you will not steal my family, you will not steal my faith.” This week, identify your biggest temptation and start praying that prayer.

Yearly Bible Plan

  • Monday: Matthew 24-25

  • Tuesday: Matthew 26

  • Wednesday: Matthew 27-28

  • Thursday: Mark 1-3

  • Friday: Mark 4-5

  • Saturday: Mark 6-7

  • Sunday: Mark 8-9

To watch or listen to Sunday’s sermon, visit our Sermons page.