Jesus died that we might be forgiven of sin. But his death accomplished even more in that the Holy Spirit has been granted to Christians. The old law of sin and death, including a sinful nature which rebels against God, has been replaced in the lives of Christians with the law of the Spirit of life, including a new spiritual nature that makes us able to respond to temptation with a resounding, "No!"

In part 2 of this two-part lesson on temptation, eight steps are suggested for overcoming temptation.

Everyone is tempted. Our temptations often seem innocuous, but we underestimate the impact of our actions. Fortunately, we have a God who understands our temptations and who can help us to overcome the sin in our lives.

Isaiah 40:27-31 says so beautifully that it is God who not only sustains us, but that He supplies the weary, broken, and fallen with His strength and His power. Those who persevere and even triumph through life's greatest tragedies can do so best because of the power available to them in the eternal Creator of the universe.

Successful living can be easily separated from health, worldly accomplishment, physical abilities, possessions and pleasure. That is because that which is most meaningful happens on the inside where we experience the deep things, the spiritual things. It is on the inside that we experience authentic relationship and love, especially relationship with God.

1 Peter encourages a group of harassed Christians to "stand firm" in their faith by anchoring a Christian's life in the life of Jesus. Repeatedly throughout the letter, and especially in 1 Peter 4:12-19, he identifies suffering in the name of Christ as normal for his followers, and that to suffer for doing good is to walk the same path to resurrection, glory, and eternal life. Peter encourages Christians today to orient their notion of "success" to be like Jesus, which is to suffer like Jesus.

Part 13 of a series of sermons on "Taking the Gospel into Our Circles of Influence." Jesus' Messiahship is a fulfillment of what God had planned for His people from eternity. In light of the fulfillment of God's plan in the person of Christ, His people are to now live their lives in the presence of the King - making Kingdom living authentically present among God's people.

Part 12 of a series of sermons on "Taking the Gospel into Our Circles of Influence."

Part 11 of a series of sermons on "Taking the Gospel into Our Circles of Influence."

Part 10 of a series of sermons on "Taking the Gospel into Our Circles of Influence." (Note that part 9 of this series is missing.)