Genesis 3:1
Chuck Smith's sermon on Genesis 3:1 highlights the nature of temptation, the tactics of the tempter, and the consequences of yielding to sin.
Chuck Smith discusses the nature of temptation as depicted in Genesis 3:1, emphasizing the role of Satan as the deceiver and opposer of God. He outlines how temptation often begins with questioning and contradicting God's Word, leading to the appeal of the lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life. Smith warns that yielding to temptation results in separation from God, which is spiritual death, and highlights that it is unnecessary to succumb to temptation as God provides a way of escape. He concludes by stressing the importance of Christ as our help in overcoming temptation and the need for true covering for sin.
Text
"TEMPTED TO SIN"
I. THE TEMPTER.
A. Satan revealed in scripture as.
1. Deceiver (angel of light).
2. Opposer of God.
3. Liar "liar from the beginning..."
4. The true enemy of the believer "for we wrestle not against flesh
and blood..."
II. THE FORM OF TEMPTATION.
A. Questioning God's Word "hath God said?"
1. Still attacking God's Word today.
a. Doubt the accuracy.
b. Doubt the authenticity.
B. Contradicting God's Word "Ye shall not surely die."
1. He only questions to open doors for contradiction
2. The truth-"In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die"
The lie- "Ye shall surely die."
C. Giving his own word which is a contradiction to all truth. "For God knows in
the day..."
1. Questioned the justice of God.
2. Questioned the love of God.
III. THE APPEAL OF THE TEMPTATION.
A. Lust of the flesh "Good for food."
1. Lust - abnormal appetite.
B. Lust Of the eyes "Pleasant to the eye."
C. Pride of life "desired to make one wise."
IV. THE UNNECESSARY RESULT OF TEMPTATION "SHE TOOK THE FRUIT THEREOF & DID EAT."
A. We all are faced with many temptations.
1. Satan works incessantly.
B. It is not necessary to yield to temptation.
1. "There is no temptation taken you but is common to all men & God will,
with the temptation provide a way of escape."
C. Christ our great help in temptation.
1. We have a great high priest.
V. THE NECESSARY RESULT OF YIELDING.
A. Separation from God which is death.
VI. THE INEVITABLE ATTEMPT OF MAN.
A. To cover his wrong his sink "they sewed fig..."
1. Man incurable self-righteous.
VII. THE ONLY TRUE COVERING FOR SIN.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The Tempter - Satan revealed in scripture as - '[''Deceiver (angel of light)'', ''Opposer of God'', ''Liar (liar from the beginning...)'', ''The true enemy of the believer (for we wrestle not against flesh and blood...)'']'
- II points: - The Form of Temptation - Questioning God's Word (hath God said?) - '[''Contradicting God''s Word (Ye shall not surely die.)'', ''Giving his own word which is a contradiction to all truth (For God knows in the day...)'']'
- III points: - The Appeal of the Temptation - '[''Lust of the flesh (Good for food.)'', ''Lust Of the eyes (Pleasant to the eye.)'', ''Pride of life (desired to make one wise.)'']'
- IV points: - The Unnecessary Result of Temptation - '[''We all are faced with many temptations'', ''It is not necessary to yield to temptation'', ''Christ our great help in temptation'']'
- V points: - The Necessary Result of Yielding - Separation from God which is death
- VI points: - The Inevitable Attempt of Man - To cover his wrong his sink (they sewed fig...)
- VII points: - The Only True Covering for Sin
Key Quotes
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” — Chuck Smith
“There is no temptation taken you but is common to all men & God will, with the temptation provide a way of escape.” — Chuck Smith
“They sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must be aware of the tactics of the tempter and resist his attempts to lead us astray.
- God will provide a way of escape from temptation, but we must seek Him and trust in His power.
- Separation from God is the result of yielding to temptation, and it leads to death.