Vigilance and Prayer: Navigating the Christian Life
Summary
In this final message of the second stage of our series, "The Insight Story," we explore the inside story of the Christian life, likening it to a triathlon. We've learned that being a Christian means being in Christ and in the body, which involves both the power to live a new life and the pressure of new battles. The Christian life is a constant battle against sin, which has a landing place in our lives as long as we are in the flesh. Sin will not die unless it is constantly weakened, and we must be vigilant in this lifelong warfare.
We delve into the words of Jesus in Matthew 26:41, where He instructs us to "watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." Jesus acknowledges that while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. This means that while we desire to make progress in our Christian walk, we must be aware of our vulnerabilities and the constant threat of temptation. Jesus does not promise a life free from temptation but warns us to avoid entering into it, where it gains a foothold in our lives.
To watch effectively, we must identify our primary battles, note our most vulnerable times, and study our past experiences. Each of us faces unique temptations based on our temperament and life circumstances. By understanding ourselves better, we can anticipate and guard against these temptations. Additionally, reflecting on past failures helps us learn and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Prayer is essential because our flesh is weak, but our Savior is strong. Jesus, who was tempted in every way, is able to help us when we feel we are falling and restore us when we have fallen. He went to the cross so that our failures would not be the end of hope for us. As we enter a new week, we are encouraged to watch and pray, trusting that Christ is with us and able to keep us from falling.
Key Takeaways:
- The Nature of the Christian Life: Being a Christian involves being in Christ and in the body, which means having the power to live a new life while facing new battles. This life is a constant battle against sin, which must be continually weakened to prevent it from gaining strength. [01:19]
- Understanding Temptation: Jesus teaches us to watch and pray to avoid falling into temptation. Temptation is inevitable, but entering into it, where it gains a foothold in our lives, can be avoided through vigilance and prayer. [05:36]
- Self-awareness and Vigilance: To effectively watch, we must identify our primary battles, note our most vulnerable times, and study our past experiences. Understanding our unique temptations based on our temperament helps us guard against them. [13:10]
- The Power of Prayer: Prayer is crucial because our flesh is weak, but our Savior is strong. Jesus, who understands temptation, is able to help us when we feel we are falling and restore us when we have fallen. [33:12]
- Hope in Christ: Jesus went to the cross so that our failures would not be the end of hope for us. As we watch and pray, we trust that Christ is with us, able to keep us from falling, and will present us before His presence with great joy. [40:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - Introduction to the Series
- [01:04] - The Christian Life: In Christ and In the Body
- [01:39] - The Battle Against Sin
- [03:13] - Jesus' Words on Temptation
- [04:23] - Understanding Temptation
- [05:54] - Entering Into Temptation
- [07:05] - The Trap of Temptation
- [09:19] - The Importance of Watching
- [12:17] - Watch and Pray
- [13:10] - Identifying Primary Battles
- [21:38] - Vulnerable Times
- [26:07] - Learning from Past Experiences
- [30:44] - The Balance of Watching and Praying
- [33:12] - The Weakness of the Flesh
- [36:54] - The Strength of the Savior
- [40:02] - Hope in Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 26:41
- Romans 8:13
- Colossians 3:5
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 26:41, what does Jesus instruct His disciples to do to avoid falling into temptation? How does this relate to the concept of the spirit being willing but the flesh being weak? [03:50]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "entering into temptation" as opposed to simply being tempted? [05:36]
3. How does the sermon describe the Christian life as a battle against sin, and what role does "mortification" play in this battle? [01:39]
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how different personality types might face unique temptations? [18:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding one's own temperament and vulnerabilities help in the battle against temptation, according to the sermon? [13:59]
2. The sermon mentions that Jesus does not promise a life free from temptation. How does this understanding affect a Christian's approach to daily life and spiritual growth? [05:21]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of learning from past failures in the context of spiritual warfare? [26:57]
4. How does the sermon explain the balance between watching and praying, and why are both necessary for overcoming temptation? [30:44]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt tempted. How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to avoid entering into temptation? [09:19]
2. Identify a primary battle or temptation you face regularly. What practical steps can you take this week to watch and pray effectively against it? [13:10]
3. Consider your most vulnerable times or situations. How can you prepare yourself spiritually and mentally to face these moments with strength? [21:38]
4. Think about a past failure in your spiritual life. What lessons can you draw from it, and how can you apply these lessons to prevent similar failures in the future? [26:57]
5. The sermon emphasizes the power of prayer because our Savior is strong. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to strengthen your spiritual life? [33:12]
6. Jesus went to the cross so that our failures would not be the end of hope for us. How does this truth impact your perspective on personal failures and the grace available to you? [37:48]
7. As you enter a new week, what specific actions will you take to ensure you are watching and praying, trusting that Christ is with you and able to keep you from falling? [40:02]
Devotional
Day 1: The Christian Life: A Journey of Power and Battle
The Christian life is a dynamic journey that involves being in Christ and in the body, which empowers believers to live a new life while simultaneously engaging in new battles. This journey is characterized by a constant battle against sin, which seeks to gain a foothold in our lives as long as we are in the flesh. Sin will not die unless it is continually weakened, requiring vigilance and perseverance in this lifelong warfare. As Christians, we are called to embrace the power of Christ within us to overcome these challenges and to remain steadfast in our faith. [01:19]
Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."
Reflection: What specific "armor" do you need to put on today to stand firm against the battles you are facing?
Day 2: Vigilance Against Temptation
Jesus teaches us the importance of watching and praying to avoid falling into temptation. While temptation is inevitable, entering into it, where it gains a foothold in our lives, can be avoided through vigilance and prayer. Jesus acknowledges that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, highlighting our need to be aware of our vulnerabilities and the constant threat of temptation. By staying alert and prayerful, we can guard against the traps of temptation and maintain our spiritual integrity. [05:36]
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Reflection: Identify a temptation you frequently face. What practical steps can you take today to avoid entering into it?
Day 3: Self-awareness and Spiritual Vigilance
To effectively watch and guard against temptation, we must identify our primary battles, note our most vulnerable times, and study our past experiences. Each of us faces unique temptations based on our temperament and life circumstances. By understanding ourselves better, we can anticipate and guard against these temptations. Reflecting on past failures helps us learn and avoid repeating the same mistakes, enabling us to grow in spiritual maturity and resilience. [13:10]
Proverbs 4:23-26 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure."
Reflection: What past experience can you learn from today to help you guard against future temptations?
Day 4: The Power of Prayer in Weakness
Prayer is essential because our flesh is weak, but our Savior is strong. Jesus, who was tempted in every way, is able to help us when we feel we are falling and restore us when we have fallen. He went to the cross so that our failures would not be the end of hope for us. Through prayer, we connect with the strength of our Savior, who empowers us to overcome our weaknesses and stand firm in our faith. [33:12]
Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely on Jesus' strength today? How can you seek His help through prayer?
Day 5: Hope and Assurance in Christ
Jesus went to the cross so that our failures would not be the end of hope for us. As we watch and pray, we trust that Christ is with us, able to keep us from falling, and will present us before His presence with great joy. This assurance in Christ gives us hope and confidence as we navigate the challenges of life, knowing that our Savior is faithful and will complete the good work He has begun in us. [40:02]
Jude 1:24-25 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself of the hope and assurance you have in Christ today, especially in moments of doubt or failure?
Quotes
The nature of the Christian Life is that it involves a constant battle, a lifelong Warfare because sin has a landing place in our lives as long as we are in the Flesh, and sin will not die unless it is constantly weakened. We've been learning from John Owen's excellent phrase. [00:01:19]
Watch and Pray so that you will not fall into temptation. Jesus says the spirit is willing. That's always true. If you're a Christian, you want to make progress in the Christian life, but here's what you discover, what every Christian discovers: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. [00:03:59]
Jesus does not say Watch and Pray so that you will not be tempted. There is no way of getting into a kind of level of the Christian Life in which you are no longer tempted. We're not going to get there This Side of Heaven. Jesus does not say Watch and Pray so that you will no longer be tempted. [00:05:15]
Identify what are your primary battles. That's the first thing that it means to watch. Identify your primary battles. Now your primary battles may be different from mine. Mine may be different from someone else's. The reason that I say that is what we learned a few weeks ago from James in chapter 1. [00:13:10]
Knowing yourself is of huge importance when it comes to living the Christian Life. How well do you know yourself? How many folks watch American Idol? It's not a trick question. Hey, only a couple are admitting it. I don't believe only do you know one of the things that has fascinated me on the occasions. [00:14:26]
Study your past experience. Study your past experience. One of the best ways to grow in the Christian Life and to become one wiser in your own battle with temptation is very simply to reflect on your past failures because reflecting on past failures is the best way of avoiding repeating them. [00:26:07]
Watch and Pray. Watch and Pray so that you will not enter into temptation. So just a couple of observations about praying here. Notice that Jesus tells us that we are to pray because he says your flesh is weak. That's why I need to pray. Jesus says the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. [00:33:12]
Pray because the flesh is weak, but pray also for another reason because your savior is strong. Pray because your flesh is weak, but pray because your savior is strong and thank God for this wonderful, wonderful truth that Jesus Christ he he comes to these disciples. [00:36:54]
Christ goes to that cross so that there falling into temptation, your falling into temptation, will not be the end of Hope for you. And so we are invited to come and pray not only because the flesh is weak but because this savior who is for us is very, very strong. [00:40:02]
Christ is able to help you when you feel you are falling. You say, well, I'm so glad I'm here because I feel like I have entered into temptation. I can see specific ways in which Satan's power is Raging within my life, and I say, look, the Lord Jesus Christ is able to help you. [00:41:52]
This savior who's able to help you, you can come to him because he is a savior who has been tempted, and he knows what that is. And not only is he able to help you when you are falling, he's able to restore you when you have fallen. That's why he went to the Cross. [00:43:56]
This Christ is able to keep you from falling in the future. You going out into a new week and temptations are going to come, so he says to you watch and pray, but he says Watch and Pray so that you will not fall into temptation. You say, well, what hope do I have of that? [00:46:39]
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