Overcoming Temptation

On Sunday, September 6, during the US Open, Novak Djokovic, the top men’s tennis player was disqualified from the tournament after he inadvertently struck a line judge with a ball hit in frustration. US Tennis Association said: “In accordance with the Grand Slam rule book, following his actions of intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences, the U.S. Open tournament referee defaulted Novak Djokovic from the 2020 U.S. Open.” 

Djokavic wasn’t the first athlete to be disqualified from athletic competition, nor will he likely be the last. Disqualification because of sin, especially idolatry, was Paul’s concern for himself and for the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:1-14 ).

Since none of us has an exemption from personal temptation, we need to understand the solution to overcoming it. Paul wrote,  “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

sermon by: Larry Murray
date: 09.13.2020