Introduction: We often focus on the temptations of the flesh and the world and what they offer. However, many of our greatest struggles come from the temptations of life. We wonder who we are, what we have accomplished, and if followed the right path. John the Baptist dealt with these temptations. We need to learn to handle them as he did.

Proverbs 4:23Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
See All... – “the issues of life”

• Who am I?
• Why am I here?
• What have I accomplished?

1. THE TEMPTATION OF PRIDE – Who Art Thou? (John 1:19-22 [19] And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? [20] And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. [21] And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. [22] Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
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1. The Form of the Temptation
1. A question of identity
1. Who am I?
2. Why am I like I am?
2. A temptation to create a false identity – this is pride
1. Do you pretend to be something you are not?
2. Do you create a false identity and then try to project that identity for others to see?
3. More often a temptation of youth
1. The young deal with many personal attacks
2. They struggle with who they are
3. They are tempted to create a false identity
2. What the Angel (and therefore God) Said of Him (Luke 1:15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
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3. What He Said of Himself (John 1:23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
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1. John defined himself in his relationship to Christ
2. Each of us must do the same
1. What is your relationship to Christ?
1. As Saviour
2. As Lord
2. Do you define yourself in that relationship?
2. THE TEMPTATION OF ENVY – All Men Come to Him (John 1:26-28 [26] John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; [27] He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. [28] These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
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1. The Form of the Temptation
1. A question of purpose
1. What am I here for?
2. What is my significance?
2. A temptation to be jealous of what others are doing
1. Peter asks, “and what shall this man do?” (John 21:20-21 [20] Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? [21] Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
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2. When we fail to lift ourselves (PRIDE), we are tempted to bring others down (ENVY)
3. More often a temptation of the middle years
1. We seek for a level of significance
2. We wonder why life has not turned out as we expected
3. We are disturbed by those who seem to have accomplished more than us (Psalm 73:3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
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2. How His Disciples Exalted Him (John 3:26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
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3. How John Humbled Himself (John 3:28-30 [28] Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. [29] He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. [30] He must increase, but I must decrease.
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4. The Example of Paul (Philippians 1:12-18 [12] Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. [13] Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? [14] And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? [15] They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. [16] Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. [17] Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
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3. THE TEMPTATION OF DOUBT – Art Thou He?
1. The Form of the Temptation
1. A question of choices
1. Did I make the right choices?
2. Have I accomplished anything?
2. A temptation to doubt and fret
1. We second-guess our decisions
2. We doubt God’s working in our life
3. Sometimes, we doubt God
3. More often a temptation of later years
1. We look back on our life
2. We question whether or not we made the right choices
2. His questions of doubt (Luke 7:19-20 [19] And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? [20] When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
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1. Art thou he that should come?
2. Or look we for another?
3. The answers of Christ (Luke 7:21-23 [21] And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. [22] Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. [23] And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
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1. Jesus confirmed His work as the Christ and therefore confirmed the testimony of John concerning Him
2. Our lives must also find their fulfillment in the use Christ makes of them

Conclusion: What temptations of life are you facing?

• Who are you? Have you found your identity in Christ and Him crucified?
• Why are you here? Are you allowing God to establish your purpose?
• What have you accomplished? Are you planting and watering, but leaving the increase to the Lord (1 Corinthians 3:6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
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