Never seek shortcuts to Your Future

Matthew 4:8-10

Next the Devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. 

“I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will only kneel down and worship me.”

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.’

Shortcuts

We may search for shortcuts to happiness.

Because the road of life will often take us through painful places we would rather to avoid.

Often we get off the right track, lured away by hopes of faster and easier ways to “the good life”

Jesus faced this same temptation.

Jesus was destined to become the king of all the earth.

The plan was for Jesus to come to earth as a man:

1. Live a sinless life2. Die to pay for our sins3. Rise from the dead4. Return to heaven5. Wait for those that would be his6. Return back to earth to claim His people7. Then take His rightful place as King of

kings

The Devil showed Jesus all the nations of the earth and there glory

Satan offered Jesus a Shortcut

Next he offered them to him The condition was that Jesus

would have to worship.Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; Deut 11:16

My Name Is Cocaine Beware my friend my name is cocaine,

coke for short. I entered this country without a passport, ever since then, I‘ve been hunted and sought by junkies and pushers and plain clothes dicks’. Mostly my users, who need a quick fix. I’m more valued than diamonds, more treasured than gold, use me just once and you will be sold.

I’ll make a school boy forget his books. I’ll make a beauty queen neglect her looks. I’ll take a renown speaker and make him a bore.I’ll take your mama an make her a whore.I’ll make a school teacher forget how to teach. I’ll make a preacher not want to preach. 

All kinds of people have fallen under my wing, just look around you can see the results of my sting.

I’ve got daughters turning on their mother.I’ve got sisters robbing their brothers. I’ve got burglars robbing the lord’s house.I’ve got husbands pimping their spouse.I’m king of crime and the prince of destruction.

I’ll cause the organs of your body to malfunction. I’ll cause your babies to be born hooked. I’ll turn the honest of men into crooks. I’ll make you rob, steal and kill when you’re under my power, you have no will.

Remember my friend, my name’s big “C”, the rock, some call me the white lady.

I’ve destroyed actors, politicians and sport heroes. I’ve decreased bank accounts from millions to zero. I’m a bad habit, to tough for the man.

I’ve caused the law to invest in the battering-ram, yeah! I'm raising hell all over the earth, don’t believe me, just check out brynhurst. I’ve got them standing on corners yelling “rock”. I’ve made it where shootings and stabbing are common on the block. Well, now you know, what will you do?

My Name Is "Meth"

I destroy homes, I tear families apart,I'll take your children, and that's just the start.I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold,The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.

If you need me, remember, I'm easily found,I live all around you - in school and in town.I live with the rich, I live with the poor,I live down the street and maybe next door.

I'm made in a lab. But, not like you think,I can even be made under the kitchen sink.In your child's closet and even the woods,If this scares you to death, well it certainly should.

I have many names, but there's one you know best,I'm sure you've heard, my name's crystal meth.My power is awesome, try me and you'll see,But if you do, you may never break free.

Just try me once and I might let you go,But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie,You do what you have to -- just to get high.

The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charmsWill be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms.You'll lie to your mother, you'll steal from your dad,When you see their tears, you should feel sad.

But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised,I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.I take kids from parents, and parents from kids,I turn people from God, and separate friends.

I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride,I'll be with you always -- right by your side. You'll give up everything - your family, your home, Your friends, your money, you'll be alone.

I'll take and take, till you've nothing more to give,When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.If you try me be warned - this is no game,If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.

I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind,I'll own you completely, your soul will be mine.The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed,The voices you'll hear, from inside your head.

The sweats, the shakes, the visions, you'll see,I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.But then it's too late, you'll know in your heart,That you are mine and we never shall part.

You'll regret that you tried me, they always do,But you came to me, not I to you.You knew this would happen, many times you were told,But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.

You could have said no, and just walked away,If you could live that day over, what would you say?I'll be your master, you will be my slave,I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave

Now that you have met me, what will you do?Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.I can bring you more misery than words can tell,Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell.

If Jesus had fallen for Satan’s tricks he would have sinned.

Jesus understood the consequences of disobedience.

We need to be aware of “shortcuts”

Shortcut

One step out of the will of God is a shortcut.

A shortcut will lead you into a path that will cause you to be lost forever.

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Define Resist

1 : to exert oneself so as to counteract or defeat <he resisted temptation>

2 : to withstand the force or effect of <material that resists heat>

Man up!