“Trapped”

Text: Luke 21:35

A trap is a device used for catching animals, a snare. Just as an animal may be lured, enticed, and snared, so are people often trapped, tricked, and deceived.Be careful not to be trapped by the following.

I. By FALSE GODS

A. Israel was warned of false gods, yet were trapped by them—Judges 2:3, Deut. 7:16

B. America has been warned of false gods, and yet many have fallen into the snare of the god of this world

1. Trapped by the god of pleasure

2. Trapped by the god of leisure

II. By FOOLISH LIPS—Proverbs 18:7

A. Foolish lips snare the soul and are destructive

B. Foolish lips are wicked—Proverbs 12:13

C. Foolish lips are lying lips—Proverbs 12:22, Matthew 15:8

III. By WICKED MEN

A. They are found among the people of God—Jeremiah 5:26

B. They trap men with deceit—Jeremiah 5:27

1. Deceive with false doctrine—Jeremiah 5:31

2. Deceive with false leadership—Jeremiah 5:31

C. The tragedy of the whole affair is that the Lord said, “And my people love to have it so.”—Jeremiah 5:31

IV. By DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES—I Timothy 6:9

A. The love of money is the root of all evil

B. Those who desire (crave) to be rich fall into temptation—I Timothy 6:9 (Trapped by this desire for riches)

C. Those who desire (crave) riches often depart from the faith, and pierce themselves with many sorrows— I Timothy 6:10

D. Those who desire riches are never satisfied—Eccl. 5:10

V. By UNPREPAREDNESS—Luke 21:35

A. Death comes to many and traps them in their unprepared state

B. The Lord is coming and we are warned not to let that day come upon us unawares. For as a snare it shall come.