The Temptation of Jesus Matthew 4:1-11
How do you go with temptation? Hands up who is tempted often. 😊 Who would like to share?
Definition: “the desire to do something which is especially wrong or unwise.”
- As Christians – sin
What are some of the things which “tempt” us? :
- Food
- Road rage
- Bad thoughts
- To be truthful
As Christians, we are tempted away from the fruits of the Spirit.
Overcoming temptation can be a lifetime struggle – and without God, almost impossible.
Understanding how Jesus overcame temptation will help us in our very real battles.
Context: We read in Mattthew 3, Jesus had just been baptised.
- Holy Spirit came down – “This is my beloved Son.”
- The beginning of Jesus’ public ministry – not to huge crowds, but to the wilderness
- Fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.
- Why? To commune and fellowship with his Father. Prepare for what lay ahead. A 3 year ministry with the cross at the end of it. But first, time with the Father.
Q. Do we follow Jesus’ example???
The Players:
- The Spirit. Jesus was led by the Spirit to the wilderness, but not to be tempted – HE IS REAL
- Jesus. Fasted, felt hungry – God/man – also sadness/pain/sorrow. HE IS REAL
- The Devil. He spoke to Jesus, did supernatural stuff, quoted Scripture. Other names: The Tempter, Satan, Evil One, Father of Lies, Ruler of this World, Accuser of God’s People. Q. Where does the devil live??? HE IS REAL
TEMPTATION No 1 Matthew 4:3-4
“If you are the Son of God” – liar/deceiver
- Remember His baptism
- Stones to bread – reasonable request (40 days and 40 nights)
- Did Jesus have the power? Of course - feeding of the 5000. So what’s the issue??
Illustration. Who has given you everything: life, provision, food, health, job, relationships?
God the Father is provider/sustainer. He alone, we should trust: in his Word and His Word alone is life and provision.
The devil wanted to get Jesus to take his focus off the Father and his provision and make it about “self-provision.” [“Man shall not live by bread alone….” Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4] and he is still doing it today – trying to distract us from “This sayeth the LORD….,” to do it for yourself – rely on you, not God. Children of Israel – manna.
Q. What would stop us waiting on the Father’s provision??
Tempting Jesus to do something outside of Scripture.
TEMPTATION No 2 Matthew 4:5-6
“If you are the Son of God…” again!!
- Devil took Jesus to the top of the Temple
- He then used Scriptures – Psalm 91:11-12
- The devil wanted Jesus to “prove” God, put Him to the test
- Jesus responded again with Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:16, “You shall not put your God to the test – Children of Israel – water. They (we) questioned God’s reliability because HE does not meet our expectations. God doesn’t fit in with our time frames.
- We can test or prove God in a bad way.
Q. Is there a good way to put God to the test? (Malachi 3:10)
Faith is the difference between trusting God and the need to test/prove God for our own selfish purposes.
Trust Him – His promises are rock solid.
TEMPTATION No. 3
- Another supernatural event
- All the kingdom’s of the world
Q. Did he have the power??? John 12:31
- The devil’s plan here was to get Jesus to worship him. He has always had issues with pride.
- Jesus’ (the Father’s) kingdom was never going to be this world at this time. He had to go to the cross. The devil’s plan was to bypass the cross/pain/sorrow. [Story of Peter – Matthew 16]
He has not changed. As with Jesus’ temptation, the devil still wants us to get our eyes off Jesus and His perfect plan for us. Yes – God has a perfect plan for you……. And he (Satan) will use anything or anyone to sidetrack us.
Jesus’ response: “You shall worship the LORD your God and Him only shall you serve.” (Deuteronomy 6:13)
That still stands for all of us today.
Q. What price are we/am I willing to “sell out” at?
- $1 000 000, $100 000, $100
- A quick fix of personal pleasure
- Fame, popularity
- For a relationship
- Some folks sell out real cheap.
The three temptations:
- Lust of the eyes
- Pride of Life
- Lust of the flesh
Verse 11 – The devil left
- Angels came and ministered to Him – comfort, food?? Fellowship
Resist temptation and God WILL provide, comfort you through His Spirit and/or His Word and people.
WRAP UP
Temptation is NOT sin; yielding to temptation is (or putting it into action). You can do this in your mind, not all actions are external – lust, hate.
Satan will come to us after a powerful spiritual experience and in our moments of greatest weakness – spiritual, physical, emotional, financial. Be aware, be on guard.
*God is not the tempter. (James 1:13)
The Apostle Paul wrestled with temptation. (Romans 7:22-23