Jesus Used The Word To Fight Off Temptation Series

INTRODUCTION’

• SLIDE #1

• When we are in a relationship with Jesus, one of the things we are told is to read the Bible, study the Bible, meditate on the things in the Bible.

• We are told in sermon after sermon to spend time in the Word because it will benefit us.

• Then we decided to spend a couple of minutes once reading the Bible (Probably the book of Numbers), and the clouds of Heaven did not seem to open nor did a halo from heaven drop down upon us, so we kind of gave up.

• After we woke up, we concluded that we really did not need to read the Word because “the preacher will tell me what I need to know!” ?

• In our new series, Diving Deep Into The Word With Jesus, we are going to see just how important the Word of God to us and how reading it and even, dare I say memorizing some of it is vital to our growth as well as our spiritual survival.

• In this series we are going to examine how Jesus used the Word in various situations as well as how HIS words that we have recorded in the Bible can be used in everyday practical terms.

• The Bible is a powerful weapon in our arsenal and constant time in the Word will benefit us greatly. There is a reason for passages such Hebrews 4:12.

• SLIDE #2

• Hebrews 4:12 (CSB) For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

• Today we are going to examine how Jesus dealt with an issue we all face on a daily basis, the issue of temptation.

• We need to understand that Jesus had to face temptation. We also need to realize that temptation in itself is not a sin.

• SLIDE #3

• James 1:14–15 (CSB) — 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

• Hebrews 2:17-18 tells us that Jesus can sympathize with us because He was tempted in all manners, yet He made it through those temptations without sin.

• The passage tells us that He can help those who are being tempted.

• So today we are going to see how Jesus used the Word to have victory over temptation.

• We can have the same victory if we will follow His example!

• Let’s begin with Matthew 4:1-4. This passage along with the parallel passages in Luke 4:1-13, and Mark 1:12-13 are where we find the event of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness.

• SLIDE #4

• Matthew 4:1–4 (CSB) — 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

• So, let us begin with our first observation concerning temptation and why it is important to learn how to fight it off.

• SLIDE #5

SERMON

I. Temptation opens the door to doubting God. (1-4)

• This event, Jesus being led into the wilderness to be tempted happens right after the baptism of Jesus where the Father exclaims that this is my Son in whom I am well-pleased.

• One thing we need to be aware of in life is that many times after great spiritual victories, comes great times of temptation.

• Verse one tells us that Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

• The word TEMP means TO TEST, to be put to the test in order to ascertain the nature of someone, including imperfections, faults or other qualities.

• As I said in the introduction, Jesus was tested so He could sympathize with our struggle. It was also meant to show Satan who was in control.

• Satan knew who Jesus was, but he wanted to see if Jesus in His state could withstand a temptation attack.

• Now Jesus showed His full humanity by the fact that after 40 days with no food, Mathew tells us in verse 2 that Jesus was HUNGRY! DUH! ?

• We have other examples of folks going that long without food. Moses in Exodus 34:28, Elijah in 1 Kings 19:8. In our time, Gandhi was known to not eat for long periods of time.