How Do We Overcome Temptation? (Luke, Part 3) Series

Introduction / Recap

- We know that Luke was a physician – helped Paul throughout his ministry

-- He was most likely a Gentile from Antioch (Syria) addressing a Gentile audience

- Examining the language of the text indicates that he was well educated

-- Familiar with Greek; well versed in communication skills (skilled orator)

-- Luke also had an excellent understanding of politics & culture of the time

- What we clearly see is Luke’s genuine interest in people

-- EX: Much of the material in Luke involves Jesus’s interactions with people

-- Many on the fringes of “acceptable” society: sinners, sick, women, children

- Last week, we discussed the tremendous ministry of John the Baptist

-- His primary calling was to the prepare the way for the Messiah

-- He was empowered to be bold and brutally honest … no different than us today

-- APP: We too have opportunity to witness and proclaim who Jesus is

-- And to share what He has done for us (salvation, grace, mercy, love, etc.)

- TR: Today, let’s look at how Jesus faced temptation

-- But more than a history lesson, I want us to see the application

-- We do have a plan and a roadmap to be successful … if we will follow it!

- Read Luke 4:1-13 / Pray

Point 1 – We must be prepared to serve God

- All of us are instructed to be ready to serve God – however that looks

-- Some teach, some lead music, some serve in nursery, some take care of bldg

-- APP: Each of us has a calling to serve – it is why we are here!

-- KEY: Before we can serve, we must prepare, get ourselves right (IMP expound)

- For Jesus, we see He had three specific preparedness steps:

a. Filled with the Holy Spirit (receiving)

- Having had the ultimate confirmation from Heaven (skies open, Spirit descend)

-- He receives the Holy Spirit, empowering Him to do the work of the Father

-- RE: This was the beginning of His ministry, God’s anointing fell upon Him

-- APP: We cannot go off and do things without God’s anointing either

b. He had spent, and was spending, time with only God (seeking)

- Now … we need to see this and understand what’s being said

-- More than anything else, Jesus spent time with God (not just in a group)

- APP: If we aren’t willing to get alone with God, we won’t hear from Him

-- It really is that simple: Want God’s direction? Are you listening to Him?

- Fact: It is often impossible to hear from God in a crowd … many distractions

-- Sometimes, you just need to get alone with God to have an honest conversation

-- This is exactly what Jesus is doing here – spending time with God

c. He was fasting and praying, getting ready for the battle ahead (active)

- How did Jesus get ready? He prepared by being devoted to prayer/fasting

-- Not just casually now and then … but engaged because strength was needed

-- This is more than just a quick prayer before a meal, but specific to the moment

-- It is intentional fasting; denying oneself of something to lead back to prayer

-- No exact measure on what he did or didn’t eat; perhaps He only drank water

- Question: How can I know God more intimately?

-- Answer: Are you spending time alone with just Him and you?

-- APP: In this day of noise and distractions, this becomes harder and harder

- Tip: Turn off your phone, leave it another room if you have too, and focus

-- Read your bible, ask questions in prayer, seek wisdom, respond as prompted

-- It is not a spooky moment you’re after here, but being intentional with God

-- Looks like: “God, how does this passage apply to my life?”

-- KEY: If Jesus could get alone with God, why shouldn’t we be able too also?

- The word temptation in Greek is peirazo which has two meanings:

• In the good sense, it means to test, to prove

• In the bad sense, it means to lure someone into sin

- It is NOT used to destroy a person … temptation does not destroy us

-- Temptation is no different than an idea to do something

- The destruction is the next thing – the action, the giving ourselves into sin

-- EX: David was tempted with Bathsheba; the destruction was when he gave in

-- Allowing yourself to slide into sin comfortably, to excuse it, that’s destructive

- Don’t miss: The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for the testing (v1)

-- But the Spirit did not lead Jesus into the wilderness to participate in sin