Part 5 - The Temptation Of Jesus Series

The Commission

Part 6 – The Temptation of Jesus

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith – www.PS127.org

WELCOME

INTRODUCTION TO SERMON

PRAYER FOR HOLY SPIRIT AND UNDERSTANDING

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 4:1 – 11

“1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

4 Jesus answered, "It is written: ’Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:

”‘He will command his angels concerning you,

and they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."

7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: ’Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ’Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’"

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT AND UNDERSTANDING

JESUS LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

† AFTER THE BAPTISM JESUS WAS LEAD

o You cannot be led, if you do not have the Holy Spirit

o As soon as Jesus received, He was instructed by

o “Lead up” Greek Anago – means to sail away

o “into the wilderness” – perhaps somewhere close to Jericho

o “To be tempted of the devil” – Like Adam, He was to be tempted.

Hebrews 4:14

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

1 Corinthians 15:21 – 22

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

1 Corinthians 15:45

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

1 Corinthians 15:47

“The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”

† FASTING BEFORE SPIRITUAL BATTLE

o Three others fasted 40 days & nights in the Bible, Moses, Joshua & Elijah

o What is fasting? Weakens our flesh & strengthens the Holy Spirit in us

o Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to prepare for a spiritual battle by fasting

o The scriptures say “Afterward, He was hungry”, His flesh was FEELING the effects of the fast. He was not miraculously spared.

WHEN JESUS’ FLESH WAS WEAKEST, SATAN ATTACKED

o Just after the Bible tells us Jesus was hungry, the tempter (Satan) appears.

o Our temptations and battles in this world are not with flesh & blood

Ephesians 6:11 – 13

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

o Does not say “defeat” or “destroy” or “bind”

Matthew 16:19

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The Kingdom of Heaven is here and now, and believers hold the keys.

So what are we binding? It’s not Satan, or else he’d be bound by the countless Christians around the world and through the centuries binding him.

We are told what we have the power and authority to bind;

Luke 10:19

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

It’s not Satan we are binding, but his power…

His power and authority belong to his kingdom. We belong to the Kingdom of God, and Christ’s power and Authority rule us.