Failed Plans Text: Matthew 4: 1-11
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you, ’and,‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Right after Jesus was declared to be the Son of God, and the Savior of the world, he is tempted. Listen, great privileges, and special tokens of Divine favor, will not secure any from being tempted! Christ was directed (Or lead by the Spirit) to the combat. Why? So greatness and character could be built! (Romans 5:1-3) Remember at the end of this temptation Jesus Christ went into the temple with greater power, wisdom and strength!
The enemy is subtle, spiteful, and very daring; but he can be resisted! One man of God said, “It’s a comfort to know that Christ suffered, being tempted; for thus it appears that our temptations, if not yielded to, are not sins, but they are afflictions!”
Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Matthew 4:1-2 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Always remember the devil doesn’t play fair! He waited until Jesus was tired, hungry and lonely! 40 days and 40 nights with nothing to eat or drink! No one to talk to (the social part of not eating is just as bad as feeling the hunger.) He’s tired His physical body is shutting down!
A man in this church reminded me a great truth, “Spiritual lesson 101, if it’s bad it’s from the devil; if it’s good it’s coming from God!”
Notice Satan comes when there is doubt, depression, and deserts or compromise- He comes when you are called!
Listen to Matthew 3:16-17 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Now listen to Satan in the text, “If You are the Son of God” Satan attacks the very word God had given to Jesus!
The devil doesn’t use new stuff because his old stuff still works! He questions Christ twice “If You are the Son of God!” Then satan deals his final blow “all this you may have if you will bow down and worship me!”
Back in World War II many US planes were crashing. No one could explain why! Plenty of fuel; no other failures could be found. Finally, authorities came up with the answer. Vertigo, this was happening because the pilots were trusting in their own senses and sight instead of the instruction Manuel.
Satan tempts Christ in 3 areas: 1. The lust of the flesh. 2. The lust of the eye. 3. The pride of life. I John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Genesis say’s, that Satan is more subtle and cunning than any other creature God created!
He say’s, “be depressed, give the silent treatment, be angry, manipulate, back off, quit, hate, talk behind their back, show disapproval!”
We need to remember that God has a plan for every person here this morning! Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
But remember the devil has a plan too! His plan for you is similar to the plans he had for Jesus! Plan A. Plans to make you fail. Plan B. Plans to get you off course. (Stop dreaming and to stop hoping) Plan C. Plans to give you and other’s his left over’s!
Illustration: Have 3 mice traps set each off representing different traps. 1. Secondary attitude. 2. Anger. 3. Resentment.
How did Christ win over satan’s plan? The word! Matthew 4:10-11 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Faith in God’s word is all-important! Live it, talk it, and believe it!
Angels come and minister to you! (Sounds pretty good to me!)
