8/09/2009
Facing Temptation Head-on
Matthew 4:1-11
Introduction-
Talk to you a moment about temptation.
How to identify it and how to overcome it.
There is not one of us who has not been tempted.
There is not one of us who hasn’t given in to temptation.
There is not one of us who does not regret something they have done after being tempted.
Matthew 4:1-11 Read
We quickly realize that this is a passage of how Jesus handled extreme temptation directly from Satan.
If your not careful, you can say . Well, He’s God and I’m not.
I am not able to handle it that well.
There is a reason that this is given as the model and we will see in a minute why.
Remember, we have to take Scripture in context and as a whole and not make it say something that it shouldn’t.
We see that before Jesus went face to face with Satan, there was some powerful events that happened before.
He was baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. God the Father acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God and that He loves Him and is pleased with Him.
We read He is filled with the Spirit of God before He goes into the desert
Luke 4:1- Jesus full of the Holy Spirit returning from the Jordan was led by the Spirit into the desert.
I recommend before you do battle with Hell and it’s dominions that you have been in the presence of God Almighty and that you are filled to overflowing with the Spirit of God active and working in your life.
We know that Jesus was on a 40 day fast.
The purpose behind a spiritual fast was not to lose weight. It was to take the time that would be given to eating and devote that time to prayer.
So Jesus was prayed up and ready for his battle with the devil.
Prayed up not fed up. Physically hungry but Spiritually full.
Mark records in Mark Chapter one only that after God the Father fills Him with the Spirit, at once He was led to the desert where he was tempted for 40 days.
All the gospels record the event, all record that before He was going devil stumping, He was filled with the Spirit.
We see recorded that after the temptation Jesus ministry exploded and we see people healed, lives changed, we see the disciples called.
We know later that 120 people in the upper room waited for the Spirit to fall on hem and they were changed , they were different.
So how do we model and apply what happened to Jesus?
Someone said:
I wouldn’t be tempted, if temptation was not so tempting.
We don’t need to be lead to temptation- just tell us where it is at, we’ll find it.
Flip Wilson “Devil made me do it” and commented later, ever since then, I’ve been doing it on my own.
Oscar Wilde- “I can resist anything but temptation.”
Realize this-
You do not need to be pushed around by temptation.
If you will overcome temptation.
1. Refuse to be intimidated.
2. Realize temptation when it comes and be prepared.
Illustration- (Sermon Central)
Before the services started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking about their lives, their families. Suddenly, the Devil himself appeared at the front of the congregation. Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from the evil incarnate. Soon everyone was evacuated from the church, except for one gentlemen who sat calmly on his own, not moving , seemingly oblivious to the fact that God’s ultimate enemy was in his presence. Now this confused Satan a bit, so he walked up to the man and said, “Don’t you know who I am” “Yep, I sure do” Aren’t you afraid of me? Nope, sure ain’t, said the man. Satan was a little perturbed at this and asked, why aren’t you afraid of me? The man calmly replied, been married to your sister for over 30 years.
Obvious, noone here is married to his sister.
Temptation will overcome you if left to your own strength.
I want you to see something.
Most of the time temptation and attacks come to us right after a spiritually high moment.
How many good services have you left and gotten in an agreement with your spouse going home.
how many times have your kids done something that sucked the joy you just received away.
Jesus had fasted 40 days. Physically weak, but spiritually strong.
He is able by the Spirit to not give in to temptation.
Today we see people well fed, belly full, but spiritually they are starving.
When we are attacked , the spiritual tank is empty. Nothing to fight with.
We must look to Jesus in the desert, battling temptation for what it is.
Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert for humanity. (For each of us)
Hebrews 4:15-
“For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like we were, yet without sin.”
Succeeding where Adam failed.
If Jesus falls to temptation, the mission of God is over. Redemption comes from the Savior who was the perfect sacrifice for sin.
Romans 5;18-
“Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.”
Jesus came to show us by example how to overcome sin and temptation.
We are weak when compared with the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness in our own strength, but we are mighty when filled with the Spirit of God, empowering us to do kingdom work.
We need someone who scares the devil. That someone is The Holy Spirit active in our lives.
What do we do when attacked?
Realize we are in a battle. (Know what it is so we can address it)
Realize after a mountaintop experience, be prepared that you will face trials and be prepared. Realize them. (God doesn’t leave us on the mountain for ever)
When your faith is under fire, realize that it is not God who tempts us. That is the Word of God. God will use those trials and temptations to refine and strengthen our faith.”
Do what Jesus did- “It is written” Stand on the Word of God.
“Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”
He took the authority that God gave us.
It is written. Do not test the Lord your God..
Whatever the challenge, line it up with the word of God.
The devil took Jesus to a high mountain and showed him the world and said, I will give this all to you” only kneel down and worship me.
Get behind me Satan It is written.
You must worship the Lord your God, serve only Him
Temptation always offers to make life better, or have something that someone else has.
He came to Jesus when he was hungry, thirsty, weary, and worn out
Anybody feel like that
He attempts to lie to Jesus- I’ll make all this go away, if you will just worship me
Bible says that Jesus was tempted, it also says that Jesus did not sin.
Temptation is not a sin. Temptation is an opportunity to sin.
Weather a thought put in your head, or fleshly desires.
For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when by his own desires, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin after it is full grown, gives birth to death.
Did you catch that?
First it is a thought.
Then it is a plan.
Then it is action.
If you stop it immediately as a thought and don’t dwell on it, it is not sin. Because you have gotten rid of it.
Temptation and sin comes when we allow ourselves to be isolated from others.
Isolated from family.
Isolated from friends.
Isolated from church.
It will crouch at our door waiting to pounce on us at the right moment.
Illustration-
You see the cookie. You desire the cookie. Mom has said no cookies until after lunch. Mom leaves the room and you see the cookies. You know you should not have it. You see mom distracted. You take the opportunity to take what you should not have. You have reasoned in you mind that the cookie is worth more than the risk and consequences of getting caught.
Here is how to overcome. Get away from the cookie jar.
Don’t be looking at the cookie jar.
Kids say I’m just holding it, I just want to smell it .
Get away
The power to overcome comes when you determine in your mind , powered by the Holy Spirit that it it more important not to sin than the pleasure of the sin you are tempted of. (Repeat).
Sayings today-
1. have it your way.
2.Just do it.
3.You deserve a break today.
4.Devil made me do it.
5.Sinfully delicious.
Close
Twist of truth will entice us.
Twist of Scripture taken out of context will lead us astray.
Illustration
There was a chicken sick and in bed. Another chicken brings him a cup of soup. Go ahead, you know chicken soup is good for you. Second, it is nobody you know.
God knows, God sees, God wants to help us overcome by equipping us with the power of the Holy spirit.
Satan attempted to get Jesus to use his divine power wrongly.
Jesus was focused. 40 days was a reminder of the 40 years the Israelites spent wondering in the desert.
Satan tried to get Jesus to miss and shortcut the mission. To keep Him from the cross.
Satan said to Jesus- I will give you all this because authority has been given to me to do so. Jesus looked over at Satan- all authority and power has been given to me from my Father in heaven.
Resist the devil and he will flee
Luke 4:13-
When the devil had finished all the tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
When Jesus refused, the devil had to leave. Then the angels came and ministered to Him.
Some this morning need the angels to come and minister. You are in a battle.
Let Jesus do that for you this morning.
D.L. Moody.
God sends noone away empty except those who are full of themselves.
Altar Call
We not only need the message of Jesus, we need the power of God to do it.
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