Temptations. Luke 4:1 – 13.
Temptation + Opportunity = Trouble.
Example: Krispy Kreme’s Hot and Now sign.
I love Krispy Kreme Donuts. My town doesn’t have one but a neighboring one does. When I want a donut I have the temptation, but if I am at home I do not have the opportunity. When I go to the next town I can go and not have the temptation. However, when I see the “Hot Now” sign is on Their is both the temptation and the opportunity, which often leads to trouble for me.
Alcohol, sex, lusts, cursing, or any vice/sin applies.
Everybody faces temptation. It is very personal.
Temptation is not sin but it is the seed of sin.
Jesus was tempted but did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15 – 16).
Everybody faces temptation.
Moral – right and good according to customary rules were accepted standards.
Ethical – agreement with principles of right and wrong.
Physical – lust of the flesh, the physical or sensual thrill.
Emotional – control of the situation by using emotions. (Example – guilt trips, insults, or verbal abuse).
No matter what temptation we face, we all face the same enemy.
Satan – the liar, deceiver, and tempter.
His tricks of not changed since they were first successful on Adam and Eve in Genesis 3.
Satan does not care if you are young or old, rich or poor, famous or infamous, a lost sinner or Christian, Adam or the Son of God. (Satan fears no one)
Satan’s temptation of Jesus prove that he is out to get anyone that will listen and trip up anyone to fall.
Today were going to look at Satan’s temptation of Jesus and see how he still uses the same tricks on us.
Three times, specifically Satan efforts are mentioned.
Jesus has already been tempted for 40 days before Satan brought out these three attempts.
Isn’t that just like our enemy – chip away – chip away –then pound you with his best artillery.
Luke 4:1 – 13.
3 Temptations of Jesus.
1) (3) “If you are the son of God, command the stone that it may be bread.”
Jesus was hungry after 40 days and Satan thought it the right time to go for broke. In the wilderness with no one around and no witnesses.
I have never been tempted to turn stones into bread.
I don’t have that authority.
I have however been tempted to do something on my own and not trust God for strength and provision.
I have however been tempted to satisfy my physical desires when I thought God wasn’t listening.
This is very similar to the first temptation of man with food (“good for food.”).
It is in reality a temptation dealing with the lust of the flesh – “what I want”.
Example – Buyers Remorse – new car, new home, new anything – new debt that keeps me from enjoying God’s blessings. Anything that changes my dependency.
Our physical needs are important but we must trust God to provide and trust in his word/promise.
Jesus replied (4) “It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God.” (Deut. 8. Moses reminds the people of Gods provision.)
Jesus did not fall for Satan’s trick and try to provide for himself, but instead trusted God for his provision.
Jesus used the word of God to overcome temptation.
That is why Jesus could say with confidence to his disciples “I am the bread of life”. (John 6) I am the sustaining source/provision that meets our need.
Not Satan, not stones, but Jesus!
(Luke 12:22 – 31) (22) “Don’t worry about your life, what you eat; or about the body… (31) “But seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” (34) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
2) (5 – 7) “All this power will I give thee and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and whosoever I will, I will give it. If thou therefore will worship me, all shall be thine.” From the mountain top
This is very similar to the second temptation of man – lust of the eyes – “it was pleasant to the eyes”.
I’ve never been tempted with the chance to rule the world or to be worshiped by this world. I am unworthy.
I have however been tempted to take the easy way out or the path of least resistance.
I have been tempted by the lust of the eyes to want what I see even though I know it’s wrong.
There are no shortcuts – don’t fall for instant gratification on eternal matters.
Credit cards- Satan loves to offer us stuff the easy way. 2018 stats- average credit card debt is $6000.00 plus and average rate is 17%.
There is no easy way – Jesus knew that there would not be a crown without a cross.
Jesus would have loved to have it another way:
Matthew 26:39 & 42 “O my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (42) “O my father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drank it, thy will be done.”
Jesus knew from the start what his mission was and he would not allow Satan to offer him the easy way out.
The Christian life and faith is not easy but it is worth it.
“We were not promised smooth sailing but we are promised a safe harbor.”
There are no shortcuts to heaven, to faithfulness, or to holiness and righteousness.
You can’t have it your way, do it your way, or make it on your time.
Had there been no suffering, no struggle, no sacrifice = no salvation.
Jesus replied- Luke 4:8 “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Satan knew that – that’s what got him kicked out of heaven).
Jesus sought the will of God to overcome Satan’s temptation.
That is why he could say to his disciples with confidence.
John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the father, except by me.” Not the easy way- the only way.
Luke 9:23 – 25 “If any man come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it – but whosoever will lose his life for my sake the same shall save it. For what is a man advantage, if you gain the whole world and lose himself will be cast away.”
There is no easier way. There is no crown without cross, no salvation without Jesus sacrifice, no access to heaven without Jesus Christ.
3) (9 – 11) “Cast thyself down”. “If thou be the son of God”.
This is like third temptation of man – the pride of life – “desirable to make one wise”. From the pinnacle of the temple. No place is sacred.
I have never been tempted to jump from a tall building to make sure or to prove that God is all-powerful.
I have however been tempted to doubt.
I have been tempted to test God.
How do you test God? You see the line – look over the line, cross the line, and expect God to bail us out.
Jesus replied “thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
Jesus saw this temptation for what it really was.
a) Satan uses Scripture to make it sound like a spiritual thing to do.
Good intentions without God’s blessings = a mess/failure.
Jesus answered with scripture and Satan attacks with it.
Example- I couldn’t come because I had an “Ox in the Ditch”. Well if this happens every week then you should get a new ox or fill in the ditch.
b) Satan wants Jesus to start his ministry before his time.
Get ahead of God. God is not obligated by us!
c) Satan wants Jesus ministry to be based upon a miracle.
Jesus ministry is about salvation not miracles (John 20:30 – 31).
That’s all the Pharisees wanted to see from Jesus was miracles.
“It’s okay to believe in miracles, but trust in Jesus.” Adrian Rogers
Jesus knew the power of the temptation of doubt, testing God, pride of life, and impatience.
Jesus chose to walk in the way of God to overcome temptation.
That is why he could say with confidence to his disciples:
Luke 11:25 – 26 “I am the resurrection and the life: He that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Jesus knew what it was like to be tempted and yet he was able to overcome temptation.
This was not the end of Satan’s attacks – (13) “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” (KJV- for a season)
He is patient and determined to destroy anything that God would do to save man.
Hebrews 4:15 – 16 “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Obtain mercy and find grace for what? When we are tempted.
Conclusion:
We are all tempted! In different ways but by the same enemy with the same objective. (T + O = T)
Temptation is the seed of sin. Don’t let it take root, Beat it before it defeats you!
How do I deal with temptation? Use the word of God. Seek the will of God. Walk the way of God.
So, how do I do those things? The answer is found in the first verse!
We must be filled with the Holy Spirit of God.
We should be so filled with the Holy Spirit that when a mosquito bites us he is radically saved.
We need our best and whole armor to withstand his best assaults.
Satan still uses the same tricks is always used and will continue to use them until they quit working.
Do it yourself. Eat the fruit, Make bread.
Take the easy way. Get knowledge now, no sacrifice needed.
Doubt/test God. Be a god, do it on your time.
Invitation.
Are you facing temptation?
Not now I’m in church! Arm yourself now – it’s coming.
Prayer – Lord, protect me by your word.
Have you failed in your temptation?
Repent today – don’t live in a state of unforgiveness.
Prayer – Lord, keep me in you will.
Have you resisted temptation?
Congratulations, rejoice, but Satan is still lurking, seeking, and waiting another opportunity.
Prayer – Lord, show me your way.
