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
-- Rather, He was led there allow the temptation to happen; to respond to sin
-- APP: If Jesus was led into a situation for temptation … we cannot be immune!
- So, we must ask … how can we defeat temptation?
-- Well … hang with me and we will pick up on this at the end of the message
- TR: So, we know Jesus was tempted … but on what, specifically?
Point 2 – How was Jesus tempted by Satan?
- Jesus was tempted in three specific ways; all of which are common to us
-- How? Because, as humans, we’ve faced these as well
-- Perhaps not directly in a conversation with Father of Lies …
-- But we have been tempted to do things we should not; to sin recklessly
- How was Jesus tempted? Three specific ways:
1. To take care of himself through His own power
- Satan’s temptation: Misuse the power given by God (v3)
-- “If you are the Son of God” (sarcasm, petty language, taunting)
- Jesus’ answer: Man needs more than bread to survive
-- Tells the devil what we need is God’s spiritual food; what He provides
-- Deuteronomy 8:3, “Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
-- Devotion matters to God!
2. To seek personal glory/ambition by compromising
- Satan’s temptation: He offers Jesus the world and all its splendor (v5-7)
-- Don’t miss the implication: He controls it all and can give it to Jesus (LAUGH!)
-- But, to have it, (condition): You must worship and follow me
- Jesus’ answer: I must worship and follow only God
-- Deuteronomy 6:13, “You must fear the Lord your God and serve him. When you take an oath, you must use only his name.”
3. To prove Himself through miracles
- Satan’s temptation: To choose another way, “If you are the Son of God” (v9)
-- Tempted to misuse and twist scripture; wants focus off God
-- Do these great things because God said he’d protect you (ref Ps 91:11-12)
-- What he’s asking Jesus is to do something sensational, prove yourself!
- Jesus’ answer: God is not to be tempted … His ways are better than mine (v12)
-- God’s way is the only one to be followed; Jesus was reminding him of this
-- Deuteronomy 6:16, “You must not test the Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah.”
- Don’t miss this: How does Jesus reply? WITH THE LAW! (Scripture!)
-- If we think for one moment, he was here to abolish it we are foolish!
-- Satan knows the law; he was around when it was given (so was Jesus, btw)
-- The Law is the final word of God – it is not negotiable …
- When tempted, all Jesus did was reply with the truth of scripture
-- For you and me, this ought to be a great encouragement to defeat temptation!
- TR: So, let’s get to, what I’m sure is, the part you’re interested in!
-- How are you and I supposed to overcome temptation?
Big Question (Personal Challenge)
- How can we overcome temptation? 6 ways for us to consider today:
- Temptation comes from within your heart, not from God (James 1:13)
-- “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.”
- No one is tempted by something uncommon to all of us (1 Cor 10:13)
-- “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
-- See this: We are IN this TOGETHER!
- God does not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle (1 Cor 10:13)
-- “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
- Jesus understood temptation, yet He never sinned (Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15)
-- “Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”
-- “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testing’s we do, yet he did not sin.”
-- Jesus is our example; it is His model that we must strive for
- Jesus is our high priest to help us overcome temptation (Hebrews 2:17-18)
-- “Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers, and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested.”
-- APP: Jesus knows the way … we are onl;y called to follow
- Temptation can be overcome in one specific way:
-- Submitting to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7-8)
-- “So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
Summary:
- Look, none of us is immune to being tempted … but we all can overcome
-- Even the devil left Jesus alone for “the next opportunity” (v13)
- When you resist him, you are choosing the things of God
-- You are choosing to turn away from the quick pleasure fix and seeking Him
-- Whatever that may be, whatever that is, God gives us opportunity to resist
- Our choice in the matter is … will we heed or ignore the solution?
- Pray
