Text: Matthew 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
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POWER TO OVERCOME
Matthew 4:1-11
Introduction
When our spiritual batteries are low - we find ourselves in need of a recharge - to POWER UP! Last week we looked at the baptism of Jesus as a means to CONNECT to the Power! As powerful an experience as that is - we shouldn’t think it is the end of the journey - but the beginning. Matthew 4 begins with some disturbing words:
“Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it.” (Matthew 4:1, MSG)
Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness reminds us that we need God’s power to overcome temptation. The truth is that we have an Enemy who does not want to see us succeed in living a life of faith. The presence of the Satan is found throughout the Scriptures. In the garden suggesting to Eve that God is a liar. In the life of Job, bringing pain to attempt to force him to abandon God. In the life of Judas, entering his heart and helping him become a betrayer of Jesus. In the Revelation, being overcome by the power of the blood of Jesus. In our text today we see him in direct contact with the Son of God, freshly baptized, but not free from temptation.
Temptation is a common experience of all human beings. It has an inward origin:
James 1:14-15 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
It has an outward resource
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
We need the power to overcome temptation and Jesus is our example!
1. Temptation Is A Spiritual Reality
There is a spiritual world. The spiritual world is real, the devil is real and he is active. Platt: “Scripture teaches that there are vast numbers of angels, both good and bad, and that these spirits exist all around us.”
We are in a spiritual war.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The kingdoms of light and darkness are in conflict. Ultimate victory is assured by the resurrection of Jesus.
Our enemy in this spiritual war is formidable.
-He seeks to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
-He uses deception. 2 Corinthians 11:14 “...Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
-His work is counter to Jesus. Luke 22:31, 32 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Our involvement in this spiritual war is personal. How are we being tempted right now in ways that could destroy our lives?
2. What Jesus Teaches Us About Overcoming Temptation
Use the Power of the Word
Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
You know what your weaknesses are! Three actions:
-Search the Word for its wisdom, power, and life.
-Commit the Word to your heart.
-Quote the word to Satan as you feel his deceit.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. -Psalm 119:11
Trust Power of Faith
Matthew 4:5-7
Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
Trust the faithfulness of God. The Tempter’s favorite word is “IF” … the word of doubt. Jesus here quotes from Moses’ farewell address in DT 6 where he talked to them about not testing the Lord but to trust Him instead. Temptation can cause us to second guess our own commitment to the Lord - but don’t give up. God never gives up on us.
Buried in the Chapter of Faith, Hebrews 11 is this phrase: “Their weakness was turned to strength.” (Vs 34) Nobody has perfect faith, but in times of testing we must turn our hearts toward the Faithful Father. Action: Take a purposeful 5 minute time of silence in the presence of God and put your attention to Him instead of the temptation. He will bring you strength. Repeat as necessary!
Engage Power of Worship
Matthew 4:8-10
Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
Worship: keeping God in the first place in our hearts. The secret of victory is to recognize the majesty of God!
Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” -1 Chronicles 16:29-31 NLT
What’s at the center of your heart - who is ruling there? When we worship we acknowledge the power and majesty of God - we place ourselves before His throne - and in the presence of God’s holiness, our own temptations can wither away.
Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! - Psalm 95:6-7
Conclusion
Author Jon Acuff wrote three excellent points about temptation:
-Temptation rarely just falls from the sky. Usually it is cultivated and grown.
-Temptation works best in isolation. Community helps keep you accountable.
-Temptation is patient. It will take it’s time to hunt you down, so you must be diligent in keeping it away.
Jesus knows how you feel. Trust Him to carry you through when you use the power of the Word, trust the power of Faith, and Engage the power of Worship. Are you battling a specific temptation that we can pray about? Connect to the power in Baptism, Receive the power to overcome! Ask God to strengthen you for the weak times ahead.
“Store scripture in your heart, and know how to use it. Keep your eyes on God, and trust him for everything. Remember your calling, to bring God’s light into the world. And say a firm ‘no’ to the voices that lure you back into the darkness.” - N. T. Wright
Extra Study Below: What the Bible Says About Temptation
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Bible Teachings About Temptation
Don’t Give In To Bad Influencers!
Proverbs 1:10-16 “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul; let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse" my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.
Always Look For the Way Out!
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
Connect With Someone Who Can Support You!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
“ …Temptation will rarely present itself to us in its true colors, saying, I am your deadly enemy, and I want to ruin you forever in hell. Oh, no! sin comes to us, like Judas, with a kiss; and like Joab, with an outstretched hand and flattering words. The forbidden fruit seemed good and desirable to Eve; yet it cast her out of Eden. The walking idly on his palace roof seemed harmless enough to David; yet it ended in adultery and murder. Sin rarely seems sin at first beginnings. Let us then watch and pray, lest we fall into temptation.” - J. C. Ryle
Meditate on these scriptures for strength in a time of temptation. - John Dobbs
