“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil … fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards … hungry. The tempter said ‘if you are the Son of God … stones become bread. Jesus … ‘It is written man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word … mouth of God.’ Devil took Him to holy city … ‘if you are the Son of God … throw yourself down, for it is written He shall give His angels charge over You … they shall bear You up lest You dash Your foot against a stone.’ Jesus … ‘it is written, you shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ Again, devil… exceedingly high mountain … ‘all this I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus … ‘it is written, you shall worship the LORD your God and Him only’ … devil left him.” Matthew 4:1-11, NKJV
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Jesus baptized, fasted, then immediately was tempted. Just as first Adam was tempted at the first of his ministry, Jesus the Second Adam was tempted at the beginning of His ministry (1 Corinthians 15:45-47).
2. Forty is the number of probation or testing.
3. The Holy Spirit led Jesus there, but the devil came to Him (v. 3).
B. FIRST TEMPTATION – PHYSICAL HUNGER
1. If … Son of God. If is indicative assuming an actual fact. The devil knows Jesus is God.
2. As God, Jesus did not need to eat but could do a miracle for food. As a man, Jesus was hungry. Devil tries to split nature of Jesus.
3. Answer with Scriptures, “It is written,” i.e., standeth complete.
C. SECOND TEMPTATION – DEMONSTRATE HIS DEITY
1. “The devil taketh,” i.e., leads to a religious place. Not ten acres of Mt. Zion, but highest point of building.
2. Devil both leaves out and garbles his quote of Bible, Psalm 91:11-12:
a. Leaves out “to keep you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).
b. Adds “at any time.”
3. “It is written” (Deuteronomy 6:16), “Thou shalt not tempt the LORD thy God” (v. 7).
D. THIRD TEMPTATION – Divest His Power and Give to Satan
1. “The devil taketh (leads up) … high mountain” (v. 8). Where? ___________.
2. “The devil … shows Him, kingdoms … glories” (v. 8). How? ___________.
3. “The devil ... says … all I will give if … fall down and worship me” (v. 9). Why? ___________.
4. Jesus answers with three statements:
a. “It is written.”
b. “You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only shall you serve” (v. 10).
c. “Go,” satan departed.
In falling, Adam lost.
In victory, Jesus gained.
E. TEN PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM JESUS’ VICTORY OVER TEMPTATION
1. Jesus is our example; we can trust Him for victory over temptation. “We have a great High Priest ... who was in all points tempted as 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” (Hebrews 4:14, 16).
2. Just as the devil aimed specific temptations at Jesus, so he will aim certain temptations at your weaknesses.
3. Temptations comes with the “if” quality of possibility when aimed at our weakness.
4. Many temptations will come when you are physically weak, just as satan tempted Jesus with bread after He had not eaten for 40 days.
5. Some temptations will attempt to get you to disobey Scripture, i.e., to go against the written Word of God.
6. Your best defense against temptation is quoting the written Word of God. Therefore, learn the Bible, memorized the Bible, and use the Bible.
7. Since the devil tempted Jesus, who was/is satan’s strongest opponent, be sure he will come after you.
8. Just as Jesus answered the devil’s temptations and defeated him, the indwelling Jesus is your source to defeat satan (Philippians 1:21; 4:13).
9. Just as satan left Jesus, but returned later, he will do the same to you.
10. When we choose to follow Jesus, we will be tempted just as He was. Be prepared to win!
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
Video presentations of the PBC are available online at trbc.org/pbc
Television Airing Times for the PBC
Go to hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
