THE DISCIPLINE & DISCIPLESHIP OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Matthew 4 v. 1 - 11, v. 18 - 22
The Discipline of the Christian Life v. 1 "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil"
Note:-
1. The Timing of the Temptation v. 1 "Then" ch 3 v. 17 immediately after his baptism and confession- "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
2. The Testing of the Temptation v. 1 "he was led of the Spirit into the wilderness" Led to a Divine Appointment, with Divine Approval, for Divine Appraisal v.11
(the angels came and ministered unto him.)
Did God tempt Jesus to sin? No, He tested Him or allowed Him to be tested.
Tempt (1) to test or to prove (by spirit), (2)or to solicit to evil (by satan)
3. The Tool of theTemptation - v. 1 "tempted by the devil" i.e.
to solicit Him to do evil.Note:-
(A) The Devil’s Sublelty
(1) His timing was perfect v. 2 when Jesus was hungry
(2) His testing was perfect "if thou", or since thou be the Son of God.
Note He didn’t :- deny His Lordship, debate His Lordship, or doubt His Lordship -
he derided it - "since" He derided the Lords person "if", the Lords position "son of God",and the Lords power - "command these stones be made bread."
(3)His temptation was perfect - "stones be made bread."
it appeared reasonable, rational, & responsible, - just bread.
"When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes,and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat."
(4) but notice the One tested was absolutely perfect v. 4 -The Lord’s response was:-
(a) Simple (no debate)
(b) Scriptural (no doubt)
(c) Sublime (no defending) "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God"
Note God alone is the :- source of life, the sustainer of life, and the soverign of life
"by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord"
(d) Successful ( no defeating) v. 5 "Then the devil" -he had no answer to the word of God.
(B) The Devil’s Sarcasm v. 5 " Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple."- Note:-
The place "the temple", the purpose "cast down", the presumption "it is written". Note :-the changed place, the changed approach -now it was scriptural, scornful, and subtle "it is written" v. 6 But is it written? see Psalm 91 v. 11 & 12.
the changed appeal - "cast thyself down"
- if he can’t lift you up in pride, he will put you down in discouragement.
Again the Lord’s response v. 7 -was simple, scriptural,and sublime,
the Lord saw, the source, the subletly & the sin of the attack.
"thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God".
Jesus stayed with the scripture, and was completely successful v. 8
(C)The Devil’s Stubborness v. 8 "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain " he is relentless in his manner, restless in his mission & ruthless in his methods
(D) The Devil’s Shamelessness v. 9 "all these things will I give thee" Note:-
The Person tempted - the Lord,
The Place -an exceeding high mountain,
The Prize offered - kingdoms of the world,
The Price asked- worship me,
The Problem revealed - v10 "it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve"
The devil had suggested :-
(1) what He should do for Himself (stones - bread)
(2) what God should do for Him (keep him safe)
now he suggests
(3) what he could do for Him - but at a price v. 9 "all these things will I give thee".
again the Lord’s response was - simple, scriptural, sublime "Him only shalt thou serve", and successful v. 11 "then the devil leaveth Him". Note:-
The signicicance of the encounter (reclaiming Adam’s loss),
The success of the encounter (devil defeated)
The strengthening of the encounter v. 11 "angels came and ministered unto Him"
The Discipleship of the Christian Life v. 19 "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." note :- God’s call to service
v. 18 their chores (they were fishers)
v. 19 their challenge "follow me" ( to become followers) it was :- personal, practial, "follow" , promotional " fishers of men"
v. 20 their choice "they straightway left their nets" it was:- sudden, seperating, satisfying (and followed Him)
Have You?
