A Positive Test Text: Matthew 4:1-11
When God’s people go through a test it’s positive regardless of the outcome because we belong to God! We need to remember that test, are always failed or passed according to our actions. Also, there are many varies such as devotions, faithfulness, love, fellowship, obedience and prayer time. Remember, when you belong to God every test is to farther you into God’s kingdom! It’s to build you up, and not tear you down! James 1: 2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Vs.1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2) And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
The real question is “what are you hungry for?” “What drives you the most?” Faithfulness to God comes as a person has more passion toward God than he or she does to other things!
In the eyes of God, paganism is honored when anything besides His name comes first! Matthew 4:3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
Notice that God’s word calls satan the tempter! Remember satan has been doing what he was attempting to do to Jesus for thousands of years! 1). The power of suggestion. 2). The power of being subtle. 3). The power of a piece of bread.
Vs.3 “ If you are the Son of God, Vs. 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Duet. 8:3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.
Think about this: Jesus was allowed to be humbled; He was also hungry, but He was feeding on God’s secret Manna!
You have heard the story about the two dogs. The owner is asked the question “ which dog would win if the two fought? The owner said, “I guess the one I feed the most!”
Jesus said in John 4:31-34 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” 33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
When temptation or testing comes: 1. To know the instruction manual 2. It helps to have a strong identity. 3. To know your supplier. 4. To have constant communication with Him. 5. To be accountable.
Matthew 4: 5-6 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and,‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Psalm 91:11 The devil didn’t quote one part of vs. 11 and it say’s “ to keep you in all your ways.” Maybe he knew this would remind Jesus that God intended to keep His Son in all His ways! (Jesus remembered!)
Matthew 4: 7 Jesus said to Him, “It is written again, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Paul wrote in I Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Matthew 4: 8-11 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Jesus remembered Deut. 6:13 You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.
I John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
In closing, through John’s writings Jesus tells us the church that will be caught away! Revelation 3:10-11 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
The test you have failed in the past God has given you the power to pass, and He is going to bless those who are His! Job 23:10
