Temptation

Tempted

Luke 4: 1 – 13

Intro: A young newly-wed was sitting at his desk paying bills when he came to the credit card statement. As he scanned through the charges he noticed a charge of $250 from a department store. He called for his wife to join him. He asked her, “How could you spend $250 at a department store?” “Well,” she said, “I was standing in the store looking for a dress. Then, I found myself trying it on. It was like the devil whispering to me, ‘Gee, you look great in this dress. You should buy it.’” “Well,” the young husband answered, “You should have just said, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’” “I did,” responded the wife. “But, he said it looked great from the back too!”

I IF – small two-letter word --- often carries a great burden.

A Our lives are often full of IFS --- IF I had known / IF I had gone / IF I were rich

B Jesus has been in the wilderness for 40 days with nothing to eat. Satan often attacks when we are at our weakest.

C GK word hei is translated IF but can also be translated SINCE.

II Satan does not ask Jesus to do BAD things. He recognizes Jesus as the Son of God encouraging Jesus to do what is within his power to do.

A VS. 3 Don’t wait for God to make provisions for you. -- Don’t wait for God. Feed yourself.

B VS 6 God’s way will take too long and cost you too much. My way is easier. You’ll accomplish the same thing only faster.

C VS 9 God loves you. Do it my way and you will KNOW God’s love for you is real.

III Often our faith in God is punctuated with doubt and uncertainty.

A We have all tried to test God. Perhaps you’ve found yourself praying something like, “Lord, if you love me, you will . . .” or, Lord, you know my limitations. Surely you don’t expect me to . . . “

B Perhaps you have prayed for selfish miracles and expect God to do our will rather than His.

C We cannot force God to act on our behalf; nor can we blame God when suffering occurs. We are to follow God’s leading and answer God’s call.

Concl: Tempation is a universal human experience. The call of Christ Jesus is not to adhere to a list of rules and regulations. Rather, in our temptations we are expected to be faithful to the call and purposes of God.