LESSONS
FROM THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS CHRIST
Matt.
4:1-11
Intro:
Three things we need to learn about our temptations....
1.
There are two different words translated as temptation in the Bible.
A.
One is a Solicitation to do evil and always comes from the Devil.
Cp James 1:13-14
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
B. The other is a test of our faith and comes from God...
Cp James 1:12; with Gen 22:1
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Gen 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2 Temptations do not always
come in our weakness.
A.
Cp Job and his patience...
B.
Abraham and his faith
3. No temptation is greater than God's grace... I
Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Notice
now three things about the temptations of the Lord Jesus Christ
I.
LOOK AT THE TIME
V 1,
Mat 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
'Then'
It was a time when:
A.
He had accomplished the will of God
Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
B.
He was anointed by the Spirit of God
Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
C.
He was approved by the Word of God...3:17
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
II.
LOOK AT THE TEMPTATIONS.....
A.
The temptation of passions....V 3 'The lust of the flesh'
Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
B.
The temptation of prestiege....V 5-6
'The pride
of life'
Mat 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Mat 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
C.
The temptation of possessions...V 8-9 'The pride of life'
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
III.
LOOK AT HIS THIUMPH......
A.
By relying on the Scriptures...V 4, 7,
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Mat 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
B. By resisting off
Satan....James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
I Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
by
Bro. Stinnett Ballew
