The Temptation… vs. 1-2

• 1^st – The Spirit… vs. 1
  • Immediately…
    • Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness!
    • Immediately [there was not gap] after the Baptism of Jesus – Mark 1:12
    • After the Baptism of Jesus – the Spirit LED Him into the WILDERNESS!
    • LED [ἀνάγω] – sailing term – when a ship raises its sails and is blown [passive] by the WIND…
    • The ship has no control over where it is going – it is at the MERCY of the WIND!
  • The Trap…
    • The SPIRIT [πνεύματος] like the wind – blew Jesus into a DRY and DESOLATE desert…
    • It would was there that Jesus would be TRIED – he would face the enemy ALONE…
    • But the question has to be asked – WHY would the SPIRIT lead Jesus into a TRAP!
    • A lot of people want to be used by the Lord…
    • But they do not realize that they FIRST must be prepared by the Lord…
    • And the ONLY way for God to get us ready – is through TRIALS…
    • Therefore the Holy Spirit will BLOW us into TRAPS – so we can be TRIED!
  • The Example…
    • If the Children of Israel had not been caught between Egypt and the Red Sea – Exodus 14:13
    • They never could have seen their God was able to part an ocean!
    • If we always had enough money – we would never see the Lord provide…
    • If we were always healthy – we could never see the Lord miraculously heal…
    • It is through our TRIALS – that we get to see God do a work in our LIVES…
    • And that prepares us to step out in FAITH – and believe in our God who does the IMPOSSIBLE!
• 2^nd – The Devil… vs. 1
  • To be tempted by the devil!
  • Our ENEMY has many names – we will see THREE of them just in this passage…
  • FRIST – the DEVIL [διάβολος] – meaning to throw [βάλλω] accusations at others…
  • The DEVIL is going to try THREE times to find something to ACCUSE Jesus of…
  • He will TEMPT Him with HUNGER – FAME – and the EASY way out!
    
  • The full time job of our ENEMY is to bring accusations against us…
  • He will TEMPT us to see if can get us to STUMBLE and fall…
  • And the moment we do – he quickly tattles to God [as if He did not know]
  • The good news is God knows we are FAILURES – that is why Jesus came to DIE for our SINS!
  • Romans 8:33 – “Who will bring any [accusation] against [us]? It is God who justifies!” [NIV]
• 3^rd – Forty days… vs. 2
  • Fasting…
    • When [Jesus] had fasted forty days and forty nights – afterward He was hungry!
    • Jesus spent FORTY days in the DESERT – eating NOTHING [but He did have water]
    • The longest recorded FAST lasted for 392 days [Angus Barbieri]
    • So there is no question Jesus could have fasted for FORTY days!
    • Fasting is often misunderstood – NOT for weight loss – it is about what we do with our TIME…
    • Although Fasting is not required – it is a powerful tool – Matthew 6:16
    • Fasting is not just FOOD – we can fast from SOCIAL media – TV – Video games…
    • We take the TIME that we SAVE – and we spend it with God…
    • Fasting is a way to deny our FLESH and focus on the SPIRIT!
  • Trials…
    • We always see the number FORTY relating to TRIALS or testing…
    • Noah – Moses in Midian – Children of Israel wandering – to name a few…
    • And we can be assured that just like Jesus – Noah – Moses – and Israel – TRIALS are coming!
    • Jesus gave the promise – In this life we will have TRIBULATION – John 16:33
    • The Gospel is not a message of an easy life – it is about eternal life!
    • But God uses our TRIALS to teach us to focus on the Him in this life!

• 2^nd – First Temptation… vs. 3-4
  • 1^st – Hunger… vs. 3
    • The Tempter…
      • Now when the tempter came to Him!
      • TEMPTER – SECOND of THREE names we see for our enemy…
      • TEMPTER [ὁ πειράζων] – the word TEMPTATION and TRIAL are the same word [Greek]
      • TRIAL – is a TEST from God – but a TEMPTATION is not from God…
      • We will all have to face TEMPTATIONS – but God is NEVER the source!
      • James 1:13 – “God cannot be tempted by evil – nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”
      • Temptations come from either our ENEMY – or from our SIN – James 1:14
      • Which makes the example of Jesus VERY important to us…
      • Because He will show us – how do we overcome TEMPTATION!
    • Son of God…
      • He said – If You are the Son of God!
      • We assume the DEVIL [Lucifer] – was a fallen ANGEL – Isaiah 14:12
      • Would KNOW exactly who Jesus is – because Jesus created him…
      • Yet here he seems to be asking – IF Jesus really is the SON of God…
      • But it would be better interpreted – SINCE [indicative] – You ARE the Son of God!
    • Power…
      • Command that these stones become bread!
      • The DEVIL commanded [imperative] Jesus to turn STONES into BREAD…
      • There was NO doubt Jesus could do it – He created the ROCKS [all things] – John 1:3
      • And He was HUNGRY – after NOT eating for FORTY days…
      • But the TEMPTATION was for Jesus to depend on His POWER – rather than on God!
      • There are always TWO options when it comes to handling a problem…
      • We can rely on OUR strength – or we can put our TRUST in the Lord…
      • Now while Jesus is God – and could turn stones into bread…
      • We do NOT have that kind of power – and are wise NOT to rely on OUT ability!
  • 2^nd – It is written… vs. 4
    • The Word…
      • [Jesus] answered and said – It is written!
      • It is WRITTEN – Jesus did not have answer the question…
      • It had already been answered [perfect] – by the Word of God…
      • But Jesus did need to KNOW where to find the ANSWER!
      • II Timothy 2:15 – “Study to show yourself approved… rightly dividing the word of truth.”
    • Not just Physical…
      • Man shall not live by bread alone – but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God!
      • Jesus quoted from the LAW – Deuteronomy 8:6
      • Moses reminded Israel – God ALLOWED them to go HUNGRY [in the Wilderness]
      • So that He could then provide them with MANA [what is it] from Heaven…
      • Teaching them that men will NOT live [future] just by eating BREAD…
      • What they needed was to LISTEN to what God said…
      • Because when they OBEYED the LORD – He provided for their every NEED!
      • The world ONLY thinks about TODAY – they chase after FOOD…
      • That is why they are AFRAID of what will happen TOMORROW…
      • But we do NOT need to worry about TOMORROW – because we TRUST in God…
      • Who PROMISES us that He will take care of EVERY need – as we SEEK Him first!
      • Luke 12:29-31 – “Do not be concerned about what to eat… Do not worry [instead] …Seek the Kingdom of God above all else – and He will give you everything you need.” [NLT]

• 3^rd – Second Temptation… vs. 5-7
  • 1^st – Fame… vs. 5
    • Then the devil took Him up into the holy city – set Him on the pinnacle of the temple!
    • The DEVIL took Jesus to Jerusalem [Holy City] – to the PINNACLE of the Temple!
    • PINNACLE – thought to be the southwest corner of the Temple Mount…
    • It sits over FIFTY meters above what we call the WESTERN wall today…
    • Jewish Priest would stand there to call [shofar] Israel to prayer…
    • The KEY is it was a VERY public place – a MIRACLE there would get the attention of EVERYONE…
    • The TEMPTATION was to try and win people over with SIGNS and WONDERS!
    • There is a very real danger to following SIGNS and WONDERS…
    • Satan can do impressive things – he has power and uses it to DECEIVE…
    • He will be so convincing in the Tribulation – ONLY believers will not be fooled – Matthew 24:24
    • That is why we must KNOW the TRUTH – by being men and women of the Word…
    • Jesus Word is the Truth – it is how we know the TRUTH from a LIE – John 17:17
  • 2^nd – Misquoting… vs. 6
    • [The devil] said to [Jesus] – Since You are the Son of God – throw Yourself down!
    • For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you. 
    • In their hands they shall bear you up – lest you dash your foot against a stone!
    • SINCE Jesus is the SON – the DEVIL commanded [imperative] He jump from the PINNACLE…
    • WHY – because of what was WRITTEN – using the same phrase Jesus had just used…
    • The DEVIL quotes from Psalms 91:11-12
    • Now while it is TRUE – that God does use His angles to PROTECT us – Psalm 34:7
    • The problem with the quote – is that God never tells us to JUMP off a building!
    • When the SERPENT [enemy] came to even in the Garden of Eden…
    • He misquoted the Word of God [do not eat from ANY tree] – then questioned God – Genesis 3:1
    • Our ENEMY knows the Word of God – and he is willing to misuse it…
    • He will misquote it – and take the WORD out of CONTEXT – so he can confuse people…
    • This is what causes most errant doctrines – cults – and untold confusion about the Bible …
    • People will misquote the Word of God – take it out of CONTEXT…
    • We need to be wise – get into the Word of God – and see if what they said is true!
    • Acts 17:11 – “They searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
  • 3^rd – It is Written… vs. 7
    • The Word…
      • Jesus said to him – It is written again!
      • It is WRITTEN – for the SECOND time Jesus did not have answer the question…
      • It had already been answered [perfect] – by the Word of God!
    • Do not tempt…
      • You shall not tempt the LORD your God!
      • Do not TEMP [πειράζω] the LORD [יְהוָה] – who is your God – Deuteronomy 6:16
      • When Moses was preparing Israel to finally enter the Promised Land after FORTY years…
      • He reminded them of how they had TEMPTED the LORD at Massah…
      • Israel had seen God part an OCEAN – so they walked through on dry land…
      • They walked out every morning to see MANNA – and had food to eat…
      • Yet when there was no WATER – they questioned the LORD!
      • Exodus 17:7 – “They tempted the LORD saying – is the LORD among us or not?”
      • People do NOT change – we have the tendency to TEMP God…
      • No matter how FAITHFUL the Lord has been for us in the PAST – we QUESTION Him today…
      • As if somehow God has changed – He took care of us before – but maybe not this time…
      • But God has always been with us – and He always will be!
      • Hebrews 13:5 – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
    • Double meaning…
      • This may well have a DOUBLE meaning to it…
      • This could also be interpreted as a warning to the DEVIL…
      • Because God was with him – and He should NOT be trying to TEMP [πειράζω] the LORD!

• 4^th – Easy Way… vs. 8-11
  • 1^st – The World… vs. 8-9
    • Worship… vs. 8
      • Again – the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain.
      • And showed [Jesus] all the kingdoms of the world and their glory!
      • [Devil] said to Him – All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me!
      • The FINAL temptation took place on a very HIGH Mountain… 
      • From here the DEVIL showed Jesus every kingdom of the world [vision]
      • The DEVIL offered to give them all to Jesus – if He would worship him…
      • This would have been a REAL temptation – because Jesus came to PURCHASE the world…
      • The DEVIL was offering to give it to Jesus – without having to DIE on the cross!
    • Title Deed…
      • Jesus did NOT argue that the whole world belonged to the DEVIL…
      • When God created the world He gave the DEED of the earth to Adam – Genesis 1:28-30
      • But when Adam and Eve choose to SIN in the garden – Genesis 3
      • The DEED of the world was given to satan – II Corinthians 4:4 – John 14:30
    • The Right way…
      • Luke 4:6 – “This has been delivered to me – and I give it to whomever I wish.”
      • But Jesus was not about to take the SHORT cut to reclaim the Title DEED…
      • He knew the RIGHT way – was to purchase it through the CROSS!
      • Revelation 5:9 – “You are worthy to take the [deed] …For You were slain.”
      • The other day we did an outreach to some kids…
      • And the store we purchased the eggs from forgot to charge us…
      • It would have been easy to think – FREE eggs for Jesus – but it would not have be RIGHT! 
      • We will often be TEMPTED with the idea the ENDS justify the MEANS…
      • If the outcome is GOOD – then it does NOT matter how we get there…
      • But that is a LIE – it is as much about the journey as the destination!
  • 2^nd – It is Written… vs. 10
    • Satan…
      • Then Jesus said to him – Away with you – Satan!
      • Jesus had enough – He commanded [imperative] SATAN to leave [ὑπάγω]
      • SATAN – the THIRD and FINAL name we see for our enemy…
      • It comes from the Hebrews word [שָּׂטָן] – it simply means our ADVERSARY!
      • Satan is our ENEMY – like a roaring lion he seeks to devour us – I Peter 5:8
      • Satan is the DEVIL – who wants to see us condemned to hell – Revelation 12:10
      • Satan is the TEMPER – who tries to get us to STUMBLE in our walk…
      • But we have been given the POWER to overcome him!
    • Serve God…
      • For it is written – You shall worship the LORD your God – and Him only you shall serve!
      • It is WRITTEN – for the FINAL time Jesus went to the Word of God – Deuteronomy 6:13
      • But He did CHANGE one word – from FEAR [יָרֵא] to WORSHIP [προσκυνέω]
      • When we WORSHIP the LORD – we no longer have any reason to FEAR…
      • Our ENEMY has no power over us – he has been defeated!
      • I Corinthians 15:57 – “God… gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  • 3^rd – Victory… vs. 11
    • Devil flees…
      • Then the devil left Him – behold – angels came and ministered to [Jesus]!
      • Jesus was TEMPTED – but THREE times He responded with the WORD…
      • And the RESULT was that the DEVIL had to FLEE…
      • Jesus showed us how to have VICTORY over the TEMPTER!
      • The key to standing against satan is the Bible…
      • He is powerless when we come against him with the power of the WORD!
      • James 4:7 – “Resist [imperative] the devil and he will flee from you!”
    • For a season…
      • Luke 4:13 – “The devil… departed from Him [till the next] time.”
      • Satan was not done – he would come again THREE years later…
      • When he possessed Judas – leading him to betray Jesus – Luke 22:3
      • We need to remember victory TODAY – does not mean there will be no battle TOMORROW…
      • We will be at WAR with our ENEMY till the day we go to Heaven…
      • But the GOOD news – is one day we JUDGE [accuse] the DEVIL – I Corinthians 6:3
      • And we will MOCK satan [enemy] – the one who sought to STUMBLE [tempt] us!
      • Isaiah 14:16 – “Is this the [one] who made the earth tremble.”