THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS

 

Imagine Bill Gates wealth.  Yachts, cars, garages, planes, homes.  Trips, sports events, food, medical care, toys!

 

Q. Now, what good does that do for you or me?

 

NONE - unless we can find out how he was successful, and/or unless he is willing to share wealth with us.

 

A.    Hebrews 4:15 – For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

 

Q. What good does that do us?

a.       Is Jesus life only an example that we know we can’t match?

·         Ex. Squirrel Painter – I learned techniques!  But I still can’t paint like him.

·         Ex. Special Day set aside to honor Greatest Subject. Philanthropist (one dedicated to bettering mankind), Physician, Judge, and an elderly woman. – Taught them all. They learned from her.

b.      We can learn from Jesus’ Perfection.

1.      We can learn how to resist temptation.

2.       He is more than willing to share the benefits of His success with us.

 

Sermon Text:  Matthew 4:1-11

 

A.   THE TEMPTATIONS JESUS ENDURED WERE REAL

1.      The Tempter was Real - Satan is not a fairy tale.

a.       The devil spoke; Jesus spoke to him; this doesn’t fit a non-existent or fictional character

b.       Satan “came to Him” (v. 3) and “leaveth Him” (v. 11)

c.       That is why Peter said _ 1 Peter 5:8 - ^“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. “

 

2.      Jesus’ vulnerability was real

a.       He was hungry _ (V. 2) – Esau sold birthright for a meal.

·         Had fasted 40 days (cf. Luke 4:2, the inspired physician emphasizes "He ate nothing")

·         Hunger pangs – on and off - the text specifically says Jesus was hungry (v.2)

·         Physically weakened – No food!, which also heightens one’s vulnerability to temptation.

·         Ex. Lion attacks the weak of the herd.

·         Jesus felt hunger - being God in the flesh did not mean He just turned of His hunger switch!

 

3.      The appeals Satan made were real

b.      Being human, Jesus was tempted in very real ways by Satan

·         1 John 2:16 _ lists three areas of temptation which are - "all that is in the world"

·         Lust of the flesh, pride of life, lust of the eyes.

 

·         Satan Attacked the Vulnerability

1.      Matt. 4:3 –  Lust of the flesh (bread)

·         Would not use Power!  - Refrigerator next to us while on diet.

 

2.      Matthew 4:3, 5-6 - The pride of life (Father’s Son)

·         V.3 - Satan says, "If thou be the Son of God" – “Hey, You’re the Son of God, aren’t you? Show off your power!”

·         V. 5-6 - Once again he tempts, "Flaunt Your power! Show off your standing with God!"

·         Ex. No Special Right to Break Law By Dropping Names When Pulled Over.  Driving around Pole!

 

3.      Matthew 4:8-9 - The lust of the eyes (kingdoms) – What would you do for $250,000,000?

·         Our eyes are often our biggest teaser.

·         Perhaps Satan was suggesting a short-cut method to being "King of kings"

a)      Escape crucifixion and related ordeals

b)      All Jesus had to do was bow down to the devil one time

·         There were other temptations, too, and they were real - note Luke 4:13, "for a season" i.e. until another convenient time – He’ll return when he thinks we are weak.

 

Temptations did not bounce off of Jesus like bullets off of Superman!  Temptations attract us!  Not all are bad. Ex. I was tempted to marry my wife. They are bad though when they defy God’s commands and plan.

 

B.    Why was the Temptation of Jesus Necessary?

·         Jesus Victory over temptation brought many benefits for us.

 

1.      His example shows us how to resist

a.        “It is Written” – We don’t have to guess at how to live our lives faithfully to God.

b.      Know and obey the Scriptures - Psalm 119: 9 - 16

c.       Even when yielding to temptation is so inviting and would “appear” to satisfy a pressing need -Don’t give in!

1)      Illustration: Those who lie about odd jobs so they won’t lose unemployment benefits …

2)      Jesus wouldn’t abuse His power and flaunt His position even to satisfy His critical need for food.

3)      We are wrong to use Scripture out of context - even to accomplish good or to promote truth

 

2.      Jesus’ experience qualifies Him to help us when we are tempted –  

·         Heb. 2:18 - For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

·         4:15 (already read) – We have a high Priest who was tempted as us!

 

Who do you look to when you need help?  Someone who has insight into your problem.

Mechanic, Doctor, Accountant, Preacher or Elders – Jesus!

a.       He suffered in temptation - they were real and severe – He Overcame

b.      He is sympathetic to our pain

1)      Jesus knows by experience what it is like to be tempted

2)      Illustration: My friend who works with those in prison / Alcoholics.  Went to church chasing a girl… temp fix…He relied on God to defeat temptation…. So did Jesus.  They Overcame.

 

3.      Was Tempted, but he is qualified to be our sin offering - 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

a.       It was necessary that the Redeemer should not Himself need redemption

b.      Jesus’ absence of sin fit the requirement of being without spot or blemish

c.       1 Peter 1:17-19 – The lamb was sacrificed.

 

4.      Jesus regained for us what Adam lost - Question

a.       Adam was defeated by Satan; Jesus defeated Satan

b.      Adam was tempted in the Paradise Garden, yielded, and was banished to “the wilderness”

c.       Jesus was tempted “in the wilderness,” emerged victorious, and made the way for all human-kind to return to an eternal paradise.

d.      Jesus has given us a chance to be the Prodigal son.  Repentant, and ready to serve.

 

 

CONCLUSION

A.    You and I are not always successful in facing temptation.

1.      We have weak moments

2.      We at times to not rely heavily enough on God’s word

 

B.     But Jesus was - and through Him we can have victory at the last. 

·         We said at the start, if that billionaire would show us how to get the wealth or share it, we could be rich too.  Jesus has shown us how to inherit his father’s kingdom and he is freely giving it to those who will accept it.

 

To Close: A story of our life, temptation, and falling. –

The Race

 

“Quit!” “Give up, you’re beaten,” they shout and plead
there’s just too much against you now, this time you can’t succeed.
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.

And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene,
for just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children’s race, young boys, young men; how I remember well,
excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn’t hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race
or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
Their fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son,
and each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they went, young hearts and hopes of fire,
to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy’s desire.
One boy in particular, his dad was in the crowd,
was running near the lead and thought, “My dad will be so proud.”

But as he speeded down the field across a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his hands, flew out to brace,
and mid the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.

So, down he fell and with him hope, he couldn’t win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win that race!”

He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that’s all,
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs, he slipped and fell again.

He wished that he had quit before with one disgrace.
“I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”
But, in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face,
that steady look that said again, “Get up and win that race!”

So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last,
if I’m going to gain those yards, he thought, I’ve got to run real fast.
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight or ten,
but trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.

Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye,
there’s no sense running anymore—three strikes I’m out—why try?
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away,
so far behind, so error prone, closer all the way.

“I’ve lost, so what’s the use,” he thought, “I’ll live with my disgrace.”
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.
“Get up,” an echo sounded low. “Get up and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here, get up and win that race.”

With borrowed will, “Get up,” it said, “you haven’t lost at all,
for winning is not more than this; to rise each time you fall.”
So, up he rose to run once more, and with a new commit,
he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.

So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.

They cheered the winning runner as he crossed, first place;
head high and proud and happy—no falling, no disgrace.
But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, last place,
the crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.

And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
you would have thought he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me, you won,” his father said. “You rose each time you fell.”

And now when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.

“Quit!” “Give up, you’re beaten,” they still shout in my face,
but another voice within me says, “Get up and win that race.”