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WHAT DID JESUS DO?
PART 3--HE RESISTED TEMPTATION
MATTHEW 4:1-11
Introduction
Temptation is something that we all must deal with on a daily basis.
It greets us when we awake.
It meets us as we begin our daily routine.
It finds us on our way to work.
It provokes us at our places of business and in school.
It meets us again as we return home.
It tests us as we retire to sleep.
Somebody once said, “Watch out for temptation–the more you see of it, the better it looks.”
Hebrews 4:15–“For we have not a 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.”
I. SEVEN THINGS WE NEED TO OBSERVE ABOUT TEMPTATION.
A. When We Are Tempted Of The Devil It Is Not Without The Knowledge Of God Or Without His Permission. (Vs 1)
1. The Spirit Led Jesus In A Particular Direction.
2. The Spirit Led Jesus To A Particular Place.
3. The Spirit Led Jesus For A Particular Purpose.
God may lead us to and through times of testing and temptation, but He never tempts us to do evil.
James 1:13-14
Example–The testing of Job—Job 1:9-12; 2:3-7)
B. Some Of Our Greatest Spiritual Peaks Are Followed By Times Of Greatest Testing And Temptation.
1. Jesus Had Just Been Baptized.
2. Jesus Had Just Been Fasting.
3. Jesus Was Just Beginning His Earthly Ministry.
Example–The Testing Of Job
He was a man who feared God and eschewed evil.
He was the greatest of all the men of the east.
C. The Devil Most Often Will Begin Temptation In The Area Of The Flesh At Which We Are The Most Weak Or Vulnerable. (Vs 2-3)
After 40 days of fasting, Jesus was hungry.
Paul knew this truth. And that is why he said this about a husband and wife regarding their physical intimacy with each other in 1 Corinthians 7:5–“Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”
What is your weakness?
D. The Devil Will Tempt Us To Command Things And Demand Things That God Never Intended For Us.
There is nothing inherently wrong with eating (or sex for that matter!) But we must keep them in God’s perspective.
1 Corinthians 10:31–“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
1. Satan Will Tempt Us To Depend On Self And Its Resources Instead Of On God And His Resources.(Vs 3)
2. Satan Will Tempt Us To Exercise Self Will In An Area Where There Should Be Dependence On God.
Proverbs 3:5-6–“Trust in the Lord . . .”
E. The Devil Will Tempt Us To Exalt Self And At The Same Time Tempt God. (Vs 6-7)
Example: Snake Handlers and Mark 16:18.
Satan will put some savory sin in your way and say, “Go ahead and do it, the Lord will forgive you.”
Then he’ll quote you 1 John 1:9.
That brings us to the next point:
F. The Devil Will Twist And Misquote Scripture In An Attempt To Get Us To Fall Into Temptation. (Vs 6-7)
1. He Leaves Out Important Parts. (Psalm 91:11)
2. He Takes Scripture Out Of Context.
G. The Devil Will Tempt Us To Believe That There Are Shortcuts To The Will Of God. (Vs 8-9)
The problem is, when you try to shortcut, you end up getting cut short.
II. HOW ARE WE TO DEAL WITH TEMPTATION?
A. We Need To Awake To The Realization That Temptation Is A Part Of Life. (1 Peter 5:8)
B. We Need To Look To Jesus As Our Example.
(1 Peter 2:19-23; Hebrews 12:1-2)
We need to resist temptation the same way Jesus did.
(Matthew 4:4, 7, 10-11)
Psalm 119:9–“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
Psalm 119:11–“The word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Psalm 119:105–“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Hebrews 4:12–“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Ephesians 6:10–“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
Ephesians 6:17–“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
2 Timothy 2:15–“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”
James 4:7–“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
We Need To Awake To The Realization That Temptation Is A Part Of Life.
We Need To Look To Jesus As Our Example.
C. We Need To Look To God For Help In Our Temptation.
1 Corinthians 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.”
Hebrews 2:17-18
James 4:8–“Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.”
Conclusion
Are you having a problem with temptation? Will you handle it God’s way
Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!