Famous Duel in the Desert (Matthew 4:1,2)

Famous Duel in the Desert (Matthew 4:1,2)

i. the time it happened (after his baptism) after baptism, after honor.

a. Matt 3:16-17 jesus was claimed by almighty God (honor) the spirit descended on him. Everything was perfect.

b. MATT 4:2 he fasted forty days (hungry) food at that point was a real temptation.

c. Matthew 4:3 the devil preyed upon the fact that he hungered. he didn't care that he was the son of God, this proves the devil is no respecter of persons (he is however a collector of souls), you are not safe from the devils temptations.

ii. the place it happened (wilderness)(temple)(high mountain)

a. wilderness (alone)(bread) satan will tempt us when we are alone. ECC 4:10 if we fall by ourselves it is much easier to be overtaken. we cant and should not be in this alone.

b. temple (around people) (prove deity) in this instance christ would have been in the midst of people. However, he would have been proving that he was God and not proving he was the messiah, he would also have been listening to the devil which is a terrible idea. we can be tempted around people as well. whether it be secret or public sin the devil is no respecter of times. he cares not what you are doing so long as he can slip through your guard and potentialy collect your soul.

c. high mountain (saw the glory of all kingdoms)

christ saw everything the world had to offer and he could have had it all. all he had to do was worship satan once. how many time have we intended to do something once and ended up doing it many times? more than once that for sure. doing a sin just once is still sin, that sin is still punishable by death even if done once.

iii. dueling with an advantage (we have Gods word and his armor at our disposal) EPH 6:11-18

a. we have a way we can combat the devil. we have the armor of God, we have been given a means to combat and defeat the temptations of the devil.

b. for us to defeat him we have to use it. when was the last time you picked up your sword and shield? when did you last put your armor on? when was the last time you acted like a soldier of christ?

c. in the military the act of Desertion is the abandonment of a military duty or post without permission (a pass, liberty or leave) and is done with the intention of not returning.