Road to Recovery. (Temptation)

Introduction

Three Enemies

The World. (The worlds systems)

The Flesh. (The flesh)

The Devil. (Your sworn enemy)

This evening we are going to consider the temptation of Christ.

The New International Version Chapter 4

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Remember - Jesus was tempted in every single way we are yet he was without sin. Be encouraged, When you think that no one understands you, God does. He was tempted in every way. Either that statement is true or its not, He is able to sympathies in temptation, he did not experience sin but he was around it enough to know its effects.

Three Enemies

The World.

The Flesh.

The Devil.

The World. (The worlds systems)

Context Jesus was Baptised; and a voice from heaven said, you are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. The spirit then leads him out into the wilderness to be tempted.

The New International Version Chapter 4

4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

“ ‘He will command his angels concerning you

to guard you carefully;

11 they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Full of the Holy Spirit. If Jesus faced and beat temptation in the power of Gods spirit, How are we going to do it?

How do we get the Holy Spirit.

Repent and Be baptised, Jesus providing a model

Ask Seek Knock, So God will give to his children the Holy Spirit who ask him

We go on being filled. Every day. (We are leaky buckets) (Personal we spend time with God)

Jesus Was tired and Hungry - The devil is a tactician, we get tired we get hungry, we get sleepy, he doesn't. If this is how he approached Jesus this is how he will approach us.

If you are the son of God? - an issue of Identity. Truth encounter. Not a power encounter. If saten’s strategy is to attack Jesus this way, how do you think he is gonna tempt Jesus followers. Same Method! Notice he appeals to the perceived needs first.

How does Jesus Combat the temptation? Is he passive hoping it will go away? The word of God. With Truth.

I will give you all the kingdoms. - Promises alot, (Appeals to pleasure) No deal. Worship and serve the Lord you God. What doesit gain a man to gain the whole world andforfieght his soul.

The Flesh. (The flesh)

Tonight we are going to deal with the aspect of temptation from the Devil.

Gets him to try and question the love of God. Do not put the Lord your God to the Test.

The New International Version Chapter 3

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, Second Edition Temptation of Jesus

The ways he battled temptations were unique to his person and role, but also become examples for his followers.

The Devil. (Your sworn enemy)

The New International Version Chapter 3

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Three enemies, but three Helps

The Love of God the father

The word of God who is Jesus.

The Power of the Holy Spirit.

Remember Who you are!

Remember Who he is!

Remember what he’s done!