Passing the Test

Introduction: Defining the Pain

James 1:12–13 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

James 1:14–15 ESV

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 1:

Temptation - Say it with me “Temptation”

Temptation is all around us, every minute of every day.

Many followers of Christ are defeated by temptations.

We face temptations from out flesh.

We face temptations from the world.

Slaves to their temptations.

Temptation has stolen our confidence toward God.

And we face temptations from Satan.

Temptation has taken our witness and closed our mouths.

Temptation has made us unfruitful in our mission of spreading the gospel of the Kingdom.

Why should we worry about temptations? Jesus paid for my sins and sets me free. Therefore, if I sin or don’t sin it’s all covered under the blood and I’m good. But what if Christianity isn’t about your sin at all? What if the gospel, “the good news” is bigger than Jesus removing your penalty of sin?

We have misunderstood and even underestimated the meaning and power of the gospel. The “good news” that Jesus preached was not that your sins would be forgiven but that the kingdom of heaven is a hand.

Matthew 4:23 ESV

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

Matthew

The gospel is the manifestation of God’s power over our lives.

The influence of heaven has invaded earth.

Jesus has removed the curse of sin and given us entrance in the kingdom.

We are to expand that influence through the power of Spirit bringing healing to the brokenness of this world as we await the return of the King.

This invasion of heavenly influences of love, forgiveness, instruction, and guidance through the Spirit did not, however, remove the existing influences of this world. We are constantly being tempted by the sin that is in us and around us.

Even Jesus had to deal with temptation in this life. Before beginning his public ministry Jesus was tempted in three major areas of his life. If he couldn’t pass the temptations he would have no witness of a new influence of the kingdom.

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews

When we live under the influence of the Kingdom of Heaven we become witnesses for the Kingdom of God. Our lives become a shining example of what it means to be transformed into the image of God.

If we are going to proclaim the power of the kingdom, we too must past the test of temptations.

3 Temptations of Mankind

1 John 2:15–17 ESV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

The Desires of the Flesh: Self-Preservation

The Desires of the Eyes: Self-Gratification (Pleasures)

The Pride of Life : Selfish Ambition (pride)

All three of these temptations Jesus was required to pass. He then becomes the example revealing how we can defeat the temptations in our lives.

Bible Study: Defining the Passage

Understanding The Temptations

To overcome the temptations in your life you must identify the lie and replace it with truth. This pattern was established in the Garden with Eve. In each of these cases watch as Jesus identifies the lie and replaces it with the truth.

Matthew 4:1 ESV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:1

First temptation of self-preservation (provision)

Matthew 4:2–3 ESV

And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

Matt 4:2

“Self-preservation is such a strong instinct it will cause you to do things you never thought you would do.”

The tool of this temptation is desperation.

The temptation scenario.

Desperation

Jesus is hungry after 40 days and nights with no food.

Jesus is alone with his thoughts and feels.

“Desperate times call for Desperate Measures”

Jesus had the means to take matters into his own hands and fix the problem.

Desperate measures usually hurt someone.

Matthew 4:4 ESV

But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

The temptation solution.

Matt 4:4

Matthew 4:4 ESV

But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Let the Kingdom influence of the God’s Word feed the physical.

Trust your Heavenly Father for your provision instead of taking matters into your own hands.

Matthew 6:25 ESV

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:

Matthew 6:30

Matthew 6:30 ESV

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Second temptation of self-gratification (pleasures)

Matthew 4:5–6 ESV

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”

Matt 4:

“Self-gratification causes people to do the scariest, craziest, dumbest things.”

The temptation scenario.

Prove yourself.

“Chicken” “I double dog dare ya!”

Take control of your own destiny.

Cheat the consequences.

It makes you feel more alive when you get away with it.

It makes you feel like you are in control of your own destiny.

Drama = excitement. “I just want to feel something.”

Adrenaline = life. “I need to feel fully alive.”

Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should do it.

People are still jumping off stuff today.

Bungy jumping off of cliffs and bridges: People have died doing that.

Jumping out of airplanes: People have died doing that.

Skiing down the side of a mountain: People have died from that.

The temptation solution.

Matthew 4:7 ESV

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

Matt 4:

Let the Kingdom influence of God prove your worth.

You have nothing to prove to anyone. God knows the plans he has for you.

Be satisfied with God controlling your life.

Don’t take matters into your own hands.

Third temptation of Selfish Ambition (pride)

Matthew 4:8–9 ESV

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Matthew 4:8

“Selfish ambition puts down others as you rise to the top.”

The temptation scenario.

The desire to rule over others.

Receiving power from someone means you must give power to someone.

The temptation solution.

Matthew 4:10–11 ESV

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Matt 4:10

Let the Kingdom influence rule over you.

Worship God and God alone.

Understand your place and position in the kingdom.

You are sons and daughters of God.

You are ambassadors for the kingdom of God.

You have the authority of Jesus Christ.

“Jesus was willing to turn down all the kingdoms of this world for you. Are we willing to turn down the kingdoms of this world for Him.”

Hebrews 4:15–16 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Overcoming Temptations in Your Life.

1. Prepare for the battle with prayer and fasting.

You are promised trails and temptations in this life. What are you doing to prepare for the battle when it comes.

Jesus wasn’t just 40 days sitting on rocks.

Jesus wasn’t just 40 days sitting on rocks.

He was fasting and praying getting ready for the battle.

Build time into your schedule for prayer and fasting.

2. Stand in the Truth of God’s Word.

Eph

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:11 ESV

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Eph 6:11

Ephesians 6:13–14 ESV

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Eph 6:14

We have the same tempter that Jesus had.

Jesus was ready to fight the temptations with the truth.

If you are not armed with the truth about God, yourself, and others, you will believe the lie.

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3. Draw Close to God in the temptation.

James 4:7–8 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:6–8 ESV

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Jesus was not alone on that mountain. The Father was right their with Him.

James 4:

Let the temptation drive you into the arms of God.

God will rebuke the devil as you draw close to Him.

Closing Remarks

Next Steps: Defining the Process

Some of you are on the mountain of temptation right now. Let it drive you into the arms of God. He will fight for you.

Some of you need to prepare for the battle that’s coming.

Tony Evans once said, “Either you are in a trial now, you’ve just come out of a trial, or you’re getting ready to go into a trial.” So what are you doing to prepare.