SF638 - SOMEONE CARES FOR YOU... WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED (Matthew 4 1-11)
SF638
SOMEONE CARES FOR YOU... WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED
Matthew 4:1-11
INTRODUCTION
Have you Ever Been Tempted?
Ever Felt Guilty for Being Tempted?
Did you Know that Jesus was Tempted?
(Hebrews 4:15) "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are‑‑yet was without sin."
(Hebrews 2:18) "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
1A. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TEMPTATION
1B. Satan in a Real Person
(1 Peter 5:8) "Be self‑controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
2B. Everyone Experiences Temptation
(1 Corinthians 10:13) "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man....."
3B. God Allows us to be Tempted
(1 Corinthians 10:13) "... And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
4B. God Never Tempts us to do Evil
(James 1:13) "When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;"
5B. Being Tempted is not a Sin
(Hebrews 4:15) "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are‑‑yet was without sin."
6B. Temptation is Fulfilling Legitimate Needs by Illegitimate Means
7B. Temptation often follows Triumph
The Devil after the Dove!
2A. HOW YOU WILL EXPERIENCE TEMPTATION
(1 John 2:16) "For everything in the world‑‑the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does‑‑comes not from the Father but from the world."
1B. Satan will Tempt You on a Physical Level (1-4)
Focus in on the Body - ‑the cravings of sinful man,
Question God’s provision
Seeks to have us fulfill ourselves by our own power based on physical means
This is why a “self-made” man is not necessarily a “satisfied” man
Whenever we run ahead of God in the area of physical pleasure we get into trouble
Sex, alcohol, etc...
2B. Satan will Tempt You on a Emotional Level (5-7)
Focus on the Soul - lust of his eyes
Questions God’s purpose
Seeks to have us presume on God’s grace and goodness - Produce a cheap grace
Whenever we force God to “prove” Himself, we demonstrate our lack of faith
3B. Satan will Tempt You on a Spiritual Level (8-9)
Focus is on the Spirit - boasting of what he has and does
Questions God’s plan
Whatever we trust to bring success becomes our god.
3A. HOW YOU CAN OVERCOME TEMPTATION
1B. The Principle of Sonship
(Matthew 3:17) "And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.""
2B. The Principle of Submission
(John 4:34) ""My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
(John 6:38) "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
(Matthew 26:39) "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.""
3B. The Principle of Spiritual Power
(Matthew 4:1) "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil."
(Ephesians 5:18) "... be filled with the Spirit."
(James 4:7) "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
4B. The Principle of the Scripture
“For it is written...; It is also written...; For it is written...”
(Ephesians 6:17) "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
(Psalms 119:11) "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
5B. The Principle of Satisfaction
Satisfied with what I am, and who I am.
Key is being satisfied with whose I am
6B. The Principle of Supplication
Jesus had prayed and fasted for 40 days
Key is staying in intimate fellowship
APPLICATION
Temptation is Certain
Satan is Crafty
Are You Prepared?
Sonship
Submission
Spirit Filled
Scripturally Grounded
Satisfied
Supplication