Temptation

Alright, so two weeks ago. I talked about the 40 days of Jesus spent in the desert fasting. And what was interesting about that was that that fast wasn't for him? It was for us. It was everything that he did was for us. I love them finding my page here. What is the temptation? It's a seduction to evil. It's it's supposed to Tatian to the wrong. This thing is distinguished from trials. So trials test people it seems to discovers man's moral qualities or his character, but temptation persuades to evil. It deludes. Let me ruin an individual. The one means to undeceive and the other to deceive. The one aims of the man's good making him conscious of his true moral self. But the other at his evil leading him more or less unconsciously into SIM. God tries Satan Temps that we see all throughout scriptures where people that follow God go through go through trials in their life. And sometimes we think will does God cause these trials to happen or does thin caused it to happen and God leads them through these trials. Was Satan most definitely Temps? He wants us to fall he wants us to be in separation from God. So we talked about the Temptations of Jesus. The first thing that we want to talk about is that Temptation Of release of relief, so if you have your Bibles turn with me to Luke chapter 4 starting at verse 1

and Jesus full of the Holy Spirit return from the Jordan and was led by the spirit in the wilderness for 40 days being tempted by the devil and he ain't nothing during those days and when they were ended he was hungry the devil said to him if you are the Son of God command these stones to become bread. And Jesus answered him it is written man. Shall not live by bread alone.

As we discussed we still fasting for 40 days can do a number on your body and your health now. I don't know if I ask this question 2 weeks feel the razor head if you've ever try to fast before

okay, maybe try to fast over three days.

How bad were down after that about a week? nobody the longest I've ever gone was 6 days and it was miserable. If it was not fun. And I can tell you right now there are some physical ailments that happened to me that that almost felt like I was losing my mind. That was after 6 days. It's so I want you to try to put yourself in the situation that Jesus put himself into and where his body and his mind would have gone to after 40 days of fasting. No, not only did Jesus fast. But while he did it he was in the isolation of the desert. Now when we probably do our fast where we at, we're sitting at home in a recliner in the air conditioning. We be able to watch TV we're able to take our mind off of what we're doing. But is that really what fasting is about? Jesus went to the desert. He was in isolation. The only thing that he could do. Was speak to God cuz there's no one else there to talk to. When Satan told him to change the phone into bread you was also referencing the Israelites in the desert if you remember Moses disobeyed God when he struck the rock to bring water from it instead of speaking to it. Jesus is known as our living water. For I do not do not want you to be unaware brothers that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea and all ate the same spiritual food and all drink the same spiritual drink. Where they drink from the spiritual rock that followed them and that rock was Christ those 1st Corinthians 10:1 through 4th. So Moses showed in patience and anger towards the Israelites when he struck that rock to this. He was testing Jesus and his role as the spiritual food to help relieve his hunger. He was basically saying to Jesus if you are the son of God.

That should be easy for you. You've already said that this is what you do you provide food you provide water. This should be nothing for you to be able to do this isn't a sin for you to do go ahead and relieve that stress go ahead and eat.

But as Jesus responded to him, he didn't just respond to him with words he responded to him with scripture. And he said man shall not live by bread alone.

Jesus was trying to tell saying that there was nothing that he could say to him that was going to cause him to go away from the task that he'd already already set out to do. How many times in our life where we feel like we've been roadblock to something that we want to do if you've ever felt that way or you set out to do a task for you set out to do something Justin workout. That's happened to me a lot.

What are they usually do to somebody? It tears them down, right? When we allow that temptation to pour in and we like this is just easier. usually we fail And once we allow that initial Temptations come in it's always that much easier to let that Temptation grow. Jesus knew that so even though Jesus knew that he was coming to the end of his fast. He was coming to the point where he was going to be able to relieve that hunger.

He knew he was set up for 40 days. He was not going to break that cycle.

So Satan move forward. He decided to attempt to tempt his identity now and Luke, they ordered a little bit different from Matthew and I really do like the way that Matthew follows the order of progression when it comes to the Temptations that Jesus went through. So in Luke, I'm actually going to skip ahead a little bit and it says in verse 9, he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the Pinnacle of the temple and he said to him if you are the Son of God throw yourself down from here for it is written he will command his angels concerning you to guard you. And on their hands they will bear you up lest. You strike your foot against the stone. And Jesus answered him. It is said You shall not put the Lord your God to the test and when the devil had ended every Temptation he departed from him until an opportune time. Are we going to jump back to the third temptation, but I just want to point out the second time. Is Satan has told Jesus if you are the son of God? How many times have we seen Pharisees asking the exact same thing?

Recent survey ranks areas of greatest spiritual challenges to to Christians. Number one is materialism. Number to is pride. Self-centeredness laziness. It's a tie between anger bitterness and sexual lust Envy gluttony and lying.

I want to focus on that number two. Pride

sometimes we let our pride take over when we have certain accomplishments that we want to be recognized for.

We always out of you guys ever heard that song Jesus Take the Wheel. That was one of the things when I was deployed I had several soldiers can a joke with me about all the time? They would they was just saying that why no, they would say Jesus Take the Wheel. Sometimes I challenge them though when they asked when they said that to me cuz I was like, okay are you doing that? Well, I was usually the response.

But the true question is is Jesus at the wheel in your life. So when Satan was asking Jesus? If you are truly the son of man the son of God. jump and what's the interesting part about this? Is that for the first Temptation where Jesus used scripture to go against Satan seems like all I got you all you scripture to I'll use your own words against you.

He tried to trick him just like you trick davines. Hey jump. Nothing, no harm will come to you. It's already written your word already says that you'll be caught. It's not a sin for you to jump just jump. What are you doing?

There are so many things in our life when we feel like this isn't right. This isn't a sin I can do this. I'm a Christian. I'm a Child of God. I can do this. What's the problem with that statement?

I keep saying hi.

We are broken. Jesus is the only one that could have jumped.

We're jumping all the time, and we're jumping by ourselves.

We're jumping in the safe spots.

But Jesus came back and said do not put the Lord your God to the test.

Why is it? That we are so consumed with what our identity is.

Jesus absolutely knows who he is and when he use scripture his own words to combat the first Temptation and when thinking through that second part out, he thought he had them. I think Satan uses scripture with us to In a different way though.

Uses at the Terrace down. He uses it to capped out in our hearts. Saying you can't do this.

God doesn't want you.

Please not taking us up to a peak and saying jump. Stevenson thing don't go up there. You don't deserve to.

Those are the types of Temptations are going on in our lives right now. And lastly is the Temptation Of Love.

So if you jump back 2 verse 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And said to him to you I will give all this Authority and their glory for it has been delivered to me. And I'd give it to you whom I will I give it to whom I will if you then will worship me. It will all be yours and Jesus answered him. It is written you shall Worship the Lord your God and him only shalt you serve.

How many commentaries talk about this temptation is like a temptation of power? temptation of being a ruler That could absolutely be correct. But I think this temptation goes a little bit deeper. I'll talk about the Temptation Of Love. How much does Jesus love us? unconditionally, right

This is probably what I believe the most painful Temptation that Jesus had to endure. Because thinking played right into Jews his love for us. I can't imagine the pain that God must have felt when Adam and Eve sinned for the first time when Cain killed his brother Abel when he flooded the entire Earth because there was only one family left who believed or the pain of children being aborted all throughout history. Satan took Jesus to the height where he can witness all the kingdoms of the Earth. With just read the text we can see that Jesus does not need Satan to rule these nations. But because of the free will he gave to us? We are still fighting spiritual battles today was Satan. I believe Satan was telling Jesus that he would leave Jesus creation alone if you would about the about to him. Think about that.

Say leave me alone.

How much less suffering were there have been on the earth if Satan is not constantly attacking his creation?

But Jesus being who he was. Knew what the answer had to be. We've chosen our Fates.

What is probably one of the most painful emotional taxing thing? The Satan could have said to Jesus at that moment? Because Jesus saw the suffering of the world.

We hear stories all the time with people who died for their faith died trying to save someone. John 15:13 States greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. When Jesus saw the Satan was offering to leave inspiration alone, the pain of the past probably came rushing back by knowing that this was one thing he could not do because he loves us. As parents when we were given the opportunity to take the place of a child in a situation where they are suffering. We would probably gladly take their place, right?

If I had to choose who was going to die between myself and one of my kids I pick me every time. Why do we do that?

Why didn't Jesus? Take that opportunity.

Jesus loves us so much.

I think at that time to Satan. Was still trying to think that I can stop him from going to the cross.

There was no stopping Jesus going there.

we say then we will die for our kids we say that we will die for someone.

What to think about going to that moment none of us has been able to experience?

The fact that Jesus hung on the cross there for us. shows

That there is nothing in this life. but he wouldn't pursue us desperately for

so How do we combat temptation? Jesus never waste an opportunity to teach us how to endure the Temptations of the world. Early, I read the top 10 spiritual challenges. Survey respondents noted Temptations were more potent when they had neglected their time with God 81% of them. And when they were physically tired 57% of them. Resisting temptation was accomplished by prayer 84% of them said that avoiding compromising situations 76% being and study with the Bible 66% and being accountable to someone 52% John Piper says that sin gets its power by persuading me to believe that I will be more happy if I follow it. The power of all temptation is the prospect that will make me happier. We are constantly looking for the American dream the pursuit of happiness. But what about the pursuit of God?

Two weeks ago I asked you guys about lint and I was talking about instead of just giving up something for 40 days what the Habit that you can change and use this 40 days to start that new Pursuit with God. Are we pursuing him?

Jesus was teaching us that through those 40 days in the desert. He was pursuing God. He was preparing himself for his ministry. That preparation helped him in his temptation with Satan.

Are we preparing ourselves?

Cuz I can tell you right now our world is not getting any better. It's getting worse. It's been getting worse ever since send payment. How are we getting ready for the trials and The Temptations that are surely going to come they've already come for a lot of us. We've fallen into these sins. We have to come to those Temptations because we believe the lie that it will make us happier. We believe that we can do it ourselves and we don't need Jesus to take the wheel.

Charles Spurgeon said what settings are you in when you fail avoid them? What props do you have that support your sin eliminate them what people are you usually with avoid them? There are two equally damning lies. Satan wants us to believe number one just once won't hurt. The number to now that you've ruined your life, you will be gone God's use it might as well. Enjoy sitting.

I mean if you guys have met people that have held those two beliefs.

We take failure. As Jesus just gives up on us.

And if they're not sitting here today, if they're not hearing Jesus's words saying no I take you as you are.

How are they ever going to know that there is a way out? In a way back to Jesus. Is through UPS. We are his Messengers. We are the ones that have to go and make disciples.

How are we sharing the love of Jesus to our world tour Community to our friends?

Cuz I'm telling you once you figure once you see yourself doing this The Temptations are going to come. The wise are going to come into your mind is think you're not doing the right thing or this isn't doing anything.

We have to combat The Temptations. We need to learn to say no. lb of more used to you then to be able to read Latin as Spurgeon says let me have the Temptations. You just do nothing and stay safe. If I stay in my safe space and worship. There's less chance of a Temptation, right? But James chapter 1 verses two through four states count it all joy my brothers when you meet Trials of various kinds for you know, that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and let steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.

Guys, we can't sit here.

If this is your spiritual act of worship that you do once a week and the rest of the week is to yourself you're wrong.

We can't avoid going into the dark.

You have to trust the light that God has placed in your heart.

We are the light in this world because of him. Hey, man.

People are hurting. They're suffering and they're dying. not knowing the Saving Grace

trust me. There are so many temptations that we deal with each and every day.

If we get into God's word just as Jesus had he spoke those words to Satan each and every time it was never just a random fleeting thought that he responded to Satan's Temptations He use scripture. And in that moment, he was teaching us how to flee from the devil how to use scripture to speak against those Temptations. If you don't know what those scriptures are start reading. Start spending time in the word.

I know this is kind of a tough sermon. Not really a feel good moment. But here's your feel-good moment. Count it all joy.

My brothers when you meet Trials of various kinds.

For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. and let steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete lacking and nothing this literally says The more you go into trials and situations. Are you come out the other side?

You're going to be filled with joy.

I know that sounds really weird. But it's true.

I've been on both sides of that. I've come out where I feel like I'm just completely beating up. But I've also come I've also come out feeling like wow, that was amazing.

I want you guys to be able to experience this Joy.

and finally temptation is all around us. But we can't run from it. Because the fight for the kingdom is still going on. We must stay in the word. We must stay in prayer and also in communion with other believers to strengthen one another. When it talks about having that accountability partner, who is your accountability partner? Raise your hand if you have one.

Accountability partner is down in the fellowship hall right now. I have a couple other ones too. I don't have just my wife have a couple friends.

You have to be vulnerable.

Just impatient and thin likes to hide in the dark. It doesn't like the light because usually when the light shines on it. It takes that Pride that you're feeling and it turns it into shame.

We must work on this. As Christians we need to be able to share these tools with those that are just completely Bound by these Temptations. They're just completely Bound by sin and there were looking for a way to be set free. Jesus is that way to be set free a man.

Father we thank you. Forgiving us the way out.

Unfortunately Lord that way out was for you to suffer for us.

The love in the compassion the mercy you showed to us on that day can never be repaid.

But Lord, we must try each and every day. To do your good work? to share that gift with those who have never experienced Your Love

or there are so many Temptations in this life. And honestly Lord, there's no way to get away from him. Does most the time when we succeed and shutting them down Satan throws A thieving a bigger one? Because he wants to see your children fail. He sees that each and every day.

Lord you are good to us. You give us hope you give us joy. You bring us peace and patience. Or we just asked you bring us courage today.

I ask that you place a name on each and every heart in this room. a heart that has never known Your Love. And help us to share that light with them.

Lord as we come to your table Help us to remember. What your body and blood is done for us?

Lord we praise you and we thank you. In Jesus name we pray amen.

So as we come into our time of communion. If you did not grab your communion stuff, that's there in the back. Cetaphil in the pocket

I wanted to read to you from John chapter 6.

Because for a lot a lot of reasons we talk about communion. We usually go to the First Corinthians passage it short and sweet to the point. It kind of talks about what the body and blood really is. But in chapter 6 it talks about I am the bread of life.

Inverse 30 he says so they said to him. Then what sign do you do that we may see and believe you. What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the Manna in the wilderness as it is written he gave them the bread from Heaven to eat. Jesus said to them truly truly I say to you. It was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my father gives you the true bread from Heaven verse 33 for the bread of God. Is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world? They said to him sir. Give us this bread always. And this one of those many times of Jesus. Put them in their place. I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall not thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe all that. The father gives me will come to me and whoever comes to me. I will never cast out for I have come down from heaven. Not not to do my own will. But the will of him who sent me and this is the will of him who sent me that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day for this is the will of my father that everyone who looks on the son and believes in Him should have eternal life and will raise him up on the last day. And 41 so the Jews grumbled about him because he said I am the bread that came down from heaven. They said it's not this Jesus the son of Joseph whose father and mother. We know how does he now say I have come down from heaven and Jesus answered them. Do not Grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the father who sent me draws him and I will raise him up on the last days. It is written in the prophets and they will they will all be taught by God everyone who has heard and learned from the father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the father except key who is from God. He has seen the father truly truly. I say to you whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life your fathers ate the Manna in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven. So that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.

They knew what he was saying. They were saying that he he was saying that he was God that he was there with Moses. Best to them this is blasphemy. So when he took the bread and the wine with his with his disciples at the table. They were remembering this day.

He took them to a personal moment and shared with them. What it was like to eat of the bread of life. To drink his blood that was shed for that. So as we take this today. This is the bread of life.

Sounds like navigate the top piece.

Ascot very accurately described as a piece of cardboard.

When Jesus was sitting at the table, he took bread much the same way as you are speaking to the Pharisees and said this is the bread of life. This is my body broken for you take and eat in remembrance of me.

This Is Us remembering his flesh the bread of life

giving us that eternal life with him. Then if you passed the copy said this is the blood of my Covenant the Covenant that he made with Abraham the Covenant that he made with Isaac. And also the Covenant that he made with those who follow Jesus. But this blood was shed for us on the cross and that we may share in that same sacrifice. So we took the cop in fast run and said drink this in remembrance of me. This is my blood that was shed for you.

Father you are good.

I Can Only Imagine

What was going through the minds of the disciples as they were sitting at the table?

As Jesus was passing around this bread. They've spent the last three years learning from Jesus. literally the word himself

They knew the scriptures. They knew the bread of life that the Israelites have taken.

The Lord is Jesus was breaking.

What a wonderful feeling and knowing that as they eat this bread. They were going to have eternal life.

Lord I cannot wait to be in your presence.

But I also understand more than we have a mission here today.

There are more and more people today. Who'd you have never taken of your body? I've never known the sacrifice of your blood.

Lord this moment that we have together to come together to commune with you.

Let it be that Beacon of Hope let it be that join our hearts to step out of these walls to step out of these doors and to say I want those around me to feel this joy that I have for you.

I can't say it enough Lord. You are so good. You are amazing. You are the God of this entire universe.

You're so small when it comes to your vest size. Lord, you know every single hair on her head

We thank you for the love that you showed to us that you've instilled in our hearts.

Papas a shirt today

We praise you and love you and thank you for all the blessings that you give it to us. Do you think we pray amen?