From the Ashes:Temptation
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Jesus experienced temptation of every kind (lust of the flesh, pride of life, lust of the eyes) and was able to overcome. His example teaches us what we need to know in battling temptation and rising above it in our own lives.
(As the congregation enters, do not allow them to eat the chocolate. Tell them that they have to wait.
At the beginning of your message invite the congregation to unwrap and smell the chocolate, but not eat it. Ask how many are feeling tempted to eat the chocolate.)
Today we will conclude our series, “From the Ashes.” Often times we feel like our lives are broken, shattered and destroyed and find ourselves sitting disappointed on a pile of ashes.
Yet the good news is, we can experience new life through the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
In and through the Christ, each of us can rise from the ashes and experience abundant, full, complete life.
We have already gained some insight into the life of Christ and His ministry here on earth. We Have studied His humility, sacrifice and resurrection.
Today we will examine His temptation. As our video shared immediately after Jesus’ baptism and preceding the start up of His earthly ministry, He himself experienced 40 days of fasting followed by specific temptations?
While resisting the temptation of the free chocolate which you found on your seat is difficult, can you even imagine the effects of 40 days of fasting. And, if that were not enough of a challenge, the person overseeing your temptation is none other than the devil himself? I cannot even imagine what this would have felt like, looked like, or been like to endure. And yet, this is the exact scenario that Jesus had to overcome.
We begin today with a look into this season of Jesus’ life and how we can learn from and be encouraged by the fortitude of our savior.
We all need to acknowledge that temptation should be expected in our lives.
Everyone of us experiences temptation each and every day. No one is immune, nor excluded from the desires to have things or do things that do not align with the way of Christ.
Temptation comes in many forms, and in many ways it can seem innocent enough. Sneaking in some social media time at work, watching that extra show on Netflix, shaving a few dollars of income off your tax return… In the eyes of many these don’t seem like huge problems, but it’s the little foxes that spoil the vine. (Song of Songs 2:15)
15 “Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”
And believe me, when I say that the temptations and desires behind these actions can grow into big problems. This can lead to things that we all would agree are devastating; things like broken marriages, ruined relationships, careers in the toilet, ministries closing down, the list goes on and on.
It does us no good to pretend like we are immune to temptation. Or to think that we can handle things on our own. Listen to what 1 John says about walking in the light;
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
Today, let’s begin by confessing and acknowledging that we all deal with temptation in our lives and that there are times when we follow temptation down paths that are neither Christ honoring nor consistent with our heavenly citizenship.
So, how do we manage temptation? How do we respond to temptation? How do we model the fortitude and endurance Jesus had?
It begins with your identity
Before we look at the temptation of Christ in Matthew chapter 4, we need to talk about the event that immediately preceded his 40 day temptation in the wilderness.
Turn with me to Matthew 3:13-17, and the baptism of Jesus;
13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.
14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.
16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,
17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
The baptism of Christ is an incredibly significant moment for many reasons. But for us today, I want you to focus on verse 17 when God says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Notice God the Father didn’t say, “Good! Now go and fulfill your destiny on Earth!” Nor, “This is my son, watch out Satan and demons and all the other spiritual wickedness because He’s coming for you!”
No, none of that. He simply said, this is my Son. And we know God loves His son and is pleased with Him.
This is Christ’s identity.
He is a beloved Son of God most high.
And this is such a powerful reality that when Jesus is drawn into the wilderness this is the very first thing that Satan tries to call into question. He tries to tempt Jesus out of His identity and position. Look at what He says,
“The tempter came and said to Him, ‘If you are the Son of God...” Matthew 4:3
For Jesus, the tempter said, If you are the Son of God.
For Eve, in the garden it was, Did God really say…
What does this voice sound like in your life?
If you really were a Christian you wouldn’t…
If you really loved God…
If you were only more like x, y, or z…
If you were really saved you wouldn’t be suffering like you are...
The questions may be different for all of us but the motive is always the same. The motive is to get us doubting our identity and position, AND get us doubting who God is, what He said about us, etc.
In summary, when dealing with temptation, always remember who you are and whose you are;
A beloved child of God most high.
Provision (Lust of the flesh)
Okay, so now we are all in agreement, temptation is something with which everyone deals. We also realize questioning our identity is a primary tactic of our enemy. So, let’s look at the three specific areas in which Jesus was tempted while in the wilderness.
3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ”
Have you ever been really really hungry?
( share an animated story about a time you, or a friend, or one of your kids, was really really hungry? What did you do? How did you address it? The point to make is that Jesus must’ve been really hungry after 40 days in the wilderness)
I can’t even imagine how famished Jesus must’ve been after his 40 day journey in the wilderness. It’s just cruel that Satan would come to him, question His identity, and then challenge Him to turn stones into bread. Satan tempts Jesus by appealing to the desires of His flesh .
Honestly, if you had the power to turn stones into Cheeseburgers or Chick-fil-a chicken sandwiches how difficult would it be to stay true to a 40 day fast?
But what was really going on here? What was the underlying need Satan was trying to manipulate? The need Jesus had, (that we all share) is a need for provision. It was food in Jesus’ case, but for us it could also be finances, clothes, heating and cooling, relationships or chocolate. However, in all these things we should look to God most high, the benevolent creator of the cosmos and trust He will supply all we need.
Here are a few verses to commit to memory;
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
A good shepherd will always supply for the needs of his flock.
A good Father supplies for the needs of his kids.
We have both a good shepherd, a good father, and we can trust our needs will be met by Him.
All this to say, giving up the physical desires of the flesh reminds us that the only provision we really need comes from the hand of God. God can be trusted, and His Word is what gives us life: not food, finances, relationships or things.
Protection (Pride of Life)
5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 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, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
The second temptation of Jesus seems to be focused on inviting Jesus to test God’s protection of His beloved son. Jesus, having confidence in the care and concern for His well being by God, saw no need to do such a foolish thing. In fact, Jesus brings up a very important principle, that we should not test the Lord.
But if we’re honest, we often feel tempted to do foolish things simply because we know God is a God of grace, and He can pick up the pieces of a bad decision.
Yes, we know He will protect.
Yes, He can work all things for the good.
Yes, He is omnipotent and nothing can derail His will.
But sometimes you and I simply need to say “NO” to the voice of temptation in our life. And if you’re in a precarious situation, then give some time to prayer, call some trusted counselors and advisors, and exercise caution and wisdom through your decision making. Psalm 46:1
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Position (Lust of the eyes)
8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;
9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ”
11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
The third and final temptation is for Jesus to worship Satan, and in doing so, He would receive dominion over all the kingdoms of the world. It seems like an easy enough choice, but for some, the temptation for position and power is overwhelming.
We are often presented with the choice to worship something other than God in order to get ahead or receive worldly gain. The significance that comes from worshipping an idol of any kind is temporary and temporal.
We, like Christ Jesus, must choose to worship God and Him alone and trust in the significance that can only come from our relationship with Him.
As a beloved son or daughter of the most high King, you will inherit an eternal kingdom and it cannot be shaken. Oftentimes we forget or look past this truth and get distracted by worldly gain.
We must remember the best is yet to come. And your eternal position is greater than any promotion your boss can give.
When feeling tempted in this area, try to keep things in perspective; Matthew 6:33
33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Conclusion/Application
Conclusion/Application
One glaring thing was consistent every time the devil tempted Jesus;
Jesus responded with scripture.
The Word of God is powerful. Hebrews 4:12 says;
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
As you journey through your lives, I’d like to encourage you to commit to daily reading in the word. If you do not know where to start, start with the Gospel according to John, then read: 1,2 and 3 John, Mark, Matthew, Luke, Acts, James, Paul’s Epistles to the churches and Timothy, James, 1 and 2 Peter, Jude, Hebrews and Revelation. Making this a daily habit can literally transform your life.
You could give up your evening TV time for the word.
You could set your alarm 30 minutes early for the word.
You could read the word together over breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
What other creative ways could you carve out time to spend with Jesus and His word?
Let’s make no mistake my friends.
The tempter isn’t going to take a break or go on a vacation. He most definitely does not want your faith and knowledge to grow in response to the word of God.
But this is truth, if scripture was sufficient for Jesus, then it is for us too.
Let’s pray together.
You can eat your chocolate now.