The Temptation of Jesus

I. The Background Vs.1&2

A. Jesus filled with the Holy Spirit

B. He was tested for 40 days

C. He was in the wilderness

D. He was tested by Satan

E. He fasted

F. He was hungry at the end.

II. Overall Observations the testing Vs.9-12

A. Scripture Use “It is written” Vs.3,7,10,12

1. Three times by Jesus Vs.4,8,12

2. Once by Satan Vs.10

B. At Issue “If you are The Son of God”

C. Multiple OT Quotations

D. The three tests were all areas that God’s people had failed

E. Different order from Matthew

Matthew 4:4–10 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.’ ” 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.’ ” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 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.” 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.’ ”

III. The Tests Vs.9-12

A. The First Temptation Vs.3&4

1. Satans test Vs3; Doubt Gods love; Do what YOU want

2. Jesus response Vs.4; My Circumstances do not control me

Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

John 4:34 ESV

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

B. The Second Temptation Vs.5-8

1. Satans test Vs5-7; You can have it all if...; Isa.14:13-14; I’m in control Bow to me; Doubt God’s plan

Isaiah 14:13–14 ESV

You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

2. Jesus’ response Vs.8; Follow God’s plan come what may Deut.6:13

Deuteronomy 6:13 ESV

It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.

C. The Third Temptation Vs.9-12

1. Satans test Vs.9-12; Is God really trustworthy; Don’t trust God’s love; Do it YOUR way; Psa.91:11-12

Psalm 91:11–12 ESV

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

2. Jesus’ response Vs.12; Humbly Submit Deut.6:16

Deuteronomy 6:16 ESV

“You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.

IV. There is an end Vs.13

Matthew 16:23 ESV

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Luke 22:28 ESV

“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,

Matthew 26:41 ESV

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

James 4:7 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 1:2–4 ESV

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.