Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
Greetings…
The theme for this year, here on Sunday mornings, is “The Life Of Christ.”
Last week we focused our study on how “Jesus’ Ministry Began With Baptism.”
The Elijah Promised, a.k.a., John the Baptist had been preparing the way for his cousin, Jesus the Christ.
It was this promised Elijah that would baptize Jesus because…
It would fulfill all righteousness by way of identification with our plight and need of salvation.
It would fulfill all righteousness by way of empowerment because the “heaven was torn open” and “God the Spirit” descended upon him.
It would fulfill all righteousness by way of assurance because it proved to both Jesus and man that Jesus had God’s favor.
Today, we will turn our attention to what happen following Jesus’ baptism.
Jesus’ ministry began with baptism but his “ministry inauguration” wasn’t yet complete.
He still had to be tempted like us.
In order for Jesus to begin his ministry and continue to fulfill all righteousness he must be “tempted in every respect, as we are” and yet over come such.
This is why the Holy Spirit led Jesus away to be tempted by Satan in the wilderness for forty days.
Jesus could not be our High Priest who could “sympathize with our weaknesses” if he had not experienced such.
Let’s read Matthew 4:1-11.
Let’s examine our lesson for this morning.
Fasting 40 Days & Nights
Jesus, Moses, & Elijah.
These three found at the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13) have more in common than just that event.
All three fasted 40 days and 40 nights.
Moses
Elijah
Jesus
What is so significant about fasting 40 days and 40 nights?
After 40 days of not eating the body, due to a vitamin deficiency, begins to break down in the form of nystagmus.
Time Magazine wrote about a fasting protest in Ireland…
“At 42 days, almost exactly, a nightmarish experience occurs.
They have been thoroughly warned, and the prisoners await the moment with great alarm.
They are struck with something called nystagmus, a loss of muscular control due to severe vitamin deficiency.
If they look sideways, their eyes begin to gyrate wildly and uncontrollably, first horizontally and then vertically.
… Nystagmus also causes spells of constant vomiting and dizziness.
The whole experience is terrifying and no amount of advance description can begin to prepare the strikers for the ordeal.”
Summary
Jesus was put to the ultimate test “physically” during his bout with Satan to demonstrate that faithfulness to the Father’s will can be achieved no matter the physical situation.
Later, that demonstrated again when he as “if this cup could pass” but then immediately responded, “not my will but yours.”
So, what can we learn from “The Life of Christ” while he was tempted.
In other words what are the…
Lessons From Jesus’ Temptation
God Tempts No One.
First, before we get into the specific lessons from Jesus’ temptations by Satan we must first point out that God actually tempts no one.
Yes, the Holy Spirit led Jesus away “to be tempted,” but no where does it say to be “tempted by God.”
In fact James tells us…
There is no doubt we can be led into temptation so as to “test us” and help us “grow in wisdom.”
Though God tempts no one…
Satan Tempts Everyone.
If Satan will go after the “only begotten Son of God” then he will certainly go after God’s beloved children.
He is indeed a lion waiting to pounce his prey, and all mankind is his prey.
Knowing Satan is going attack is only part of what we learn from his encounter with Jesus.
We also learn…
All sin, which is a result of succumbing to temptation (James 1:14-15), falls into three categories.
The “one home Jesus loved” would describe them in 1 John 2:16.
We find each of these categories in the temptations of Jesus.
Jesus was tempted with the lust of the flesh.
Satan knows the human “need” for food and he tried to exploit that with Jesus.
Jesus knew that nothing on this earth was worth going to hell over.
Jesus was tempted with the pride of life.
Satan knows the human weakness of pride and arrogance.
Jesus knew that nothing was more important than the will of God.
Jesus was tempted with the lust of the eyes.
Satan knows the eyes of man long for greener pastures.
Jesus knew the “other pastures” are simply illusions that are momentary and cannot be sustained.
Jesus defeated Satan’s temptations but that didn’t mean Satan stopped trying.
Satan knows that man can be strong one moment and weak the next.
Jesus knew and this is why he relied on the angels to “help strengthen him.”
Summary
Jesus entered the wilderness to be tempted, but he left being served as king.
Though we are “weak in the flesh” we are made strong in the spirit by our God.
Conclusion
When look back at “The Life Of Christ” in scripture and see the account of his temptation in the wilderness one can’t read such and study such without gaining great edification from such.
Jesus defeats Satan with scriptures even in his most physically weakened state.
This is what Paul understood and is talking about in Philippians 4:13.
Invitation
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