"Truth and Dare."

Luke 4:1–13 NASB95

1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. 3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ” 5 And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ” 9 And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; 10 for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,’ 11 and, ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

The season of Lent is before us and hopefully you have challenged yourself to do some spring cleaning in your relationship with Jesus and in the life that you live in Him. Seeking to set aside the sins that have made a mess in your life and walking by the Spirit to a life towards righteousness. Seeking to reclaim the pieces of your life that have not yet been brought under the Kingship of Jesus. Today as we celebrate this first Sunday of Lent the church has sought fit to bring our attention to the temptation of Jesus as a means to assist us as we walk through this season of reflection, repentance, and reclamation. As you are about to see in this brief account of Jesus’ life- there are truths presented to you that will help you as you seek to clean up your relationship with Jesus and your life in Him. But before we get there, there are some things that you need to know heading into this temptation account.

I. Preface

A. Before it begins.

Jesus Temptation comes right before His ministry begins.

You should keep this in mind when you are about to begin something new watch for temptation to distract and deter you.

B. Approval.

Jesus isn’t seeking approval. He has already been approved by the Father at his baptism (Luke 3:22). Luke is revealing to his audience that Jesus is affirming that He is the better Adam and the true Israel who will not fail.

C. A Helping Hand!

Jesus submits to this temptation which is willed by the Father and lead into by the Spirit. In order that:

Hebrews 2:18 NASB95

18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

II. The Temptations [Truth or Dare?]

The Devil seeks to divide the Son from the Father and deter Him from accomplishing his ministry. This is evident in these three temptations. As we will see. the Devil is still up to his schemes seeking to get others to question the trustworthiness of God. It will become evident in these three temptations, that the Devil calls into question whether or not God can truly be trusted. But this time he picked a fight with the wrong Adam.

Jesus and the Devil enter into a game of Truth and Dare. The Devil dares, or tempts, Jesus in three ways:

A. Do you Trust in God’s Word?

B. Do you Trust in God’s Work?

C. Do you Trust in God’s Will?

A. [v. 3-4] Can You Trust in God’s Word?

Luke 4:3–4 NASB95

3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ”

Dare: If you are the “Son of God” then I dare you to use your power to provide for your physical needs.

Truth: Jesus responds by declaring truth. That he is in complete control of his flesh and will not be ruled by it. He certainly will not use his power to make it easier for his humanity because he wants to truly experience the weakness of those he came to save. Jesus clings to the truth and he relies on the Father for all things. Jesus reveals to us that bread doesn’t satisfy someone who hungers and thirsts for righteousness.

1. Wilderness (Unpleasant/Dangerous)

2. Physical Desire the Need for Food

3. The trust in self to meet personal needs.

4. The True need of “Man” is to trust in God’s Word

Jesus demonstrates here that he is the better Israel in that he is completely relying on God to provide for his sustenance where Israel had manna in the wilderness and still grumbled.

Jesus will not allow his own physical needs to abuse his power, weaken his trust, or control him. We see that Jesus is the better Adam to represent us in that he refused to fall prey to what appears pleasing to the eye. Jesus will not eat of the “forbidden fruit” because his appetite is controlled by the “fruit of the Spirit.”

How easy have we been carried away by the slightest growl in our stomachs or how our attitudes are so easily bent by being hangry. Our bellies are our God.

Philippians 3:18–19 NASB95

18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

But Jesus, right out of the gate, shows us a different way to overcome our flesh and be in complete control of our desires. Jesus is empowered by the Spirit and equipped with the word the God.

Galatians 5:16 NASB95

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB95

27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Psalm 119:11 NASB95

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

B. [v. 5-8] Can You Trust in God’s Work?

Luke 4:5–8 NASB95

5 And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ”

The Devil Dares Jesus to worship him to achieve all the Kingdoms of the world. The Devil has been given temporary domain as the prince of this world and he offers what he has to Jesus in exchange for his service or worship. But the tiny little prince doesn’t know that he is talking to a King. Who made all of creation, to will ransom the Kingdoms from the hands of the Devil and reclaim them for himself. Jesus knows how to build a kingdom that will last and not pass from his hands. It is through the hard work and roads not travelled by the world or the Devil but by other roads lest travelled.

1. Where’s the name calling?

2. Too easy. Lasting Kingdoms aren’t made that way.

Matthew 7:13–14 NASB95

13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

3. You cannot serve two masters.

Matthew 6:24 NASB95

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Jesus reveals to us that to be a part of the Kingdom of God you have to serve the King. Your service to the King will come with difficulty and be travel on a road that is not heavily travelled. This means that your allegiance to God in worshipping him requires your service in the kingdom which is to look differently than the rest of the world. But is your life described and dedicated in that way?

How quickly have we served the wrong master? I would bet that each one of us have experienced successes, achievements, and even some level of Glory through easy means without having to give up any thing in our lives. Some of us even are counted among the children of God without having to change anything in our personal lives. We learn from Jesus here that to achieve God’s will you have to serve him and that service isn’t easy. But if you serve and worship anything else but God, you may find that it is easier but to your destruction. You may gain reward but really have only forfeited your soul. You cannot serve two masters. You are either with Jesus and the way of the Cross achieving God’s glory, or you are with Satan, taking the easy way, achieving your own Glory.

Mark 8:36 NASB95

36 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

C. [v. 9-12] Can you Trust in God’s Will?

Luke 4:9–12 NASB95

9 And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; 10 for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,’ 11 and, ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

1. The mention of “Jerusalem” tips us off to this temptation.

2. The way Jesus had to die is important.

3. The Battle of the wills.

The Devil the tempts Jesus in trusting in the will of the Father. Would he be committed in the way of the cross. If he is to suffer death than why not just die? Remember there were several moments in Jesus ministry where they were seeking to kill him but he escaped them because it was not his appointed time. But only the will of the Father is to be sought. We should never test God by trusting in our own will over his, in an effort to place ourselves on the same level with God knowing what is best for your lives . A true servant of God seeks the will of God even if God’s will spends or makes forfeit their life. And I know that sounds radical and difficult to embrace. But will you obey even if the road is hard? Or do you often pursue the avenues that present something easier? How committed are you to see God’s will for your life come to fruition. Do you ask for the will of God in your life but test Him by seeking your own? What do you think would change in your life if you completely surrender every aspect of your life to the will of God. Would you still have the job you have? Would you still lived where you live? Would you still be involved with the things you spend most of your time doing? Would we find you in the house of the Lord as often as the doors are unlocked? Jesus shows us that he will only take on the will of the Father… Will you become like Jesus in your life?

Luke 22:42 NASB95

42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

I know what it is like to take a detour from the will of God. It only led to the building up of pride and the tearing down of my life. I can testify this morning that strolling down a path that is not part of God’s will does surely have an easier appeal but make no mistake, you will find your self on your knees in ruin before too terribly wrong. Is that the life you desire? Choosing your way will lead you to having doubt, questioning truth, looking over your shoulder, invite more drama than you really want to have, broken relationships, it will rob you of true joy because choosing your own path is putting yourself above everything and everyone else in your life. But following God’s will for your life will but God at the center who is loving kind, oh yeah and most wise because he created life and knows how it should be lived.

III. Conclusion

A. Jesus represents a Better Adam.

By not making his own fruit and satisfying the desires of His flesh, Jesus affirms that he is the better Adam who represents all those who believe in him. Jesus demonstrates for us that by being empowered by the Spirit and living in the word of God that you can overcome any physical temptation.

Romans 5:18–19 NASB95

18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

1 Corinthians 15:21–23 NASB95

21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming,

B. Jesus represents a Better Israel.

By not serving and worship another, Jesus represents a better Israel by doing what Israel did not do. Serve the one true God and serve him only. Israel in the wilderness, were so easily lead astray to worship of Gods. Jesus affirms that He is the better Israel by being tempt to worship another but remaining faithful. He therefore fulfills the covenant and now all those who are in Him will reap covenant blessing.

C. Jesus represents a Better You.

Jesus doesn’t submit to Temptation because he has to prove himself. He submits to these temptations to demonstrate to us the possibilities of a life lived in the word and lived by the Spirit. That a life that seeks to be lived like Jesus will walk according to the Spirit which will obey God’s Word ordering things right in your life. A life in control of your flesh- we all know how much trouble we get in when our flesh is in control. A life that serves God regardless of outcome or challenge. Where it would be said of us that we truly believed and lived a life like Jesus. A life that was ordered by pursuing God’s will not our own. He might show us a more excellent way.

Hebrews 4:15 NASB95

15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

We read this story about Jesus’ life and it is a story that gets to the heart of us. This story should encourage us as we enter a season of Lent that regardless of testing or temptations that will come, we can overcome them life Jesus by living in Spirit and truth. A life empowered by the Holy Spirit and in obedience to the Word of God are the effective tools that we can use to vanquish our enemy and life like Jesus. What better news do you want as we begin this season of Lent? At a time where you are seeking to clean up the plates that your flesh feast off of, your dirty laundry that is covered in sin, your broken relationship with Jesus over your love affair with your idols. We all have some cleaning up to do, and God’s word and the Holy Spirit will help you accomplish it. They will afford you the victory in temptation, the direction towards God’s will, and the resolve to endure even if the road is long and rough.

Lastly, there is something in this passage that is not plainly obvious but I believe it should be mentioned as another essential tool to help us clean out the sin in our lives and to help enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Being beset with weakness. Jesus was vulnerable and beset with weakness. But this is not something that hinders us but it is actually something helps us. For Paul says this,

2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB95

10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

The world may see weakness as inability but we shall see it as an asset. For when we are weak are we truly strong. You cannot go into this Lent season cleaning house in your own strength. You cannot do it by yourself. You deny yourself and so that you can be filled with Jesus and receive the power of the Spirit. Weakness is also a tool that Jesus reveals to us that will bring victory into our lives.

So what does this have to do with the price of tea in china? How does this fit into the season of Lent? Jesus is speaking to us that if we truly trust Him then we will accomplish the cleanliness we are seeking. That you don’t have to fall into the trap of a game of Truth and Dare. God’s truth has already been shown by Jesus to win at all things. Will you trust it now? Will you live by the Spirit so that you will not satisfy the desires of the flesh? Will you hide God’s word in your heart so that you will not sin against Him? Will you take hold of the life that Jesus gives you?