Temptation 2
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Pride/Testing the power of God
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
The first place that the enemy takes Jesus is the temple in the holy city, which is Jerusalem.
Here is some interesting facts about Jerusalem.
There is s bit of speculation about what the name of Jerusalem actually means, but it likely means “foundation of peace.”
Jerusalem is an important city both in biblical times as well as biblical prophecy.
In fact, the Old Testament references Jerusalem 660 times and the new testament references it 141 times. Totalling 801 times!
The testing of Abraham to sacrifice Isaac happen on mount moriah which is just outside of Jerusalem.
The city was huge during the Davidic Empire. It is the location where they took the head of Goliath.
David moved the Israelite Monarch there.
It was also the location of the Ark of the Covenant
David’s son, Solomon, would have the temple built and “consecrated the temple as a permanent location for Yahweh’s presence (2 Sam 7:1–17; 1 Kgs 6:1; 9:3).”
Shepherd, C. E. “Jerusalem.” Ed. John D. Barry et al. The Lexham Bible Dictionary 2016: n. pag. Print.
Despite Jerusalem’s beginnings, later the people would fall away from God and reject the prophets warning.
God would let the city fall and the people be exiled.
Ezra and Nehemiah would be called by God to restore the city and temple.
The greatest impact of the city of Jerusalem in the new testament was the death and resurrection of Jesus.
In A.D. 70, the temple would be destroyed which lead to the spread and rise of Christianity.
And in prophecy, heaven is referred to as the “new Jerusalem” in revelation 21.
So, Jerusalem is important in the will of God.
This sets the stage for today passage and the temptation of Jesus.
It is also important to note that Matthew and Luke have differing orders of the temptations.
We are looking at Matthews order as it is likely the “correct” order decided by most scholars.
The reason that Luke’s is different is probably that he wanted to place and emphasis on Jerusalem, which he often did. Therefore switching the second and third temptation so that it would end in Jerusalem.
Anyways, for the purpose of today’s message, we will use Matthews telling of the story.
So, Satan leads Jesus to the highest point in the temple.
We have been asking the question as to whether these are temptations or testings.
One interesting point to note is that the Spirit is the one who lead Jesus into the wilderness, but it is the devil who leads him to Jerusalem and to the mountain.
So, if these are temptings, why would Jesus allow the devil to lead Him?
It is almost as if there is a degree of submission to the devil.
Which brings us to the next question: is Jesus submitting to the devil?
Those who fall in the tempting camp would probably say so.
Those who fall in the testing camp would say that He is actually submitting to God and following satan.
Jesus and satan are now on top of the temple, probably looking down.
I wonder if anyone is standing around watching....
Like, what are those two guys doing up there?
Satan tells Him to jump off and and then he quotes:
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
There are 3 ways that this could be a temptation.
1. Questioning the Word of God
1. Questioning the Word of God
We talked about this a little last week in it could be satan’s way of trying to get Jesus to question God’s word.
Remember in the garden how Satan used God’s word to convince Eve to eat the fruit?
Satan was trying to catch her on a technicality.
As I said last week, we need to be aware that this is one of the techniques that satan uses to tempt us.
We need to recognize what He is doing and be ready.
How many times in our lives do we question God’s word?
Will He really provide for me?
Will He really take care of me?
Will God really do what He has said that He will do?
As we talked about last week, the ways that we fight this temptation is to:
Know the Word of God!
Know that He is the creator and sustainer of life! That His word contains life!
Rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance!
2. Questioning God’s Care/Love
2. Questioning God’s Care/Love
What’s interesting about this idea is that is admits that the Word of God is true.
So, as Satan would possibly say: “God says that He will care for and send His angels to protect and save you.” - so let’s see if He really means it...
Throw yourself off, surely God will keep His word right??
See the seed of doubt being planted?
Does God really care for you and love you enough to protect you?
How often do we question this?
Does God really love me?
Does He really care for me?
Sure, when things are going well, it’t easier to believe this....
But, what about when things aren’t going so well?
The Israelites believed that God loved them when He led them out of Egypt....when they walked through the red sea....
But, now we are going to question Him to see if He loves us enough to feed us....
How do we fight this temptation?
1. Believe and trust Him!
1. Believe and trust Him!
If you believe in God, then you believe in the validate of scripture.
You believe:
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.
When we believe in God, we believe that Jesus came for us, lives in us, and loves us!
The second way to fight the temptation of questioning God’s love is:
1. Get to know Him!
1. Get to know Him!
How can love be expressed without relationship?
If someone on the street just randomly comes up and says that they love you, are you going to believe them?
Probably not!
In the words of the great band DC Talk, may the rest in piece,
Love is a verb!
Love is something you do!
Love is demonstrated in action.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God didn’t just say that He loves us, He demonstrated it!
And He continues to do so!
For us to be strengthened in the love of God, we get to know Him!
We spend time with Him!
We read His word. We put His word into action by serving others!
We pray!
The first temptation here is possibly questioning the Word of God.
The second is possibly questioning God’s love and care for us!
3. Pride
3. Pride
At the beginning of the message, I spent some time talking about the importance of Jerusalem!
And, this is where Jesus and Satan are.
They are on top of the highest point of the temple.
They are possibly people around watching - we don’t know for sure....
And you have satan who says:
6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
You are the Son of God!
We are at the most important place in the world.
Your God says that He will protect you, and you believe it!
You know who lives in you!
Show it!
Show the world!
Show how awesome you and God are, I mean, that’s what you came to do anyways, right???
My my....how are we tempted in the same way....
Look at me....look at what I can do!
Look how much God has blessed me!
Coach Carter scene....
Look at me, I tied that bow!
Pride is a difficult one!
It is so easy to be tempted to boast in ourselves, isn’t it?
How do we overcome pride?
Understand Our Position
Understand Our Position
It’s arguable about who did the best job of this in scripture.
I typically lean on John the baptist, but I think Paul certainly gives him run for his money.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
So that is Paul’s position as he’s in a roman prison about to die....
And yet, he has all the reason to boast
3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Paul has, by all rights, the ability to boast....yet, he says that he would consider it all lost for the sake of Christ.
Paul is extreme huh?
You see, I can spend my life gaining accolades…gaining wealth…gaining followers…gaining fame…all sorts of things....but really, what is it all worth.
Did you know, that in the end, we all end up in the same place?
Regardless, all we accomplish or gain, we will still end up 6 feet under ground.
Man that’s depressing.....
Actually, it’s not....it’s freeing....
To know that the things that are important are not the accolades, the wealth, the followers or the fame....
It’s the honor of getting to know Christ.
And the impact that you can have by sharing that with others.
As I was laying in bed last night thinking about this message, I was convicted of my own life.
I have the power, not because of who I am, but because of who lives in me…to change people’s lives.
How many of you watch the news?
Man, it’s encouraging.
Nah, I don’t watch it. I know do how you can remain sane and watch it all the time.
The other day I was willfully being distracted from this message and stumbled across this YouTube channel called
“Caught in Providence”
I am sure it is a TV show, but I really don’t watch much TV either.
It is a channel about a real court where Judge Caprio is known for how he deals with people.
Growing up I watched a little Jerry Springer…by little I mean not even a full episode…enough to know what is going on.
Or Judge Judy, because I wanted to feel good about myself.
And when she would get snarky is when it would get fun....
But, as a believer in Jesus, there is a problem here.
Not necessarily with Judge Judy, but in my heart.
These people on these shows are people.
And, I am laughing at their expense.
Worship Team
Well, anyways, what’s interesting about Judge Caprio is he is pretty dedicated to helping people.
Many times he shows grace by dismissing cases. Or lowering fines....
In fact, many appreciate it and donate money to his court in order to help people.
It is really uplifting.
Share thoughts about the court situation:
Judge
Bailiff
Inspector
Guilty.....
We are guilty....we are all in the same boat!
One of the episodes had a veteran on there who had several tickets, his car was in a boot, and the judge used his funds to help the guy out.
And then he tells him, you need to do something for me....you would expect him to say to stop getting tickets and follow the law...
He says “yeah stop that stuff”
but I have helped you today, go and help someone else!
You know, that stuck with me!
Because we as Christians are in the same boat.
We are guilty....it’s out there…we are forgiven...
So, we should be sharing that!
What is our focus?
Is it our pride?
Is it our accolades, wealth, followers, fame?
Or is it Christ?
Is it sharing this free gift that He has given us?