Doing God’s Will

4 Events Prior To Jesus’ Ministry

• Mark 1:9-13 Jesus needs to be separated, anointed, approved, and tempted. In order to begin his ministry

• Why would Jesus Christ be baptized to reveal His repentance if He indeed, had no sin?

• John was a prophet of the Old Testament and this was, what we would call, the proselyte baptism.

• Let me give three reasons that Jesus is given obeying the baptism proclaimed by John.

1. First, it represent a moment of announcement .• Centuries before, Isaac asked his father a question

Genesis 22:7 Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

1. SEPARATION

• John the Baptist would take that question, that had echoed down through the centuries. John 1:29

• This man coming toward me is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. It was a moment of announcement.

2. This baptism was a moment of decision for Jesus Christ

• At this point in time, Jesus would turn His back on His little home in Nazareth, the carpenter shop, and the work he did.

• The hour of rejection has approach it Mark 6:1-6 .

• His steps towards the cross were nearer.

Why would Jesus Christ be baptized? 3. This baptism was a moment of identification for Jesus

• At the moment of his baptism, Jesus identify with:

• A) With humble people

• B) With the obedient

• C) With John’s disciples

• We can see the contrast between these people, and the Pharisees. Luke 7:29-30

• Jesus put His stamp of approval on John’s ministry, and said, “You are indeed following the truth.”

• We can conclude that his baptism, represent a moment of separation, so he can begin his ministry.

2. Anointing• Mark 1:10 And immediately, coming up from the water,

He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.

• This is the fulfillment of Isaiah 11:1-2

• It is fascinating that the Spirit would take the form of a dove, isn’t it?

• The King, who has come to establish a kingdom, a kingdom of peace Isaiah 9:6

• Jesus has come to establish this kingdom, not with the sword, but with a heart filled with love for His subjects.

• Acts 10:37-38 God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit.

3. Approval• Mark 1:11 Then a voice came from heaven, You are My

beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.• In the life of Christ, nothing happened by coincidence.• God the Father put His stamp of approval on this Person

as being divine and being who He claimed to be, which was, the Messiah.

• This was the fulfillment of Psalms 2:6-7 How can we find approval by God?

• Studying God’s Word II Timothy 2:15 • we can be approved by purity II Corinthians 7:11 • I want to live my life in such a way that he can put his

stamp of approval on me. Galatians 2:20

4. Temptation• Finally, the fourth event that occurs prior to the beginning of

Jesus’ public ministry is found in Mark 1:12-13 • This event is where I want to spend the majority of our time

today, more details are found in Matthew 4:1-11The First Temptation v.3

• 4:1-4 This is an appeal to the physical appetite of Jesus.• You would think that after His baptism, His approval, and His

anointing, God would open the door to the ministry.• God says, “No, I’ve got a season of testing for you. I’ve got a

season of difficulty for you.”• Satan has just overheard the declaration by God the Father.

You are My beloved Son! • He comes right in with an attack.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS• Who and why led Jesus to the wilderness?

• God did! So he can be tempted! God will allow the same in our lives. 1 Peter 1:6-7 4:1-2

• Who and how is described the devil in the scripture?

• The devil is our main enemy, and is always accusing us against God. Revelation 12:9-10 Job 1:8-11

• Why we ought to put “all” of God’s armor?

• Because we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, Ephesians 6:10-12

• What is the difference between his temptations and ours. Heb. 4:15 James 1:12-14

The Attack• If indeed, You are the Son, what are You doing out here

hungry?• I want You to turn these stones into bread. • Take care of your natural desire; take care of your

hunger.• Why would God stand in the way of fulfilling what You

need?• He is attacking Christ’s loyalty to the will of God.• Understand that Jesus Christ voluntarily gave up His

right to independently use His divine attributes. • Jesus came to earth to live like man, although he is God.• If God the Father did not give Him bread, He would not

snap His fingers and create bread.

His Answer • He faced this in the same way we face it, Deut 8:3• You come to me as if I’m the Son of God, and I am, but

I’m meeting you head on as a man.• Three points in this verse that jump off the page to me.1. It is written. Jesus faced him like a man and he defeated

him the same way. 1 Peter 2:212. Jesus faced the tempter, not as the Son of God, which

would not have helped us. Heb. 2:9-103. The highest purpose for Me is to follow the will of My

Father. • The purpose of all of those who will follow Me one day,

is not to satisfy the earthly desire.

The Second Temptation

• Matthew 4:5-7 Underline the word “God” in v. 6• Satan says, It’s written, as well, that if You jump off

here, He’ll give His angels charge over You.• Psalm 91:11is the scripture Satan quotes. • The appeal in this temptation, is to the personal gain

of Jesus.• You have trust in Him, so why don’t You just prove that

He can handle Your trust? • Why don’t You just put Your Father to the test? • Christ’s confidence in God the Father was attacked.• Satan quoted the text, but twisted it to make his point.

2 Cor. 11:13-14

His Answer• Matthew 4:7, quoting Deuteronomy 6:16 • Don’t put God to the test. My confidence in Him is so

great, I don’t have to experiment.• It is the person with confidence in God who does not

need to experiment with God. • Now, there is something else that I need to uncover: there

was a rabbinical tradition. This is not in the scripture.• The tradition was that when the Messiah revealed

Himself, He would stand at the top of the temple.• It is fascinating that Satan knew the rabbinical tradition.• So Satan says, “Look, if You’ll just jump off, the angels

will come along and bear You up.

The Third Temptation• Matthew 4:8-11 An appeal to Jesus’ personal glory.• The final temptation is, “Lord, just how confident are You

about Your mission on earth?• This is probably the most difficult of all the tests that

Jesus faced. • Satan showed Him, all of the kingdoms of the world v.8• We do not know how Satan did this. Satan claimed that he

could give them to the Lord.• Notice that Jesus does not rebuke Satan. In fact, he will

say, that Satan is the prince of the world. John 12:31• All of the kingdoms of the world still are asleep in the

arms of the wicked one.

The Third Temptation• Satan promises rights to Jesus Christ, if He would only

bow to him.• Since Satan was kicked out of heaven, his main desire

has been to receive worship and glory. • He says, “Look, if You’ll just kneel for a second, for just

a moment, I’ll give them to You.”Christ’s Answer

• Matt. 4:10 quoting Deuteronomy 6:13 • You should underline the word “worship,” and draw a

line to the word “serve”.• Jesus Christ just took away the façade and said, “whom

I worship, I ultimately serve.”

Christ’s Answer• Do you realize, that which you worship is that which you

serve? Matthew 6:21

• The thrust of this temptation, I think, was that Jesus Christ could have the crown without the cross.

• Have You not come to establish Your kingdom?

• You can avoid the suffering and the pain; You can have the crown now.

• Jesus turned Satan down and said, “Get gone. Get away.

• Matthew 4:10 using the scriptures Jesus overcomes these temptations, as a result God sent him help. 4:11

APPLICATIONS• 1. The first temptation could read, “Go ahead, you

deserve it.” This was commitment to God’s will.

• The tempter is telling you and me, “Look, if you have a need, go ahead, fill it.”

• Go to the Father and ask, “Lord, do You want me to have it? Is this what You would be pleased with?”

• 2. The second temptation was confidence of Christ in the care of the Father.

• “Do you believe that the Father really cares for you?

• 3. The third temptation was commitment to the mission of Christ. Reach Your goal the easy way.

CONCLUSION

1. The first word is, “Resist!” Resist and appeal to scripture; to the Bible.

2. The second word is, “Remember!” Remember Christ experienced a conflict.

3. The third word is, “Rejoice!” Rejoice, victory is available!

I Corinthians 10:13

• No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.