The advantage of the The advantage of the King over temptation King over temptation

Mathew 4:1 - 11Mathew 4:1 - 11

- Facing temptations is the biggest problem Christians face- Facing temptations is the biggest problem Christians face

- Despite the temptation we can always take refuge in the fact that - Despite the temptation we can always take refuge in the fact that Christ was tempted and that he has overcome temptationChrist was tempted and that he has overcome temptation

"For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the "For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.“ – Hebrew 4:15 are, yet without sin.“ – Hebrew 4:15

"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to help them that are tempted." – Hebrew 2:18help them that are tempted." – Hebrew 2:18

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able, but will, with the temptation, make a way above that you are able, but will, with the temptation, make a way of escape – 1 Cor. 10:13of escape – 1 Cor. 10:13

I – THE PREPARATION (vs. 1 I – THE PREPARATION (vs. 1 to 3)to 3)

- The temptation of Christ - The temptation of Christ happened after he was on one happened after he was on one of his greatest moments of of his greatest moments of victory (The Anointing – Mathew victory (The Anointing – Mathew 3:13 -17)3:13 -17)

- The Sprit of God led him to the - The Sprit of God led him to the wilderness led him to the wilderness led him to the wilderness to be tempted by wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (vs. 1) the devil. (vs. 1)

- This does not mean that God - This does not mean that God is the source of the temptation is the source of the temptation as James 1:13 says “Let no as James 1:13 says “Let no man say he is tempted of God”man say he is tempted of God”

- The source of temptation is - The source of temptation is Satan. However a man only Satan. However a man only falls into temptation “when he falls into temptation “when he is drawn away from his own is drawn away from his own lust and enticed” (James 1:13)lust and enticed” (James 1:13) - The word for “temptation” - The word for “temptation” here is the greek word here is the greek word “peirasmos” which means “peirasmos” which means temptation or testing. It is a temptation or testing. It is a neutral word. neutral word.

-"My brethren, count it all joy "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various when you fall into various peirasmos." Knowing this, peirasmos." Knowing this, that the testing of your faith that the testing of your faith works patience. And let works patience. And let patience have her perfect patience have her perfect work.“ – James 1:2 work.“ – James 1:2

- From God’s point of view it - From God’s point of view it is a testing, from Satan’s is a testing, from Satan’s point of view it is a point of view it is a temptation. He allows things temptation. He allows things in our lives that give us in our lives that give us opportunity to exercise opportunity to exercise spiritual muscle.spiritual muscle.

II – THE TEMPTATION II – THE TEMPTATION (vs. 3 -9)(vs. 3 -9)

A.) The Lust of the FleshA.) The Lust of the Flesh

““If thou be the Son of GodIf thou be the Son of God, , command that these stones be command that these stones be made bread. But h answered and made bread. But h answered and said, It is written, Man shall not said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."mouth of God." (vs. 3)

Anatomy of a temptation: (Genesis 3:1- Anatomy of a temptation: (Genesis 3:1- 5)5)

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (vs.1)

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (vs. 2 & 3)

The fist tactic that Satan The fist tactic that Satan uses is for us to doubt uses is for us to doubt God’s Words, sadly if we God’s Words, sadly if we are not grounded in the are not grounded in the Word we fall to temptationWord we fall to temptation

Anatomy of a temptation: Anatomy of a temptation: (Genesis 3:1- 5)(Genesis 3:1- 5)

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (vs. 4)

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (vs .5)

Satan then will then twist the truth of God’s Words

Satan will then appeal to the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life and will attack God’s character

II – THE TEMPTATION (vs. 3 -9)II – THE TEMPTATION (vs. 3 -9)

A.) The Lust of the FleshA.) The Lust of the Flesh

““If If thou be the Son of God, thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made command that these stones be made bread.bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."God." (vs. 3)

- The point of the temptation was not in feeding His hunger but in the suggestion that is hunger was incompatible with His being the Son of God.

- In other word Satan was saying, You better second guess God. God's not fulfilling His part of the deal.

Jesus response to the temptation:Jesus response to the temptation:

““If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (vs. 3)

-Jesus relied on Scripture and quoted Deuteronomy 8:3

-In Deuteronomy 8:3 Moses is reminding Israel of God's tender care for His people during the wilderness journeys.

- A man is better off to obey the Word of God, and then count on the wonderful providential sustenance of God than he is to let his own desire and lust cause him to grab satisfaction that he knows is against the will of God because he thinks he deserves it. (Mathew 6:33, Philippians 4,19, Psalm 37:25)

II – THE TEMPTATION II – THE TEMPTATION (vs. 3 -9)(vs. 3 -9)

B.) The Pride of LifeB.) The Pride of Life

““Then the devil took him to the Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” vs. 5, 6against a stone.” vs. 5, 6

- Satan quotes Psalm 91 verse 11, 12

-Because Jesus won’t bypass God as he will only wait for God’s provision. In the second temptation, Satan is telling him to let God do the work then.

- Satan’s scheme here is not a demonstration of him trusting God, rather this is putting God to the test, or presuming on God. If Jesus did it he would have been a sensation. But this is not God’s plan.

- Be careful of presumptuous sins. Do not use God’s power to test God. As Jesus said in Verse no. 7 (Quoted from Deuteronomy 6:16) (Psalm 19:13)

- While it is true that God expects man to take risks in order to be true to Him but the risks should be connected with His will and not with our prestige.

II – THE TEMPTATION (vs. 3 -9)II – THE TEMPTATION (vs. 3 -9)

C.) The lust of the eyesC.) The lust of the eyes

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me.“ (vs. 8, 9)he said, "if you will bow down and worship me.“ (vs. 8, 9)

-The temptation here for Jesus to easily win the world and subject The temptation here for Jesus to easily win the world and subject everyone to his will. But this not in God’s way. God wants to reason everyone to his will. But this not in God’s way. God wants to reason with man regarding his sin and not force his ways on man. with man regarding his sin and not force his ways on man.

- Again in response, Jesus quotes Scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:13) and rebukes Satan

III – THE TRUIMPH (vs. 10, 11)III – THE TRUIMPH (vs. 10, 11)

Jesus said to him, "Jesus said to him, "Away from Away from me, Satan!me, Satan! For it is written: For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” serve him only.”

Then the devil left him, and Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.angels came and attended him.

Lessons we can learn:

1.) Watch for temptation at the high points of your spiritual life

2.) Be careful of times of weakness and times when you're in evil surroundings. Jesus was in the wilderness and He was weak, and Satan came

3.) Watch for the subtlety of temptation

a.) Satan wants us to distrust God’s careb.) Satan wants us to presume in wanton appeal to God’s carec.) Satan wants us to fulfill your ambitions your way, his way and not God’s ways

4.) Know God’s Word as it is your only Sword (Psalm 119:11)

Most of the Notes in this slide are lifted from John MacArthur’s Most of the Notes in this slide are lifted from John MacArthur’s Bible Commentary on the book of Mathew. For Bible study Guide Bible Commentary on the book of Mathew. For Bible study Guide

notes, sermon notes and the audio message notes, sermon notes and the audio message of this series by John MacArthur visit of this series by John MacArthur visit www.gty.orgwww.gty.org. .

Other inputs and revision of outlines and notes by Zigfred DiazOther inputs and revision of outlines and notes by Zigfred DiazTo download other slides that can be used for sermons visit the To download other slides that can be used for sermons visit the Master’s Community Fellowship website at Master’s Community Fellowship website at www.tmcf.zdiaz.comwww.tmcf.zdiaz.com