Matthew 4:1-11 Satan’s Temptation of Jesus
Introduction: Lucifer was a beautiful, exalted angel of
God. He wanted more. He wanted God’s position. He made war against God. He lost and was cast out of heaven. In our text, he has another confrontation
with one of the God-head. Only this time
it is not with the entire God-head, but only Jesus. And this time Jesus was at a distinct
disadvantage. (1) He indwelt human flesh
with all its weakness: (2) He had fasted
forty days and nights and was at His weakest.
Also, this time it was not a contest of might, but of wits. In all probability, Satan had tempted Jesus
before with ordinary temptations, but this was an all out effort.
I. The first approach.
A. The site was
some place in the wilderness. Verse 1
B. Jesus had
fasted for forty days and nights and was hungered. Verse 2
C. The Tempter
came and tempted Him to turn stones into bread.
(Food, a delicious meal). Verse 3
D. What would have
been wrong in His doing so?
1. He
would have not been depending on the Father to sustain Him.
(As man, He was to trust in God
to sustain).
2. He
would have been letting Satan lead Him.
E. Jesus answered
with scripture from Deuteronomy 8:3.
II. The second approach.
A. The site was a
pinnacle of the temple. Verse 5
B. He urged Jesus
to jump off. Verse 6
1. He
quoted scripture to assure Him that He would not be hurt.
2. He
misapplied the scripture, of course.
C. The appeal was
an easy way to get the people to accept Him as their King.
(The priests working below would see Him
floating down and acclaim Him as Messiah).
D. Again, Jesus
answered with scripture. Verse 5
III. The third approach.
A. The site was a
great high mountain. Verse 8
B. Satan showed
Him all of the kingdoms of earth. Verse 8
C. Satan offered
Him these things if He would worship him. Verse 9
1. He
offered Him all the wealth, power, honor, glory, and earthly pleasures that the
human
heart
could desire. (Tempted
in all points like as we are tempted).
2. But
he asked Jesus to worship him. (What he
wanted all along).
D. Actually Jesus would
rule the world anyway, but Satan offered a shortcut.
1. He
could rule immediately.
2. He
would not have to go to the cross.
E. Again, Jesus
answered with scripture. Verse 10
IV. What this means to us.
A. That we have a
Savior.
1. If
Jesus had sinned even in the least, He could not be the substitute for sinners.
2. But
since He did not sin and since He died for us, we have a Savior.
(All mankind has a Savior).
B. That we have One to help us when we are tempted.
1.
Jesus knows how to sympathize with us in our temptations.
2.
Since He was victorious, He can help us to overcome temptation. Hebrew
2:8
C. That we can
count on the promises of God. (“Man does
not live by bread alone” etc.).
D. That we should
not believe every wind of doctrine. (The
devil quotes scripture and is a deceiver).
E. That we should
beware of shortcuts to wealth, honors, and worldly pleasures.
F. That we do need
to worship the true God and Him only.
(Worship Him with all our heart, soul, mind
and body).
Conclusion: 1. Since we have a
Savior, we should trust Him for salvation.
2.
Since our Savior is our Lord God, then we should worship and serve Him.
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