Pastor Nam Park.
Jesus is here validated as the Son of God.
We might not see these temptations as similar to our own, yet they are genuine and real.
In the end, temptation is a diminishment of God. We are tempted in that moment to suggest/believe that God is less than He claims to be. He is less in control... He is less good, so I must take control... He is less than the satisfaction I need, so I look for satisfaction... This is practical atheism.
2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
1 Peter 2:22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
1 John 3:5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.
Could Jesus Have Sinned?
"If Jesus as a person had sinned, involving both His human and divine natures, then God Himself would have sinned." - Wayne Grudem
Jesus is the God-man. If Jesus had sinned, then God would have sinned. His dual nature of God and man prevented Him from sinning.
Hebrews 4:15 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.
Marathon Running. How painful is it? To find out, you ask the individual that has finished the race. Jesus likewise experienced it all (temptations).
Temptation #1: SURVIVE AT ALL COST.
Temptation #1: SURVIVE AT ALL COST.
The temptation to use the power that God gave you to take care of yourself.
A: Jesus quotes scripture. Authority found in Scripture.
Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
Miracles were happening all around them, yet they were constantly complaining. Yet, in the wilderness, God gave them Manna to teach them to depend on Him every single day.
Deuteronomy 8:3 He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.
Exodus 16:17-18 The sons of Israel did so, and some gathered much and some little. 18 When they measured it with an omer, he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack; every man gathered as much as he should eat.
Joshua 5:12 The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land, so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year.
Shall I diminish God and take care of things on my own, or shall I trust in God's intention for why I am here? Was it the Father's will that He was there at that difficult time?
Following God is more important than survival.Shall I diminish God and take care of things on my own, or shall I trust in God's intention for why I am here? Was it the Father's will that He was there at that difficult time?
Our temptation is to doubt God's constant goodness.
Ex. The flight that crashed and survivors became cannibals.
Survival at all cost is not a Godly virtue.
This life is not all that God has promised us. In the end we will be glorified and enjoy our Savior forever. Let's not diminish God in order to survive.
Temptation #2: SUCCEED AT ALL COST.
Satan is the ruler of this world, yet the lie is that he has the power to give it away.
Satan lies but God is still in Control.
Daniel 2:21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
Daniel 4:25 that you be driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.
Satan tempts Jesus by giving Him the "cup-of-noodles" route to ruling as Messiah; an offer to escape suffering. Yet Jesus wasn't going to give in, but it must have been tempting.
Is it okay to succeed at the diminishment of God?Satan tempts Jesus by giving Him the "cup-of-noodles" route to ruling as Messiah; an offer to escape suffering. Yet Jesus wasn't going to give in, but it must have been tempting.
There is a cost: Luke 4:7 Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”
[Just to bow your knee for one second.]
Luke 4:8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’
Honoring God is more important than success. Even if the potential of failure existed out before Him.
Jesus' response is a somewhat summarized form of Deuteronomy 6:13.
Deuteronomy 6:13 You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name.
Jesus is not here just to accomplish good for the world. His first and primary purpose is to serve the Will of the Father. Sometimes we forget our primary purpose here on earth. God has to be more important than accomplishment and success.
Ex. Alexander the Great weeping over no lands left to conquer.
Ex. Jim Elliot's death as not being a waste but that it was worthwhile to honor God with it.
Temptation #3: SIGNIFICANCE AT ALL COST.
Demons know how to quote scripture.
To demand miraculous protection from God is not loyalty to Him or faith.
Exodus 17:3-7; verse 7 He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us, or not?”
Contentment, Satisfaction, Joy with God are more important than personal significance.
Following God is more important than Survival.
Honoring God is more important than Success.
Contentment with God is more important than Personal Significance.
Love God, Trust Him. Fight temptation.
Jesus exemplified what it meant to struggle, felt the weight, and came out victorious.
Living It: Priorities. Honoring God with our lives, as a slave would for his/her master... Doulos for Christ.
