Sermons

Temptation 1. UNBELIEF

February 21, 2020 Preacher: Gareth Franks Series: Temptation

Topic: Christian Living Scripture: Luke 4:1–13

Home Group Study

Sermon Date: 21 February 2020

Text: Luke 4:1-13

Opening Discussion: When you think about temptation, there are so many different ways this can occur. For some, temptation comes in the form of things like food, sleeping in instead of getting up to workout, or just doing nothing instead of being productive. Other temptations may be more severe and wreak havoc on a person’s life. Spend time discussing different temptations people might struggle with in everyday life. 

Summary:

The first of three temptations came after forty days of testing. The devil said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread” (4:3). Because Jesus was the Son of God and could invoke supernatural powers, the temptation was mighty. None of us has ever been tempted to turn stones into bread, because for us it is impossible. But Jesus could have done it in an instant, and his hunger screamed, ‘Do it!’ ” Satan began by acknowledging that Jesus was in fact the Son of God. In other words, Satan said, “Look, Jesus, I know that you are God’s Son, and you have come to reverse Adam’s failure. But you are hungry. Now, you don’t have to prove anything to me. Just turn this stone to bread and eat.” R. C. Sproul isolates the point of the temptation. He said, “What is under attack here is not really the identity of Jesus, so much as the trustworthiness of the word of God.”

The Father had not told Jesus that he should turn a stone to bread. And though he was famished, Jesus would not do anything that God did not say in his word. And so Jesus answered Satan, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’ ” (4:4). In Matthew’s Gospel, he gave an extended version of Jesus’ answer, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). In other words, Jesus said, “Look, Satan, I am not going to turn this stone into bread, because I do not need bread as much as I need the word of God. I live by the word of God. I trust the word of God. I may be famished now but my Father has not told me to turn this bread to stone. I will believe God, not you.”

And by responding in this way, Jesus did what Adam and Eve failed to do: he believed God and his word, and he did not fall to Satan’s temptation to doubt God and his word.

Investigation & Interpretation:

  • Read: Luke 4:1-13
  1. Read the other two versions of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and identify what is similar about these three versions. What do they all say?
  • Mark 1:12-13
  • Matthew 4:1-4
  1. What was Jesus’ spiritual condition when he faced the temptation of Satan? 1-2
  2. Jesus was hungry; it doesn't seem like an unusual request. So, why didn't Jesus make the stones bread? v.3

Application - How must I change?

  • Is there a Truth to be believed?

Referring to temptation, Martin Luther once said, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” What can we learn from Jesus in this passage that will help us combat the temptations we all face from Satan?

  • Is there an Attitude to be fostered?

Talk about trials and temptations. What is the difference between them? What are the benefits of them? Why did Jesus need to be tempted? How do his temptations encourage you in yours? c.f. Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15.

  • Is there a Behavior to be changed?

How can we help encourage one another and hold ourselves accountable? What temptations do you struggle with the most and what are some ways the group can help you through these difficult situations?

Conclusion

In the history of the world two men have been placed on probation to pass a test at the hands of God: Adam and Jesus of Nazareth. The consequences of Adam’s fall to temptation, in the Garden of Eden, were lethal to the human race; the consequences of Jesus’ triumph over temptation, in the wilderness, were life-giving. Jesus was the new Adam, the second federal representative sent by God to save sinners. Satan wanted Jesus to disobey God and fail in his mission, just as Adam did. Satan said, “Look, Jesus, I know that you are God’s Son, and you have come to reverse Adam’s failure. But you are hungry. Now, you don’t have to prove anything to me. Just turn this stone to bread and eat.” As mentioned in the summary, What is under attack here is not really the identity of Jesus, so much as the trustworthiness of the word of God.”

Quoting R. C. Sproul one final time, he said: “It is not simply that Jesus believed in God, but he believed God. He believed the word of God, and in the midst of this crisis, he trusted the truth of God’s word. What happens when we are put to the test? More often than not we follow the example of Adam rather than the example of Christ. One of the greatest crises in the church today is the crisis of unbelief in the word of God. It is one thing to believe in God, it is another thing to believe God. Christ triumphed over Satan because he believed God. He trusted God, he put his life in the hands of God, and he was victorious.”

Though the main point of this passage is showing us that Jesus is indeed the righteous Son of God, his example is instructive for every one of us. Jesus was able to combat the temptations of Satan by knowing, believing, and applying the word of God to each temptation. Jesus knew the word of God so well that even when Satan quoted Scripture to him, Jesus was able to rightly interpret God’s word and not fall into sin.

So, how well do you know God’s word? Are you reading it? Are you memorizing it? Are you able to apply it?

Each one of us needs to know, believe, and apply God’s word to every area of our lives each day. Because, if you do not know God’s word, how can you believe God when temptations come your way?

 

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