August 8, 2010
Morning Service

Matt. 4:1-11

 

Review:

1.       In chapter three we saw the introduction of John the Baptist.  John fulfilled the prophecy given by Isa. Of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord.

2.      We also understand that John and Jesus are related, their Mothers being cousins.  John 6 mo. Older.

3.      John’s message was “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”  Many came to him to receive baptism for the remission of their sins.  Some he called a “brood of vipers.”  These he told to go bring forth fruits of repentance, that was to show they were sincere.

4.      Then we saw one Jesus of Nazareth come forth to be baptized, and John told him, “why do you come to me, it is that I should be coming to you.”  Jesus told John “permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”  Then John baptized Him.

5.      God’s witness at the baptism:  Mat 3:16-17 KJVR  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  (17)  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 

Millions have followed the Lord’s example of fulfilling all righteousness through the waters of baptism, but also because it is commanded of us to be baptized by the Scriptures.  Peter said in Acts chapter 10:  Act 10:47-48 KJVR  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  (48)  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

 

They believed the Word of God, then Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.  I should strengthen your faith when you realize you are coming to God the same way the Scriptures tell you too.

 

Now this morning as we begin chapter 4, I want you to place yourself in the life of Jesus.  You have just accepted the Lord, as your Savior, and you begin your walk in the World, or wilderness.

 

Mat 4:1-25 KJVR  Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 

• This is definitely going to happen to you.  Satan may not come at you right away, but he will definitely come. 

(2)  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry. 

• Fasting is something we need to do more of.  I’m sure that some do, and probably more not than do.  It’s like something that will enrich your spiritual life.

First temptation.

(3)  And when the tempter (who is satan) came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.  (4)  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. 

• Satan knows our weaknesses.  At this particular time it was hunger for Jesus, so satan tempts Him with doing a miracle just to satisfy His fleshly needs.  Turn these stones into bread.  He could’ve.
• This is definitely a problem with our society today, many of us are overweight.  They are saying it is a real concern for our children of today.  Something, I personally am going to work on.
• Then He tells satan it is more important to live by every Word of God, than to satisfy fleshly needs.

Second temptation.

(5)  Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,  (6)  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.  (7)  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 

• Satan knows the Scriptures.  He quotes part of one of my favorite Psalms to Jesus.
• Again Jesus quotes Scripture to him.
• It was amazing when I was in the process of my by-pass operation in 1990, that as I was praying one day I opened the Scriptures to this very Psalm, 91.  There was such a peace that came over me after that, I knew God was going to see me through it.

 

 

 

Third temptation.

(8)  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;  (9)  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  (10)  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 

• Again satan tempts Jesus with the riches, and accolades of this world.  Jesus again uses Scriptures to put satan in his place.

(11)  Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. 

• The result of overcoming is victory.  Each and every temptation we overcome we will feel that much more confident of our walk with God.

 

Just as satan started trying to defeat Jesus, he will also try and defeat you.  He will come at you from every angle of your weaknesses.

 

The first temptation, was that of hunger.  Maybe your out of a job, worried about where your next meal is coming from.  It’s possible that satan will tempt you with doing something against God’s will to supply for your family, but what do we know?  Phi 4:19 KJVR  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Jesus will tell us soon:  Mat 6:31-34 KJVR  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  (33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  (34)  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 

The second temptation was that of tempting God. 

This is quoted literally from Deu_6:16. The meaning is, thou shalt not try him; or, thou shalt not, by throwing thyself into voluntary and uncommanded dangers, appeal to God for protection, or trifle with the promises made to those who are thrown into danger by his providence. It is true, indeed, that God aids those of his people who are placed by him in trial or danger; but it is not true that the promise was meant to extend to those who wantonly provoke him and trifle with the promised help. Thus, Satan, artfully using and perverting Scripture, was met and repelled by Scripture rightly applied.

 

The third temptation is that of wealth, and fame.

Many a child of God has given up a closer walk with God, and chosen the fame of this world.  In the movie Great Balls of Fire, a story of Jerry Lee Lewis’s life.  Explain him leaving the service of J. Swaggart’s.

I think of Elvis, and many, many more.  GOD gave them this talent, and they use it for personal, and worldly gain.

AND I’m not saying these people are eternally lost, I’m just saying that their rewards could have been much greater if they would have stayed in a close relationship with the Lord.  I am actually still blessed by their spiritual music.

 

Two Scriptures I want us to leave with this morning:

1Co 10:13 KJVR  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

Phi 4:13 KJVR  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

Satan will come against you, but we can be victorious.  You are sons, and daughters of God, 1Jo 3:1-3 KJVR  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

Heavenly Father, give us the desire to be overcomers, and to seek after Your will for our lives.   Amen.