Matthew 4:1-11

Points of View

•Assignment #1 for Jesus:

•To be led BY THE SPIRIT

• Into a hostile environment

•To be tempted by the Devil

•The Devil’s Point of View:

•40 days of temptation

•To weaken Jesus

•To disqualify Jesus from the ministry ahead

•1 Jn. 2:15-17 - Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives for ever.

•Lust of the flesh (vs. 2-3):

• Jesus was legitimately hungry after 40 days

•The temptation of bread = legitimate appetite of the body

•To fulfill his need this way was outside of God’s will

•Don’t allow legitimate appetites cause a straying from Gods will in your life:

•Abraham, Hagar, Ishmael

•Abraham, Issac

•Lust of the eyes (vs. 8-9):

•Appealed to Jesus senses

•Attempt to bring in covetousness for what Jesus had every right to

•Resist the temptation to manoeuvre yourself into position

•Stay on God’s timing

•Moses knew at 40 that he would lead Israel out of Egypt

•He waited for God’s initiation at 80

•David new he was anointed king but waited for God to remove Saul before he took the throne

• Jesus was about His father’s business at 12 but waited on His Fathers timing

•Pride of Life (vs. 5-6):

•Let the whole world see who you are

•Motive = to fulfill a prideful desire, not the purpose of His Kingdom

•The Devil uses Scripture (Psalm 91:11-12) but stops before vs. 13

•Be careful of out of context Scripture usage

• Jesus made Himself of no reputation (Phil. 2:7)

• Jesus always did what pleased The Father (John 8:29)

• Jesus rebuked hypocrites who sought mans praise (Matt. 6)

•These tactics have been The Devils’ since the start:

•Genesis 3:6 - When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh) and pleasing to the eye (lust of the eye), and also desirable for gaining wisdom (pride of life), she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

• The difference:

• Adam & Eve were tempted to do wrong by Gods command

• Jesus was tempted to do what was right at the wrong time

•God’s Point of View:

•40 days of testing

•To strengthen and qualify Jesus for the ministry

•“The exact same events had the potential of the exact opposite effects. Every attack of Satan is a potential springboard to growth, as we respond to God within it, and every experience of the Holy Spirit carries with it a potential opportunity of shipwreck if we allow the devil to intrude! It was Satan who attacked Jesus in the wilderness, but it was the Spirit who led him into the sphere of conflict. The very thing the devil would use to destroy us is the very thing God uses to build us.” - Charles Price

• Jesus’ attitude to resources (vs. 4):

•Scripture had the answer (Deut. 8:3)

•Scripture has the answer (Phil. 4:19) - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

• Jesus’ attitude to reputation (vs. 7):

•Scripture had the answer (Deut. 6:16)

•Scripture has the answer (John 17:4) - I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

• Jesus’ attitude to responsibility (vs. 10):

•Scripture had the answer (Deut. 6:13)

•Scripture has the answer (Matt. 28:18) - All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

•Responsibility is GIVEN, not taken

•Then it’s God’s business, not ours!

•“The Greek for tempted can also mean tested”

•Who’s point of view do you see?

• Is it God’s life or your own?

•Do you trust Him?

•Can He trust you to trust Him when the going gets tough, as it did for Jesus?