Sermon Cloud

Intro/Opening: 

The seduction of the world is strong and we all know it to one degree or the other. Temptation is a reality for everyone who lives in this fallen world under the influence of a master adversary, who is the “god of this world.” 

Temptations come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes but at the very heart of them all is our view of and relationship to God through Christ. 

All the sin of man from Genesis to Revelation; and all the lies, deception, and lust of Satan from the Garden to the Tribulation and the appearance of the antichrist and the beast are here in these 11 verses of our text.   

The battle that is really taking place here is of cosmic and eternal proportions; it represents and displays the battle between darkness and light that has existed since the fall of Satan and bears with it the very ramifications and outcome that determines existence and population of heaven and hell; eternal felicity and eternal suffering. 

You and I must get what is going on here if we are to rightly understand the glory of Christ in His redemptive work, by His being the perfect and sinless substitute for fallen man. And to understand the reality of the deception that lies behind every iniquity and every deception of this world of darkness. These temptations represent the heart of the temptations that you and I face every day. “Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.”

Jesus Christ Conquered Satan and proves to be Perfect Savior we can trust and example we can follow. 

The Preparation and Perfection of Jesus Christ’s victory over temptation, so that we would increase in our wisdom, worship, and trust of Him. 

(1) Person of Christ 

     (a) Perfect representative for Man

     (b) Fully God & Fully Man

(2) Preparation of Christ

     (a) State of Weakness.  

     (b) State of Loneliness 

(3) Perfection of Christ

     (a) Perfect Submission

     (b) Perfect Trust 

     (c) Perfect Worship 

(2) Preparation of Christ. 

(A) State of Weakness. 

“He fasted forty days and forty nights and became hungry”

Essentially the term means to abstain from food and/or drink for a set period of time as a means of religious observance (6:16-18). 

Some fast were prescribed by the Law and only required abstinence for set times of the day; sometimes people fasted as voluntary acts for the purpose of focusing on a specific matter before the Lord, other fast were simply the result of a loss of appetite due to intense and deep emotional or spiritual experience. This is the case here: 

Remember, that Jesus was not simply hanging out in the wilderness without food, but the entire time as spent enduring the assault of the temptations of the Devil (Mk. 1:13; Lk. 4:2 - “being tempted by the Devil”) 

Lk. 4:2 “He ate nothing during those days” - this was total abstinence from food.

Why 40 days and 40 nights?

Don’t know. God has not chosen to tell us; however, the time period does link us to other significant events: 

Ex. 34:28, speaking of Moses when he went on the mountain to receive the Law, “He was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water, and he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.”

In a similar way, 1 Kings 19:8, tells us that Elijah, the great prophet of God, upon fleeing from wicked Jezebel, “The angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, ‘Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.’ SO he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.”

In each case it was a supernatural ability given by God. 

“And He became hungry” The clear implication is that the hunger did not come until the end of the forty days and nights. But when He did we can only imagine the pains of the hunger He felt. 

(B) State of Loneliness. 

He was alone, utterly away from human companionship. There is a real sense of His solitariness in the midst of the trial. He would be alone in His hour of testing , just as He would be alone in His darkest hours of the cross. 

Jesus was certainly One “despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” (Is. 53:3).

What’s the point? Why be brought to the point of such weakness, need, even near physical death? Let me mention two: 

(1) It emphasizes the absolute sinless perfection; because there was absolutely no sin in Him. Temptation draws out what is in our hearts.  

ILLUST: (A) Tired children; (B) When you are tired, or had a long tough day, how much more likely are you to sin in your attitude? Your physical state influences the ability to deal with sin.  

Jesus Christ is taken to the fullest possible extent of human weakness. If there was any sin in Him, certainly it would come out at this point, but no matter how weakened and tempted He shone forth as the “lamb unblemished and spotless.” Because Satan has “nothing in [Him]” (John 14:30). 

(2) It eliminates any excuses of His accusers who would say, “If only He were tempted when hungry or experiencing real need, then He would have sinned.” This was Satan’s argument against Job - he only served God because it was convenient. Here Christ is brought the absolute limits of human endurance, and yet was without sin. 

Unlike the 1^st Adam, who had every advantage, Jesus would be brought to a state of complete want. Think about the parallels:  

Adam & Eve were in a beautiful and lush Garden /  Jesus harsh and barren desert. 

Adam & Eve were well feed and abundant food / Jesus was at the extreme limit of hunger and no food was available. 

Adam & Eve had each other to strengthen one another against the temptation / Jesus was all alone.

In every way the degree of temptation had to put in the most extreme context so that there could be absolute victory and absolutely no excuse or recourse to any who would try to take away the significance, reality, and magnitude of the testimony of His sinlessness. 

(3) Perfections of Christ: Overcoming Temptation. 

(A) Perfect Submission.

Temptation #1: Live in Independence of God. 

(3) “and the tempter came” 

As mentioned earlier, this was not his first appearance as both Mark and Luke note that He endured the Devil for the entire 40 days. 

There is a clear connection here with v. 1 to emphasize Satan, the Devil, the one who tempts, as the source of the temptation. 

 He was “led into the wilderness ... to be tempted by the Devil” “he who tempts came …” 

The struggle between the “seed of the woman” and the seed of man. 

In what form did the Devil appear? 

Don’t know;. It is clear that spirit beings can take on the form of humans:

Gen. 3 - appeared as a serpent. 

2 Cor. 11:14 - disguises himself as an “angel of light”

Gen 18:1-2 - men who came to speak to Abraham were angels; even One was the “Angel of the Lord;” even ate bread.  

Heb. 13:2 - “angels” appear as strangers

What ever form he came in there is clear personal interaction between the Lord and Satan: He spoke (“said to Him”); he pointed (“these stones”), he moved about (“took Him”). These were no mere inner suggestions or impressions - real battle / real person.

“If you are the Son of God then turn these stones into bread”

Clear connection with the Father’s affirmation (3:17): but not likely that Satan is calling into doubt His Sonship, but rather the temptation is to how He is to act in relation to His being the Son. 

“Son” is emphatic, as if to say, “Surely, if the Son of God, as I just heard, You have the right and power to end your hunger right here and now! Come on, You can do it!”

Note: the audacity of Satan; there is no place he fears to tread - our prayer closet, the church, a worship service, even the incarnate God Himself. 

What is the nature of the temptation? What is he really tempting Him with? His hunger? This was at least a part of it as can be seen by the clear connection between “fasted … Became hungry … bread” 

As with each of the temptations (as with us) there is a twofold reality: 

(1) The immediate need [surface issue] 

(2) the spiritual implication in the means of satisfying that need [heart issue] - temptation is an attack on our view of God. His being hungry is only the superficial lure; it is not the heart issue. 

Let’s observe a couple of things about this temptation: 

(1) It is a legitimate need that he tempts Him with. 

(2) It is something within His power. 

(a) He is God, after all; even John the Baptist knew God has this kind of power: “God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham” - how much more these stones!

(b) He would do similar miracles later; but at the appropriate time. 

Satan did not want Him to do something that was in itself illegitimate, or outside of His power, but with the wrong motive and for the wrong reason: to act in independence from the Father. 

The lure of the temptation is this: Will You submit Yourself to the Father’s sovereign care and provision. “Will you live in humble dependance upon God?” 

This would not be the last time this temptation would come: 

(a) The temptation in Peter’s rebuke: “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised upon the third day. Peter too Him a side and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.’” (16:21-23). 

(b) The temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane: Surely, you can hear the whispers of Satan in the agony of Christ’s prayers, “Come on You are God’s Son, You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to suffer. Come on, just forget the cross, there is still time.” 

This temptation confronts man at the most basic level of our existence: a creature made to live in absolute dependance upon his Creator. It is the sin of man to want independence from God. 

Gen 3:1-6 - This mirrors the first temptation in the Garden. “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not at from any tree of the garden?’” The object was the appealing desire of the fruit, but the deception lied in the accusation against God’s character: His goodness in providing all that was necessary for their needs and satisfaction. 

This is the at the foundation of fallen man’s rebellion - man wants to live in independence of God - Ps. 2 “Let us tear their fetters from us” At the heart of every pagan government, policies, social problems, hatred of Christians, and our own tendency toward disobedience is this most subtle temptation.  

To acknowledge one’s absolute dependence upon God for everything attacks man’s pride at it very foundation. This is where Eve was deceived, Israel rebelled, and is at the foundation of all man’s sin. 

It applies to all men, at all times, in all places. All are created in the image of God, all have the same corrupt heart, and all refuse to live with this basic recognition of dependence upon God, Creator of heaven and earth. 

Therefore it is exactly at this point that Jesus needed to and did prevail absolutely victorious in His obedience and trust in God. 

How did Jesus respond? 

(4) “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but upon every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” -

Quoting from LXX of Deut. 8:2, which immediately takes us back to the nation of Israel, in the wilderness, just before entering the promised land. 

Deut. 8:3 - Context: vv. 1-3. 

“All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your forefathers. You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 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.” 

The issue was, however, that the children of Israel were to daily trust God to provide exactly what they needed. It was a matter of learning to live in complete dependence upon Him; thus on “every word that is proceeding through the mouth of God.”  

What does He mean by “ever word that proceeds …”? 

He is talking about a life lived in absolute trust and dependence upon God Self-revelation. 

Ps. 119:10-11 “With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may no sin against You.” 

The answer from Scripture is significant in a number of ways: 

(1) Testifies to authority and sufficiency of God’s Word

“Everything for life and godliness” 

(2) Testifies to the inspiration of God’s Word (“God-breathed” 2 Tim. 3). 

(3) Testifies to God’s trustworthiness in His Word.

(4) Testifies to Christ’s Perfection: where Israel and man failed, He prevailed. And this why God has recorded this for us. 

How does this temptation flesh out in our lives? Essentially 2 ways: 

(1) Appears in times of need: 

(a) Anxiety over God’s provision - excessive anxiety and worry over God’s provision is sin. 

(b) Willingness to sin in order for personal gain, justified by meeting the needs of a family “Well, I needed to lie on the application because I need a job to provide for my family,” cheating on taxes, unethical business decisions, and the list could go on. 

(c) Lack of giving to the Lord’s work because of a greed and fear that He will not provide for you if you make a sacrifice for His glory. 

(2) Appears in time of abundance: 

Lack a sense of Dependence: trust in our own resources. 

Deut. 8:16-17 “In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know , that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end. Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’” But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as this day.”

Christ Perfection: Submitted to God who provided His needs in His own time (4:11). So, beloved we have the same charge. Here Christ sets the example, later He will give the same charge to His people: 6:25-34 (*33).

Temptation #2: Act in Prideful Presumption. 

“then the Devil took Him to the holy city and stood Him on the pinnacle of the temple” 

“to the holy city” - Jerusalem, the city of God; Zion. This is Christ’s city in a very real sense. He is the glory of Zion, He is her hope. Now He is  stood by the Devil on the pinnacle of the very temple in which every activity is an illustration and pointer to Him! 

*Is. 52:1ff provides a striking parallel. Context of this portion of Isaiah is the return of God’s people from captivity, back to the “holy city.” The news of such return provide the foundation of the “good news” of Jesus Christ that is to come from the mouths of the redeemed: “how lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good new of happiness and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Is. 52:7).

“the temple” - this would have been Herod’s temple, not yet completed at this point, but considered one of the most magnificent structures of the ancient world. 

“the pinnacle” Not sure where exactly this is, most suggest “Herod’s royal portico which overhung the Kedron Valley and looked down some four hundred and fifty feet.”

 An ancient source notes this as the place from where James, the Lord’s half-brother, was thrown to his death. 

Thus he says, “If you are God’s Son, throw Yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will give His angels charge concerning you and upon their hands they will lift you up, lest you should strike our foot against a stone”

One author notes the progression: “So, you trust your Father?’ says the tempter, as it were. ‘Well, then prove it.’”

Similar to the peoples mocking at the cross, “And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.’”

Except here Satan goes even further and says, “For it is written” is an exact repetition of the Lord’s reply to the previous temptation. It is as if Satan is saying, “Well, if you want to appeal to Scripture, I can do the same thing.” 

The quote is from Psalm 91:11-12 (READ). Note: 

(1) The Devil omitted the 2^nd phrase of v. 11 “to guard you in all your ways.” Luke does retain the words, “to guard you” 

However, omitting a phrase is well within NT citations. The real twisting was not in the omission but in the misinterpretation and misapplication. 

(2) The context of the entire Psalm is of God’s protection for the one who trust in Him (“I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” [2]).

(3) Satan uses the right words, but twists the context (!!!).

Some very telling insight here: 

(1) Satan knows Scripture and will use it. 

(2) Satan’s use of Scripture is not in a denial, but a twisting; even trying to use Scripture against Scripture. Like the typical argument of his children who say, “The Bible contradicts itself.” (*2 Cor. 11:1ff)

There is a proper interpretation of each passage - the plain meaning of the text. Those who say, “That’s just your interpretation,” to deny the plain meaning are using the same tactics of Satan. 

What is the temptation? To presume on His Sonship and assert His own Self-will for by putting God to the test. Making God prove Himself. Scripture puts the source of this as unbelief. This is trying to get Jesus to take matters into His own hand, to use His own wisdom, to test God.  

Satan was attempting to draw sin out of Him; he could have pushed Him down, but his would not have been sin, but simply suffering. 

The Lord’s Reply: “Again, it is written …” 

The Lord’s reply brings out the true nature of the temptation: putting God to the test; to try and gain the approval of the people by making God prove Himself; by trying to force God to vindicate His power and truthfulness on His own terms. 

The Lord is again quoting from Deut. this time 6:16 “You shall not put the LORD your God to the text, as you tested at Massah.” - again the context of Deuteronomy is Israel in the wilderness. The incident being referred to is Exodus 17:1-7 (*7): Review context. 

Ultimately the sin was wanting God to prove Himself: “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?”

The whole point of the context in both Psalm 91 and in Deut. 6 is that of obedience to God, motivated by fear, love, and trust. God would fight for His people and deliver them by His own power in His own time. Theirs was simply to trust, obey, and wait for His action on their behalf. 

The rebuke in the Deut. context is that they wanted to force God to prove Himself rather than waiting with a heart of worship, trust, fear, and faith. 

Also, the Lord’s reply points out some keys to understanding Hermeneutics: 

(1) Context is king. Text without a context is a pretext. We must not be careless in cross referencing. 

(2) Scripture never contradicts Scripture - when each passage is properly understood (Analogy of the Faith). 

Again, we are confronted with the base depravity of man: Putting God to the test is a mark of fallen man. It is to put oneself above the Lord and try to put Him in a position of having to prove Himself to man. (ILLUST: Atheist who says, “If God is real, then I dare you to strike me down right now.” - recent incident where solider went up and struck man who said that, remarking, that God was to busy, so he was going to do it for Him.”)

Luke 10:25 - “and a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do o inherit eternal life?’” The man’s question was not an honest inquiry but intended to trap the Lord; to exalt the lawyer’s own wisdom and insight at the expense of the Lord. So ruled was he by pride that even after the answer he continued to try and “justify himself” (29). 

1 Cor. 10:9 - Num. 21:1-9  the people “became impatient because of the journey” and so they grumbled and the Lord judged them by sending fiery serpents. They tested the Lord in their complaints in that they were rebelling against His providence, they were not honoring Him by faith, and demanding that He prove Himself to them by meeting their desires, in their way, on their timing. 

How do this temptation come to you? 

(1) Do you grumble and complain at difficulties of providence? “If You really loved me Lord, as your word says ...” 

(2) Presumption on God’s provision and making plans:

James 4:13-16 “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord will, we will live and also do this or that.’ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.”

(3) Many have fallen to this in that they seek the miraculous to affirm God’s Word. 

This is the very drive of many in the charismatic movement. And it is no different than it was in Jesus’ day, “and evil and adulterous generations seeks for sign” - rather than to simply submit to and obey God’s clearly revealed Word. (12:38). 

CONCLUSION: 

Can you find yourself being tempted in any of these same areas? I’m sure you can, if not now before. If not now, you will. Are you watchful for these every so subtle temptations in your heart?

With His victories we come face to face with our failures, but not to be discouraged and left there, to to rise up in faith to the One who is a merciful and sympathetic High Priest, who gives grace from His throne to help in time of need, who was victorious over the very sin, or temptation to which you have fallen, so that you would not have to rely on your own strength and your faith would rest in Him, who alone is a Perfect Savior, and not yourself.