2.2.6 1.7.2024 Luke 4.1-13 Certain When Tempted
Luke: Certain about Jesus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness
2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.
3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’ ”
5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time,
6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.
7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”
8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ”
9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,
10 for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’
11 and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”
12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Entice: Discussing temptation is uncomfortably personal. As those redeemed, it is not all that difficult to admit we are “sinners saved by grace”, in the most general sense. The topic of temptation reminds us that some sin is specific and is either linked to our appetites or our sense of person. In 1 Corinthians 10.13 Paul writes……
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Here, Paul reminds us that temptation is
Natural
Natural
=common to man.
Personal
Personal
= according to our ability.
Endurable.
Endurable.
Engage: The story of Jesus’ temptation shows us that temptation is often also a matter of vulnerability. Jesus was vulnerable when the Devil approached Him in the dessert. He had been fasting, likely in contemplation of His soon to be inaugurated Messianic task. And here comes the tempter focusing on the rumble in His belly,
His divine prerogative,
and the
goal of His mission.
Jesus could see it all—and the devil offered it to Him!
Expand: The devil tempted Jesus to gratify His appetites and to grasp His destiny—at a time and a place outside of the plan and purpose of God.
The story reminds us that temptation is often less about the thing itself than it is about the time and intent.
Hungry people do need to eat.
Jesus was destined to rule.
The scripture did say what the devil quoted.
The devil takes what is good, even necessary twisting and distorting it to his own purpose.
Excite: It is fascinating that Jesus does not turn His resistance to temptation into a “moral crusade.” He doesn’t really contend with the devil, there is no argument. Jesus declines temptation without debate. Oh, the lessons Jesus teaches! And for the wisdom to learn from Him!
Explore:
Jesus shows us how to be certain in our faith even as the devil acts to distract us.
Jesus shows us how to be certain in our faith even as the devil acts to distract us.
Expand: Jesus demonstrates three strategies for overcoming temptation.
Body of Sermon: To begin with Jesus teaches us to
1 Reason From Scripture.
1 Reason From Scripture.
1.1 The Scriptures Form our character.
1.1 The Scriptures Form our character.
1.2 The Scriptures Focus our thoughts.
1.2 The Scriptures Focus our thoughts.
1.3 The Scriptures Furnish our response.
1.3 The Scriptures Furnish our response.
Jesus’ next strategy is to
2 Respond Simply.
2 Respond Simply.
It is what Jesus does not do that illustrates this strategy.
2.1 Don’t argue.
2.1 Don’t argue.
with the tempter.
2.2 Don’t show off.
2.2 Don’t show off.
(Don’t try and convince the adversary how clever, smart, or strong you are.)
2.2.1 You don’t owe the devil or any human agent of temptation an explanation.
2.2.2 Do not trade truths with a liar.
2.3 Don’t boast.
2.3 Don’t boast.
Righteous living is always about God.
Finally, like Jesus
3 Rely upon the Spirit.
3 Rely upon the Spirit.
3.1 Remain Focused.
3.1 Remain Focused.
3.1.1 The Devil will distract, flatter, and reframe what God expects of us.
3.1.2 This brings us back to those Biblical principles deeply ingrained within us.
3.2 Remain Faithful.
3.2 Remain Faithful.
Shut Down
We read practicality into texts because we want to identify with them and, when possible, apply them to our contemporary circumstances. These temptations of Jesus were both like and unlike our own. The location and nature of His temptations were specific. They spoke, in one way or another to His Messianic Mission.
Luke will record in the Gospel or Acts when Jesus actually does, in the appropriate context what The devil tempted Him to do out of time. He does in fact multiply bread…if not creating it from stones. Luke will tell us that He is Lord of all those kingdoms! And Luke will record His resurrection and ascension. The Devil tempts Him to take short-cuts. His resolve serves as an example in our times of temptation.
The Devil knew who He was. The temptations of Jesus were designed to specifically appeal to His unique person—incarnate God-in-flesh—appealing to His humanity to distract Him from His divine purpose. His fortitude is not only an example but an initial step to our own salvation.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
He knows the allure of our appetites. He understands the attraction of power and spectacle. He chose instead
the way of scripture,
the way of simplicity,
the way of the Spirit.
His example for us today, His instruction, His Word is that we can find certainty in the same way. If you desire that kind of certainty, perhaps today is the day for you to respond in faith.