Facing Temptation

                                                     Luke 4:1-13

Temptation

- Where the spirit will lead you won’t be the easiest/most comfortable 

• Hebrews 4:15 Jesus was tempted jus like we are everyday, so He is able to identify with His people- However Jesus remained sinless.
• Jesus is a redeemer
• In Luke, God is showing us how to face temptation and win

1. The word of God works the will of God

• In the first temptation, Jesus is tempted with food; a normal natural appetite 
• Jesus was fasting 40 days; The Devil was tempting Jesus to turn a stone into bread

• After 39 days of not eating, your body starts to eat itself.
• Jesus is probably suffering from serious hunger pangs and is on the verge of starving to death

• Our timing is a lack of trust of God. If we want something, we want it sooner and in our way
• Everything/occasion is a lesson from God
• God always provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13)

*Jesus responds to this temptation of a physical need with a spiritual truth! (Psalm 119:9-11)

2. What you worship is what you become

• Next, Jesus is tempted with more power (Luke 4:5-8)
• John 12-31 Jesus is given the power

• The prince of the power of the air= Satan- has control over non-believers
• So Satan is tempting Jesus with more power- Just like any famous/popular person. Like rockstars, athletes, actors, etc. want more and more and are never satisfied

• However Jesus responds- tells Satan to get behind him as if to show that the Lord is first and Satan needs to take a back seat. Jesus worships God alone.
• What do you worship? Yourself? TV? Sports? Wife? 

• Psalm 115:8 you are what you worship

1. Grace is for falling, not for jumping

• Satan tells Jesus to jump off the pinnacle of the temple
• Satan now uses scripture (Psalm 91) to tempt Jesus and uses it out of context

• There are so many doctrines that use scripture out of context 
• That’s why the Bible is a love book and not a law book
• If we use it as a law book then we take it out of context.

• Psalm 106:15- Israelites begging for meat b/c they are sick of manna (even though God is providing for them they still are not satisfied)
• God will give you your way but the consequence will be great

* Final note- When you are led with the spirit, you can use it as a weapon against the devil.