The Temptation of Power

N. T. #23"The Temptation of Power"

March 9, 2023

Matthew 4-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

The first temptation was Satan challenging Jesus to change the stones into bread. This would have satisfied His physical hunger. Jesus did not yield to the temptation, but quoted Scripture. Man

What was Jesus challenged to do?  is not only to live by bread, but by the Word of God.

The second temptation of Jesus to sin took place on the pinnacle of the Temple. Satan took Him there.

Pinnacle means extremity (top corner).

You know that Jerusalem is located on a hill. We were able to see that partial corner of the wall which remains. It is up high. Jesus would have been able to see for miles while sitting there.

What was Satan's second challenge? It was to show Jesus' power if He is the Son of God. Satan even used the tactic of quoting Scripture, yet it was not correct. 

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 stone. (verse 6)

(Notice that thou and thee are not capitalized because Satan did not recognize Jesus as part of the Trinity of God and deity.) 

Jesus had an opportunity to show He was the Messiah for all Jerusalem to see. Had He done so, Jesus would have done His will and not the Father's will and plan for His life. Satan tried to get Jesus to bypass the cross. 

We need to have our spiritual eyes and ears open to the voice of God, not the temptations of sin.

LET IT GROW

Psalm 91:11-13 says, For he shall bie his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 

Notice that Satan left out "to keep Thee in all Thy ways." Also, Jesus will ultimately defeat devil and cast him into hell forever.-the lake of fire and brimstone. (That part was left out.) Revelation 20:10)

What a day that will be!

How did Jesus answer the devil's temptation to sin?

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (verse 7)

Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 6:16. 

Tempt means to test thoroughly.

It would have been a presumptuous action to see if God would protect Jesus. We are not to put ourself in harm's way just to see if God would rescue us. That would be a lack of faith. 

Keep in mind that the devil knows Scripture but will quote it wrongly for his advantage. God does not need Satan's help to get us where He wants us to go. We are to never use disobedience to back God into a corner to force Him to fulfill His plan. (Tony Evans)

God is not to be tested. His will, His power, His protection, His promises are not to be presumed upon or taken advantage of or misused. God is to be trusted. His will and His Word are to be trusted and obeyed just as they are laid down; all things are to be done exactly as He says. Do we believe God because we love Him as our Father, not because of events and happenings? (Is. 43:10) Christ's mission was to focus people's attention on faith in God, His eternal kingdom, and their need for God. 

[Resource: The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible]

LET IT GO

Help us not focus on the spectacular, but on You, Jesus.

Show us when we are tempted to sin.