Week 39 – a Tested King Matthew 4:1-11 September 28-29 Summary
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Week 39 – A Tested King Matthew 4:1-11 September 28-29 Summary & Goal: We should never be surprised when we are tempted. In fact, we should be prepared for the sly tricks of deception by Satan just as Jesus was in the wilderness. The Word of God is exactly what we need to make a stand against any temptation. Main Passages: Matthew 4: 1-11 Session Outline: 1. TEMPTATION 1: PRIVATE-- (MATTHEW 4: 1-4) 2. TEMPTATION 2: PUBLIC-- (MATTHEW 4: 5-7) 3. TEMPTATION 3: UNIVERSAL-- (MATTHEW 4: 8-11) Session in a Sentence: When we are at our weakest and most vulnerable, we can still be strong and invincible when we rely on the Word of God as our strength and foundation. We can always be prepared for whatever comes our way through the Word of God. Kingdom Connection: Jesus began His ministry by modeling how we should handle temptation. Jesus, the Son of God, relied on the same scripture we have access to in 2019. The temptation and deception of Satan began in the garden, continued in the wilderness and is still in motion today. 1 Week 39 – A Tested King Matthew 4:1-11 September 28-29 It is hard to believe we are in the Fall of 2019; just a few months from 2020. That means college freshmen and sophomores were not even born when the world was consumed by the potential of the Y2K Millennium Bug in the Fall of 1999. They had not been born when we were wondering whether or not we would have enough water and canned goods to last us for days, weeks and even months if there was a complete breakdown of power, energy and water systems. The potential disaster was truly feared by many people, while profiteers took advantage of that fear all the way to the bank! Most of us were prepared to some extent, or at least mindful of the possibilities. I remember watching Peter Jennings and ABC News on December 31, 1999. Throughout the day I watched as the New Year was celebrated around the world. With each passing hour, it became more and more evident that we were all going to be okay. It was a time for us as Christians to consider the depths of our faith, our trust, and our obedience to God. I will admit that it was easier to be calm and enjoy the celebrations once I watched other parts of the world bring in the year 2000 without disaster, loss of power, failed energy or water systems. Instead of a disaster that shut down civilization, there were landmark celebrations filled with music, fireworks and more. There was an element of true heartfelt relief because the potential “what if” never happened. And I am of the belief that part of what prevented any sort of disaster was preparation and awareness. The company I worked for at the time was “Y2K compliant”, so there was a very real investment of time, money, awareness and preparation for Y2K. Today we are going to look at a potential disaster. It comes at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus and it quite literally could have been the end of the world as the people knew it in the 1st Century. 2 INTRODUCTION We are beginning the Gospel Era. Since January we have seen God move in mighty and miraculous ways. God has been faithful, patient, merciful and just. Last week we celebrated the Return Era after 70 years of Exile when God’s people returned to Jerusalem and re-established the Temple and fortified the city while re-engaging with God’s Word. It was a time of rebuilding, followed by 400 years of silence. In our Bibles, there is typically one thin piece of paper separating the Old and New Testaments, but it is important to remember that piece of paper represents 400 years of silence. However, the silence of God does not equate with the absence of God. God was still moving in His Kingdom, preparing the world for the coming of His Son, Jesus, who was born in the little town of Bethlehem, which introduced the world to the Gospel Era, the time of Jesus on this earth, establishing the heavenly kingdom through an earthly ministry. Today we are going to look at an event following the baptism of Jesus. At this point Jesus is about 30 years old, and though we do not know a lot of specifics about Jesus growing up, here is what we do know based on scripture: • His birth and heritage were prophesied in the Old Testament • His parents were Mary and Joseph, it was an immaculate conception and His birth was in Bethlehem • His parents took Him to Egypt because Herod was killing all Jewish baby boys under the age of 2 because he felt threatened by the “King of the Jews” being born. • At 12 years of age, Jesus was found in Jerusalem talking to the Priests and other adults about scripture; so we know He not only could recite scripture, but He understood scripture and its importance to one’s life. • We know His father, Joseph, was a carpenter and based on the Jewish culture of that day, fathers would teach their sons the “family business” around 12 years of age. • More than likely, Jesus was in the carpenter business during His teenage years and as a young adult. 3 For His first 30 years, honestly, there was not anything too extraordinary about Jesus. In fact, the life of Jesus has been very ordinary, with the exception of a 12-year-old in the temple listening, asking and even answering questions about scripture. TEMPTATION 1: PERSONAL Read with me Matthew 4: 1-11: Matthew 4: 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. (Chronological Bible, Sept. 27; pg. 1282) This is a very familiar story for most of us commonly known as, “The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness.” But if we are not careful, we might skip over the context of this familiar story, especially since this is our first lesson in the Gospel Era, after spending 9 months in the Old Testament. Reviewing the end of Chapter 3 is vital for understanding and fully appreciating Chapter 4 and the Temptation of Jesus. 4 At the end of Chapter 3, Jesus approached John the Baptist and asked to be baptized, which is a reminder that baptism is not part of salvation; but it is an act of obedience and represents surrender to God. Jesus was baptized as an example for us to do the same. Look at the last 2 verses of Chapter 3: Matt. 3: 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Chronological Bible, Sept. 26; pg. 1282) Though the word “Trinity” is never used in Scripture, this is a picture of the Trinity: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit descending as a dove. Notice the words of God the Father, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Jesus was not just a well-known teacher; He was not just some prophet; nor was He just a grown- up carpenter. Jesus was the Son of God and He was doing exactly what God wanted Him to do, even though for about 30 years there was little evidence that Jesus was divine and extraordinary. And yet, look at what God said about His Son, ”this is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus had just been baptized and God was well pleased with His beloved Son. We often forget about that unique relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son. There is something special about the relationship between a father and son; especially a Heavenly Father who allowed His perfect Son to become human; both fully divine and fully human.