Once upon a time, my mother unfairly got upset with me. My favorite fruit is the orange. I developed the skill of peeling an orange so the peel stays together. One day, I was perhaps 7-8, my mother counted how many oranges I had eaten. She thought it was unreasonable in one day to eat 8 oranges! She made a rule. From that day on I was limited to know more than 3 a day. To this day, if I were to even think about eating a 4th orange, I would feel guilty. It’s a silly little personal temptation.
The word temptation has been high jacked to cover trivial personal disciplines. If I say “temptation” what’s the first word that comes to mind? [Chocolate] One person wrote, “[My personal temptation] fried egg sandwich with mayo, lima beans, and fried okra...”
The word temptation has been high jacked to cover trivial personal disciplines. If I say “temptation” what’s the first word that comes to mind? [Chocolate] One person wrote, “[My personal temptation] fried egg sandwich with mayo, lima beans, and fried okra...”
If you define temptation narrowly, you get this kind of thinking: “Temptation is wanting what you can not have… I am the one who decides what I should, or should not have, so I can have anything I want, and so…I have no temptations. Life is simple when you stop trying to squeeze into the molds others create for you. I please myself. If others don't like me the way I am, they can take a flying jump at the moon.” Satan could not write the words better himself! Temptation is not about what you can or cannot have. Temptation is about your relationship with Jesus.
Jesus is tempted. Satan is behind the temptations, but temptation is not a sin. Ch. 3 Jesus is baptized as a sign of God’s anointing with the Holy Spirit. In ch. 4, the baptism is finished, the party is over, the Christian life begins. Jesus is thrown into the trenches. … twice in Luke 4:1 the Spirit is highlighted, Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit and he is led by the Spirit… after you receive Jesus, you, too, will be thrown into the trenches and you will be tempted. Like Jesus, God will NEVER abandon you, no matter how you feel…
Two questions: when are you likely to be tempted? What does temptation mean? Satan does not care about me gaining weight, how many oranges I eat, if I am a drunk or a stoner ~ if Satan can use any of those things as tools to help distance you from God, Satan succeeds… but God loves sinners. Satan has given up trying to get God to NOT love us ~ Jesus died on the cross… the heart of temptation is your relationship with Jesus. God’s already declared he will never abandon me, so the only card Satan has to play is to get me to abandon God.
Question #1: when are you most likely to be tempted? When you are vulnerable, tired, desperate. Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness…” For Jesus it was a literal place, but there is a figurative sense to “wilderness”: times when you are lost, hungry, uncertain, not enough water to quench your thirst...
Some of you are in the wilderness. You’re in a situation in which you can see no good answer. Discouragement. Doubt. Drained… temptation may come in the form of addictions or patterns you’ve desperately tried to shed, but they’ve helped you escape in the past. Satan will not attack your strengths. He will attack your vulnerabilities. Never forget the Spirit of God is leading you … there is a cosmic struggle giving you a choice…
When Jesus answers Satan, he goes to the Bible. The word of God is an amazing source of comfort and strength. Here’s a silly little joke that perhaps has a lesson about Bible reading… Mama’s Bible:
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers. One evening, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the 95th birthday gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who moved to Florida ...
Milton said, "You know I had a big house built for Mama."
Michael said, "And I had a large theater built in the house."
Marvin said, "And I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."
Melvin said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and she can't read anymore because she can't see well. I met this pastor who told me about a parrot who could recite the entire Bible. I had to pledge to contribute $50,000 a year for five years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama only has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed. After the celebration Mama sent out her "Thank You" notes.
She wrote: "Milton , the house you built is so huge that I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater that can hold 50 people, but all of my friends are gone, I've lost my hearing, and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thanks for the gesture just the same."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home; I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Dear Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. Thank you so much. The chicken was delicious." Love, Mama
The lesson is that the Bible is a pretty valuable book…don’t misuse it…The quotations Jesus uses are from Dt. 6 and one Dt. 8. No coincidence. In these Chapters, Israel is in the wilderness. Jesus is in the wilderness. When are you most likely to be tempted? When you are in the wilderness, aimless, confused, hungry, lonely, when you don’t know what to do. A tired person is more likely to get in a car accident….
When are you likely to be tempted? When you are wandering in the wilderness. What does it mean to be tempted? Three times Satan came to tempt Jesus. The same temptations we face…
A. Satan suggests Jesus will die if he doesn’t eat…He must take care of himself… Luke 4:3. This is the temptation of self-sufficiency. Do it on our own! independence, answer only to myself. The truth: we need others… we need wisdom of others, affirming each other, loving each other. Most important: We need God. What is the first temptation? Take a short-cut to food, because you are hungry. Take the easy way out… It’s an invitation to laziness… there is nothing wrong with bread. A hungry person is more likely to steal a loaf of bread than a person with a full belly. When you see people out of control, making bad decisions, we quickly condemn for being irresponsible; dig deeper and perhaps they are searching and in great need of the Savior ~ we opt for a short-cut to peace that gets us in trouble instead of waiting for the Lord to usher us to the promised land of abundance and peace. The bread is good, it’s how you get it that’s the problem. This is a slight of hand on Satan’s part: the bread is the carrot Satan is holding up for Jesus to see, that looks good, but the process…
When I did some online classes a few years ago, after one class, the teacher apologized for not being as engaged with the class as she would normally do. She told us there were an extraordinary number of cheaters in the class that purchased the papers... That made me curious. I googled some of the papers. Sure enough, within two minutes, I found a dozen sites offering to sell me the papers. Why work so hard to pass this class, who really cares, you don’t have time anyway, just bi-pass all the work and buy an “A”. Take a short-cut, God is taking too long; what difference does it make. You’re hungry aren’t you? The temptation is to take a short cut to satisfy your hunger.
When you are tested, don’t bi-pass God’s provision. Never quit believing… Think about what Satan wants: to break your relationship with God; a most effective way is to bi-pass God and take a short-cut...
B. Satan promises Jesus instant success…Luke 4:5-8… success/power/authority by compromising. This is the lure of gambling/the lottery, rather than working hard to have your life instantly changed. Just let me be successful, Lord, without having to work so hard. Perhaps the Lord calls you to share the gospel in a foreign nation ~ you may have to work hard to learn a new language. It’s part of the discipline that makes you strong... The Bible is full of examples of people who did not have the patience to wait for God: Abraham could not wait to have a child in God’s timeline, so he took matters into his own hands and became the father of Ishmael…
If Satan can’t get you to quit trusting God and rely on yourself by taking a short-cut to peace, then how about a good compromise. You know what God wants for you, and most of the time you make good decisions, but sometimes it’s hard to always be the good person. You should not talk badly of others, but you do anyway. You know you should not neglect your responsibilities, but sometimes it’s more fun to let others be the adult so you can goof off. The Lord wants you to be a strong person of integrity, but sometimes an opportunity comes along you can’t resist… Who will know, anyway…
The devil is constantly whispering in your ear, it doesn’t matter, it’s good, it’s fun, it will make you a better person… We all know what it’s like to surprise ourselves by doing that which we don’t even believe… the temptation to compromise your convictions is huge…
C. the next temptation: Satan offers Jesus a strategy for popularity…wow the crowd... READ Luke 4:9-12. Children sometimes dream of becoming famous, a famous ball player, a famous actor, adored by crowds… but don’t consider the cost… Jesus’ calling is not to WOW the crowd, but to suffer death on the cross… wouldn’t it be great to just hang out a shingle on the side of the church and have the whole community saved… but there is a cost that must be paid. Our calling is to be witnesses for Christ in this community…your niche. It may be costly. For Jesus, he must wear the crown of thorns before he wears a crown of glory. Satan says forget the suffering, just WOW the crowds, the angels will reveal your glory.
One of our great temptations is to bi-pass the difficulty of discipleship, the patience, the disappointments. So much easier to half heartedly follow God, so much less heart-ache. Talk big but then quickly give in… I ran across a great quote, worth pondering… Edward Judson, speaking of his father, Adoniram Judson, who had suffered as a missionary in Burma: “If we succeed without suffering, it is because others have suffered before us. If we suffer without success, it is because others may succeed after us.” I don’t know where this old world is going, but here is my commitment, if the Lord calls me to suffer without success, then I will do so for the sake of his kingdom. Satan has been known to say to me, “ make a name for yourself, write a book and set a goal to sell a million copies so people will be inspired, you can do it…” Satan may say to you, “just hang around people who will sing your praises, don’t’ go to the messy people, don’t risk criticism and rejection, why would you want to suffer, you’ve already suffered enough, just sit back and rest and let others take risks.”
We have to quit caring who gets the credit. That’s what Jesus is saying when he resists Satans temptation… I work hard to remind myself that SACC doesn’t need any credit for anything, SOH doesn’t need credit, if the name of Carl Crouse is trumpeted from the newspaper, who gives a flying fig… Satan says to Jesus, wow the crowds…
Popularity is always a subtle temptation that can so easily take your focus away from Christ, and like greed, there is never quite enough, never quite enough praises, just a little bit more accolades and I’ll be happy. Whole groups of Christians can spend a life time patting themselves on the back, we are so very good at impressing ourselves. What’s Satan saying? If he can’t get you to quit trusting God, or compromise, how about taking the place of God by seeking the praises of men.
Three temptations: take a short cut to peace by bi-passing God, be successful even if it means compromise, popularity. The wilderness is part of the journey of life…, God will never abandon you… the temptation is to think God doesn’t care, but that is a lie of Satan. When you are hurting, resist the temptation to bi-pass God, to compromise what you know is right, to seek the spotlight for yourself. Through the spirit, constantly go back to God, trusting in him, remaining faithful to him, and pointing the way to Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jesus is tempted. Satan is behind the temptations, but temptation is not a sin. Ch. 3 Jesus is baptized as a sign of God’s anointing with the Holy Spirit. In ch. 4, the baptism is finished, the party is over, the Christian life begins. Jesus is thrown into the trenches. … twice in Luke 4:1 the Spirit is highlighted, Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit and he is led by the Spirit… after you receive Jesus, you, too, will be thrown into the trenches and you will be tempted. Like Jesus, God will NEVER abandon you, no matter how you feel…
Two questions: when are you likely to be tempted? What does temptation mean? Satan does not care about me gaining weight, how many oranges I eat, if I am a drunk or a stoner ~ if Satan can use any of those things as tools to help distance you from God, Satan succeeds… but God loves sinners. Satan has given up trying to get God to NOT love us ~ Jesus died on the cross… the heart of temptation is your relationship with Jesus. God’s already declared he will never abandon me, so the only card Satan has to play is to get me to abandon God.
Question #1: when are you most likely to be tempted? When you are vulnerable, tired, desperate. Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness…” For Jesus it was a literal place, but there is a figurative sense to “wilderness”: times when you are lost, hungry, uncertain, not enough water to quench your thirst...
Some of you are in the wilderness. You’re in a situation in which you can see no good answer. Discouragement. Doubt. Drained… temptation may come in the form of addictions or patterns you’ve desperately tried to shed, but they’ve helped you escape in the past. Satan will not attack your strengths. He will attack your vulnerabilities. Never forget the Spirit of God is leading you … there is a cosmic struggle giving you a choice…
When Jesus answers Satan, he goes to the Bible. The word of God is an amazing source of comfort and strength. Here’s a silly little joke that perhaps has a lesson about Bible reading… Mama’s Bible:
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers. One evening, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the 95th birthday gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who moved to Florida ...
Milton said, "You know I had a big house built for Mama."
Michael said, "And I had a large theater built in the house."
Marvin said, "And I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."
Melvin said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and she can't read anymore because she can't see well. I met this pastor who told me about a parrot who could recite the entire Bible. I had to pledge to contribute $50,000 a year for five years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama only has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed. After the celebration Mama sent out her "Thank You" notes.
She wrote: "Milton , the house you built is so huge that I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater that can hold 50 people, but all of my friends are gone, I've lost my hearing, and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thanks for the gesture just the same."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home; I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Dear Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. Thank you so much. The chicken was delicious." Love, Mama
The lesson is that the Bible is a pretty valuable book…don’t misuse it…The quotations Jesus uses are from Dt. 6 and one Dt. 8. No coincidence. In these Chapters, Israel is in the wilderness. Jesus is in the wilderness. When are you most likely to be tempted? When you are in the wilderness, aimless, confused, hungry, lonely, when you don’t know what to do. A tired person is more likely to get in a car accident….
When are you likely to be tempted? When you are wandering in the wilderness. What does it mean to be tempted? Three times Satan came to tempt Jesus. The same temptations we face…
A. Satan suggests Jesus will die if he doesn’t eat…He must take care of himself… Luke 4:3. This is the temptation of self-sufficiency. Do it on our own! independence, answer only to myself. The truth: we need others… we need wisdom of others, affirming each other, loving each other. Most important: We need God. What is the first temptation? Take a short-cut to food, because you are hungry. Take the easy way out… It’s an invitation to laziness… there is nothing wrong with bread. A hungry person is more likely to steal a loaf of bread than a person with a full belly. When you see people out of control, making bad decisions, we quickly condemn for being irresponsible; dig deeper and perhaps they are searching and in great need of the Savior ~ we opt for a short-cut to peace that gets us in trouble instead of waiting for the Lord to usher us to the promised land of abundance and peace. The bread is good, it’s how you get it that’s the problem. This is a slight of hand on Satan’s part: the bread is the carrot Satan is holding up for Jesus to see, that looks good, but the process…
When I did some online classes a few years ago, after one class, the teacher apologized for not being as engaged with the class as she would normally do. She told us there were an extraordinary number of cheaters in the class that purchased the papers... That made me curious. I googled some of the papers. Sure enough, within two minutes, I found a dozen sites offering to sell me the papers. Why work so hard to pass this class, who really cares, you don’t have time anyway, just bi-pass all the work and buy an “A”. Take a short-cut, God is taking too long; what difference does it make. You’re hungry aren’t you? The temptation is to take a short cut to satisfy your hunger.
When you are tested, don’t bi-pass God’s provision. Never quit believing… Think about what Satan wants: to break your relationship with God; a most effective way is to bi-pass God and take a short-cut...
B. Satan promises Jesus instant success…Luke 4:5-8… success/power/authority by compromising. This is the lure of gambling/the lottery, rather than working hard to have your life instantly changed. Just let me be successful, Lord, without having to work so hard. Perhaps the Lord calls you to share the gospel in a foreign nation ~ you may have to work hard to learn a new language. It’s part of the discipline that makes you strong... The Bible is full of examples of people who did not have the patience to wait for God: Abraham could not wait to have a child in God’s timeline, so he took matters into his own hands and became the father of Ishmael…
If Satan can’t get you to quit trusting God and rely on yourself by taking a short-cut to peace, then how about a good compromise. You know what God wants for you, and most of the time you make good decisions, but sometimes it’s hard to always be the good person. You should not talk badly of others, but you do anyway. You know you should not neglect your responsibilities, but sometimes it’s more fun to let others be the adult so you can goof off. The Lord wants you to be a strong person of integrity, but sometimes an opportunity comes along you can’t resist… Who will know, anyway…
The devil is constantly whispering in your ear, it doesn’t matter, it’s good, it’s fun, it will make you a better person… We all know what it’s like to surprise ourselves by doing that which we don’t even believe… the temptation to compromise your convictions is huge…
C. the next temptation: Satan offers Jesus a strategy for popularity…wow the crowd... READ Luke 4:9-12. Children sometimes dream of becoming famous, a famous ball player, a famous actor, adored by crowds… but don’t consider the cost… Jesus’ calling is not to WOW the crowd, but to suffer death on the cross… wouldn’t it be great to just hang out a shingle on the side of the church and have the whole community saved… but there is a cost that must be paid. Our calling is to be witnesses for Christ in this community…your niche. It may be costly. For Jesus, he must wear the crown of thorns before he wears a crown of glory. Satan says forget the suffering, just WOW the crowds, the angels will reveal your glory.
One of our great temptations is to bi-pass the difficulty of discipleship, the patience, the disappointments. So much easier to half heartedly follow God, so much less heart-ache. Talk big but then quickly give in… I ran across a great quote, worth pondering… Edward Judson, speaking of his father, Adoniram Judson, who had suffered as a missionary in Burma: “If we succeed without suffering, it is because others have suffered before us. If we suffer without success, it is because others may succeed after us.” I don’t know where this old world is going, but here is my commitment, if the Lord calls me to suffer without success, then I will do so for the sake of his kingdom. Satan has been known to say to me, “ make a name for yourself, write a book and set a goal to sell a million copies so people will be inspired, you can do it…” Satan may say to you, “just hang around people who will sing your praises, don’t’ go to the messy people, don’t risk criticism and rejection, why would you want to suffer, you’ve already suffered enough, just sit back and rest and let others take risks.”
We have to quit caring who gets the credit. That’s what Jesus is saying when he resists Satans temptation… I work hard to remind myself that SACC doesn’t need any credit for anything, SOH doesn’t need credit, if the name of Carl Crouse is trumpeted from the newspaper, who gives a flying fig… Satan says to Jesus, wow the crowds…
Popularity is always a subtle temptation that can so easily take your focus away from Christ, and like greed, there is never quite enough, never quite enough praises, just a little bit more accolades and I’ll be happy. Whole groups of Christians can spend a life time patting themselves on the back, we are so very good at impressing ourselves. What’s Satan saying? If he can’t get you to quit trusting God, or compromise, how about taking the place of God by seeking the praises of men.
Three temptations: take a short cut to peace by bi-passing God, be successful even if it means compromise, popularity. The wilderness is part of the journey of life…, God will never abandon you… the temptation is to think God doesn’t care, but that is a lie of Satan. When you are hurting, resist the temptation to bi-pass God, to compromise what you know is right, to seek the spotlight for yourself. Through the spirit, constantly go back to God, trusting in him, remaining faithful to him, and pointing the way to Jesus Christ. Amen.
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