Walking with Jesus - #4 Jesus TEMPTED in the Wilderness
The focus of this series is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him.
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held today, January 26th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
We invite you to Grace Church every Wednesday night for some mid-week fun and fellowship. CJ's coffee shop will be open and we'll have a featured game available from 6:00-7:30 pm each week. Bring a snack to share if you wish. This is a great opportunity to bring someone you want to spend time with, get to know better, or introduce to other Christians. Contact Lisa Sterkenburg if you have questions ([email protected]).
January's Schedule
January 29th: Blank Slate
February's Schedule
February 5th: Skip-Bo
February 12th: Yahtzee
February 19th: Sorry
February 26th: Everybody Knows (trivia)
January's Schedule
January 29th: Blank Slate
February's Schedule
February 5th: Skip-Bo
February 12th: Yahtzee
February 19th: Sorry
February 26th: Everybody Knows (trivia)
Are you trying to get more steps in but don't want to walk in the cold? Come on in where it's warm and walk inside the church! We'll make sure the building is open and ready for you...
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:00-3:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:00-3:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm
As part of the property maintenance at Grace Church, we have wood that needs to be cut on the back property. We've set aside each Saturday in February from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm to cut and stack wood. Bring a chain saw if you have one as well as work gloves. Contact Ryan Hickey if you have questions or if you are in need of wood - 517-852-4800 / [email protected]
Monday, January 27th - Khaia Hunt
Thursday, January 30th - Chris Webster
Thursday, January 30th - Chris Webster
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The focus of this series, Walking with Jesus, is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him.
Pastor Don started us off with Jesus INCARNATED on Earth.
Ryan shared with us how Jesus PREPARED for Ministry.
Nick shared how Jesus was COMMISSIONED by the Father.
Today we will look at Jesus TEMPTED in the Wilderness.
Ryan shared with us how Jesus PREPARED for Ministry.
Nick shared how Jesus was COMMISSIONED by the Father.
Today we will look at Jesus TEMPTED in the Wilderness.
As we look at how Jesus was tempted we can gather clues on how we can battle Satan in our daily walk with Jesus.
First we need to look at the difference between temptation and sin.
Temptation itself is not sin. Hebrews 4:15
First we need to look at the difference between temptation and sin.
Temptation itself is not sin. Hebrews 4:15
Hebrews 4:15
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15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
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Definition of Temptation: What happens when we feel the pull toward violating God's commands. The desire to do something wrong or unwise. Temptation can also be defined as testing. This is something every believer should expect to experience. John 16:33b
John 16:33
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33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
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Definition of Sin: Sin is defined as an act; a transgression that goes against moral or divine law. In Scripture the word sin actually means to "miss the mark." This definition is important for two reasons: 1) There is a target we are aiming for 2) It speaks to our intention.
The target is God's Word or commands. When we miss the target we have committed sin. If we know what we are supposed to do and choose not to do it, then we have engaged in sin. James 4:17
The target is God's Word or commands. When we miss the target we have committed sin. If we know what we are supposed to do and choose not to do it, then we have engaged in sin. James 4:17
James 4:17
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17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
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God has written a moral code on everyone's heart. For example, when Cain killed his brother Abel, there was no written law that said you should not murder, but the moral code of not committing murder was written in Cain's heart. Genesis 4:6-7 [NLT]
Genesis 4:6-7
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6 “Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen?
7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”
7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”
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Sin wants to dominate and take control of our lives and sin wants to separate us from God and His love.
We can know if something is a sin by the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
Galatians 5:16-17 [NLT]
We can know if something is a sin by the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
Galatians 5:16-17 [NLT]
Galatians 5:16-17
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16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
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The Reality of Temptation: If we continue to walk too close to the line of temptation, it will lead to the trap of sin.
Monkey catching example.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us in their Gospel accounts that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the Wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights after He had just been baptized by John. This time consisted of scorching heat, extremely cold nights, and very little food or water.
Mark 1:12-13
Monkey catching example.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us in their Gospel accounts that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the Wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights after He had just been baptized by John. This time consisted of scorching heat, extremely cold nights, and very little food or water.
Mark 1:12-13
Mark 1:12-13
BSB
12 At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness,
13 and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.
13 and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.
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Many times temptation comes after a high point in our spiritual lives and ministry; Jesus just experienced that. It was necessary for Jesus to be tempted because temptation is part of the human experience and Jesus, being fully human, needed to experience this to understand us completely.
Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit when He entered the wilderness and that is the key for us as well...being full of the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:1
Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit when He entered the wilderness and that is the key for us as well...being full of the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:1
Luke 4:1
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1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
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In Genesis 3, Satan describes his 3-fold tactic he used on Eve:
- The Lust of the Eyes - the fruit was pleasing to the eyes
- The Lust of the Flesh - the fruit was good for food
- The Pride of Life - the fruit was desirable for gaining wisdom.
Satan also uses these same tactics with Jesus and with us.
- The Lust of the Eyes - the fruit was pleasing to the eyes
- The Lust of the Flesh - the fruit was good for food
- The Pride of Life - the fruit was desirable for gaining wisdom.
Satan also uses these same tactics with Jesus and with us.
1st Temptation:
Luke 4:2b-4
The word "if" is translated "because."
Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone.'"
The Lust of the Flesh
Luke 4:2b-4
The word "if" is translated "because."
Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone.'"
The Lust of the Flesh
Luke 4:2-4
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2 where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He was hungry.
3 The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ”
3 The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ”
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2nd Temptation:
Luke 4:5-8
Satan is offering Jesus a shortcut to His Kingdom.
Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'"
The Lust of the Eyes
Luke 4:5-8
Satan is offering Jesus a shortcut to His Kingdom.
Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'"
The Lust of the Eyes
Luke 4:5-8
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5 Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
6 “I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.
7 So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.”
8 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ”
6 “I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.
7 So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.”
8 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ”
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3rd Temptation:
Luke 4:9-13
Here we see Satan quoting Scripture to Jesus (Psalm 91:11-12).
Jesus answered, "It is said: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
The Pride of Life
Luke 4:9-13
Here we see Satan quoting Scripture to Jesus (Psalm 91:11-12).
Jesus answered, "It is said: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
The Pride of Life
Luke 4:9-13
BSB
9 Then the devil led Him to Jerusalem and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down from here.
10 For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You carefully;
11 and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ”
12 But Jesus answered, “It also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
10 For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You carefully;
11 and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ”
12 But Jesus answered, “It also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
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When we can expect Satan to tempt us:
1. Satan attacks when you do MINISTRY for the glory of God.
1. Satan attacks when you do MINISTRY for the glory of God.
2. Satan attacks when you are in the LONELY places of your life.
3. Satan attacks when you are the most VULNERABLE (point of strength or weakness).
4. Satan attacks to cast DOUBT on God's character and promises.
5. Satan attacks the IDENTITY of who we are.
6. Satan attacks to DISTRACT our attention from the ministry we've been called to do.
Application:
We give in to temptation because we're not prepared or ready for it. That is when Satan will attack. Have you ever pre-decided something? It's good to make an escape plan ahead of time.
When faced with ____________, I have pre-decided to ____________.
We give in to temptation because we're not prepared or ready for it. That is when Satan will attack. Have you ever pre-decided something? It's good to make an escape plan ahead of time.
When faced with ____________, I have pre-decided to ____________.
1. Move the line -
We have to pre-decide ahead of time to move the line. Anytime there's a line, we seem to always want to get as close to the line as possible.
We have to pre-decide ahead of time to move the line. Anytime there's a line, we seem to always want to get as close to the line as possible.
2. Magnify the cost -
Anytime we are tempted to give into temptation, there is always a risk. Stop and ask yourself, "What could go wrong? What is the worst case scenario?" Five minutes of sin could wreck a lifetime of pursuing Jesus.
Anytime we are tempted to give into temptation, there is always a risk. Stop and ask yourself, "What could go wrong? What is the worst case scenario?" Five minutes of sin could wreck a lifetime of pursuing Jesus.
3. Plan your escape -
Decide ahead of time how you will get out of any temptation that Satan brings your way.
The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis is a good example of this.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Decide ahead of time how you will get out of any temptation that Satan brings your way.
The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis is a good example of this.
1 Corinthians 10:13
1 Corinthians 10:13
BSB
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
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This week:
Read and pray over Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)
What are some specific doubts or questions that you have struggled with in your faith journey?
What limits your growth and chokes out your relationship with Jesus? What will you specifically do about it this week?
Think about who you could ask to be your accountability partner as you “Walk with Jesus.”
Read and pray over Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)
What are some specific doubts or questions that you have struggled with in your faith journey?
What limits your growth and chokes out your relationship with Jesus? What will you specifically do about it this week?
Think about who you could ask to be your accountability partner as you “Walk with Jesus.”
