Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Introduction: Temptation is a very real thing. We all face temptation. There is not a Christian so spiritual that he doesn’t battle with temptation on a daily basis. Our Lord was also tempted. The devil is the master Tempter. We can learn some helpful truths from our own Saviour’s experience with the Tempter that can enable us to take down our own temptations.
1. THE TRUTH OF THE TEXT (v. 4)
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
When our Lord was tempted, He tackled the temptation by going to the Word of God. The Bible is the Christian’s weapon of choice in the battle of temptation.
2. THE TRUTH OF THE THRONE (v. 7)
“Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
Jesus reminded the devil that God is not someone to mess with. He makes the reference, “the Lord thy God.” God is on the throne. He is the Sovereign. He is the Almighty God! When temptation comes, remind the Tempter and your own flesh Who is on the throne!
3. THE TRUTH OF THE TESTIMONY (v. 10)
“…for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
It’s amazing how quickly temptation will flee when worship picks up. Jesus reminds Satan that worship belongs to God. When temptation knocks at your heart’s door, open the door and shout, “God’s been good!” and you’ll see temptation’s tail lights as it runs for cover.
Illustration: On the TV show “Hee Haw,” Doc Campbell is confronted by a patient who says he broke his arm in two places. The doc replies, “Well then, stay out of them places!”
He may have something there. We cannot regularly put ourselves in the face of temptation and not be affected. When faced with the problem of temptation, we need to take the good doctor’s advice and “stay out of them places.”
Quotes of Note:
“Temptations are like tramps. Treat them kindly, and they will return bringing others with them.” -D.L. Moody
“Sonship is a thing which all the infirmities of our flesh, and all the sins into which we are hurried by temptation, can never violate or weaken.” -Charles Spurgeon
“The temptation once yielded to gains power. The crack in the embankment which lets a drop or two ooze through is soon a hole which lets out a flood.” -Alexander Maclaren
“Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as the lion that roared upon Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them we shall find a nest of honey within them.” -John Bunyan
A Merry Heart….
One Sunday morning, a mother went in to wake her son and tell him it was time to get ready for church, to which he replied, “I’m not going.” “Why not?” she asked. “I’ll give you two good reasons,” he said. “One, they don’t like me, and two, I don’t like them.” His mother replied, “I’ll give YOU two good reasons why you SHOULD go to church. One, you’re 54 years old, and two, you’re the pastor!”
Did You Know?
C.I. Scofield, author of the notes in the famous Scofield Study Bible, served in the American Civil War. Scofield enlisted as a private in the 7th Tennessee Infantry at the age of 17. He saw action at Cheat Mountain, Seven Pines, and Antietam. Though born in Michigan, Scofield enlisted to fight for the Confederacy after staying with relatives in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Sunday’s Comin’
As Sunday approaches, remember that you don’t have to be in church to have church. In fact, you ought to have time in the presence of God every day. Don’t wait until Sunday to get in a spiritual frame, but walk with God throughout the week. Sunday will be a great day when you’ve already given every other day of the week to God in prayer, study, and praise.
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