Tempted and TriedTempted and Tried

Vacation Bible School

Luke 4:1-13

Song:Song:

• Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder, why it should be thus, all the day long.

• Have you ever been tempted to do something that you knew was wrong?

• What excuses do you use to think it will be OK?

TemptationsTemptations• How do you feel when you know

your being tempted?• What are some ways you fight

these temptations?• Where do temptations come from?

– Satan– Mean, wicked people– Internal, our mind, fleshly lusts– External, the world, movies, TV

TemptationsTemptations• Text – Luke 4:1-13• The Temptations of Jesus• We are tempted in the same three

ways that Jesus was tempted• Temptations often come when we

reach a new high point in life – marriage, baptism, graduate, promotion, etc.

• Temptation finds us when we are vulnerable

TemptationsTemptations• Jesus was introduced as the Lamb

of God who takes away the sins of the world

• He was baptized of John in Jordan• God declared that He was well

pleased with His Son• Jesus is preparing to begin 3 years

of ministry

DESIREDESIRE• Luke 4:2 - being tempted for forty

days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

• That is an understatement!• How long have you gone without

eating?• Man on crane in Atlanta – 3 days

DESIREDESIRE• QuestionQuestion: What would be wrong

with this temptation?• IF you are the Son of God – casting

doubt about his person and mission

• Later Jesus turned water into wine, fed 4,000, 5,000, caught boats of fish

• What is the harm in turning a stone into a loaf of bread?

DESIREDESIRE• Jesus Answers: Jesus Answers: IT IS WRITTEN• Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - 2And you shall remember

that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.

DESIREDESIRE• God wanted His people to depend on

Him• We must learn that God is the source of

everything – physical and spiritual• We must NOT depend on our own

power• We need God – Don’t forget that lesson.• Jesus decided to submit to the Father

DESIREDESIRE• “The greatest enemy of hunger for

God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink every night.”

DESIREDESIRE• “The most deadly appetites are not

for the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of earth. For when these replace an appetite for God himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable, and almost incurable.” A Hunger for God, John Piper

• The devil attacks at our weakest point

DECEPTIONDECEPTION• Luke 4:5-7Luke 4:5-7 – 5 Then the devil, taking

Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

DECEPTIONDECEPTION• Shortcut to kingship – Worship me,

I will give you the world• Gain without the pain• Jesus already knows what lies

ahead – rejection, betrayal, denial, persecution, loneliness, humiliation, agony, desolation, death on the cross

DECEPTIONDECEPTION• What if we could by-pass all that

and reach the same goal?• In life – there is no shortcut• Many of our temptations come

because we want the shortcut– Lose weight and eat all you want to!– Tone your muscles without exercise!

DECEPTIONDECEPTION• Junk email – called “spam”• “Diplomas from non-accredited

universities. No tests, classes, books. Bachelors, masters, MBA, and doctorate diplomas available. No one is turned down.”

• “Become a legally ordained minister in 48 hours.”

DECEPTIONDECEPTION• Such offers are counterfeit,

worthless• There is no shortcut• Satan can’t deliver what he

promises• Jesus answers – Deuteronomy Deuteronomy

6:136:13 - You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

DOUBTDOUBT• IF – Twice Satan seeks to cast doubt

in Jesus’ mind• Do you really believe the promises

of God?• Satan quotes Scripture – • Psalm 91:11-12Psalm 91:11-12 – 11 For He shall

give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

DOUBTDOUBT• Satan asks:

– Did God really say He would protect you?– Will He protect you like He promised?– With Eve – Did God really say - - ?

• Scripture can be twisted out of context• God does not promise to protect you

from stupidity• Protect does not mean no harm ever

DOUBTDOUBT• Jesus responds – Deuteronomy Deuteronomy

6:166:16 - “You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah.

• Don’t test God• We must refuse to test God• Trust Him; Don’t test Him

JESUS UNDERSTANDSJESUS UNDERSTANDS• Hebrews 4:15Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not

have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

• Each temptation hits a common weakness in all of us

JESUS UNDERSTANDSJESUS UNDERSTANDS•Hebrews 4:15Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not

have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

•Each temptation hits a common weakness in all of us

JESUS UNDERSTANDSJESUS UNDERSTANDS1. Stones into bread – physical over

spiritual2. Kingdoms of the world – instant

gratification, wealth, fame, power3. Jump off temple – test GodHebrews 2:18Hebrews 2:18 - For in that He

Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

We have what we needWe have what we need• EVERYTHING AVAILABLE TO EVERYTHING AVAILABLE TO

JESUS TO HELP HIM JESUS TO HELP HIM OVERCOME TEMPTATION, OVERCOME TEMPTATION, WE HAVE TODAY!WE HAVE TODAY!

• Jesus knew the Word– When tempted – Quote Scripture– Can you quote a verse from the

Bible?

We have what we needWe have what we need• Jesus submitted to the Will of Jesus submitted to the Will of

GodGod– Each answer was “It is written”– God’s answer is my answer

• Attuned to the Spirit – Luke 4:1• Attentive to the Word – Luke 4:4, 8,

12• Attended by angels – Matthew 4:11

If there is time left - If there is time left - • THE OTHER “TEMPTATION”THE OTHER “TEMPTATION”• TemptTempt – entice to do evil• James 1:13 - James 1:13 - Let no one say

when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

If there is time left - If there is time left - • TemptTempt – test, try, suffer, persecuted• 1 Corinthians 10:131 Corinthians 10:13 - No

temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

If there is time left - If there is time left - • When trials come to test your When trials come to test your

faith:faith:– Rejoice – James 1:2– Know – your faith will be stronger– Endure – James 1:13; Romans 5:3-

4– Ask – Seek God’s wisdom, James

1:5-6– Develop patience – James 5:7-8