Message Notes

THE TEMPTATION OF THE LORD JESUS

1. Context of the Temptation of Christ Jesus

 a) At the very beginning of His public ministry

b) Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit

c) He was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil      Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1-2

2. Introduction of the Devil as the Tempter

a) He used a serpent to beguile Adam and Eve Genesis 3; Revelation 12:9 (The serpent of old)

b) He is forthrightly described:-

i) The Devil                                     Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:2 (The One who slanders)

ii) Satan                                     Mark 1:12 (The Enemy, The Adversary)

c) The realm of spirits

i) Satan as the great dragon                   Revelation 12:1-12

ii) He leads a horde of fallen angels                   Revelation 12:1-12

iii) They are called principalities, powers, rulers                 Ephesians 6:12

iv) Spiritual warfare Ephesians 6:10-18

3. The significance

a) Satan is allowed to test/tempt Jesus

i) He had succeeded in tempting Adam and Eve to sin against God

ii) He would be allowed to test Jesus with everything he has

b) The Lord Jesus

i) He would have no special advantages

ii) He would have only the Spirit of God to help Him

iii) He would have to rely on His knowledge of God and His relationship with Him

4. The order of the Temptations

a) In the Gospel of Matthew

i) Turning stones into bread                                     Matthew 4:1-4

ii) Jumping off the pinnacle of the Temple and trusting angels to protect Matthew 4:5-7

iii) Offering the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship of Satan   Matthew 4:8-11

b) In the Gospel of Luke

i) Turning stones into bread Luke 4:1-4

ii) Offering the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship Luke 4:5-8

iii) Jumping off the Temple  Luke 4:9-13

VITAL LESSONS

1. Awareness of the Spiritual realm

2. Consciousness of Spiritual warfare

3. Being forewarned

4. Being forearmed

   a) Filled with the Spirit of God

   b) Donning our spiritual armour

   c) Engaging in spiritual warfare

   d) Standing strong in the Lord