Life of Christ Challenge Lesson 12

Introduction

Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness: Deeper Study
Looking into the Face of Jesus
The Life of Christ, 1: Pages 105-115 Outline: Lesson Plan 12

1. Text: Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12, 13; Luke 4:1–13; James 1:12–15; Ephesians 6:10–19; 1 John 2:16
2. How serious is sin?
3. What is sin and how does it start?
4. What is temptation?
5. Is temptation wrong? When does temptation become wrong?
6. How are we tempted today?
7. Tell about a few of your last temptations that you do not mind sharing.
8. How do you overcome temptation?
9. Today, we are going to dig deeper into the temptations Jesus had to face in the wilderness.
10. Review last week’s class to the generals of the scene.

1. The First Temptation—the Physical Test (Matthew 4:3, 4)
   1. “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Matthew 4:3). 1. Jesus had been fasting for 40 days.
      2. He was obviously hungry.
      3. Why would it be wrong for Jesus to do this? Is it really a sin to take care of personal needs and use your power to do so?
   2. The answer is found in Jesus’ answer (Matthew 4:4). 1. “It is written. . .”
      2. Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3.
      1. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
      2. “Man”—Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness were not a test of His deity, but rather a test of His manhood. The purpose was to prove He was a perfect “man.”
      3. “Bread vs. Words of God”—Jesus chose the “will of God.” It was evident that God’s will on this occasion was for Jesus to be hungry.
2. The Second Temptation—the Spiritual Test (Matthew 4:5–7)

A. The location
1. The holy city—Jerusalem
2. Most revered site in the city—the temple

3. Most prominent point – the pinnacle

1. The temple did not have a pinnacle like we think of today .
2. He probably took Him to the highest point of the temple, which was the south wing.

2. The temptation—Matthew 4:6 1. Satan was testing Christ’s trust in God.
   2. Interestingly here, the devil also quoted Scripture! Watch out.
   3. Again, what makes this temptation wrong? a. Do you not test God daily in your lives? b. “God, if you will do this, I promise I will. . .”
3. Christ’s answer—Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:7
   1. Satan tried to convince Jesus that jumping off the roof would show He trusted God.
   2. Instead, Jesus made it clear that jumping off the roof would “test” God, showing that He did not trust God. If we have total trust in an individual, we see no need to test him or her.
   3. Do you trust God?

III. The Third Temptation—the Test of His Mission (Matthew 4:8–11)

1. The location—Matthew 4:8
   1. The devil took Jesus to a very high mountain.
   2. Traditional place—Mount Tabor in Galilee
   3. Also, the devil was not hiding anymore. He came out to the open and was as bold as possible.
2. The temptation—Matthew 4:9 1. He promised Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. 2. Think about it—the Roman Empire, Greece, Persia, Babylonia, Assyria, Egypt, etc. all flashed before His eyes. 3. Could the devil really deliver on this temptation? a. Yes
   b. This would not have been a temptation if the answer were, “No.”
   c. The devil is also called the ruler of this world (John 12:31).
3. Jesus’ thoughts—potentially
   1. First of all, that was a lot of power—the most power a single person could obtain.
   2. Secondly, Christ knew His purpose and what was going to happen to Him—the cross.
   3. Also, notice the importance the devil placed on Christ—He was worth more than all the kingdoms he had gained.
4. Christ’s response—Matthew 4:10 1. First— “Go, Satan!” 2. Second— “You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” 3. Please note: the rewards of God are better than those of Satan.

Conclusion

1. What do temptations teach you?
   1. We need to prepare for temptations (“It is written”); know God’s word
   2. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
   3. Jesus understands what we go through.
2. Summarize the temptations—1 John 2:16
   1. The devil appeals to our wants—bread to stone.
   2. The devil tries to get to our faith, belief and trust in God— temple sin.
   3. The devil tries to blatantly get us to deny God—sin at the mountain.
3. Remember, he only needed to get Jesus to fail in one of his attempts.
4. The devil only needs part of you to be successful.