I.       Introduction

A.     We have a sympathetic high priest. (Hebrews 4:15)

1.      Jesus knows the temptations we face, how powerful they are.

2.      He endured them too. (Matt. 16:23; Matthew 4:1-11)

B.     1 John 3 is often used to describe the nature of Jesus’ temptations.

1.      John mentions three driving forces in the world that typify temptation

2.      However, there is more at work than a simple one-for-one of temptation varieties.

C.     At the heart of each temptation is a challenge is to our relationship with God.

II.      “Command these stones to become loaves of bread”

A.     Satan tempted Jesus to look to his own word for life.

1.      Certainly the appeal is the “lust of the flesh,” but is there anything wrong with food?

2.      Satan wanted to define Son of God – one who satisfies Himself with His own word.

3.      But Jesus understood Whose word gives life. (Deut. 8:3; John 4:34; John 6:63)

B.     Satan tempts us to rely upon our own words for life.

1.      He attempts to persuade us to rely on our own word for life.

2.      Many have an attitude that their own words, not God’s are the standard of judgment.

3.      God’s word, not our word, gives life (John 6:68)

4.      God’s children are those who respect and obey God’s word, like the Son did.

III.   “Throw yourself down”

A.     Satan tempted Jesus to demand God save Him on His terms.

1.      Falls into the “pride of life” category; but doesn’t God really care for Him? (Psa
91:11-12)

2.      Jesus knew the real issue was in attitude toward God – daring God to save. (Deut.
6:16)

B.     Satan tempts us to demand God save us on our terms.

1.      Live like you want – God will catch you.

2.      We must refuse to intentionally defy God, all the while looking for His salvation. (Heb. 10:26)

IV.   “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

A.     Satan tempted Jesus to choose the easy way rather than God’s way.

1.      Certainly this could be considered “lust of the eyes”

2.      But wasn’t this a much easier way to get what Jesus came for?

3.      Jesus knew this was not the way to God’s kingdom.

B.     Satan tempts us to choose the easy way rather than God’s way.

1.      He encourages us to take the simpler road.

2.      He encourages growing kingdom, church, through compromise.

3.      We must come to realize, as Jesus did, that such kingdoms are not lasting.

4.      We must recognize, as Jesus did, that this is departure from worship to God.

a.       If we direct our worship to men, we aren’t worshipping God.

b.      We must worship God alone, in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)

V.     Conclusion

A.     Jesus made the hard choices for the right reasons.

1.      Choice after choice, He was unfailingly faithful to God the Father.

2.      That is the example we are called to follow.

B.     Are you a follower of Jesus?

1.      Have you overcome Satan’s temptations through Jesus?

2.      Do you need to make the choice to become a child of God?