Temptation and the Wisdom of God Matthew 04

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Temptation and the wisdom of God

Matthew 4:1-11

1. What is Temptation

• Tempting = not to sin, but to provoke, to test his word.
  Numbers 21:4-6, Exodus 17:2-3
• Questioning God’s Word is sin; this is where faith really takes its place.
• The fallen world is full of lust and pride: money, power, pleasure  1 John 2:15-17
• Temptation = an opportunity to accomplish a good thing in a bad way
• Temptation does not come from God – James 1:13-15
• Religion, in the dispensation of grace, is an attempt to “add” to/question the Word of God; adding works to grace. Romans 4:5

     2.  The Temptation of Christ

• Why was Jesus tempted?
                  -He was “led” by the Spirit; in the flesh, but still God; preparation time to be a high priest Hebrews 2:16-18
                  -He was trumping Satan; the first Adam failed, but the second Adam was sinless 1 Corinthians 15:22,45
                  -He was fulfilling prophecy as a Shepherd Psalm 23, Hebrews 4:15
• What 3 avenues did Satan take to tempt Christ?
  -Physical Satisfaction (Lust of the Flesh)
  -Testing God’s Promises (Twisting of Scripture)
  -Offering a Way Out of Suffering (Dispensational Override)

   3.  Temptation of a Nation

• 1. Endure to the end – Mark 13:13
• 2. It is impossible - Hebrews 6:4-6
• 3. No more forgiveness - Hebrews 10:24-27
• 4. Come again unto salvation - Hebrews 9:27-28
• 5. Grace in the end - 1 Peter 1:5,13
• Temptation of the remnant, past and future, is a possible termination of covenant rights and eternal damnation.

     4. Temptation of the Body

• 1. To him that worketh not – Romans 4:5
• 2. Now the atonement – Romans 5:11
• 3. Crucified with Christ – dead to the law - Galatians 2:17-20
• Temptation of the Body of Christ is a struggle we face, but a dilemma that Christ has overcome on our behalf.
• Christ died for us while we were sinners Romans 5:8
• We now hold the positions of Saints and Ambassadors 1 Corinthians 5:17-21
• There is still a war between flesh and Spirit within us Galatians 5:17, Romans 7
• We handle sin by having our mind, moment by moment, renewed and reminded who we are now in Christ; we are dead to sin; we have power not to sin Romans 6:11
   
  We are not sinless, but we can sin less.