Sermon Tone Analysis

*Intro* – Some of you may have noticed the title for this sermon, “Intro to Temptation” and thought, “Introduction?

Who needs an introduction?

I’ve already got a Ph.D. in temptation!” Well our challenge the next few weeks is to understand the nature of temptation so we can be successful in meeting it.

“Temptation” has ominous connotations.

We want to beat it in theory; but in reality, we feel we might miss something by winning!

Like the student in a Christian high school who found the following exam question: "What is a sin of omission?"

He replied, "A sin I should have committed but didn't!"

That answer fully recognizes there are "fleeting pleasures of sin" (Heb 11:25), but conveniently forgets that "its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).

Yet deep down we know that sin has consequences.

That’s what makes us dread temptation.

We go into it with the feeling that we are going to lose.

But the truth is that temptation, itself, is neither good nor bad.

It becomes one or the other depending on our response.

That's exciting, because it means that every occasion of temptation brings potential for growth.

It need not mean defeat; it can just as well mean progress.

Our choices determine which it is.

Now, our model in facing temptation positively and successfully is Jesus Christ.

And this passage is particularly helpful.

This temptation of Christ, like that of Adam, is unique.

On these two occasions, one man assumed responsibility for the whole human race.

Adam failed, and in his failure, we all failed.

We all suffer from Adam’s sin.

The Bible teaches that indwelling sin with which we are all born is our legacy from Father Adam.

Death is our legacy from Father Adam.

Had it ended there, we would be without hope.

But God brings hope.

Rom 5:19, “For as by the one man’s disobedience (Adam’s) the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”

Adam’s failure brought death.

Christ’s success brings life.

The great trial of Jesus is part of the process.

Now, the contrasts between the Adam’s test and that of Christ are dramatic.

1) Adam was surrounded by the perfection of paradise.

Jesus had been 40 days in one of the most desolate areas on the face of the planet.

2) Adam had a forest of trees to satisfy his hunger – only one excepted.

Jesus was 40 days without food of any kind.

3) Adam had companionship -- his wife; Jesus had none.

4) Adam was in peak condition; Jesus was weakened and depleted from his fast.

5) Adam fell at the very first approach of the devil; Jesus overcame 3 major temptations recorded, plus 40 days of testing prior to that.

The testing Jesus went through was severe.

Just like us, he had to face the question, "Who are you?"

Temptation reveals who we are at the core of our being.

Jesus left no doubt – He qualified as the perfect lamb of God.

In doing so, He provides us a remarkable example of how to face our own testing.

Now imagine we are transported to the wilderness area east of Jerusalem.

It is a land of yellow sand and crumbling limestone.

Ridges run in all directions as if the land had been twisted by some gigantic hand.

It is hot, dry and oppressive.

The air seems heavy, bc it is at Dead Sea -- 1200 feet below sea level.

Across this vast expanse of emptiness, we see 2 figures in the remote distance.

They are obviously in an intense spiritual struggle with the fate of mankind hanging in the balance.

That's the scene as Luke 4 opens.

It is near the end of 40 days of battle.

In another hour it will be over -- for now.

Jesus will win.

But what has he won?

At this point, Beloved, all He has won is the right to enter the world of public ministry as Messiah.

Satan left defeated that day, but he returns time and again until the struggle is finished at the cross.

Now, before we get into the specifics of the temptations, we need to do an overview, focused mostly on vv.

1-2.

The outline is simple.

There is God's part, the devil's part, and our part.

Let’s start with God’s part in temptation.

*I.

God’s Part*

It’s critical to know God plays a part in every temptation.

Temptation itself is not bad.

It's neutral; it's made good or bad by how we react.

Now, some of you are probably already looking for James 1:13 that says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.”

You have caught me out!

How can we say that God has a part to play in temptation when the Bible clearly says he himself tempts no one”?

Great question.

But before answering note that God was right there in Luke 4:1, "And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by (Satan?

No – by) the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil.”

Do you see that it was the HS, 3rd person of the Godhead, who was leading Jesus?

God is active in this and all temptation.

I see His involvement in 3 ways here.

If you really get your arms around these, it will revolutionize the way you see life, trials, temptations, success and hurdles.

This can change you completely.

*A.

He Allows (Concurs in) it*

There are 3 accounts of this temptation of Christ, and it is instructive to compare them.

Mark’s abbreviated account is found in Mark 1:12-13: "The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.

13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan.

And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”

The thing I want you to see from Mark's account is not only did God allow this – He actually drove, or impelled Christ to the place of temptation.

And Matthew clarifies that not only did the Spirit drive him into the wilderness, but that he did so for the purpose that he could be tempted: "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matt 4:1).

God clearly not only allows, but specifically positions Jesus to be at this point of testing.

God is in this!

Okay, so what about James 1:13 which says “he himself tempts no one”?

Do we have a contradiction?

Well, first question -- is the same word used in both places?

Answer -- yes.

It is the Greek word πειραζω (peiradzo).

It has three different meanings in the NT.

It originally meant to attempt something.

For example, Acts 9:26 says of the apostle Paul, "And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted (tried) to join the disciples.”

The problem was this was shortly after Paul's conversion and all the believers feared him.

He was just trying, attempting, to associate with them.

First meaning of πειραζω.

Second, πειραζω can mean to test something with the idea of proving it right.

In this case, the English word "test" or "prove" would probably be the best translation.