Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Intro:
[video - the marshmallow test] We’re not so very different than these amazingly cute kids.
First conducted at Stanford U. in 1972.
We sneak up on the edge of giving in to temptation, we rationalize it, justify it, and struggle constantly to delay our gratification.
But some of the results of that sociology/psychology test are fascinating.
This was a longitudinal test.
They follow the original test subjects for decades.
They discovered that the kids who waited and withstood the temptation to eat the marshmallow had a greater likelihood of personal and professional success later in life.
They were more likely to form significant and long-lasting relationships.
It seems reasonable to conclude that, no matter what stage of life we are in, the better we learn to manage our temptations, the greater the blessings we will experience.
So it’s no accident that the glorification of Jesus at his baptism (this is my son, whom I love) is followed immediately by being sent to the wilderness for the final preparation for His ministry.
We follow our Lord and King into that desert temptation to learn and emulate His words and deeds.
Matthew tells us that Jesus, in His humanity, was put to the test.
The early Greek was a word that meant to lure with a bait.
Over time, it carried a dual meaning of “temptation to sin” as well as “a trial with a beneficial purpose.
Basically,
When you are tempted, you are in a trying situation that reveals your character and tests your commitment.
This is exactly what happens to Jesus.
It’s important to note something about this test:
Satan (accuser) never acts.
He incites Jesus to act with a a question each time to raise doubt.
If (or since) you are declared the son of God, you should be able to act like it.
He goes after:
perceived needs (v. 3)
Goals (v.
5-6)
Our ego/will (v.
8-9)
Jesus’ consistent answer is to counter the doubt/accusation with scripture.
(vv.
4, 7, 10)
It’s important to realize, however, that just knowing the words in the Bible won’t prevent us from giving in to temptation.
Even Satan knew the words.
He certainly did apply them properly.
Jesus knew the scriptures and had the character to apply them.
When it comes to temptation, character counts.
Being able to both know the word and apply it are the way to resist temptation.
When we are tempted, we are in a trying situations that reveals our character and tests, our commitment, we must begin by understanding two things:
First, tests, trials are inevitable.
While these trials and temptations are inevitable, we can conquer them.
The combination of knowing the Word and building our character to reflect Jesus will guide in those difficult moments of temptation.
How about a quick rundown of some of our more prevalent temptations and a corresponding direction from the Bible?
Tempted to talk too much?
tempted to be overly critical?
tempted to hang out where you shouldn’t be?
Tempted to lust after someone in your social circle?
Find it easy to be judgmental against others?
tempted to be easily angered?
Conclude:
What if: we treated all those desires, perceived needs, reactions, as if they were that marshmallow and we are bunch of little kids?
What if we learned NOT to give in or rationalize our temptations?
When we follow Jesus into the desert, learn from his experience, we find ourselves encouraged to counter those temptations with the Word and to recognize that we’re uniquely gifted by God to overcome.
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