Point of Grace Worship 1.21.24 Sermon Notes – “The War, The Warrior and The Win!”

What is God revealing to us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God through the “temptation” account?

There is a War…… There is a Warrior…. There is a Win

Matthew 3:16-4:11

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

…………….11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

In the 1st temptation satan is tempting Jesus to use his power (if he truly is the Son of God) to take care of himself over trusting the Father’s provision and timing – to use kingdom of men tactics to get along in the world, to buy into the assumption that the Son of God should not go hungry. (Agreements) How would this drive a wedge between Jesus and His Father ….. and His Father’s mission for Him?

In the 2nd temptation satan tempts Jesus to “call into question” the Father’s care just enough to warrant staging a little “test” just to make sure the Father will come through. It is not outright doubting but subtle questioning which nurtures that need for more proof. Human nature is easily tempted to stall “trusting” to get more proof – elimination of risk is a common “kingdom of men” tool for success.

Why are we vulnerable to this temptation in relationship to God?

By nature we want to stay in __________ to take the _______ in the relationship using God’s power and provision at or discretion.

What now?

1) Aligning our hearts and minds with Jesus every day in substantial ways is crucial for battling this temptation to “test” instead of “trust”. . Jesus won the victory and our hope for daily victory is found in Him.

2) Satan will use this tactic to keep distance between us and our Father. We can ask Jesus to help us see where we have made “agreements” with untruths about God and His caring love for us and in His name break them.  

Jesus, reveal to me where I have fallen for this temptation to not trust You. Show me where I have made “agreements’ with untruths in order to protect my wounds or stay in control.

In Jesus name, I renounce all agreements with untruths, specifically _________________ and receive the truth from God.

In Jesus name, I renounce satan and his kingdom and all forces of spiritual evil coming against me today. In the might name of Jesus, Amen.