The Temptation of Jesus 2: Not by Bread Alone

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November 18, 2001, Matthew 4:1-4

Open It

  1. What are some important sources of nutrition?
  2. Why is it important to have a well-rounded diet?
  3. Why do people suffer from malnutrition?

Explore It

  1. In what condition is Jesus at the time of this temptation? (4:2)
  2. What name is given to Jesus' by the adversary in the desert? (4:3)
  3. By what name is the adversary of Jesus called (4:3)
  4. What was the first temptation presented to Jesus? (4:3)
  5. How did Jesus respond to the first temptation? (4:4)

Get It

  1. What did Jeremiah say about the words of God? (Jeremiah 15.16)
  2. How did Job describe his attitude towards the "words of his mouth? (Job 23.12, NIV)
  3. Does God have the capacity and ability to help us provide for our daily needs? (Luke 12.22-31)
  4. What warning does Jesus offer against the temptation of greed? (Luke 12.13-15))
  5. What story does Jesus tell to illustrate his important teaching? (Luke 12.16-20)
  6. What was the result of succumbing to greed? (Luke 12.21)
  7. Who is the living bread that came down from heaven? (John 1.1-3)
  8. Jesus told the people that they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood, what did he mean by these metaphors? (John 6.41-58)
  9. What capacity do the scriptures have to help us to grow into maturity of faith and practice? (Hebrews 6.5)
  10. What does Peter say that we are to long for? (1 Peter 2.2)
  11. To taste the Lord is to taste what quality of life? 1 Peter 2.3)

Apply It

  1. What is necessary to achieve the confidence to meet the temptation of reliance on material possessions?
  2. What is needed to be able to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God?
  3. What can I do to be able to meet temptations with "it is written?"

NOTES (1)

Matthew 4:3-4

Jesus was hungry and weak after fasting for 40 days, but he chose not to use his divine power to satisfy his natural desire for food. Food, hunger, and eating are good, but the timing was wrong. Jesus was in the desert to fast, not to eat. And because Jesus had given up the unlimited, independent use of his divine power in order to experience humanity fully, he wouldn't use his power to change the stones to bread. We also may be tempted to satisfy a perfectly normal desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. If we indulge in sex before marriage or if we steal to get food, we are trying to satisfy God-given desires in wrong ways. Remember, many of your desires are normal and good, but God wants you to satisfy them in the right way and at the right time.

Jesus was able to resist all of the devil's temptations because he not only knew Scripture, but he also obeyed it. Ephesians 6:17 says that God's Word is a sword to use in spiritual combat. Knowing Bible verses is an important step in helping us resist the devil's attacks, but we must also obey the Bible. Note that Satan had memorized Scripture, but he failed to obey it. Knowing and obeying the Bible helps us follow God's desires rather than the devil's.

1. Taken from LESSONMaker © 1992-1996, NavPress Software, Used with permission.

(Back to helps home page)     (Sermon, November 18, 2001)
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