The Temptation of Jesus 3: Testing, Testing, Testing

(Back to Helps Home Page)     (Sermon, November 25, 2001)
(Back to sermons Home Page)    (Back to Shultz Home Page)

November 25, 2001 - Matthew 4.1, 5-7

Open It

  1. What role do the scriptures play in identifying temptations?
  2. Why is it important to check to see if a passage of scripture is being quoted correctly?
  3. How are we to examine or explore the Bible? (Isaiah 28.9-10)

Explore It

  1. Where did the devil take Jesus for the second temptation? (Matthew 4.5)
  2. What tempting offer was made to Christ at the highest point of the temple? (Matthew 4.6)
  3. How did Jesus answer the second temptation? (Matthew 4.7)

Get It

  1. How would you define the second temptation?
  2. What would have been appealing to Christ about the devil's second temptation?
  3. What role does the Word of God play in resisting temptation?
  4. How can memorizing Scripture help us combat temptation?
  5. Why is it important not to seek signs or depend on miracles to support one's beliefs and faith? Matthew 16.1)
  6. Why is it important to resist challenging the Word of God (Matthew 22.15; 22.35; Luke 10.25; John 8.1-6)
  7. What may the result of putting Jesus to the test? (1 Corinthians 10.9)
  8. Whose thought and work ought to be tested? Galatians 6.4)
  9. What does it mean when in 1 Thessalonians 5.20-21 it says that we are to test everything? (See 1 John 4.1)
  10. When it comes to resisting temptations, why is it important for us to understand our own strengths and weakness? (James 1.12-15)

Apply It

  1. How is it possible to be a strong person of faith?
  2. How is it possible to keep faith and doubt in balance?
  3. What information and/or experience is needed to live a Spirit-filled life?

    NOTES (1)

The temple was the religious center of the Jewish nation and the place where the people expected the Messiah to arrive (Malachi 3.1). The temple was the tallest building in the area, and this "highest point" was probably the corner wall that jutted out of the hillside, overlooking the valley below. From this spot, Jesus could see all of Jerusalem behind him and the country for miles in front of him.

God is not our magician in the sky ready to perform on request. In response to Satan's temptations, Jesus said not to put God to a test (Deuteronomy 6.16). You may want to ask God to do something to prove his existence or his love for you. God wants us to live by faith, not by magic. Don't try to manipulate God by asking for signs.

The devil used Scripture to try to convince Jesus to sin! Sometimes friends or associates will present attractive and convincing reasons why you should try something you know is wrong. They may even find Bible verses that seem to support their viewpoint. Only if you really understand what the whole Bible says will you be able to recognize errors of interpretation when people take verses out of context and twist them to say what they want them to say.

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

(Back to Helps Home Page)     (Sermon, November 25, 2001)
(Back to sermons Home Page)    (Back to Shultz Home Page)