{"id":204,"date":"2018-11-07T11:27:22","date_gmt":"2018-11-07T19:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/migrate.bettersermons.org\/?p=204"},"modified":"2020-06-01T11:40:41","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T18:40:41","slug":"face-to-face-with-the-devil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/face-to-face-with-the-devil\/","title":{"rendered":"Face to Face with the Devil"},"content":{"rendered":"
Face to Face with the Devil<\/span><\/div>\n

\".\"
\nText:<\/strong>\u00a0Luke 4:1-13<\/p>\n

Main Idea:<\/strong>\u00a0When we come face-to-face with the devil, our strength is to be found in Scripture – in being formed in the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
I.<\/strong><\/td>\nIntroduction<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nToday we enter the season of Lent \u2013 that long, slow journey to the cross.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nThese seasons of the Christian Year are so helpful in not only telling the story and understanding the deep mysteries of the gospel, but in forming us in the story.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nBeing formed in the story, as we\u2019ll see in a few minutes, is what we truly need.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nSo, today we start with a text that forms the basis of the season of Lent \u2013 Jesus\u2019 wilderness temptation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nIt is both a story that teaches us about Jesus\u2019 historical role as the redeemer of Israel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nAnd also about our own struggles with temptation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nIt answers the question, \u201cWhat kind of Messiah will Jesus be?\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nAnd confronts us with the question, \u201cWhat kind of disciples will we be?\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nIn this text, Jesus comes face-to-face with the Devil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nHe is victorious where others \u2013 every other \u2013 has failed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nAs we consider the call God has placed on each one of our lives, what kind of people will we be?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nHow will we handle temptations in life \u2013 the big and the seemingly small?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nAs a congregation, how will we respond when the temptations come?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
II.<\/strong><\/td>\nLuke 4:1-13<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nLed by the Spirit in the wilderness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nSo, here is a man, full of the Holy Spirit, being severely temped by the Devil, not in spite of the Holy Spirit, but it seems, because of the Holy Spirit.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nForty days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nMoses (Ex 34:28; Deut 9:9)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nElijah (1 Kings 19:4-8)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nInteresting\u2026who will be present on the Mount of Transfiguration in Luke 9?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nIsrael \u2013 40 years in the wilderness (Deut 8:2-6)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nThree temptations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nCommand this stone to become a loaf of bread<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nWorship me and I will give you all the kingdoms of this world.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nThrow yourself down from the temple and God will save you.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nThese are three big temptations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nTo be magical, powerful and spectacular<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nThey are personal, social, political and religious<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nThey are, by all accounts, the\u00a0big three<\/strong>!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nSome have said that all temptations fall into one of these three categories.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nThe big temptation<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 If you are the Son of God<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nHe has just come from the waters of baptism in which he heard the voice from heaven say, \u201cYou are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nNow the Devil is say, \u201cIf you are the Son of God.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nF.<\/td>\nAnd this is the real issue facing Jesus:<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nIs he the true Son of God, or not?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nIf he is \u2013 and he is beginning to sense the depth to which this may be true \u2013 he doesn\u2019t need to prove himself to anyone.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nMore than just being plagued by self-doubt, now Satan has come to him with severe temptation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nOn the one hand to question his divine calling \u2013 his vocation and purpose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nAnd on the other hand, to take his divine calling into his own hands, to manipulate and control the outcomes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nG.<\/td>\nAnd so Jesus faces the questions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nWhat does it mean to be the Son of God in this special sense?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nWhat kind of messiahship is he going to pursue?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nH.<\/td>\nThat is, if his baptism is his anointing \u2013 his confirmation as Messiah \u2013 the one who will save and redeem Israel and, eventually, become the world\u2019s true Lord.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThen\u2026what kind of Messiah will he be?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nWhat kind of ministry is he going to pursue?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nI.<\/td>\nThese three temptations and, more importantly, Jesus\u2019 response to them, form his answer to these questions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nJ.<\/td>\nSo let\u2019s take them one at a time and see where they lead.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
III.<\/strong><\/td>\nBread to Stones<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nJesus hasn\u2019t eaten, according to the story, for 40 days (which, in scripture, is shorthand for \u201ca long time!\u201d).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nAt the terminal end of this long fast, the devil comes to him and says, why don\u2019t you just turn these stones into bread and alleviate your hunger?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nI can remember reading this story as a kid and not understanding what was so \u201chorrible\u201d about that.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nI mean, if he could do it, what\u2019s the harm.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nI would hear this story read and spoken about in church, my stomach growling audibly as the noon hour approached.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nAnd think, after 40 days, the poor man deserves to eat. The least he could do is make one loaf of bread.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nBut what is this really about?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nTrust in God\u2019s provision?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nRecalling the 40-year sojourn of Israel in the wilderness when they grumbled for bread every other day.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nAnd even when they had \u201cbread from heaven\u201d refusing to trust God.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nHow will Jesus choose to be Israel\u2019s Messiah?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nWill it be by serving his own needs and avoiding the suffering that lies in front of him?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nOr will it be through self-sacrificial love?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nJesus says no to the temptation to be \u201cmagical.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nJesus\u2019 path is not to be a magician, performing tricks on demand, but to bring healing and wholeness to a suffering world.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nMost of all, he will not serve himself.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nF.<\/td>\nAnd so, Jesus quotes Deut 8:3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThis is the kind of Messiah Jesus will be.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nHe will not trust in his own strength and power, but in the word of God.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nHe will not take a shortcut.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nHe will serve, not be served.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
IV.<\/strong><\/td>\nAll the Kingdoms of the World<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nNext, the Devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\n\u201cAll this is mine now and I\u2019ll give it to you, if you worship me.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nPower and glory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThis is where the whole story is headed anyway, right?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nJesus will receive all power and glory in the universe!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nWhy not take this little short cut?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nGo for it all.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nBut if you go to Revelation 4 and 5 you\u2019ll read there WHY Jesus receives all glory and power and honor.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nOn what basis?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nHere the Devil is basically dangling in front of Jesus the purpose for which he has come, but with a Satanic little twist.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nHe has come to bring honor and glory to HIS FATHER.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nBut here the temptation is to take honor and glory for himself.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nHow easy to justify<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nHow easy to make that leap<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nHow easy to rationalize when someone says, you\u2019re grabbing after power and glory to say, \u201cBut I\u2019m doing it for God. All the glory goes to him!\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nThis is the temptation to idolatry.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nTo worship what is NOT GOD as if it were GOD.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nThis temptation is to replace God with self \u2013 power and glory for himself.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nF.<\/td>\nJesus wants to redeem all the kingdoms of the world for the Father but this is not the way to get it done.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nG.<\/td>\nIn fact, this one thing that the Devil asks is the one thread, if pulled, which will make the entire garment unravel.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nIt\u2019s easy, from where we sit today, to see that if Jesus were to bow to the Devil, in order to get all the kingdoms of the world, it would be the one thing that would guarantee that he NEVER gets all the kingdoms of the world.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nMuch more difficult for us to see when its closer to home.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nThat all our efforts to acquire prestige and glory for ourselves are calculated to destroy us.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nH.<\/td>\nAnd so, with the temptation to idolatry thrust upon him, Jesus again quotes from Deuteronomy \u2013 this time 6:13 \u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\n\u201cWorship the Lord your God and serve him only.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
V.<\/strong><\/td>\nPutting God to the Test<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nSensing that he\u2019s not making much progress, the Devil makes his last attempt.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nJesus has been using scripture \u2013 specifically Deuteronomy \u2013 Israel\u2019s own core narrative \u2013 to combat temptation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nSo now, the Devil digs into his Bible.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\n\u201cTwo can play this game,\u201d the thinks!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nSo he takes him up to the top of the temple<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThis huge, magnificent building<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\n\u201cThrow yourself down from here,\u201d he says, \u201cand the angels will protect you.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nAnd he quotes Psalm 91 \u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nHe will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nBut Jesus out duels the Devil again, returning to the wilderness narrative \u2013 Deut 6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\n\u201cDo not put the Lord your God to the test\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nAs the Israelites did so frequently in the Exodus.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nJesus is not going this route.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nF.<\/td>\nHe will not resort to cheap tricks to prove to anyone that he is Messiah \u2013 God\u2019s chosen Son.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
VI.<\/strong><\/td>\n“Until an Opportune Time”<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nAnd so the scripture says, \u201cWhen the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nHe\u2019s not done with Jesus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nBut Jesus has passed a major test.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nHe has covered the ground that Adam and Israel have covered and where they have failed, Jesus succeeded.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nHe has demonstrated what God\u2019s true Messiah is like<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nHe has formed, in the crucible of temptation in the wilderness, the shape of the rest of his ministry.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nHis life will not be focused on manipulating people into believing and following by doing magic tricks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nTrust in God doesn\u2019t mean acting stupidly to force God into making a spectacular rescue.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThe power that Jesus already has will shortly be revealed in restoring others to life and wholeness, not for cheap stunts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nNT Wright comments, \u201cHis status as God\u2019s son commits him, not to showy prestige, but to the strange path of humility, service and finally death.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nF.<\/td>\nThis is the real evidence of his Sonship!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
VII.<\/strong><\/td>\nConclucion<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nA.<\/td>\nThroughout the narrative there are temptations to shortcuts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThese temptations draw a sharp distinction between God\u2019s way and the world\u2019s way.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nPower, prestige and glory for self is the world\u2019s way<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nJesus reveals a hidden power \u2013 the power that comes when we take the \u201croad less traveled\u201d \u2013 the path of humility and sacrificial love and service.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nJesus will manifest the greatest power in the universe as he dies a humiliating death on a Roman cross.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nThe world does not see this as powerful, but it is the power of God.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nB.<\/td>\nThe 40 days of Lent are a journey, with Jesus, to that cross.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nC.<\/td>\nThey are a 40-day journey into the heart of what it means to be a disciple.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nD.<\/td>\nIf what we\u2019ve looked at this morning is the kind of Messiah that Jesus was and is for Israel and the world,<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\n\u2026then question for us is,\u00a0\u201cWhat kind of disciple will I be. What kind of church \u2013 or community of disciples, will we be?\u201d<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nE.<\/td>\nWhen we come face-to-face with the Devil, after confirming our calling to be disciples<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nAnd we are given all kinds of shortcuts and seemingly good things.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nAnd we justify how, \u201cthis is compatible with that\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nF.<\/td>\nWhat will we do?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nG.<\/td>\nHow will we face the Devil?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nH.<\/td>\nHow will we confront the temptation to be powerful and spectacular?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nI.<\/td>\nJesus confronts the Devil with Scripture!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nThis is also where we will find our strength.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nIn the story of God \u2013 the story of God\u2019s people and the example of Jesus \u2013 we find our orientation \u2013 our true North.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nJ.<\/td>\nBut be warned: Satan also knows Scripture and tried to use Scripture to his advantage.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nWhat makes the difference?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nJesus has the advantage for one simple reason.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nSatan has a proof-text but Jesus has the story.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nSatan has a verse, taken out of context, that he is trying to use to his own advantage.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nJesus knows the story, is living into the story, understands that what Satan is presenting him with is inconsistent with the story.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nK.<\/td>\nFriends, when we come face-to-face with the Devil (which happens everyday)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nAnd we are invited to give away our discipleship for a moment of glory or prestige<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nWe need more than a Bible verse in our pocket, we need to know the story.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nWe need to spend time allowing the story to shape us.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nPut simply, rather than having a scripture to use<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nWe need to allow the scripture \u2013 the story \u2013 to have us and use us.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nL.<\/td>\nIf we commit ourselves to this path, as Jesus did, we won\u2019t fall prey to the Devil\u2019s temptations to quick glory or selfish ambition.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nAs a community we won\u2019t be tempted to selfish goals \u2013 designed only to preserve an institution or build up our ego.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nJesus was faced with those ego-boosting, self-preservationist options and he said a resounding, \u201cNO!\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nM.<\/td>\nI hope you will spend the next 40 or so days in a commitment to deepening your experience of God and connecting to the story of our faith.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nN.<\/td>\nIt is only in this way that we will be shaped into a community that is capable to withstanding the temptations of the Devil.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Submitted by Ryan J.\u00a0Bell. Better Sermons \u00a9 2005-2007. Click here for\u00a0<\/span>usage guidelines<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Face to Face with the Devil Text:\u00a0Luke 4:1-13 Main Idea:\u00a0When we come face-to-face with the devil, our strength is to be found in Scripture – in being formed in the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=204"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":205,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204\/revisions\/205"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}