Temptation of Jesus #3 (Matthew 4:8-10, Deuteronomy 6:13)

Temptation #3: Worship me (Satan) and I’ll give you the world. In other words…

• Taking a shortcut to fulfill a God-given purpose, or 
• Doing the right thing at the wrong time or the wrong way

Think About This

1. What are some goals you believe God has led you to in your life?
2. What are ways you can speed up the process to accomplish those goals?

Discussion

1. Read about Jesus’ mission being foretold to Mary in Luke 1:32-33
2. From this passage, what do you learn about what Jesus’ ultimate mission/goal was?
3. What else do you know about Jesus’ mission?

Read about Jesus’ 3rd temptation in Matthew 4:8-11, and the reference to his response in Deuteronomy 6:13

1. What strategies did Satan use when he was tempting Jesus?
2. What did Satan promise Jesus and was that something Jesus even wanted?
3. What gain could Jesus possibly have if he would have accepted the temptation?
4. What pain might Jesus possibly have avoided if he would have accepted the temptation?
5. What area in our human nature does this type of temptation appeal to?
6. What are some things in our life that sometimes become “gods” that we worship or serve?
7. What happened after the devil left Jesus? What does this tell you about God?

Read about the history of the “authority over the world” concept…

1. Read Genesis 1:26-30. Who does God give authority over the world?
2. Read an alternate perspective of the temptation in Luke 4:4-7. How is it that the devil can give away the authority? How did he get it?
3. Read Genesis 3. When Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan and to disobey God, what did this do with regard to their authority over the earth?
4. Read Mark 8:31-36. In what ways is this a déjà vu moment for Jesus?
5. Read Matthew 28:1-10, and 28:18. How did Jesus get the authority back?

As this chart from NIV Life Application Study Bible shows, temptation is often the combination of a real need and a possible doubt that creates an inappropriate desire:

Using the chart above, which of Jesus’ temptations are most similar to these “modern” temptations?

1. Cheating on your taxes to save a few bucks.
2. Taking that big promotion even if it means sacrificing family time.
3. Going out to lunch with an opposite sex co-worker who makes you feel good about yourself.
4. Overeating
5. Peer pressure to get drunk because others are doing it.
6. Peer pressure to get baptized because others are doing it.
7. Getting the kids involved in a lot of sports and activities.
8. Compare yourself with others and judge others
9. Let loose your tongue with anger
10. Taking a “step out in faith” even though you really haven’t consulted or heard from God on the matter 
11. Getting into an argument with your spouse on the way to church.
12. Moms who try to do-it-all
13. Deciding not to speak up when your faith is being offended
14. Listening in on an offensive joke.
15. Lust or interest in someone other than your spouse.
16. Serving at church or in the community for the attention it will bring you.
17. Refusing to admit you might be wrong.
18. Give up when hard times come.
19. Seek material things to bring happiness.
20. What’s your temptation?

Bottom Line Point(s):

1. In the moment of temptation, you will discover who you really are and whose you really are.
2. Don’t compromise what’s important for what’s immediate.
3. The issue is not whether Jesus can take a shortcut to achieve his God-given goal, but can he trust God.
4. Giving in to temptation is not just about “the moment”… There are usually long term impacts to future, family, and faith.
5. Others?

How can you apply what you’ve learned here?

1. In order to do the will of God do I have to compromise the values & principles of God to get there?
2. Note well…
• The only thing Jesus wanted more than to accomplish his mission was unbroken fellowship with the Father. What he got in the end: BOTH
• When we want the kingdoms of the earth and sacrifice unbroken fellowship with the Father to get it, what do we get in the end: NEITHER
3. The next time you are tempted, will you trust God in and through those details about your life that God is very interested in?
4. If the devil had 3 shots at you, what three temptations would he use?
5. What is it you want so bad, that you would sacrifice your principles or conscious?

In Summary… Hebrews 4:12-16

12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[e] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Bibliography

1. Life Application Study Bible, NIV.
2. ESV Study Bible.
3. Serendipity Study Bible for Groups.
4. Andy Stanley, “Pause” series.
5. “Who’s Running Things Here on Planet Earth – Because He’s Making a Mess of It.”
6. “Jesus Tempted by Sight”
7. Guided Study: Luke 4:1-13. The Discipleship Ministry
8. Guided Study: The Second Temptation. The Discipleship Ministry
9. “Authority of the Believer – Part 3”

Temptation of Jesus #2 (Matthew 4:5-7, Deut. 6:16, Exodus 15, 17, Numbers 13-14)

Link to text: Matthew 4:5-7, Deut. 6:16, Exodus 15, 17, Numbers 13-14

Temptation #2: Throw yourself down from the temple – the angels will save you. In other words…
· Using God to accomplish your own ends, or
· Temptation to manipulate, rather than cooperate with, God
“It is also written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
-- Matthew 4:7

Think About This

1. What are some times when you were counting on God to do something for you and he came through? … didn’t come through?
2. Were there differences in the circumstances of each?

Discussion

Recap

1. Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus was tempted? Why do you think God would allow Jesus to go into a situation where he knew he’d be tempted? How does knowing that he was tempted make you feel? (read Hebrews 4:14-16)
2. Do you think that you are tempted in ways that Jesus wasn’t? Explain why or why not? (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)

Read about Jesus’ 2nd temptation in Matthew 4:5-7, and the reference to his response in Deuteronomy 6:16

1. What strategies did Satan use when he was tempting Jesus?
2. What gain could Jesus possibly have if he would have accepted the temptation?
3. Read the original passage Satan quoted in Psalm 91:11-12. Did God imply or say that anyone, or Jesus, should risk their life in order to engage God?
4. What strategies does Satan use to tempt us?
5. What strategies did Jesus use to fight temptation? What strategies/weapons can we use to fight temptation?

For context regarding the command in Deuteronomy 6:16, read the following passages to understand God’s faithfulness in the first few months of the Exodus:

Passage	Where	What
Exodus 15:19-21	Red Sea	Saving water
Exodus 15:22-26	Marah	Bitter water
Exodus 15:27	Elim	Springs of water
Exodus 16	Desert of Sin	Bread (Temptation #1)
Exodus 17:1-7	Massah	Rock water

1. How is jumping off the temple like grumbling for water?
2. Explore the parallels between the Israelites’ time in the wilderness with Jesus’ time in the wilderness. How had God blessed each in the past? What had he promised each in the future? What were each dealing with in the present?
3. How do you think the Israelites felt when they escaped through the dry ground of the Red Sea? If you would have experienced what they experienced, how long would that have affected you?
4. Contrast the peoples’ communication to Moses in 15:24 and Moses’ communication to God in 15:25.
5. What do you think the people felt in 15:27? What type of land typically would support 70 palm trees?
6. Why were the people moving from place to place? (17:1)
7. Again, contrast the peoples’ communication to Moses in 17:2-3 and Moses’ communication to God in 17:4.
8. When the people quarreled with Moses, who were they indirectly quarreling with?
9. Are the complaints of the Israelites valid? What is another way they could express their need or frustration?
10. Was thirst their only problem? What was the deeper object lesson? How well do you suppose they learned this lesson?
11. What do these passages teach about the authority of Moses and God?
12. In this case (and many others), the people tested God, and God came through for them. What does this tell you about God?

Read about spying on the Promised Land in Numbers 13:1-2, 13:21-22 and Numbers 14

1. What did the spies find on their adventure? (13:21-22, 27-28)
2. Contrast the 2 perspectives of the report from Caleb (13:30) and the others (13:31-33)
3. What words of motivation did Joshua and Caleb deliver to the Israelites? (14:6-9) What was their response? (14:10)
4. What was God’s response to Moses? (14:11-12) … and Moses’ response to God? (14:13-19)
5. And, in conclusion, what did God decide to do that would impact the Israelites for the next 38 years? (14:21-35) (see below for the 10 failures referenced in 14:22)
6. How do you think Moses felt after reaching the edge of Canaan (the Promised Land) and then the Lord laid down the law and told them to turn around and return to the desert towards the Red Sea – the beginning of their journey? (14:15)
7. What was the response of the Israelites when Moses gave them the bad news? (14:39-40)
8. What did the Israelites decide to do and what were they presuming God would do for them? Did they really have a change of heart? (14:44)
9. What happened? (14:45) In this case (and many others), the people tested God. But this time, God was silent. What does this tell you about God?
10. What are ways that we test God? Ie. We presume upon his grace; we make plans ourselves then invite God to help make the plans work.

Consider the following diagrams. Which one is a pattern of cooperating with God? With manipulating or testing God?



Ten failures referenced in Numbers 14:22

1. lacking trust crossing Red Sea (Ex 14:11-12)
2. complaining about bitter water at Marah (Ex 15:24)
3. complaining in Desert of Sin (Ex 16:3)
4. collecting more than daily quota of manna (Ex 16:20)
5. collecting manna on Sabbath (Ex 16:27-29)
6. complaining about lack of water at Massah (Ex 17:2-3)
7. engaging in idolatry of golden calf (Ex 32:7-10)
8. complaining at Taberah (Num 11:1-2)
9. more complaining over lack of delicious food (Num 11:4)
10. failing to trust God an enter Promised Land (Num 14:1-4)

Bottom Line Point(s):

1. Obedience = If I trust God, I will ______________ .
2. Presumption/Testing = If God will do _____________, then I will trust him.
3. The issue is not whether Jesus has faith to risk his life to prove God will save him, but can he trust God.
4. Giving in to temptation is not just about “the moment”… There are usually long term impacts to future, family, and faith.
5. Others?

How can you apply what you’ve learned here?

1. What strategies/weapons can we use to fight temptation?
2. Look to your own past and future and think how God has blessed you, or what he has promised.
3. How will you “let go and let God” the next time you “thirst”?
4. Are your prayers indicative of manipulation of, or cooperation with, God?

Bibliography

1. Life Application Study Bible, NIV.
2. ESV Study Bible.
3. Serendipity Study Bible for Groups.
4. Andy Stanley, “Pause” series.
5. Ron Julian, “Testing God,” Gutenberg College McKenzie Study Center.