The First Temptation

Savior and Teacher-A Study of Matthew - Part 3
Reverend David Bisgrove
26 February 2012

Matthew 4:1-11
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

5Then 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.'"

7Jesus also answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put your Lord God to the test.'"

8Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

10Jesus said to him, "Away from mem Satan! For it is written" 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

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

THE BLUEPRINT
--The Baptism of Jesus represents everything Satan opposes.
--Prior to the temptation in the desert, Jesus was baptised by John with water.
--Baptism of Jesus, THEN the temptation; acts as a reset button--a reformation
--Genesis parallels--Let there be light, THEN there was light.
--Baptism of Jesus THEN the new story begins.
--Baptism is the birth of Jesus--it was the word become flesh;

THE TEST
--Jesus fasts to show that all you need is God.
--Sin is loving something more than God---whether its money, food, etc.