The King s Temptation Matthew 4:1-25

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1 4 June 24, 2001 The King s Temptation Matthew 4:1-25 unday Devotional S The Purpose of Trials, James 1:1-12 In tropical seas there is an oyster known as the Sea Pearl Oyster which produces a most beautiful, lustrous pearl. Cells in the body of the mollusk form a special substance called nacre (mother of pearl) that lines the interior of their shells. When a foreign substance, such as a grain of sand or a tiny parasite lodges inside the body of the oyster, the nacre forming cells go to work. They coat the invading substance with thin sheets of nacre. Successive layers are progressively added until the foreign body is completely enclosed, forming a most beautiful pearl. The oyster has transformed an agitation into a valuable asset. Is it possible for the Christian to turn his agitations and trials into Daily Devotionals See Daily Devotional Quarterly M. Trial of Faith, 1 Peter 1:3-9. T. Trials Not Something Strange, 1 Peter 4: W. God Is Faithful, 1 Corinthians 10: T. Divine Aid, Hebrews 2: F. Put on the Armor, Ephesians 6: S. Resist the Devil, 1 Peter 5:5-9. valuable and profitable character traits? That is exactly what James is encouraging the scattered Jewish Christians to do. In these verses he gives essentials for turning trials into triumphs. In verse 2 he is suggesting having a joyful attitude. In verse 3 he urges having an understanding mind. In verse 4 he calls for a surrendered will, and finally in verses 5-8 he encourages a heart that wants to believe. Perhaps you have seen the bumper sticker that says, When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade! That is easier to smile at than to practice, but the basic philosophy is sound. In fact it is biblical. Throughout the Bible there are people who turned defeat into victory and trials into triumph. Instead of being victims, they became victors. In our world, trials and difficulties are most common. People are living with tremendous stress. This first chapter of James calls for commitment to patience and hope in spite of all of the problems people face. He writes, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him (verse 12). 16

2 Text: Matthew 4: ON TARGET Aim: By the conclusion of this lesson the student will have resolved to resist temptations to evil by an appeal to the Scriptures. In your Sunday School class this week, you will most probably have those who are troubled and frustrated with trials and temptations. Your attempt to focus upon the Aim of the lesson can easily be done by stressing the verses selected for study in Matthew. You will want to strengthen the class member s resolve to resist temptation in the world. Jesus sets the example for resisting temptation. Each of the three times Satan brought temptation to Him, Jesus responded with It is written. After having gone without food for forty days and forty nights, Jesus was tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread. Jesus answered, It is written and then quoted Deuteronomy 8:3. After the second temptation to obey the command of Satan, Jesus again said, It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. When Satan ordered Him to bow before him and receive all of the kingdoms of the world, Jesus again said, It is written and quoted Deuteronomy 6:13. To be able to utilize the Word of God when under trial and temptation, one must be familiar with it. One reason for being in the Sunday School class is to become more familiar with the Scriptures. As one learns the Word, he will be more apt to recall those verses that will encourage, aid and assist when needed. The psalmist wrote, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11). When the Word is hidden in the heart and mind for easy recall, one is more equipped to handle temptation. COMMENTARY OUTLINE Matthew 4:1-25 Introduction: A. Jesus was fully tested (Heb. 2:18; 4:15, 16). B. True believers face temptations daily. C. Tempt to solicit to sin I. THE KING TESTED IN FLESH A. Led of the Spirit (Matt. 4:1, 2) B. Lust of the flesh (Matt. 4:3) C. Answers from the Word (Matt. 4:4) II. THE KING TESTED IN SOUL A. Pride of life (Matt. 4:5) B. Call to test God (Matt. 4:6) C. Jesus answers from the Word (Matt. 4:7). III. THE KING TESTED IN SPIRIT A. Lust of the eyes (Matt. 4:8) B. Call to compromise (Matt. 4:9) C. The Word and victory (Matt. 4:10, 11) IV. THE KING S MESSAGE A. After the time of testing (Matt. 4:12, 13) B. Fulfilled prophecy (Matt. 4:14-16) C. Called for repentance (Matt. 4:17) V. THE KING S FISHERMEN A. Peter and Andrew (Matt. 4:18, 19) B. Straightway they followed (Matt. 4:20). C. James and John (Matt. 4:21) VI. THE KING S FAME A. Preaching the gospel (Matt. 4:23) B. Confirming the Word (Matt. 4:24) C. Great following (Matt. 4:25) Conclusion: What an enemy, what a friend A. Satan is a bold enemy. B. Yield not to temptation. C. Jesus and His Word assures the victory.

3 18 The King s Temptation 1 LET S BE PRACTICAL 2 LET S BE PRACTICAL Quarterly Outline THE KING S TEMPTATION Matthew 4:1-25 Lesson Focus: Matthew 4:1-11 Everyone is subjected to varying temptations. No one is immune from them; not even Jesus. The times of trials and temptations are often followed closely with great triumphs. No one is ever tempted to the degree that he has no choice but to yield to the temptations. God will always make a way of escape if one is willing to look to Him for help. DEVIL GET AWAY! Luke 4:1-13 I. REALIZING WHAT IS ONE S OWN WILDERNESS (Luke 4:1-3, 5-7, 9-11) A. Activities of the enticements of Satan B. Accosting the enticements of the world II. RESISTING WHAT GOD HAS WRITTEN (Luke 4:4, 8, 12) A. Actualizing the Word of God B. Accessing the Word of God I. CONDITIONS OF TEMPTA- TION (Matt. 4:1, 2) A. Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into a wilderness where He was tempted by the devil. B. Jesus fasted for forty days and became hungry which contributed to His temptation. II. TEMPTATION AND THE LUST OF THE FLESH (Matt. 4:3, 4) A. The tempter (devil) came to Jesus and tempted Him. B. Jesus responded by quoting the devil a Scripture. III. REMOVING WHAT ARE SATAN S WILES (Luke 4:13) A. Acknowledging the tempter s presence B. Acclaiming the victory over Satan Conclusion: We cannot really blame all of our troubles on the devil. We have to take responsibility for some of them ourselves. But we can resist the temptations he brings by knowing the Word and being in the will of God. III. TEMPTATION AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE (Matt. 4:5-7) A. Jesus was tempted two other times. B. Jesus met these temptations by again quoting Scripture. Jesus put the devil to flight by using the Word of God on him.

4 Text: Matthew 4: LESSON ASSISTANCE Teacher: The following suggested exercises may be used in class to help get the lesson across to your pupils. 1. Discuss the devil s tactics with the class. Lust of the flesh Pride Lust of the eyes 2. Have some of the more spiritually mature pupils tell how they met some temptation. The alcohol problem The drug problem Marital problems The monetary problem Other problems Please note: There may be some class members who have faced these problems, solved them and moved on. They may be more than glad to share how they achieved victory over such problems. Do not force anyone to share who does not want to do so, but the willing ones could contribute much help to others by sharing their victories over temptations with the class. 3. Help the class members to advance in the following spiritual activities which will enhance their spiritual lives. A daily quiet time which could include reading the Daily Devotionals, reading the Word of God and memorization of the Scriptures. A daily prayer life which might include those who have strayed away from the Lord and church, the sick list, the unsaved and other prayer requests that might have been made in the class and in church. A time of meditation on the Scriptures read. Meditation might include reading the Word of God, making it a vital part of one s life and living by the teachings of the Word of God. These will serve to fortify the Christians with resources that will enable them to live victorious lives. 4. Show the class that the devil is alive and well on planet Earth, and he is moving about seeking to devour those he can catch. The devil is not in hell. He is not chained or restrained in any way except by the power of God, but he roams around seeking to destroy lives. Show them that the way to victory is by allowing Jesus Christ to have control of their lives.

5 20 The King s Temptation CLASS AGENDA Warm-up 5 Minutes Greet students. Introduce visitors. Be sure that each student in the class has access to a Bible, pupil s quarterly and Adult Lesson Commentary. Bible Exploration Minutes Carefully explore the biblical account of the temptation of Jesus Christ by Satan.This is a wonderful account to see the humanity of Jesus and how He overcame temptation by using the written Word. Application 5-10 Minutes Make personal applications by urging class members to store up the Scriptures in their hearts and minds for use when tried and tempted. Closing 5 Minutes Quickly review the lesson and link it to the lesson for next week. Close with prayer for each member to have the strength to face personal difficulties during the next week. Teacher s Notes

6 5 July 1, 2001 The King s Inaugural Address The Way We Should Live Sunday Devotional Obey the Laws of God, Deuteronomy 4:1-8 After the close of the baseball game the pastor/grandfather was driving his grandson home when the grandson inquired, My friend said that you preached his grandmother s funeral. The grandfather replied, Yes, and you know, she was one hundred two years old. The young boy responded, Wow, she must have obeyed her parents! The preacher/grandfather was pleased that his young grandson was so familiar with the Bible. The youngster remembered the commandment, Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee (Ex. 20:12). Ephesians 6:1-3 suggests that this is the commandment that has a promise, the promise of longer life. Daily Devotionals See Daily Devotional Quarterly M. By These Men Live, Isaiah 38: T. Trust the Lord, Proverbs 3:5, 6. W. Flee Immorality, 1 Corinthians 6: T. Do Good to All, Galatians 6:6-10. F. Don t Look Back, Luke 9: S. Press On, Philippians 3: Matthew 5: In the devotional text for this Sunday, the emphasis is upon obedience to the laws of God. The very life of the people of Israel depended upon the doing of the commandments given to them by Moses. They were reminded what the Lord did to those who followed a false god. Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal-peor: for all the men that followed Baal-peor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you (Deut. 4:3). Our society has certain laws that all citizens are expected to obey. Disobedience to those laws often results in circumstances that are quite unpleasant. It is practical to a lawabiding citizen. It is also practical to be obedient to the laws of God. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day (verse 4). The obedient ones were survivors, the disobedient died. The Bible, the inerrant, infallible Word of God, was not given to us in order to decorate our minds with much knowledge. It was given that we might act upon what was revealed. We study the Bible to learn who God is and what He expects from us. We are wise indeed when we apply what we learn to practical actions in our lives.