The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 4 Part 1 Jesus Christ Triumphed Over Satan's Temptations.

Matthew 3:16-17  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17)  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

Chapter three ends with the Father announcing that He is exceptionally pleased with His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of God came like a dove and sat upon Jesus after His baptism, reminding us that the Father gave His Spirit to Jesus without any restrictions (See John 3:34-36).

Chapter four begins with an intense testing of Jesus by God's great enemy, Satan.

Note the time when it happened. God's Spirit emphasized the timing of Christ's temptation. 

It was right after the heavens were opened to him, and the Spirit descended on him, and He was declared to be the Son of God, and the Savior of the world. 

At this point in time Jesus is tempted for 40 days by the Devil in the wilderness, deprived of food and any earthly comforts.

This reminds us that though we enjoy great privileges and are serving God, this will not stop us from being tempted. 

Often when God has worked mightily in our lives and we are on the "mountaintop: we can anticipate the Devil's opposition.

This us why Paul had a messenger of Satan sent to buffet him, after he had been in the third heavens and seen glorious things (See 2 Corinthians 12). 

From glowing commendation from the Father to grueling tests by the Devil.

Matthew 4:1-2  Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2)  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 

Mark 1:12-13  And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13)  And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. 

Sometimes it helps to compare the other gospels. Mark gives us a sense of urgency and immediacy about the temptation of Jesus by the Devil.

Matthew says that Jesus was "led up" by the Spirit into a wilderness area for this temptation.

Mark uses a word "driveth" which implies a forceful compelling in Jesus' heart for His confrontation with Satan.

Both gospel writers tell us that Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness where wild beasts roamed.

Both gospel writers used the same word translated "tempted."

The word translated "tempted" means to maliciously put one to the test. 

It means Satan used all his wiles or tests one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin. He was soliciting Christ to sin.

Contrasting the first Adam and Christ, the second Adam.

1 Corinthians 15:45-47  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46)  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47)  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 

Why was Jesus tempted by the Devil? Because Christ also came to earth as the second Adam to undo the failure of the first Adam.

The first Adam succumbed to Satan's inducement to sin.

The second Adam is the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven.

Our text today proves that Jesus passed the temptation test that the first Adam failed.

Satan as a serpent, tempted Adam and Eve to sin by changing the Word of God into a lie and by casting doubt upon the character of God (See Genesis 3:1-24).

Adam's sin brought death to all. Christ's obedience offers life to all.

Romans 5:12-15  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13)  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14)  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15)  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 

Adam's choice to sin was a choice he made as the federal head of all mankind.

Thus, one man's choice to sin unleashed sin into the world and brought death, condemnation and misery upon the entire human race.

Death passes on all people because we are all born as sinners. No one has to teach us how to sin. It is built into us by the fall.

The second Adam did not fail when tested by the Devil. 

Through Christ's work on the cross to save all who will believe from eternal condemnation, God offers eternal life, a new heart and a new spirit and a fresh start to all.

Both Luke and Matthew record that Jesus was intensely hungry after fasting for 40 days.

This state of being led to the first temptation by the Devil.

Jesus was tempted to act according to the Devil's enticement instead of obeying His Father

Matthew 4:3-4  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4)  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 

Jesus has not eaten in forty days. He has likely not rested well from being exposed to the elements and animals.

It is when we may be physically weak and unable to think clearly that the Devil will attack us with temptation.

Food is a necessity of life and Jesus' needed nourishment for His body just as we do. 

Satan's first words were filled with condescension and derision. He said "If thou be the Son of God..."

Remember that the serpent's temptation of Adam and Eve began with a question. "Yea, hath God said" (Genesis 3:1).

Satan implied that if Jesus was truly the Son of God He could easily and instantly change stones into bread to satisfy the gnawing hunger in His stomach.

Next, the Devil said "command that these stones be made bread."

The Devil did not doubt that Christ could do this for he.

The sin Satan sought to entice Jesus with was making stones into bread at his bidding, rather than Jesus totally surrendering to do His Father's will!

We must all pay careful attention to Christ's response to each temptation because we will be tempted and we need to follow Christ's example.

Jesus responded by citing the appropriate text from the Word of God from Deuteronomy 8:3. 

Satan began his temptation of Christ with the words "If thou be" and Jesus countered powerfully with "It is written!"

Jesus declared that "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

The Word of God is our mighty resource for temptation that appeals to our flesh, whether a legitimate need like hunger or a lust like gluttony.

Jesus was tempted to prove His Father's goodness and power.

Matthew 4:5-6  Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6)  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

The pinnacle or highest point of the temple built by Herod towered 350 feet over the lowest part of the valley below.

Our Lord repelled the first temptation by an act of confidence in the power and goodness of His Father. 

In the second temptation, Satan solicits Jesus to then presume upon the power and goodness of God. 

We see Satan's unparalleled subtlety. The very means we use to repel one temptation may be used by him as the groundwork of another.

Psalm 91:11-12  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12)  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

Satan also cited scripture in Christ's second temptation.

Again, this is something we must learn about our great enemy. 

He knows the scriptures and will try to use them against us to entice us to sin.

Thus, the Devil tried to get Jesus to hurl Himself down from the high spot on the temple to prove that the angels would catch Him before He hit the rocks below.

Matthew 4:7  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 

Jesus responded again by citing scripture from Deuteronomy 6:16. 

Jesus deflected the Devil's temptation by reminding the Devil that no one is to attempt to tempt or prove that God will keep His Word.

Israel did just this many times and were judged by God for it (See Exodus 17:7; 17:7; Numbers 14:22; Psalm 78:18; 41; 56).

This is quoted literally from Deuteronomy 6:16. The meaning is we do not try to make God prove He will keep His Word by placing ourselves in danger and appealing for His protection.

Jesus was tempted to worship the Devil instead of the Father.

Matthew 4:8-9  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9)  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 

We have a glimpse into the Devils' great power and domain.

He took Jesus up to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in all their splendor.

Not just Judea or the vast Roman empire, but all the worlds' kingdoms in all continents.

Luke's gospel adds that this happened in a "moment of time" meaning that this was probably a vision.

Isaiah 14:12-14  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13)  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14)  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 

We come to the very heart of Satan's motive in tempting Jesus Christ.

He was expelled from heaven because he lusted to be worshiped as God is worshiped. 

Isaiah recorded a prophecy that contains a unique look at Satan prior to his expulsion from heaven.

His name was "Lucifer" and he was called the covering cherub in Ezekiel 28:11-19). This means that Lucifer had something to do with worship in heaven.

He was created a perfect being until the day that iniquity was found in him (See Ezekiel 28:15).

Isaiah tells us that Lucifer wanted to have a throne exalted above all else in heaven, so that he might be like the most high God.

This is why Satan tempted Jesus. He coveted to be worshiped. 

When he tempts a child of God, if we give in to the temptation, we are in effect, worshiping the Devil by doing what he wants us to do when he wants us to do it.

If the Son of God would have worshiped the Devil then the second Adam would have failed and mankind would have no hope of salvation from sin.

Satan questioned Jesus' deity but Jesus powerfully dismissed the Devil.

Matthew 4:10-11  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11)  Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. 

We have Jesus' final rebuke of the Devil and a display of His authority.

Satan wanted to usurp the place of God but he is commanded to get behind or be gone away from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The temptation was over, and Christ triumphed. 

He then swiftly dismissed the Devil from His presence and the devil had no choice but to promptly obey.

He had to leave at Christ's command.

Satan began his temptation of Christ by casting doubt upon Jesus as the Son of God.

The Son of God left no doubt as He ended the temptation and sent the Devil away in rejection.

The gospel teaches us that our blessed Lord was tempted in four distinct ways by the Devil.

Jesus was tempted to distrust His Father by the temptation to command the stones to become bread.

Jesus was tempted to presume upon His Father's power and goodness by cast Himself down.

Jesus was tempted to seek worldly ambition by receiving power over all earthly kingdoms.

And last, Jesus was tempted to commit the great sin of idolatry as Satan wanted Jesus to fall down and worship him.  

The temptation of Jesus Christ is part of the gospel record.

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15)  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

The temptation of Christ helps us understand what the writer of Hebrews teaches us about our Lord.

Jesus is our great, eternal high priest. 

He understands the temptations we face because He was tempted by the Devil.

He is touched with our fleshly weakness and infirmity.

He is moved with compassion for us just as a loving father has compassion on his children that must be disciplined (See Psalm 103:13-18).

Christ opened the door to the throne of grace that we might have a bold entrance to seek help in our times of need.

Thus, the gospel teaches us that Jesus triumphed as the second Adam.

His triumph becomes our victory when we exercise repentant faith in Christ.

The gospel account of Christ's temptation shows us that we must know our scriptures well, thinking about them, studying them diligently, because our enemy knows them too.

Bob