Jesus Our Champion (Matthew 4)
Matthew 4:1-11
In 1 Samuel 17, the story of David and Goliath, a champion represented the whole people of Israel.
God' tests His children, but doesn’t tempt us.
Jesus’s temptation follows His baptism, when the Father confirmed His identity.
Jesus came to stand where we’ve fallen and to win where we’ve lost.
Satan tempts Jesus to doubt His Father’s voice.
Jesus faced the enemy as our representative—and walked out with our victory.
Three temptations and lies:
1) Self-provision: You can’t trust God to take care of you. (v. 2-4)
“If the Father really loves you, why isn’t He taking care of you?”
Temptation feels like relief, not rebellion.
John Piper “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
Question Where am I trying to meet a need in my own way instead of trusting God?
2) Self-protection: You need proof before you can trust God. (v. 5-7)
“If the Father really loves you, make Him prove it.”
We often step out of God’s will thinking it will relieve the tension of waiting. We need to repent.
Question In what area am I waiting for God to prove Himself before I obey?
3) Self-promotion: You can have what God promised, without doing it God’s way. (v. 8-10)
Augustine “A good thing wrongly pursued becomes a bad thing.”
All temptation is a worship issue.
Satan doesn’t care if we bow to him, as long as we don’t bow to God.
Question Where am I reaching for something good but not trusting God’s way to get it?
We are learning to stand in the victory that Jesus already won.
I am God’s beloved child. I belong to Him.