The Temptation of Christ

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The Temptation of Christ

• January 25

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Think About It

• What are some common food cravings?
• Jesus was tempted by more than food even though
  He had been without for 40 days.
• ? Today we look at basic types of temptation
  which Satan used on Him and on us.

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Listen for why Jesus might be easily tempted.

• Luke 41-4 (NIV) Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit,
  returned from the Jordan and was led by the
  Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he
  was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during
  those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
  3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of
  God, tell this stone to become bread." 4 Jesus
  answered, "It is written 'Man does not live on
  bread alone.'"

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Temptation to Ignore Gods Provision

• What physical conditions do you see that might
  make Jesus susceptible to temptation?
• What are some other physical or family situations
  we experience that would make us vulnerable to
  Satans temptation?
• What are some different names that people (or
  Scripture) use to refer to Satan?

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Temptation to Ignore Gods Provision

• Consider the following facts about Satan
• a spiritual being
• causes evil in the world
• tempts people to do evil
• the enemy of God and humans
• a liar
• the accuser of the brethren

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Temptation to Ignore Gods Provision

• Lets look at how Jesus dealt with Satan. How
  did Jesus reply when the devil urged Him to turn
  a stone into bread?
• Where would Jesus have gotten the answers He gave
  the devil?
• What kinds of situations are there when physical
  needs take you dangerously away from Gods Word?

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Temptation to Reject Worship of God

• In what kinds of situations do you most desire to
  have control over events in your life?
• Why might a person in one of these situations be
  tempted to neglect worshiping God in order to
  gain control, gain power, or get ahead?
• Listen for how the Devil tempted Jesus about
  worship.

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Listen for how the Devil tempted Jesus about
worship

• Luke 45-8 (NIV) The devil led him up to a high
  place and showed him in an instant all the
  kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, "I
  will give you all their authority and splendor,
  for it has been given to me, and I can give it to
  anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it
  will all be yours." 8 Jesus answered, "It is
  written 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him
  only.'"

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Temptation to Reject Worship of God

• What did the devil offer Jesus in exchange for
  His worship?
• Why might this offer be appealing to some people
  (people not the Messiah)?
• Why would Satan have thought this would be
  appealing to Christ?

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Temptation to Reject Worship of God

• You probably wouldnt fall down in worship before
  the Devil. But what things other than God do
  people worship today?
• ? These are more subtle, but can be just as
  spiritually defeating.

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Temptation to Forsake Gods Wisdom

• What are some situations when people bargain with
  God?
• Suppose you do make a promise to do something if
  God will do what you want then it doesnt
  happen He doesnt do what you want. What does
  that mean?
• Listen for how Satan tried to use messianic
  prophecy to make a deal with Jesus.

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Listen for how Satan tried to use messianic
prophecy to make a deal with Jesus.

• Luke 49-13 (NIV) The devil led him to Jerusalem
  and had him stand on the highest point of the
  temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said,
  "throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is
  written " 'He will command his angels concerning
  you to guard you carefully

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Listen for how Satan tried to use messianic
prophecy to make a deal with Jesus.

• 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so
  that you will not strike your foot against a
  stone.' " 12 Jesus answered, "It says 'Do not
  put the Lord your God to the test.'" 13 When
  the devil had finished all this tempting, he left
  him until an opportune time.

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Temptation to Forsake Gods Wisdom

• What promises from the Old Testament did Satan
  quote?
• Why wasnt the devil successful in enticing Jesus
  to jump off the temple?
• What is the difference between testing God and
  claiming His promises?
• Satan quoted Ps 9111-12. Look up the passage
  determine how he misused the verses

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Temptation to Forsake Gods Wisdom

• How did Jesus and the devil use the Bible
  differently?
• How can a person become skillful at using the
  Bible as Jesus did?
• Since the Bible can be misused, how can we learn
  to use the Bible the right way?

Satan's use of Scripture Jesus' use of Scripture

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Application

• Consider what God might be trying to teach you
  through temptations that occur.
• Gods strength is more powerful than the
  temptation
• You need to depend on God, not your own self
• You are not strong enough to resist temptations

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Application

• Note what Jesus proved in the way he resisted the
  devils temptations
• Possible to reject the temptation
• Temptation does not mean we must fall to it
• Use of Scripture is a good way to confront it and
  come out victoriously

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Application

• Jesus used Scripture to refute the devil and
  resist temptation. Consider some of these helps
  to memorize
• The Scripture Memory Connection
  http//www.memoryverses.org/
• Scripture Memory Challenge http//www.scriptureme
  morychallenge.org/
• Bible Memory Challenge http//www.biblememory.org/
  
• BibleMemory.us http//www.biblememory.us/

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The Temptation of Christ

• January 25