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ü  Read the Bible: Thoughtfully

ü  Read the Bible: Prayerfully

ü  Read the Bible: Repeatedly: AT Pierson “never saw til 100th time!”

ü  Read the Bible: Patiently

ü  Read the Bible: Selectively: who, what, etc

ü  Read the Bible: Imaginatively

 

The Gospels record Christ’s ministry to the four groups of people then and now in the world.

ð Matthew speaks to the Jews and the deeply religious of our day.The Jews who loved the Scriptures and the prophecies of God. They would only listen to one of their own.

ð Mark spoke to the Romans. These were the leaders and leadership and action impressed them. They knew nothing of Scriptures but everything of power. So to this group comes the action packed Gospel of the powerful ministry of Christ. Mark uses the word “and” 1,375 times to tie together the endless actions of Christ. Like our modern successful business man and woman, they want a God who can powerfully meet their deepest needs.

ð Luke was a Greek speaking to the Greeks. The Greeks loved culture, beauty and ideas. Happiness could be found in the pursuit of truth. Luke fills his book with insights, interviews, songs and details that fascinate the inquiring mind. So today the truth seekers find Jesus in Luke!

ð John wrote to everyone,  because everyone needs to meet God and only Jesus can reveal Him. In this book we meet an absolutely powerful God in human flesh who controls and rules the Universe He created. So the best known verse is the best of all offer that God loves all and offers all—His Son as their only hope!

Each Synopses is a Snapshot of Jesus

 

Remember how we surveyed the Gospels by noting a key verse for each book!

 

MATTHEW  “Christ the  King”

Matthew 2:2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (NKJV) Worship Christ the King!

MARK  “Christ the Servant”

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (NKJV)  Worship Christ the Servant!

LUKE “Christ the perfect man:  Savior”. (19:10)

Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (NKJV) This verse outlines the book: Jesus “has come” (1-4:13 – birth to temptation);  Jesus came “to seek”  (4:14-21:38 – 1st ministry to final Jerusalem trip); and Jesus came “to save” (22-24 Last Supper to Ascension).  Worship Christ the Savior! He really identified with our world, our needs and He is our only hope!

john “Christ the divine god the son”. (10:30)

 

THE FOUR GOSPELS[1].

The four Gospels record the eternal being, human ancestry, birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Christ, Son of God, and Son of Man.  They record also a selection from the incidents of His life, and from His words and works.  Taken together, they set forth, not a biography but a Personality.

Why Four Gospels?

It is very important to realize that the Synoptic Gospels were written to the three great national powers of that day.  The laws were the great religious power; the Romans were the great military, governmental power; the Greeks were the great cultural power. It is in interesting to realize that the Gospel offer was made in the book of Acts in the same order in which the first three Gospels are now arranged: First to the Jews, then to the Romans and then to the Greeks.

  • Reflection: To give four different photographs of the Lord Jesus.  Just as a photographer takes different poses of a person, the Holy Spirit takes four different snapshot pictures of Christ, as King, Servant, Man and God.
  • Perfection: To emphasize His life and work by repeating it four times.  The Holy Spirit uses repetition to drive home great cardinal facts about the earthly life of the Lord Jesus.
  • Attraction: To show that there is far more than enough in the Lord Jesus to attract all different types and races of men.  Matthew shows that there is far more than enough in Christ to attract the Jews; Mark shows that there is far more than enough in Him to attract the Romans; Luke shows that there is far more than enough in Him to attract the Greeks; John summarizes by showing that there is far more than enough in Christ to attract people in all the world.
  • Completion: To show how He fulfilled Old  Testament prophecy which had pictured Christ as King, Servant, Man and God.
  • In this connection it is interesting to remember that our Old Testament Prophecies of Christ as “the Branch” correspond to the four Gospels:
    • Jeremiah 23:5 “Behold, [the] days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. (NKJV)
    • Zechariah 3:8:”For,behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch.” This corresponds to Mark.
    • Zechariah 6:12  “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch.” This corresponds to Luke,
    • Jeremiah 23:6 “And this is His name whereby He (the Branch) shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.” This corresponds to John.
  • It is also interesting to remember that four Old Testament prophecies of Christ which use the word “behold” correspond to the four Gospels:
    • Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He [is] just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. (NKJV)  This corresponds to Matthew.
    • Isaiah 42:1 “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One [in whom] My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. (NKJV). This corresponds to Mark.
    • Zechariah 6:12:”Behold the man, whose name is the Branch.” This corresponds to Luke.
    • Isaiah 40:9:”Say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God! This corresponds to John.

 

THE GOSPELS The Lord promised that David would never lack a son to sit on the throne, and the next one thousand years present an uninterrupted, generation-by-generation list of male descendants-the longest known. None of the gospels are chronological histories or biographies in our modern sense. The Gospels record what Jesus did.  The Gospel of John records what Jesus said.

The Gospels record Christ’s ministry to the four groups of people then and now in the world. The Jews who loved the Scriptures and the prophecies of God. They would only listen to one of their own. So Matthew speaks to the Jews and the deeply religious of our day.

Mark spoke to the Romans. These were the leaders and leadership and action impressed them. They knew nothing of Scriptures but everything of power. So to this group comes the action packed Gospel of the powerful ministry of Christ. Mark uses the word “and” 1,375 times to tie together the endless actions of Christ. Like our modern successful business man and woman, they want a God who can powerfully meet their deepest needs.

Luke was a Greek speaking to the Greeks. The Greeks loved culture, beauty and ideas. Happiness could be found in the pursuit of truth. Luke fills his book with insights, interviews, songs and details that fascinate the inquiring mind. So today the truth seekers find Jesus in Luke!

John wrote to everyone, because everyone needs to meet God and only Jesus can reveal Him. In this book we meet an absolutely powerful God in human flesh who controls and rules the Universe He created. So the best known verse is the best of all offer that God loves all and offers all—His Son as their only hope!

Let’s survey the Gospels by noting a key verse for each book!

 

MATTHEW  “Christ our King”

 

Matthew 2:2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (NKJV) Worship Christ the King!

Outline: The Birth and Preparation of the King  1:1 – 4:11; The King Speaks and Serves 4:12 – 25:46; The King Suffers and Triumphs in Passion Week 26:1 – 28:20.

In a gospel written for Jews, Jesus is presented in His royalty; his Jewishness is very evident. Matthew opens with the declaration that Jesus is the “Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.”  In fact, eight of the twelve references to Jesus as the son of David are in Matthew,  who so clearly pictures Jesus as the ideal Israelite and the ideal King of Israel.

MARK  “Christ our Servant”

 

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (NKJV)  Worship Christ the Servant!

Outline: The Birth and Preparation of Servant Jesus 1:1 – 13; Servant Jesus Speaks and Serves 1:14 – 13:37; Servant Jesus Suffers and Triumphs in Passion Week 14:1 – 16:20.

In a gospel written from Peter’s words to the fast paced Roman Empire, Jesus is constantly in action! Mark, perhaps the first gospel account written, opens with: The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”  God Himself ratifies the declaration in 1:11: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

LUKE “Christ our Savior”. (19:10)

 

Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (NKJV) Worship Christ the Savior!

Outline: The Birth and Preparation of Savior Jesus 1:1 – 4:13; Savior Jesus Speaks and Serves 4:14 – 21:38; Savior Jesus Suffers and Triumphs in Passion Week 22:1 – 24.

In a gospel for the Greeks, we find the perfect man comes to earth. Luke talks as a physician, and describes medically how much Christ was a man—tired and touched with the feelings of those about Him.  Like Matthew, Luke proclaims the miraculous, virgin conception of Jesus (1:26-38).  He alone writes of the glory of God that was manifested at the birth of Jesus (1:9).  Luke reinforces Jesus’ identity with humanity by using “son of man” twenty-five times, second only to Matthew.

One reflection of the Perfect Man Christ our Savior was is found in Luke’s record of nine occasions when Jesus prayed:

(1)  at His baptism (Luke 3:21); A PRAYER FOR CONSECRATION

(2)  after a day of miracles (Luke 5:15-16); A PRAYER FOR STRENGTH

(3)  before choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12); A PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE

(4)  before the first prediction of His death (Luke 9:18); A PRAYER FOR ENCOURAGEMENT

(5)  on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:29); A PRAYER FOR WORSHIP

(6)  before teaching the disciples to pray (Luke 11:1); A PRAYER FOR WISDOM

(7)  when the seventy returned with their report (Luke 10:21); A PRAYER FOR INSIGHT

(8)  in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46); A PRAYER FOR VICTORY

(9)  on the cross (Luke 23:34, 46). A PRAYER FOR OBEDIENCE

 

  • jesus prayerfully sought god’s Protection while facing the great crises of His life was found during prayer:
  • His baptism (Lk. 3:21-22)
  • Choosing the twelve (Lk. 6:12-13)
  • Preparing for the cross (Lk. 9:18, 21-22)
  • His transfiguration (Lk. 9:28-36)
  • jesus prayerfully sought god’s Preparation for the great events – challenges – of His  ministry
    • Feeding the 4,000 (Matt. 15:36)
    • Feeding of the 5,000 (Jn. 6:11)
    • Walking on the water (Matt. 14:23-33)
    • Healing the insane boy (Mk. 9:14-29)
    • jesus prayerfully sought god’s help in Maintaining a proper focus in success was strengthened by  prayer:
      • After feeding 5,000 (Matt. 14:23)
      • After raising Lazarus (John 11:41)
      • jesus prayerfully sought god’s Direction for facing the stresses of life was found in prayer:
        • Multitudes (Lk. 5:15-16)
        • Sick folks (Mk. 1:35 [wilderness, v. 33 – whole city at door, so….]
        • Ministry needs (Lk. 4:42)
        • Urgent situations (Jn. 6:15) [human efforts and ambitions vs. God within]
        • jesus prayerfully sought god’s comfort. His Emotions were sheltered by resorting to prayer:
          • Uncaring friends (Matt. 26:36-46)
          • Discouragement at misguided disciples (Jn. 6:15) (their v. 39 lack faith
          • Unbecoming attitudes and words of friends (Jn. – confident in God)
          • The pain of His calling—the cross (Jn. 12:28)
          • jesus prayerfully sought god’s  will in  the consummation of His life. It was met in prayer:
            • His last breath on the cross (Lk. 23:46)
            • jesus prayerfully sought god’s goals. His earthly prayer life may be seen as:
              • Harmony with God’s plan was His passion (Jn. 17:4)
              • Thankfulness was a part of all His life (Lk. 10:21)
              • Perfection was His for He never confessed sin (I Pet. 2:22; Jn. 8:29)
              • God’s glory, not His personal needs, was primary (Jn.
              • Confidence: He always had a confidence in God’s hearing and answering (Jn. 11:42)
              • Submission: Every part of His life demonstrated submission (Lk. 22:
              • Intercession was always on His heart:
            • For His disciples’ growth (Lk. 23:31)
            • For His enemies needing saving grace (Lk. 23:34)
              • In all truly selfless (Jn. 17:11)

 

Is prayer a priority?  Talking to God.

Is the word a priority?  Doing God’s will.

 

JOHN “Christ our God ”  (20:31)

 

John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (NKJV)

Outline: The Birth and Preparation of Divine Jesus 1:1 – 2:11; Divine Jesus Speaks and Serves 2:12 – 12:50; Divine Jesus Suffers and Triumphs in Passion Week 13:1 – 21.

In a gospel written to the whole world, John presents us with the Divine Jesus. He is the Son of God—his Divinity—the Divine nature of God is very clearly seen. We have already seen John’s incredible introduction of Jesus as the Word, the Dwelling Presence and the Glory of God.  He lists seven self-descriptions of Jesus as “I am” (6:35; 8:12; 9:5; 10-7, 9; 10:11, 14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1-2). John reveals Jesus as God’s unique (“only begotten,” KJV) Son, and refers to God as His Father more than any other book of the Bible.  The Old Testament refers to God as Father only 12 times, John 120 times!

 

The perfection of  Christ our God is seen in the seven “I AM’S” in  John’s record of Christ’s life and ministry.

  • BREAD OF LIFE (6:35) – He sustains us, apart from Him is only unsatisfied hunger.
  • LIGHT OF WORLD (8:l2) – He illumines us, apart from Him is only impenetrable darkness.
  • DOOR OF SHEEP (l0:7,9) – He admits us to life, apart from Him is only hopeless exclusion.
  • GOOD SHEPHERD (l0:ll) – He cares for us, apart from Him is only aimless wandering.
  • RESURRECTION AND LIFE (ll:25) – He provides us life, apart from Him is only endless dying.
  • WAY, TRUTH & LIFE (l4:6) – He guides us, apart from Him is only endless lostness.
  • TRUE VINE (l5:l) – He makes us productive, apart from Him is only continual withering.

 

There is a final portait of the divine perfection of Jesus. This is reflected in the seven “Signs”  John records from Christ’s life.  John built his whole Gospel as bridge with seven successive sign posts that  transport you to the ultimate sign of chapter 20 – The resurrection of Christ. John notes the ministry of Christ in light of its impact on the hearts of those who saw these signs.  What were the signs Christ performed to bring those who saw His ministry to belief?

Sign #1 = WATER TO WINE [John 2:1-11] He Is The Lord Of Creation

Sign #2  = HEALING NOBLEMAN’S SON FROM AFAR [John 4:46-54  He is the all powerful LORD of all sickness and disease, as well as Lord of time and space.

Sign #3  = FEEDS 5000 [6:1-14] Note v. 14 The Prophet.  HE IS THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN

Sign #4 = WALKING ON THE WATER [6:15-25].  HE IS LORD OF NATURE

Sign #5 = HEALS MAN BORN BLIND [John 9:1-7].  HE IS LORD OF SIGHT v. 16, also Note v. 32

Sign #6   = RAISES LAZARUS  [John 11:1-44].  HE IS LORD OF LIFE

Sign #7  = The Resurrection [John 20]. He is Alive Forevermore!

John wrote to everyone,  because everyone needs to meet God and only Jesus can reveal Him. In this book we meet an absolutely powerful God in human flesh who controls and rules the Universe He created. So the best known verse is the best of all offer that God loves all and offers all—His Son as their only hope!

Seven Days from

the life of Christ

 

Jesus lived the perfect life. Amazingly with such a full and demanding life, our Lord  made it a habit to retreat to quiet places. There alone Christ expressed His absence of self-sufficiency by PRAYER. Look at Mark 1 to examine a couple of days in His life.  Mark 1:21 starts one of the fullest days of His life. He had just returned Luke 4 tells us from the attempt on His life by the mob at Nazareth. Now He heals and teaches all day . . . note the next morning v. 35. No well deserved sleep in. No His spiritual life reigned! What a monitor of our spiritual condition prayer is. Without prayer we run on our own course, in our own strength and for our own glory. Through prayer we run on God’s course, in the Sprit’s power and for the glory of Christ ! What is your prayer habits revealing about self-sufficiency in your life tonight?

If you read closely the New Testament record you find a reference to specific days in the ministry of Jesus. By comparing the four gospel accounts we find there are 52 “days” chronicled in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will study just seven of them tonight. The first one was one of the most celebrated. We call it Christmas. On that night God sent a celestial sound and light show to herald the birth of the King of the Universe into human affairs. The Eternal One became an infant, and was born in a stable! The last day is His ascension to heaven. The Life of Christ may be divided into seven key days’ events which together frame the entire earthly life of Christ !

A summary

  • His Birth
  • This Introduction of the King of the Universe to only  the Humble, shows the only way to His Presence
  • The childhood of Christ was a sinless childhood, boyhood, youth and manhood.  Those days were invested as an example to all humans of humility, hard work, obscurity, submissiveness, contentedness, prayerfulness and Scripture mastery. He endured the scorn of singleness as all were normally wed by 18
  • His Baptism. In Matthew 3 we find the second key day of the Life of Christ.
  • Jesus was identifying with us the fallen human race Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like [His] brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (NKJV)
  • John was introducing the Promised Savior. John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (NKJV)
  • God was approving of the Prepared Christ. Psalm 2:7 “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You [are] My Son, Today I have begotten You. (NKJV)
  • The Spirit of God was empowering the work of redemption. Hebrews 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (NKJV)

 

III.           His Temptation

  • The Arena was the Wilderness  (Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4) How unlike the 1st Adam is this last Adam. “The Devil challenged the first man. The Last Man challenged the Devil. The Devil ruined the first Adam. The Last Adam spoiled the Devil. The First Adam involved the Race in his defeat. The Last Adam included the Race in His victory. The First Adam stood as the head of the race and falling, dragged the race down with him. The Last Adam stood as the Head of the new race, and being victorious, lifted that race with Him.
  • The Adversary was Satan.
  • The Account is Christ’s personal and private eyewitness Account.
  • The attack  was temptation to sin.
  • The Answer of Christ
  • This was the Battle of the King, and in it the Word is the only means of Victory.

 

IV.            His Transfiguration

  • Sharing the Exodus.
  • MOSES: Led the people of God from Egypt.
  • ELIJAH: Led the people of God from Idolatry.
  • JESUS: Led the people of God to Heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:16a For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. (NKJV)
  • Showing the King. The Son is the only key to Worship.
  • A Strengthening for the Horrors of His Cross. Luke 9:31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (NKJV)
  • His Crucifixion (#183 “Beneath” I take o cross thy shadow)
  • The Work of the King at the Cross is the only door to Heaven.
  • The Seven words from the Cross
  • The Crowds at the foot of the Cross mirror the people of all time.
  • His Resurrection.
  • The Triumph of the King because the Empty Tomb is the only key to Hope/Confidence.
  • Conclusion: Why? Jesus Christ our Lord, declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.
    • John 20:11-18 He came to save the: The Defiled like Mary He gives purity when they come to Him.
    • John 20:19-23 He came to rescue the depressed like the disciples who were in hiding.
    • John 20:24-31 He came to save the: The Doubters like Thomas and He patiently gives them Faith when they doubt?
    • John 21:1-14 He came to restore the Deserters like James and John He gives them Humility when they ask Him.
    • John 21:15-25 He came to save the Deniers like fearful Peter and gives them forgiveness when they fail Him!
  • Evidences:
    • Four eyewitness accounts in the Gospels. They all agree!
    • The Tomb is empty. Then and to this day no body ever found!
    • The abandoned Grave clothes.
    • The witnesses who saw Him alive.
    • Transformed lives of disciples.
    • The New day of Worship for Christians.
  • His Ascension. The last day was the day He went home. How the hosts of heaven had waited. He whose glory fills the heavens now was coming home in triumph. Crown him w/many crowns #234
  • The Exaltation of the King
  • His entrance into Glory
  • His Baptism. In Matthew 3 we find the second key day of the Life of Christ. It was the day the small door leading to the carpenter’s shop closed for the last time. Gone would be the hours of wonderfilled talks the local folks had enjoyed with the kindest man they ever had met. No more would the wide eyes of children be seen looking wistfully off as stories from the Scriptures of David and Elijah and Moses were shared seemingly with an eye witness aura about them. As the meek and lowly Carpenter headed toward the Jordan, He had to wind His way through the crowds. His cousin John was preaching at thr River’s edge. A group of scowling Pharisees were standing off to the side as the Baptist fiery words aimed at them told of their utter viperlike lack of contrition was excluding them from his baptism of repentance. Looking back at the crowds John was struck by the serenity of One confidently striding to the waters edge. As he looked into the eyes of Jesus he saw for the first time in any man such purity, holiness and truth that the same lips that denied the wicked false religionists now were disqualifying himself. In the presence of Jesus John saw his own sinfulness. But today after a protest, John yielded to the Master that day and baptized the Christ.

 

His Temptation
  • The Arena was the Wilderness  (Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4) Christ was with wild beasts (Mark 1:13) ; He was 40 Days without food ( Matthew 4; Luke 4) How unlike the 1st Adam is this last Adam. “The Devil challenged the first man. The Last Man challenged the Devil. The Devil ruined the first Adam. The Last Adam spoiled the Devil. The First Adam involved the Race in his defeat. The Last Adam included the Race in His victory. The First Adam stood as the head of the race and falling, dragged the race down with him. The Last Adam stood as the Head of the new race, and being victorious, lifted that race with Him.
  • The Adversary was Satan. Christ  met the Devil, that Dragon and slandererous fallen Lucifer, the father of sin, lies, murder, death and hell. The very powerful King of Darkness.
  • The Account is Christ’s personal and private eyewitness Account. It is so special because only He was there. The fact that we have it speaks to His personal desire that we have it to help us as we face the same adversary. May we likewise conquer in His power!  God approving of those 30 silent years of patient preparation. God approved of the life investment of Christ. Are we living in a way that God has approved? The baptism of Jesus by John was the Holy Spirit accomplishing God’s purposes through His yielded life.  From the manger to the Tomb the Holy Spirit empowered Him to do the will of God. Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (KJV) All Jesus did was through the Spirit. Christ accomplished a life of devoted obedience in the power of the Spirit.  WHAT HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH YOU? The Holy Spirit asks: Have you met Him? Identified with Him? Been approved by Him? Accomplished His plan?
  • The attack  was temptation to sin. In the Gospels we have Satan tempting Christ. The 40 days were filled with a spiritual struggle. The climax of Satan’s attack is given in Matthew and Luke 4. In Matthew 4 we have the chronological order.
  • Physical Attack:
  1. a)              APPETITE = The Desire to Enjoy  (Mt. 4:2-4; Luke. 4:2-4; I John 2:16 ‘lust flesh’.

(1)           In the Bread into stones temptation Satan attacks Christ at the point of submission to the will of God. Would Christ submit and obey the Father at all costs or not.

(2)           This attack was the temptation to satisfy a legitimate desire by illegitimate means.

(3)           This is the whole realm of sensual things, drugs, alcohol. Trying to get what only God can give. Filling that God shaped vacuum in our lives with pleasure over worship.

  1. b)             THE ANSWER: Deuteronomy 8:3 “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every [word] that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. (NKJV)
  • Mental Attack:
  1. a)              AMBITION = The Desire to Achieve  Mt. 4:5-6;  Luke. 4:9-11; I John 2:16 ‘pride of life’

(1)           In the jump temptation the Devil was attacking Christ and His reliance upon God and His timing. Stunts, dazzling displays and presumption are all contrary to God’s plan.

(2)           This attack was according to J. Oswald Sanders the temptation to produce spiritual results in an unspiritual way.

(3)           This is the whole realm of rivalry, externalism, pride, haughtiness  and self-reliance.

  1. b)             THE ANSWER: Deuteronomy 6:16
  • Spiritual Attack: AVARICE = The Desire to Obtain Matthew 4:8-11; Luke 4:5-7; I John 2:16 ‘lust of eyes’
  1. a)              THE TEMPTATION

(1)           In the bow down temptation the Devil was offering the possibility of Christ circumventing the Cross and Calvary. This was the escape pain and suffering route.

(2)           Again this was the temptation to obtain a godly heritage in an ungodly way!

(3)           This is the whole realm of materialism, greed, possessiveness, trust in riches and worldliness

  1. b)             THE ANSWER: Deuteronomy 6:13 “You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. (NKJV). As Augustine said: “We all have a god and we look more like who or whatever it is every day.”
  • The Answer of Christ
  • His answer was Simple: Christ used a simple method when facing temptation:
  1. a)              His response was not clever, novel or sophisticated.
  2. b)             Even a child could understand exactly what He said.
  • His answer was Scriptural: Christ used a scriptural method when facing temptation:
  1. a)              For each temptation He had discovered an appropriate Scripture.
  2. b)             For each temptation He quoted an appropriate Scripture.
  • His answer was Successful:
  1. a)              In relation to Christ = TOTAL TRIUMPH He is absolutely seen as pure and empowered by the Spirit. He goes on in ministry enables and strengthened.
  2. b)             In relation to Satan = TOTAL DEFEAT he is absolutely exposed as being in line for his final defeat and destruction in the lake of fire forever.
  • In relation to Believers = TOTAL ASSURANCE because x met and conquered Satan, through Jesus we are more than conquerors. No temptation but God is able to give us an exit!
  • This was the Battle of the King, and in it the Word is the only means of Victory.