The temptations Jesus endured and withstood are examples of Satan’s diabolical work to trap humanity. Where we fall, Jesus stood, though not without struggle, as Hebrews 4:15 teaches: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”
1. Temptation involves Identification
2. Temptation aids sanctification
3. Temptation often occurs in isolation.
4. Temptation moves to escalation.
Every level brings a new devil. Whenever God does something great in your life – Satan enters the scene.
1. Temptation involves the Demonstration of Jesus as new Israel.
2. Temptation involves the Identification of Jesus as a new man.
3. Temptation involves the Coronation of Jesus as the new king.
A. Jesus as the new Israel, completes the Israelite story.
Exodus 4:22 NLT
Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
B. Jesus as new humanity, steps into the universal human story
It does raise a few questions:
1. Does God tempt us?
2. Could Jesus have sinned?
– Jesus is fully man
– Jesus was fully tempted.
– Jesus is fully God
– God cannot be tempted.
3. How human does Jesus have to be to identify with us?
Luke 3:23 NLT
Luke 3:38 NLT
Hebrews 4:15 NLT
III. Temptation involves the coronation of Jesus as a new king
– Christ will be crowned as king
– Satan will be cast down in defeat
– The church will rise in victory