WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.720 Well, good evening all. If you'd like to keep your Bibles open there at Matthew 4, I'm going to pray that my voice holds out. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:23.420 Father, as we look at your word, I pray that you would just pour your spirit out upon us, Father, that we might see Christ and trust in who he is and what he's achieved for us on the cross. 00:00:23.420 --> 00:00:39.380 Lord, as we struggle to be your disciples, as we doubt on those matters that your word is trustworthy and true, moment by moment I pray, Father, that you would hold us, that we might stand firm, that we might know that Christ is there. 00:00:40.620 --> 00:00:44.439 And so, Lord, also pray that my voice would hold out to the end of this sermon. Amen. 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:51.820 Some years ago, Nat and I were shopping at Macquarie Centre. 00:00:51.820 --> 00:00:56.859 We picked up a couple of items. Why is that cheery? I've heard that cheery a couple of times. 00:00:57.299 --> 00:01:00.100 Oh, you live there? What, in the shops? 00:01:06.219 --> 00:01:08.980 We're shopping at Macquarie Centre. We picked up a few items. 00:01:10.019 --> 00:01:11.819 I took them to the counter to purchase them. 00:01:12.120 --> 00:01:17.680 And, you know, as you do, you have a ballpark figure in your head as to, you know, roughly what this is going to cost. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:24.660 And so I went there and went to the counter, got the credit card slip, out it came, started to sign away. 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:30.020 And I noticed that it was probably $20 or $30 less than what I'd anticipated. 00:01:30.019 --> 00:01:38.000 And I finished paying for the stuff, got my bag, got my docket, and I'm walking to the door. 00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:42.219 And I'm looking at the docket, looking at the bag, looking at the docket, looking at the bag. 00:01:42.259 --> 00:01:46.199 And then I realised that they hadn't charged me for one item. 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:51.500 They had taken the security tag thing off it, but they hadn't charged me for it. 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:54.700 And so, what do you do? 00:01:56.099 --> 00:01:58.459 You know, I'm almost at the door. 00:01:59.140 --> 00:02:04.099 The door's opened, and I think to myself, it's their mistake. 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:08.159 Myers has got a lot more money than I've got. 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:10.360 They've got a lot more things than I've got. 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:11.039 Look at their shop. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:14.620 And they wouldn't miss it. 00:02:15.400 --> 00:02:20.240 I mean, it's hardly dishonest, is it, when, you know, it was their mistake. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:25.760 It's not like I picked it off the shelf and put on an extra pair of undies and walked out with it or something like that. 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:34.600 And so, the question was in my mind, rolling over there, do I walk out with this or do I not? 00:02:36.180 --> 00:02:44.040 As I approached the door with this free item in my hand, it was at that point that my conscience kicked in, 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:47.000 who, for clarity, will be known as Natalie from here on in. 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:57.560 And she spoke very loudly with the suggestion that it would be equivalent to shoplifting if I was to walk out with it. 00:02:57.860 --> 00:03:04.000 And isn't shoplifting stealing and isn't stealing a sin? 00:03:05.180 --> 00:03:07.759 So, the first lesson is don't go shopping with your conscience. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:13.239 But that was it in that moment. 00:03:14.340 --> 00:03:15.159 What do I do? 00:03:15.859 --> 00:03:18.599 We went back to the counter and I paid for it. 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:22.340 The young lady at the counter was amazed at such honesty. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:24.560 She was just taken aback. 00:03:24.639 --> 00:03:25.780 She said, I want to walk out with it. 00:03:25.859 --> 00:03:30.799 I said, yeah, but I'm a Christian and I don't do that sort of thing, so let me tell you about Jesus. 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:35.620 And I felt so guilty now, I felt hypocritical. 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:45.439 In a moment like that, it seems like God is so far away. 00:03:46.580 --> 00:03:51.380 It seems like he wouldn't know what it is to be me there. 00:03:51.460 --> 00:03:52.980 It's so hard to be a Christian. 00:03:53.160 --> 00:03:57.439 It's so hard to obey God's word in that moment. 00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:05.659 Sometimes it feels like God is so remote right here, right now, in that moment. 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:07.759 God is up there. 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:08.859 I'm down here. 00:04:09.259 --> 00:04:11.659 And all I have to go on is a promise. 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:15.199 All I have to go on is the word of God. 00:04:16.300 --> 00:04:18.800 What would God know about temptation? 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:23.720 What would he know what it is to live with just a word? 00:04:23.720 --> 00:04:26.940 Well, of course, he does know. 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:27.840 We know that. 00:04:28.900 --> 00:04:32.780 The word of promise to Jesus was, you are my son. 00:04:33.640 --> 00:04:35.860 At his baptism, you are my son. 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:44.780 And so as we come into Matthew chapter 4, the question would be, will Jesus resist every temptation 00:04:44.780 --> 00:04:50.080 to doubt that promise, that word from his father? 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:59.039 The background of these verses is a larger section of Deuteronomy, but specifically we can hone in on Deuteronomy 8. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:04.279 Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 8 in his first reply to Satan. 00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:07.439 But it says this in verses 1 to 5. 00:05:07.899 --> 00:05:08.219 He says, 00:05:08.220 --> 00:05:37.640 And so the context here is that God has taken, he has led Israel out into the wilderness for 40 years 00:05:37.639 --> 00:05:42.740 to test them to see whether or not in their heart that they would be obedient to God. 00:05:43.419 --> 00:05:46.879 And of course, what we know is that they failed comprehensively. 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:50.139 They tempted God at Meribah and Massah. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:53.079 They were idolatrous in the golden calf. 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:57.279 They grabbed at the manna when God said to them, don't store up any more than a day. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:06:01.240 They grabbed at it and stored it up and they ignored the word of God. 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:11.280 And so the picture of us here is God leads Jesus out into the wilderness for testing. 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:14.060 The question is, will Jesus fail? 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:19.759 Will he fail like Israel has done, like all the other people of God? 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:21.620 Will Jesus fail? 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:27.500 Now, Jesus has been declared the new person of God. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:32.160 That's what happens when the Holy Spirit descended upon him as the form of a dove. 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:35.759 The dove was a symbol of the people of God in the Old Testament. 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:39.740 And Jesus declared by God to be the true Israelite. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:43.500 And now he is out in the desert. 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:46.780 And will he fail? 00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:58.559 And so what we have here is in Matthew 4, we have a fight between the two arch enemies, if you like. 00:06:58.639 --> 00:06:59.799 Two big arch enemies. 00:07:00.539 --> 00:07:05.519 And what is at stake here is not sort of prize money in a big fancy world title belt, 00:07:05.679 --> 00:07:08.019 but the eternal destination of all people. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:12.679 The scene is Satan and Jesus are pitted against one another. 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:17.079 They are there in the ring and we are in the stadium watching it all happen. 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:20.280 We're there to cheer Jesus. 00:07:21.340 --> 00:07:23.780 And that is what ultimately this passage is about. 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:29.120 It is more than just providing an example for us as to how to deal with temptation. 00:07:30.439 --> 00:07:36.500 Because these temptations are uniquely directed towards Jesus as the Son of God. 00:07:36.500 --> 00:07:40.060 And so the fight begins round one. 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:41.459 The bell goes. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:46.199 They jump off of their corners, off their little stools. 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:49.259 Satan comes bounding across and goes whack! 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:52.459 And hits Jesus right where he is weak. 00:07:52.459 --> 00:07:53.300 Verse 3. 00:07:53.720 --> 00:07:55.399 The tempter came to him and said, 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:59.079 If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:04.199 You see, that was a blow that was aimed at knocking Jesus out. 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:06.060 You see, it says there, 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:12.139 After 40 days and 40 nights without food, 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:13.819 Jesus is hungry. 00:08:14.860 --> 00:08:16.539 And you kind of get that, don't you? 00:08:17.339 --> 00:08:18.620 I mean, you understand that bit? 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:19.620 He's hungry. 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:24.959 What we probably don't understand is that after 40 days and 40 nights, 00:08:25.919 --> 00:08:29.419 you actually go through a hunger stage in the early stages. 00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:35.700 And then you go through a point in your fasting where you don't feel anything. 00:08:36.700 --> 00:08:41.019 And then right at the end, just before, while your life is hanging on the balance, 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:42.680 you get hungry again. 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:46.139 In other words, Jesus has to eat now. 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:51.200 And Satan comes to him described as the tempter. 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:51.879 What does he do? 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:55.860 He tempts him right at the point of his need. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.980 Satan is saying, 00:08:58.340 --> 00:09:01.379 Use your power, Jesus, to satisfy your hunger. 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:04.480 And that temptation would be so strong. 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:05.820 I mean, he could do it, couldn't he? 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:08.340 Just turn some rocks into bread. 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:11.080 And what would be the problem with that in the end? 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:16.779 I mean, what would it matter if Jesus turned a few bits of rock into some bread, 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:18.300 or just one big rock into a lump of bread? 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:18.919 What would it matter? 00:09:19.300 --> 00:09:22.519 After all, if you've ever seen photos of Palestine or ever been there, 00:09:22.560 --> 00:09:23.740 there's a whole lot of rocks around. 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:25.399 It's not like they'd miss a few. 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:32.100 And it's not going to, you know, sort of disturb the balance of the ecology or something like that. 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:33.960 So what's going on here? 00:09:34.539 --> 00:09:36.240 What is the nature of this temptation? 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:37.820 Verse 3, have a look at it. 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:41.840 If you are the Son of God. 00:09:42.940 --> 00:09:44.639 What is Satan playing at here? 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:45.980 Of course he's the Son of God. 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:47.879 We know him to be the Son of God, don't we? 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:55.419 I mean, in Jesus' baptism, it says there in Matthew 3, verse 17, 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:57.759 this is my Son. 00:09:59.399 --> 00:10:00.559 God had declared it. 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:02.179 This is my Son, whom I love. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.980 With him I am well pleased. 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:08.820 And so Satan is tempting Jesus. 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:13.399 You know, if you really are the Son of God, why are you hungry? 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:17.860 How can you be a child of God when you've got these issues? 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:23.800 How can you trust the Word of God, who says that He will supply your needs when you are hungry? 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:25.580 How can you trust that? 00:10:25.580 --> 00:10:33.940 Let me say that whatever temptation it is that you face, and we all face temptations if we take God and His Word seriously, 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:41.100 whatever your temptation is, the bottom line of the temptation, it all comes down to this. 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:44.680 Do I trust God's Word? 00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:47.980 It's a temptation to doubt God's Word. 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:56.100 It's a temptation to doubt that what He has said is right and proper and good is, in fact, right and proper and good. 00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:59.420 That's what happened in the Garden of Eden. 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:04.300 It's a temptation to doubt God's Word there. 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:07.800 Satan says, in chapter 3 of Genesis, 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:13.840 did God really say that you shouldn't eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:16.300 You get the sense of it? 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:17.779 Did God really say that? 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:22.019 And Eve, who wasn't there when God said it to Adam, 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:23.139 I don't know. 00:11:25.060 --> 00:11:25.420 Maybe. 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:26.860 Maybe not. 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:27.740 Maybe I got it wrong. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:28.820 Maybe Adam got it wrong. 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:31.159 Go back to Adam. 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:31.779 What did he say? 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:32.379 I don't know. 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:33.700 I'm not really sure. 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:34.860 Well, let's eat of the tree anyway. 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:40.620 It's a temptation to doubt God's Word, 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:44.560 to doubt whether or not He has my best interest at heart. 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:48.599 And so what is happening here is a direct attack on Jesus' faith. 00:11:49.219 --> 00:11:52.419 It is an attempt to get him to lose his trust in God, 00:11:52.479 --> 00:11:56.359 to follow his own interests rather than that of God's Word. 00:11:56.360 --> 00:12:01.980 The sense of it is that if you feel like God has abandoned you, 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:07.019 if you feel like that He's not looking out for you and not looking after you, 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:08.419 then you should just do it yourself. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:10.680 Look after yourself. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:15.659 Provide yourself with food if it appears that God isn't going to do it. 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:18.379 Satan is very cunning. 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:21.679 And perhaps you've heard a similar kind of thing yourself. 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.860 If you're a Christian, 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:28.019 how come your life has so many difficulties? 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.379 I thought you were a Christian. 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.879 Christians don't do that sort of thing, do they? 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:39.139 Can't be a very good one. 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:45.279 Surely a God who cares for you would give you something better than this. 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:46.480 Wouldn't he? 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:53.120 Satan has used that sort of tactic to floor Christian after Christian after Christian. 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:57.519 Because sometimes the negative voices of this world and the evil tempter 00:12:57.519 --> 00:13:01.379 are just a whole lot louder than the indwelling Spirit and the Word of God. 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:04.819 Satan was saying to Jesus, 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:07.019 prove that you are the Son of God. 00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:07.579 Prove it. 00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:12.800 And sometimes just clinging to God's promise in His Word 00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:16.780 in the midst of my immediate temptation and trial and testing 00:13:16.780 --> 00:13:19.840 just doesn't seem so strong. 00:13:20.400 --> 00:13:21.720 It seems so flimsy. 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:26.300 Satan tempts us to look for anything more 00:13:26.300 --> 00:13:28.560 than the assurance of the Word of God 00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:30.940 that we are indeed His. 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:36.480 And so, how do you answer such temptation to doubt God's Word? 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:38.600 Jesus does it brilliantly in verse 4, 00:13:38.920 --> 00:13:40.120 quoting from Deuteronomy, 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:41.820 it is written. 00:13:42.140 --> 00:13:43.500 You see that again and again and again. 00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:44.640 It is written. 00:13:44.900 --> 00:13:45.780 It is written. 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:47.600 And He quotes Scripture, 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.820 man does not live on bread alone, 00:13:49.880 --> 00:13:52.360 but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:55.340 He answers this temptation to doubt God's Word 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:57.460 with the Word of God. 00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:59.919 Now, we've got to be careful here 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:03.320 not to be too quick to spiritualize this verse. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:10.240 Our souls are not fed by tip-top, 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.360 but by the Word of God. 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:13.100 That's how we can do it. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:14.440 So, you know, 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.879 the toast I had for breakfast, 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:18.060 that doesn't feed my soul, 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.500 but the Word of God feeds my soul. 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:22.120 The bread feeds my body. 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:22.799 Kind of stuff. 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:24.379 So, we just spiritualize this verse. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:27.759 Jesus is here quoting Deuteronomy 8, 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:29.980 and that is not the sense of it in Deuteronomy 8. 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:31.620 You see, when there was no bread, 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:33.539 when God led the Israelites out in the wilderness 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:34.679 and there was no bread, 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:38.200 God exceptionally provided for the Israelites 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:40.100 by giving them this thing called manna, 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:41.600 which basically means, 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:42.600 what is it? 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.419 What is this stuff? 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:46.060 And it's kind of like bread. 00:14:47.060 --> 00:14:48.139 And so, the point was, 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:51.240 from every generation from that point on, 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:53.200 was to know the truth 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:55.680 that their very life 00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:58.620 is not confined by the eating of toast, 00:14:59.200 --> 00:15:01.019 but depends upon the commands 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.539 and the pleasures of God. 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:06.379 God's authority reaches over all of creation, 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:08.879 and though we feed on bread 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.940 in the morning time, 00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:12.740 it would be wrong for us 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:15.220 to attribute the life and the nourishment 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.820 that I currently have 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:20.980 from that slice of tip-top toast. 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:23.520 But, 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:26.160 my life and my nourishment 00:15:26.160 --> 00:15:27.740 comes from the hidden blessing 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:29.160 of the God 00:15:29.160 --> 00:15:30.560 who breathes life 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:31.520 into that bread 00:15:31.520 --> 00:15:32.440 so that by it, 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:34.460 I might be nourished 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:35.720 and live. 00:15:37.280 --> 00:15:38.180 God's behind it. 00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.080 That's why we pray, 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.800 give us today our daily bread. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:45.959 God's behind it. 00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:48.779 Not just in the providing of it, 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:51.079 but in the life that comes with it. 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:56.799 Jesus is being tempted to doubt God's word, 00:15:56.959 --> 00:15:58.299 and he replies with, 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.539 God's word is constant, 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:02.779 and God's word is life. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.359 And it is to be trusted, 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:08.839 and it is to be relied upon. 00:16:09.660 --> 00:16:11.259 Anyone who does not rely upon 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.980 the word of God 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:13.379 for life and for nourishment 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:15.379 can expect to be floored by Satan 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:17.060 in the first round. 00:16:18.780 --> 00:16:19.460 And so, 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:20.480 we, the spectators, 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:20.980 are there 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:22.740 watching the bout going on. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:24.060 First round is over. 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:26.100 Our salvation is at stake 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:26.519 on this, 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.639 on Jesus winning, 00:16:27.920 --> 00:16:29.680 and Jesus goes to his corner, 00:16:29.780 --> 00:16:30.680 as does Satan, 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.500 having won the first round, 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:34.139 and so we, the crowd, 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.980 go hip, hip. 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:37.379 Excellent. 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:39.879 Round two. 00:16:40.420 --> 00:16:41.759 Satan comes bounding out again 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:43.000 from his little stool in the corner, 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.480 and he goes whack, 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.220 and he hits Jesus 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:46.759 right where he is strong this time. 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:47.460 Verse five. 00:16:47.780 --> 00:16:48.639 Then the devil took him 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.580 to the holy city 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:50.660 and had him stand 00:16:50.660 --> 00:16:51.960 on the highest point of the temple. 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:54.340 If you are the son of God, 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:54.980 he said, 00:16:55.300 --> 00:16:55.879 throw down, 00:16:56.040 --> 00:16:56.960 throw yourself down, 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:58.100 for it is written, 00:16:58.280 --> 00:16:59.259 you will command his, 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:01.220 he will command his angels 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.180 concerning you, 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.720 and they will lift you up 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.440 with their hands 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.799 so that you will not 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.660 strike your foot 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:07.819 against a stone. 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.740 You see, 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.460 previously Jesus had used 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.419 God's word 00:17:11.419 --> 00:17:12.419 to knock Satan down, 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.240 and now Satan 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.460 does this really cunning 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.000 little tact 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.859 and wheels around 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:17.639 and uses the word of God 00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:18.379 in order to try 00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:19.700 and floor Jesus this time. 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:21.500 He is so cunning. 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.000 I think that Satan 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.339 does some of his best work 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:26.599 when he uses the word of God 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.439 against Christians. 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.759 That's some of his best work. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.519 He hates the word of God. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:32.639 Make no mistake about it. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.319 Satan knows the Bible 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.119 better than anyone 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:35.879 in this room, 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:37.160 but he doesn't love it, 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:37.980 he doesn't believe it, 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.080 and he certainly won't obey it. 00:17:43.080 --> 00:17:44.060 He hates it, 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.120 and he will use it 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:45.860 for our ruin. 00:17:46.800 --> 00:17:47.700 It is so important 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.680 for us to know the Bible. 00:17:50.520 --> 00:17:51.720 Satan calls on Jesus 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.780 to show the reliability 00:17:52.780 --> 00:17:53.900 of God's word. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.500 Hey, Jesus, 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:58.040 if you are the son of God, 00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:58.920 the Bible says 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.480 that you can jump off here, 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:02.920 and if the Bible's true 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.539 and reliable, 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.819 you won't be hurt. 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:08.160 The word of God is true. 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.160 If he can be trusted, 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:10.579 you ain't going to be damaged. 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:12.200 Do the big bungee jump 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:12.880 without the cord. 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.599 You'll be fine. 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.380 Then we will know 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.160 whether this God 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.599 can be taken at his word. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.160 You see, 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.019 what's going on here 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:22.799 is a testing of God. 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:24.640 And Jesus wheels around 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:25.259 in verse 7. 00:18:25.339 --> 00:18:26.559 It is also written, 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.720 do not put the Lord 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.779 your God to the test. 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:30.059 You see, it's right. 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:30.920 Satan was right. 00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:32.039 It was true. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.879 He quoted from Psalm 91. 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:34.700 Absolutely. 00:18:36.399 --> 00:18:38.019 But Jesus also knows 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:40.539 that to put God to the test, 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:42.099 to say to God, 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.639 prove that you are worthy 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.480 and true, 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.839 shows distrust for God 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.500 and his word. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.220 So there's a difference 00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:50.700 between faith and testing. 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:53.519 Faith comes from the perspective 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:55.960 of me actually believing in God 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.119 that he is reliable. 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.519 Testing is saying, 00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.740 you prove yourself to me. 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:02.099 Two different things. 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:03.660 Faith is where God 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:04.599 has promised something 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:05.420 and even though 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.799 that I'm not sure it's right, 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:07.920 even though I'm not sure 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:09.039 it's going to be good for me, 00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.279 he's promised it 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:11.359 and his character says 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:12.240 he's right and it's good 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.220 and I should pursue it. 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.200 Testing has said, 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.819 I will pursue that 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:20.259 when you prove 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.059 it's going to work out 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.799 all right for me. 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:25.139 you prove yourself first. 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.619 So when I try 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:28.819 and force God's hand 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.599 to prove himself 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:32.220 and Jesus 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.799 floors Satan again, 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:36.039 end of round two, 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:37.159 we the crowd are there 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:38.200 watching this happen. 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.799 We're excited 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.740 because our salvation 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.379 is at stake 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.240 and we say hip hip. 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:42.879 Hooray! 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.539 Fantastic. 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.319 I'm not sure everyone's 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.220 saying hooray there 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:50.980 but I know your intention. 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.420 Round three. 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.139 Bell goes, 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:53.980 Satan comes out, 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.680 bit of blood coming 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.500 from his nose this time. 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.319 But he bounds across 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.299 and whacks Jesus 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.399 right where he loves. 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.180 Verse eight, 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:00.920 have a look at this. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.399 Again, 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:02.440 the devil took him 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.440 to a very high mountain 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.019 and showed him 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.279 all the kingdoms 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.220 of the world 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.779 and their splendor. 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:10.079 All this I will give you, 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:10.680 he said, 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.700 if you will bow down 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:14.480 and worship me. 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.539 Notice he doesn't come out 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.160 and say this time, 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:19.539 if you are the son of God. 00:20:20.139 --> 00:20:21.039 He knows who he's 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:21.819 dealing with here. 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:25.960 This is some temptation 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.980 that Jesus is facing 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.980 in this last one. 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.399 Other parts of the Bible 00:20:29.399 --> 00:20:30.279 tells us that God 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.059 so loved the world 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:32.879 that he gave his only son 00:20:32.879 --> 00:20:34.779 and now this only son 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:36.200 who loves the world 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:37.240 is being offered 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.519 the world. 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:40.779 You see, 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:42.400 now Satan is tempting Jesus 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:44.259 with what he actually loves, 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.579 with what the Father 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.700 has promised him 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:49.059 and with what he has come 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.220 to achieve 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.740 and to get together 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.880 for the Father. 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.920 And all Jesus has to do 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.559 at this moment 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.700 is bow down to Satan 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.559 and he will get it. 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.500 It'll be yours. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.059 He's offering Jesus 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:03.160 the easy option, 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:05.880 the no suffering version. 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:10.259 And Jesus tells him 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:12.400 to clear off. 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:16.019 And we see in verse 11 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.759 that he does. 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:22.140 And he doesn't reappear again 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:23.120 in Matthew's gospel 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:24.339 until chapter 16. 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:28.120 Chapter 16, 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:30.019 Jesus says, 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:30.779 who do you say I am? 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.480 Peter says, 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.099 you're the Christ. 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:35.019 And straight after 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.559 a declaration 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:37.039 of who Jesus is, 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:39.539 Jesus says, 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.159 guys, 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.599 to his main men, 00:21:41.659 --> 00:21:42.159 the disciples, 00:21:42.459 --> 00:21:42.740 guys, 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.879 we're heading up to Jerusalem 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.859 and I'm going to suffer 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:45.559 and I'm going to die. 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:46.899 And Peter, 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.699 God bless him, 00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:50.459 does him footy mouth disease again. 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.619 He puts his arm around Jesus, 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.579 pulls him to one side 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:52.959 and said, 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:53.819 no, 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:53.919 no, 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:54.859 Jesus, 00:21:54.939 --> 00:21:55.500 you're not going to die. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:58.079 You're not going to die. 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:01.799 And Peter, 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.140 sorry, 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:04.000 Jesus turns to his best mate 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.839 and calls him 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.420 by the name 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.539 of his worst enemy. 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:10.559 Get behind me, 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.079 Satan, 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.440 for you do not have in mind 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.259 the things of God, 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.119 but the things of men. 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:19.279 You will not deter me 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:21.180 from the mission 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.279 the Father has given me. 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:25.240 He will not be deterred. 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:27.599 He won't take the easy option. 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:30.359 Glory is on the other side 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:31.160 of the cross. 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:33.819 He doesn't take the easy option. 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:36.039 He won't accept Satan's plan. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.519 If he did, 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.480 it would mean the loss 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:41.119 of everyone, 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:44.180 not just his own life, 00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:46.000 but for all people, 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.339 everyone who is gathered 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:48.480 in this stand 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:50.039 for all of eternity, 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.759 all people from all time 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.180 and eternity, 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:53.519 who are standing there 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:55.379 watching the battle go on, 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.660 we would all be lost 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:59.279 if Jesus took the easy plan 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.920 and finished the fight 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:02.460 at the end of round three. 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.980 Jesus would have abandoned 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:07.379 his trust in his Father 00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:09.720 who would one day give him 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:11.259 all the nations of the earth 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:11.839 and the heavens. 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:15.319 And so Jesus is there 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:20.079 with this massive temptation 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.779 and he's there with a choice. 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:23.119 Choose the way 00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:24.759 of Satan. 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.619 Do what he asks. 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.939 Believe the lies 00:23:28.939 --> 00:23:30.119 that all the troubles 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:30.859 will be over 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:32.299 or no. 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.439 Declare war. 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:37.600 And at this point, 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:40.440 we don't cry, 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.360 hip, 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:41.539 hip, 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:41.980 hooray. 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.259 We're in the state 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.799 as we go, 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.380 hit him again, 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:45.759 Jesus. 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:48.039 Hit him again, 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.580 Jesus. 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.840 Knock him down, 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.259 Jesus, 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.539 because our future 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.420 depends on you 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.680 declaring war on him 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:56.080 and winning this battle. 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.240 And so Jesus, 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.900 hit him again in verse 10, 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:04.840 away from me, 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:05.200 Satan, 00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.640 for it is written, 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:08.680 worship the Lord your God 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:10.480 and serve him only. 00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:13.140 War is what Jesus chooses. 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.440 And it's a war 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.320 that will be fought 00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:18.940 round after round 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.680 after round 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.900 throughout his life 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:24.480 until the final round, 00:24:25.280 --> 00:24:27.420 round 15, 00:24:29.360 --> 00:24:30.640 Matthew 27. 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.400 Above his head, 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.840 they placed the written charge 00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:35.519 against him. 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.160 This is Jesus, 00:24:37.300 --> 00:24:38.300 the King of the Jews. 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.440 Two robbers were crucified 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.160 with him, 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.380 one on the right 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.519 and one on his left. 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:45.519 And those who passed by 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:47.019 hurled insults at him 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:48.120 and shaking their heads, 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:48.560 saying, 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.440 you who are going 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.799 to destroy the temple 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:53.640 and build it in three days. 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.900 Save yourself. 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.559 And then we hear 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.620 the familiar words, 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:02.380 come down from the cross 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:05.299 if you are 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.680 the Son of God. 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:13.460 What a temptation 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.140 to give up 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.220 right at that last moment. 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.820 What a temptation 00:25:17.820 --> 00:25:18.360 it would have been 00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:18.860 for Jesus 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:19.420 to prove 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.380 that he's the Son of God 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:22.060 by saving himself 00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:23.920 from the cross, 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.580 getting down, 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.720 calling upon the legions 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.280 of angels 00:25:26.280 --> 00:25:28.080 and stepping on of it. 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.440 Especially when 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:31.980 just moments 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.800 before he cried 00:25:32.800 --> 00:25:33.540 on the cross, 00:25:34.580 --> 00:25:35.140 my God, 00:25:35.520 --> 00:25:36.220 my God, 00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:37.780 why have you 00:25:37.780 --> 00:25:38.560 forsaken me? 00:25:40.320 --> 00:25:41.280 And Satan 00:25:41.280 --> 00:25:42.380 takes the opportunity 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.340 to wheel around 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:44.420 for the last temptation. 00:25:44.820 --> 00:25:45.120 Jesus, 00:25:45.260 --> 00:25:46.300 take the easy option. 00:25:47.260 --> 00:25:48.640 He's abandoned you again. 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:50.580 take the easy option. 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.420 Come down 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.200 from the cross 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:55.320 and save yourself. 00:25:56.020 --> 00:25:56.780 Prove that you're 00:25:56.780 --> 00:25:57.480 the Son of God 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.520 by saving yourself 00:25:58.520 --> 00:25:59.280 from the horror 00:25:59.280 --> 00:26:00.700 of that cross. 00:26:04.060 --> 00:26:05.980 And we're in the grandstands 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.500 and we're saying, 00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:06.820 Jesus, 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.560 don't! 00:26:08.520 --> 00:26:08.960 Don't, 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:09.360 Jesus! 00:26:10.100 --> 00:26:11.140 Don't save yourself! 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.220 Put up with the taunts, 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:12.620 Jesus! 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.880 Take the pain, 00:26:14.040 --> 00:26:14.340 Jesus! 00:26:15.320 --> 00:26:16.160 Stay there! 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:18.279 You are the Son of God! 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:20.380 Don't believe the lies! 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:22.440 Because if you come down, 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:24.360 then we die! 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:30.240 And Jesus breathed 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.880 his last. 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.800 When the centurion 00:26:33.800 --> 00:26:34.740 and those with him 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.740 who were guarding Jesus 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.880 saw the earthquake 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:38.960 and all that had happened, 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:40.680 they were terrified 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.940 and they exclaimed, 00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:44.380 surely he was 00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:45.920 the Son of God. 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.620 The good news is, 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:53.460 three days later, 00:26:53.540 --> 00:26:54.660 he rose again. 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:57.480 The end of Matthew 28, 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:59.380 Jesus is given 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:01.500 what Satan had offered him 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.280 in chapter 4, 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:03.320 but the easy option. 00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:05.540 All authority 00:27:05.540 --> 00:27:06.660 in heaven and earth 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:07.940 has been given 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.940 to me. 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:11.840 it's mine. 00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:16.039 Therefore, 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.240 go and make disciples 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:18.100 of all nations, 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.000 baptizing them 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:20.000 in the name of the Father 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:21.240 and of the Son 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:23.000 and of the Holy Spirit 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:24.440 and teaching them 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.019 everything 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:26.360 that I have commanded 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:27.100 you. 00:27:27.580 --> 00:27:28.360 And surely 00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:29.100 I am with you 00:27:29.100 --> 00:27:29.799 always 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:31.360 to the very end 00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:32.120 of the age. 00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.420 Everything 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.400 has been given 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.000 to Jesus. 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:36.660 He is supreme, 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:37.500 he has all 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.099 the authority 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:39.319 and he calls 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.279 me to recognize 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.180 his authority, 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:41.759 to submit 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.720 to his authority, 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:44.079 to believe 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.720 that he is 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.160 trustworthy 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:46.000 and true, 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.039 that the word 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.519 of God 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.240 is secure 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.079 and right 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.920 and honorable 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:52.299 and not to believe 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.480 the lies of Satan. 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:57.019 All authority 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.619 has been given 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.140 to Jesus. 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.240 Matthew chapter 4, 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.660 Jesus' last 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:02.079 call to Satan, 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:03.000 his last bow, 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.579 he says 00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:05.059 in round 3, 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.440 worship the Lord 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:07.039 your God 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.000 and serve 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.259 him only. 00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:11.279 And in Matthew 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.700 28 verse 17, 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.980 that is exactly 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.599 what happens 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.359 when the disciples 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:16.480 come face to face 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.779 with the risen Jesus. 00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:18.240 It says, 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:19.460 when they saw him, 00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:21.179 they worshipped him. 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.519 But 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:26.599 some doubted. 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.940 They worshipped him, 00:28:29.159 --> 00:28:30.159 but some 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:31.059 doubted. 00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:32.940 as we live 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.759 to worship 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.299 Jesus, 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:36.399 we will struggle 00:28:36.399 --> 00:28:37.379 with the temptation 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:37.940 to doubt 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.940 who he is, 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.379 what he's achieved 00:28:40.379 --> 00:28:40.919 for us, 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:41.879 the reliability 00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:42.879 and the effectiveness 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:44.200 of his word, 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.519 in our frailty, 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:47.319 in our failure, 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.099 in the face 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:48.899 of temptation 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:50.519 that we will be there 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:52.700 moment by moment 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.879 when I'm standing 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.519 in my eyes 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.319 and the door 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:56.679 is there in front of me, 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.419 do I trust 00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:58.399 the word of God 00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.799 that says 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.819 it is wrong 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.240 and I've got 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.980 a better plan 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.279 for you. 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:02.879 You believe 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:03.500 my word 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.220 that stealing 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.099 is wrong. 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.480 Give it back. 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.639 And where is 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.159 Jesus 00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:14.059 in that moment? 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.139 Surely 00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:19.700 I'm with you 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.319 always 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.799 to the very 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.579 end of the age. 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.439 I think 00:29:26.439 --> 00:29:28.319 as his 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:28.839 disciples, 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:29.740 I think 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.160 we need 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:30.599 to be like 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.079 the father 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:31.539 of the demon 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.359 possessed boy 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:33.279 in Mark 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.019 chapter 9. 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.400 Amazing words. 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:35.980 Jesus says, 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.700 do you believe, 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:37.900 do you believe 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.579 that I can heal 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.000 this son? 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.700 Do you believe it? 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:40.799 And he says, 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.779 I do believe. 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.359 Help me overcome 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:44.099 my unbelief. 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.000 It's like 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:50.160 I do worship, 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.460 God 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:53.580 God 00:29:53.580 --> 00:29:59.140 isn't remote. 00:29:59.140 --> 00:29:59.259 God 00:29:59.259 --> 00:29:59.740 isn't 00:29:59.740 --> 00:29:59.779 remote. 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.100 He 00:30:00.100 --> 00:30:00.660 isn't 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:01.320 absent 00:30:01.320 --> 00:30:01.720 from my 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.180 struggles 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:02.759 to obey 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.180 him, 00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:04.540 to take 00:30:04.540 --> 00:30:05.220 refuge in 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:05.500 him, 00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:05.840 that he 00:30:05.840 --> 00:30:06.220 is the 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:06.500 son of 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:06.720 God 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:06.960 and what 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.140 he's 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:07.460 promised 00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:07.800 me 00:30:07.800 --> 00:30:07.980 as 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.180 his 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:08.720 child 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.200 is 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.540 right 00:30:09.540 --> 00:30:09.759 and 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.180 true. 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:11.800 He 00:30:11.800 --> 00:30:12.040 says, 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:12.400 surely 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:12.800 I'm 00:30:12.800 --> 00:30:13.080 with you 00:30:13.080 --> 00:30:13.580 always 00:30:13.580 --> 00:30:13.900 to the 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.060 very 00:30:14.060 --> 00:30:14.300 end 00:30:14.300 --> 00:30:14.519 of the 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:14.920 age. 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:16.140 he's 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:16.779 very much 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.240 present 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:17.600 as I 00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:17.940 struggle 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.300 to be 00:30:18.300 --> 00:30:18.519 his 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:18.980 disciple. 00:30:19.320 --> 00:30:19.519 He 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.000 hasn't 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.640 abandoned 00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:20.840 me 00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:21.220 to go 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.340 it 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:21.680 alone 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.120 and 00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:22.279 through 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:22.480 the 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:22.920 fires 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.100 and 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:23.259 the 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.920 temptations 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.220 and the 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.840 testings 00:30:24.840 --> 00:30:25.440 as a 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:25.940 disciple 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.279 of 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:26.840 Jesus, 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:27.740 even 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.180 when I 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:29.220 feel like 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.400 I'm 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.000 in the 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.460 wilderness 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:32.240 and 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.440 when 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:32.860 doubt 00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.220 is at 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.440 its 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.320 strongest, 00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:36.380 Jesus' 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:36.980 promise 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.560 is 00:30:38.560 --> 00:30:38.860 sure. 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.200 I 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:41.320 am 00:30:41.320 --> 00:30:41.660 with you 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.360 always 00:30:42.360 --> 00:30:43.279 to the 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.460 very 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:43.759 end 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.000 of the 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.400 age. 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.920 Amen.