WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.419 So, we'll be reading today from Matthew chapter 4, just starting with verse 1, going through 00:00:07.419 --> 00:00:08.380 to verse 11. 00:00:18.120 --> 00:00:18.920 Matthew 4. 00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:25.320 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:29.260 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.320 And then the tempter came and said to him, If you are the Son of God, command these stones 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:35.539 to become loaves of bread. 00:00:36.120 --> 00:00:41.299 But he answered, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:42.480 comes from the mouth of God. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:47.439 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:52.799 said to him, If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, He will command 00:00:52.799 --> 00:00:57.619 his angels concerning you, and on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your 00:00:57.619 --> 00:00:58.519 foot against the stone. 00:01:00.059 --> 00:01:04.840 Jesus said to him, Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. 00:01:06.179 --> 00:01:10.340 Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:11.120 and their glory. 00:01:11.780 --> 00:01:16.259 And he said to him, All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me. 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:22.240 Then Jesus said to him, Be gone, Satan, for it is written, You shall worship the Lord 00:01:22.240 --> 00:01:24.460 your God, and him only shall you serve. 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:29.280 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:40.180 Well, I'm not sure about you, but I've never had an experience that even comes close to what 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:41.400 we read in Matthew 4. 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:45.720 I've done World Vision's 40-hour famine a few times. 00:01:48.600 --> 00:01:50.420 Not always succeeding. 00:01:51.220 --> 00:01:55.820 And I don't think the temptation to sneak some popcorn in the movie theatre was the devil 00:01:55.820 --> 00:01:56.760 sitting beside me. 00:01:58.960 --> 00:02:03.360 I've never been led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to undergo testing, unless 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:11.159 you count planned hiking trips that I then get lost in the dark, or a friend forgets to 00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:13.520 bring his hiking pack which had lots of the food in it. 00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:16.960 So maybe that was the spirit sending me to be tested. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:18.719 I don't think it was. 00:02:20.300 --> 00:02:22.719 I've never been offered all the glory of the world. 00:02:23.460 --> 00:02:28.560 I don't think winning second division in amateur church's soccer league is that glorious. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:32.500 That's about as glorious as I've got so far. 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:37.659 So if you're like me, you might be thinking this morning, what on earth does this have 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:38.500 to do with my life? 00:02:38.580 --> 00:02:39.500 Why is this relevant? 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:43.640 It's just so far removed from our everyday experience. 00:02:47.580 --> 00:02:54.420 Well, let me ask, are there destructive patterns in your life that you would love to get the victory 00:02:54.420 --> 00:02:54.879 over? 00:02:54.879 --> 00:03:01.620 Are there destructive patterns in your life that you would love to get the victory over? 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:04.579 There are in mine. 00:03:07.139 --> 00:03:15.139 This passage gives us a glimpse of how you can get that freedom from what wreaks havoc inside 00:03:15.139 --> 00:03:16.819 us and in our life. 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:22.859 And let me say from the outset, the answer might be a bit different to what we expect. 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:30.920 Now, if you're new to Christianity and you're not sure about this devil character, can I 00:03:30.920 --> 00:03:35.340 just encourage you not to focus on that for the moment, but get to know the Jesus character 00:03:35.340 --> 00:03:35.920 first. 00:03:36.940 --> 00:03:38.620 Decide first what you think of him. 00:03:41.920 --> 00:03:47.920 So I think there's two obvious lessons we can draw from this battle between Jesus and 00:03:47.919 --> 00:03:48.399 darkness. 00:03:49.979 --> 00:03:57.179 Now, first, I think we get a glimpse into how Satan can tempt people to do evil, what strategies 00:03:57.179 --> 00:03:57.899 he uses. 00:03:58.379 --> 00:04:05.479 So he appeals to our sense of entitlement, suggesting that life is found purely in our earthly needs. 00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:15.359 Or he can pretend to be an angel of light, bringing to mind scripture even, provoking us to prove God's 00:04:15.359 --> 00:04:16.639 love to keep us safe. 00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:22.699 Or he can outright just try and entice us with what the world can offer. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:26.819 So we do get a glimpse of how Satan works here. 00:04:26.819 --> 00:04:31.860 I think the other obvious lesson is that we get an example of how to fight. 00:04:33.019 --> 00:04:38.139 Jesus trumps the lies with the truth, what God says in his word. 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:50.480 So although there's these two obvious lessons, valuable lessons, about the spiritual dimension to the 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:55.920 choices we make in life, there is a serious flaw to making this passage immediately about us, 00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:59.199 as if it's a manual for how we fight temptation. 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:02.259 They're good lessons, but it's not about us directly. 00:05:05.580 --> 00:05:09.840 Matthew wants us to see something crucially important about Jesus. 00:05:12.520 --> 00:05:19.400 For us to see it, we need to pause and consider humanity's just sorry track record. 00:05:19.399 --> 00:05:28.099 So from Adam, the first son of God, even in a state of total contentment, total peace and blessing, 00:05:28.539 --> 00:05:30.739 total, like we have not experienced that. 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:32.199 He was in that state. 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:41.879 He chose to try and rule his own life, replacing the glory as the son of God with the glory he 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:42.839 could get for himself. 00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:45.699 That's incredible that he chose that. 00:05:47.599 --> 00:05:50.500 And we've felt the destructive consequences ever since. 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:59.319 And then God called into being another son, another special relationship, a nation this time, 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:02.500 the nation of Israel, the Jewish people. 00:06:02.979 --> 00:06:07.419 Out of all the nations, these people would be God's special possession. 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:17.360 Out of all the earth, this is his special possession, to live with God under his good laws. 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:21.580 And they were called to an incredible calling, to be a witness to the nations, 00:06:21.840 --> 00:06:26.220 to be a light so that people would come under the good rule of God and have life. 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:31.060 But then this nation, this son, fails as well. 00:06:31.060 --> 00:06:37.100 And we see it clearly in the wilderness experience after they leave Egypt. 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:43.439 So when Jesus quotes scripture, it's all from the wilderness period of Israel. 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:48.519 So we're going to see that as we go through it soon. 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:54.560 And then there's every human being since, created by God. 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:57.800 We've all tried to find life apart from God. 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:04.520 Like sometimes in my life, I can plainly see the evil before me in the choice. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:07.620 And I know exactly what God says will give me life. 00:07:07.960 --> 00:07:11.000 And I willingly choose to believe the lie. 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:15.500 I'm not sure if that represents you as well. 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:21.259 The devil has an impressive record. 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:22.960 He is undefeated. 00:07:26.340 --> 00:07:27.160 No, son. 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:30.579 No daughter has remained loyal to God the Father. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:31.160 Not one. 00:07:34.400 --> 00:07:37.020 This is one mighty foe. 00:07:40.400 --> 00:07:44.620 This unusual passage is relevant because the history of the world, 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:48.460 the history of Israel, my history, our history, 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:52.500 is that we've chosen evil, forfeiting the life God offers. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:55.540 If we're going to have any freedom, if we're going to have life, 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:58.819 we need a champion to fight on our behalf. 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:01.959 We need someone outside of the problem. 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:06.720 We need someone who's stronger than this foe. 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:14.000 We need a son who remains loyal to God the Father all the way to represent us. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:19.980 That's why we really need to hear this passage. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:28.879 So we heard at his baptism the Father calling him to be the servant of the world, 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:36.580 lowering himself, identifying with sinners in order to become the king, 00:08:36.680 --> 00:08:38.600 in order to be the name above all names, 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:42.320 in order to become the connection point between God and mankind. 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:44.660 So we've heard it. 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:46.020 We've heard his calling. 00:08:49.040 --> 00:08:52.860 Does this man have the character to fulfill the calling? 00:08:54.020 --> 00:08:56.040 Does he have the goods? 00:08:56.440 --> 00:08:58.440 Does he have the qualifications to do it? 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:06.380 We might imagine that because Jesus is the eternal son of God 00:09:06.380 --> 00:09:09.360 that he didn't really feel the pressure of temptation like we do, 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:12.240 but I think that's opposite from the truth. 00:09:12.519 --> 00:09:16.000 He felt the pressure more than us because we cave in after a time, 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:17.639 or sometimes at least. 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.320 He felt it the entire way, 00:09:21.180 --> 00:09:24.720 even to the point of shedding his blood. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:31.200 So does he have what it takes to fulfill the mission, 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:32.460 to stay loyal to God? 00:09:33.940 --> 00:09:36.240 Let's take a closer look at the verses. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:38.500 So let's please open God's word with me. 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:43.019 So verses 1 and 2. 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:47.940 Notice that it's the Holy Spirit who leads Jesus into this situation. 00:09:48.100 --> 00:09:50.279 This is a God-orchestrated trial. 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:53.800 That does not mean that God tempts anyone. 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:55.480 James is clear on this. 00:09:55.899 --> 00:09:58.620 God never pressures someone to do what is evil. 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:02.080 The word tempt in Matthew's Gospel 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:04.980 and the vast cases of the New Testament 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:07.340 is about testing. 00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:10.960 So the devil's intention is to persuade to do wrong, 00:10:11.080 --> 00:10:16.019 but God's intention is to show and to grow someone's trust. 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:22.820 So will I trust God to provide for my material needs? 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.320 When I've got plenty of need, 00:10:24.560 --> 00:10:24.860 plenty, 00:10:25.800 --> 00:10:28.280 you can't really see it. 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:29.960 Will I trust God to provide? 00:10:29.960 --> 00:10:32.019 It's only when I'm in need, 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:32.800 when I'm tested, 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:37.580 that's when my faith is either shown and grown or not. 00:10:38.820 --> 00:10:40.259 So that's God's intention. 00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:43.080 He wants it to show our faith and to grow it. 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:45.940 The devil wants us to actually do wrong. 00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:51.620 And calling this event the temptation, 00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:54.280 so the little subheading in our Bibles 00:10:54.280 --> 00:10:55.780 that isn't in the original Bible, 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:57.480 it's a bit, 00:10:58.400 --> 00:11:00.680 it gives us the wrong impression. 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:02.240 It's not like this is the only time 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:03.580 Jesus felt pressure to compromise. 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:06.660 His entire ministry is under severe pressure 00:11:06.660 --> 00:11:08.100 and it only intensifies. 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:13.420 This is just a special testing before he begins, 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:14.860 begins his work. 00:11:17.420 --> 00:11:19.540 It's kind of like Israel in the wilderness. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:22.639 So I think the phrase in the wilderness, 00:11:23.040 --> 00:11:24.620 the setting of this and the number 40, 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:28.600 it reminds us of Israel after they've come out of Egypt 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:29.840 to be God's people, 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:32.300 before they enter the promised land, 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:35.200 before they undertake their mission in that sense. 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:37.440 They're tested. 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:38.879 Will they trust God? 00:11:39.040 --> 00:11:40.420 They've seen his power. 00:11:41.520 --> 00:11:43.040 Will they trust him going forward? 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:47.520 So Jesus at his baptism has been declared 00:11:47.520 --> 00:11:50.160 to be in special relationship with God, 00:11:50.520 --> 00:11:52.640 to start his mission to be saviour of the world 00:11:52.640 --> 00:11:55.320 and there's this testing before he begins. 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:56.840 Is he up for it? 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:00.300 So let's see what he's got. 00:12:01.300 --> 00:12:01.900 What has he got? 00:12:01.899 --> 00:12:05.360 Let's look at each of these. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:07.100 Scene 1, verse 3. 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:14.079 Jesus fasted 40 days and that is an understatement. 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:15.039 He was hungry. 00:12:16.959 --> 00:12:20.779 If you are the son of God, 00:12:21.079 --> 00:12:23.059 command these stones to become loaves of bread. 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:28.960 Seems reasonable. 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:34.379 When we were discussing this passage at elders meeting over Zoom, 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:39.100 there I was eating dinner while we were reading these verses. 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.860 I didn't feel guilty, 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:43.040 but it was kind of ironic. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:45.680 I didn't wait until after the meeting, 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:48.060 but here I was eating while Jesus fasted 40 days. 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:54.580 Jesus wasn't being asked to question his identity. 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:56.160 The if here isn't, 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:58.320 are you the son of God or not? 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.360 It's not about that. 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:00.820 It's since you're the son of God, 00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:03.120 since you have authority over all things, 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:04.879 you need food in this moment. 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:05.580 That is true. 00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:06.840 You need food. 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.040 You're entitled to it. 00:13:08.560 --> 00:13:09.379 You need to live. 00:13:11.800 --> 00:13:13.600 It's quite reasonable, isn't it? 00:13:16.140 --> 00:13:17.420 We do need bread, 00:13:18.160 --> 00:13:19.420 unless you're gluten free. 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:22.520 Jesus needed bread. 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:26.779 And he clearly had the power to do it. 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:28.259 It wasn't testing his power. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:34.279 He fed 5,000 people and then 4,000 people with just a little lunchbox later on. 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.679 He's clearly got the power. 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:36.879 So what's going on? 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:40.279 I'm going to give a small example from my own life. 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:43.360 You may not relate to it, but here goes. 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:45.340 I love coffee. 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:46.300 I live on coffee. 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:47.420 I don't just love coffee. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.240 I live on coffee. 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:50.879 It is usually the first thing, 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:52.019 sorry Emma, 00:13:52.160 --> 00:13:54.259 that I think of when I wake up in the morning. 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:59.139 I need it to get through the day. 00:13:59.139 --> 00:14:02.419 And one day a while back, 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:05.080 it hit me that if I was running late for my day's activities, 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:07.740 I would make coffee and skip God's word. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:16.000 In effect, I'm believing I need coffee to live more than I need God's word. 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:21.580 What about ancient Israel? 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:23.799 How'd they do? 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:28.379 When they were hungry in the wilderness, 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:29.980 the Lord sent them menna, 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:31.639 a type of bread each day, 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:33.840 and they survived off it for 40 years. 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:37.500 So that's where this quote that Jesus says comes from. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:38.919 Deuteronomy 8.3. 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:42.360 God explains what this giving of menna was all about. 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:45.039 Man shall not live by bread alone, 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:47.879 but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.740 What does this mean? 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:56.480 It's right for us to trust and thank God for being the source of our food. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.700 He is the source. 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:02.439 It's right for us to trust him and thank him for it. 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:06.519 This isn't a lesson about depending on God rather than on ourselves, 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:08.259 although that is a good lesson, 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.240 a simpler lesson, 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:11.939 which we often struggle with, 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:12.299 don't we? 00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:19.419 What this is about is for us to see that the command of God that sends the bread to us 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:21.899 also offers us much, 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:22.899 much more. 00:15:25.599 --> 00:15:28.799 God's words give us promises to rely on. 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:32.459 It gives us guidance for how best to live. 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:37.240 God's word teaches us the truth and purpose of who we are and why we're here. 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:40.299 God's word gives us identity. 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.480 It gives us meaning, 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.159 guidance, 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:42.820 hope, 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.279 and most of all, 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.240 communion with God. 00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:49.860 You can have all the bread you want, 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:54.240 but you can't really live without these things. 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:56.620 You can't be fully human without these things. 00:15:56.620 --> 00:16:03.840 So how did ancient Israel do at this lesson? 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:05.919 Even with full stomachs, 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:06.980 not fasting, 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.620 but full stomachs, 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.679 they whinge. 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:15.039 They're promised a land flowing with milk and honey, 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.320 and they're grumbling. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:21.919 They'd rather go back to Egypt where they had onions. 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:26.979 They'd rather be in slavery with onions. 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:31.699 Stuff having the identity of being God's treasured possession, 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:35.860 and the purpose of being a light to the world for God, 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:37.179 would rather have onions. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:45.240 And here's Jesus. 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:51.279 He must have been bone weary from 40 days of fasting, 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:54.200 completely entitled to a small bite to eat, 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:55.720 where he says, 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:57.580 my life is more than food. 00:16:58.340 --> 00:17:00.680 I will learn this lesson from my father. 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:04.700 What my father has said about who I am, 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.400 my purpose, 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:05.980 my mission, 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.640 that feeds my soul. 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.140 Scene two, 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.759 verse five. 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:16.559 The tempter takes Jesus to Jerusalem, 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.940 to the rooftop of the temple. 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:18.640 Now, 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.799 if this literally happened, 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:20.859 or whether it's a vision, 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.920 like for Ezekiel, 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.680 the prophet Ezekiel, 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:25.940 either way, 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:27.420 I think Jesus' heart, 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.720 his choice is revealed. 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.539 So I don't think it matters too much. 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:35.960 And here's the devil quoting God's promises in Psalm 91 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:38.420 about his protection of the righteous person. 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:41.220 If you are the son of God, 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.220 throw yourself down, 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:42.900 for it is written, 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:45.360 he will command his angels concerning you, 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:47.680 and on their hands they will bear you up, 00:17:48.320 --> 00:17:50.280 lest you strike your foot against the stone. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:55.400 He's not even questioning Jesus' righteousness. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.100 He's assuming that. 00:17:57.519 --> 00:18:02.340 He's urging Jesus to get rid of any doubts he has of God's backing of him, 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:03.539 of God's love for him. 00:18:03.959 --> 00:18:05.419 Will the Father protect him? 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:09.779 He promises he will in Psalm 91. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:17.899 Perhaps knowing Jesus' intention to go to the cross, 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:21.299 he's making Jesus think, 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.740 will your Father deliver you? 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.220 Make sure of it now. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.759 Remove any doubts. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:34.140 Let me illustrate this with a positive example. 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:40.480 A much-loved lecturer at SMBC passed away last month 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:42.279 after battling lung cancer. 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:45.819 And in one of his last prayer video updates, 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:49.279 his trust was just incredible. 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:52.960 His honesty about the situation was incredible. 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:55.519 His trust was incredible as well. 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:59.619 Like he describes just the tears and just feeling miserable, 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:02.759 and he's a doer, 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:05.440 and so being stuck in bed was just agony. 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:09.220 And he described it as out-of-control pain. 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.639 But then he's saying, 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:17.440 but God's teaching me that he's with me. 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.920 Like sometimes I pray, 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:23.139 and he takes the pain away immediately. 00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:24.860 And then he's quick to say, 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.880 often that doesn't happen, 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.880 but sometimes he does, 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:28.120 to remind me he's with me. 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:35.500 He's teaching me that I will share in his glory. 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:40.300 It was just such an encouraging video. 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:42.020 Did he cry out for deliverance? 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.420 Yes. 00:19:43.360 --> 00:19:44.259 Nothing wrong with that. 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.800 Absolutely. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:49.799 But did he demand that God heal him to know that God loved him? 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.159 No. 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:56.500 He knew he was loved because of the promises in God's word, 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:59.099 and he kept going to the end based on those. 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:05.099 I just hope I'm like that. 00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:11.259 Jesus counters the lie with the truth of this situation. 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.759 Deuteronomy 6.16. 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:15.419 You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. 00:20:18.959 --> 00:20:23.319 The context is of Israel camping at Massa, 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:24.659 and they had no water, 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.959 and so they argued with Moses. 00:20:27.139 --> 00:20:28.819 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt? 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:29.579 To kill us? 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:32.379 And our children and our livestock of thirst? 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:35.000 Is the Lord among us or not? 00:20:37.080 --> 00:20:37.840 Prove it. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.660 Give us water. 00:20:40.520 --> 00:20:42.000 Remember who's saying this? 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:44.800 The people who saw all the plagues in Egypt 00:20:44.800 --> 00:20:47.400 passing through the water. 00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:51.320 Is the Lord among us or not? 00:20:56.380 --> 00:21:00.780 They saw and heard God's voice directly at Mount Sinai. 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:04.860 The issue wasn't crying out for help. 00:21:05.060 --> 00:21:05.760 They could have waited. 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.800 They could have asked. 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.080 They were complaining. 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.140 They were saying, prove it. 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:10.200 Demonstrate your love. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.460 Prove yourself, God. 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:15.060 They started to doubt God's intentions, 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.020 his good intentions. 00:21:16.800 --> 00:21:18.320 Did he bring us out here to kill us? 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:29.159 But this true son of God knew that he was about to embark 00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:31.559 on a very difficult path. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:34.500 He's going to be rejected and flogged and murdered. 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:37.819 Would the father deliver him from all his trials of his mission? 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:40.399 He didn't demand proof. 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:47.880 He knew God's backing because of what God had said at his baptism. 00:21:49.080 --> 00:21:50.480 What he'd said in his word, 00:21:50.800 --> 00:21:53.360 You are my son in whom I delight. 00:21:53.600 --> 00:21:55.000 With you I am well pleased. 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:58.440 He trusted God's word to be for him. 00:21:58.440 --> 00:22:06.960 Last one, scene 3, verse 8. 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:10.279 The devil drops his disguise as an angel of light 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:12.860 and he just offers Jesus all he's got. 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:16.600 He shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:20.220 All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me. 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:26.059 Now, I was discussing this with my brother-in-law a couple months ago 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:31.000 and I said I just couldn't imagine how the offer of all the glory 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:33.700 of the world was even enticing. 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:37.779 Like compared to the eternal kingdom that Jesus knew that was coming, 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:42.660 like why would he even be tempted by that? 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:48.000 It's like the plastic trophy you get from winning the church's soccer league. 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:53.059 Like why is he even tempted by that? 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:56.619 And my brother-in-law had a brilliant reply. 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:58.099 You have the same promises. 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:04.299 Yeah, I do. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.339 Through Christ. 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:13.539 And yet the flimsy imitation of the world I still find enticing. 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:17.639 The comforts and the stuff of this world. 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:18.859 I can have it. 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:23.519 All I need to do is watch my spending really closely 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:25.980 when I give to gospel work and to the poor. 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.099 That's all I need to do. 00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:32.139 To feel like I belong in society. 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:33.200 I can have that. 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:37.079 All I need to do is leave God at home. 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.980 Don't bring him up in conversations. 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.220 Just leave him at home. 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:45.779 I can have the status and the power in this world 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:47.640 if I just befriend the right people, 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.259 avoid others, 00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:51.519 outdo my competition, 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:55.620 only serve people if I get an advantage from it. 00:23:57.880 --> 00:24:00.779 All I have to do is dabble in the world's ways. 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:02.480 Just put God a bit off centre. 00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.400 That's all I've got to do. 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:12.960 Jesus confronts the lie with the truth. 00:24:14.040 --> 00:24:15.640 Again, with Israel's experience. 00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:16.900 Deuteronomy 6.13 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:19.360 You shall worship the Lord your God 00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:21.820 and him only shall you serve. 00:24:23.300 --> 00:24:26.420 The context here is forgetting God due to affluence. 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:30.000 Who would have thought affluence would be dangerous? 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:34.299 God warns Israel, 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:36.400 when you enter the promised land 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:38.440 and you receive houses and vineyards 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.720 and plenty of food and wine, 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:41.279 when you eat and are full, 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:45.019 then take care lest you forget the Lord 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:47.180 who brought you out of slavery. 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:51.579 You shall not go after the gods of the peoples 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.519 who are around you. 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:58.980 The gifts of creation are from the hand of God. 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:00.240 They are to be enjoyed. 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:08.279 But there's a danger that we can forget the Lord. 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.759 What did Israel do? 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:15.319 Rather than rejoicing in their special status 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.240 as God's people 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:18.940 and their calling to be a light to the nations, 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:22.220 we see it with David's son Solomon. 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.200 My goodness. 00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:26.920 That would have been an amazing day to live in. 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:29.860 The prosperity under Solomon would have been incredible. 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:34.580 It's described as each household living in peace, 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:37.160 in safety, full bellies. 00:25:38.820 --> 00:25:41.140 They had the joy of fellowship, 00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:43.340 worshipping together at the temple. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.519 And the temple was just, 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.920 oh, that would have been impressive. 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:48.080 That gold and the timber. 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:52.139 But Solomon, 00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:53.839 even Solomon, 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.099 later in his life, 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:59.240 instead of influencing the nations, 00:25:59.939 --> 00:26:01.319 is seduced by the world. 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:04.119 And compromise creeps in, 00:26:04.199 --> 00:26:05.599 even in that generation. 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:11.959 They start setting up other idols to worship. 00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:13.439 And within a generation, 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:15.099 the next son, 00:26:15.719 --> 00:26:17.139 they set up a golden bull. 00:26:18.219 --> 00:26:18.699 Or two. 00:26:19.219 --> 00:26:20.639 They set up two golden bulls. 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:24.159 They forgot the Lord. 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:32.660 They thought the ways of the world is the way of glory. 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:37.580 Jesus isn't just offered here equal glory, 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:40.820 like just being one among many of the nations, 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:42.360 like Israel were trying to be. 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.940 He was offered it all. 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.080 He could have it all. 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:50.400 And the problem here isn't about having it all. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.800 He came to have it all. 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.800 He came to conquer. 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:55.159 He came to get the whole world, 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.960 every heart, 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.440 all his people. 00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:04.279 I think he's being offered here a way to get it 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.279 without the pain. 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:07.339 You don't have to go down God's way, 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.440 God's painful way, 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.539 that leads to the cross. 00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:10.440 You can have it now. 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.139 Without the pain. 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.940 Just put God to one side. 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:22.319 Be gone, Satan. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:25.799 He reveals the tempter's true nature in this name. 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:27.039 Satan means enemy. 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:29.859 You are the enemy of God. 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.819 You are the enemy of God's good purposes, 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.019 of salvation. 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.740 You are the enemy of God's people. 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.740 Get out. 00:27:37.139 --> 00:27:37.700 Go away. 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:41.819 You shall worship the Lord your God, 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:44.460 and him only shall you serve. 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:48.380 And with that, 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:50.680 this initial time of testing is brought to an end. 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.940 Jesus has learnt his lessons well, 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.799 and he receives the food. 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.799 He receives the health, 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.180 or probably food, 00:27:58.519 --> 00:28:00.759 that he refused to demand. 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:02.100 He then receives it. 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:05.240 In the Father's good timing. 00:28:06.340 --> 00:28:08.000 There is no one like this man. 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:10.099 There is no one like him. 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:14.599 Not reducing life to what we eat and drink and wear, 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:17.619 but looking to God's truth and promises to nourish his soul. 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:21.519 Not demanding safety as proof of God's love, 00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:24.059 but resting in God's declared love for him, 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:25.279 no matter what happens. 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:28.399 Not taking the easy road of the world's glory, 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.500 but choosing the path of suffering, 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:34.799 trusting that the kingdom of heaven is glory worth dying for. 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:38.119 There is no one else like this man. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:42.799 This son stays true to God all the way. 00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:49.200 We don't get the victory over evil by fighting harder, 00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:50.559 by getting better weapons, 00:28:50.899 --> 00:28:51.980 by more willpower, 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:52.879 by more discipline. 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.559 Here's how we get the victory. 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:59.680 Jesus says it in John 8, 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:01.700 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:04.720 everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:07.480 The slave does not remain in the house forever, 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:09.319 but the son remains forever. 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:13.039 So if the son sets you free, 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:15.839 you will be free indeed. 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:22.460 You need a champion to fight on your behalf. 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:25.700 God has sent his champion to fight, 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:27.039 his only son, 00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.819 who stays true to God. 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.740 So the question for us is, 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:33.779 will we tuck in behind our champion? 00:29:35.360 --> 00:29:37.340 Will you give your allegiance to him, 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.340 him only, 00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:42.600 and let his victory become your victory? 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.220 Will you pray with me? 00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:46.680 Let's pray. 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:55.660 Lord Jesus, 00:29:55.920 --> 00:30:01.620 we praise you that you are different, 00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:02.480 you are light, 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.840 you are love, 00:30:06.840 --> 00:30:11.200 you are faithful to your father. 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.860 We thank you for that. 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:17.399 Please help each one of us to rest in your righteousness. 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:21.599 Thank you that you share that with us 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:23.699 at great cost to yourself. 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:29.619 Lord, please help each one of us to tuck in behind you. 00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:31.959 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:30:31.959 --> 00:30:32.059 Amen. 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.079 Amen. 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:32.159 Amen. 00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:34.159 Amen. 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:36.159 Amen. 00:30:36.159 --> 00:30:36.179 Amen.