WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.300 I'm going to snag it. 00:00:02.180 --> 00:00:03.500 All right, well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:05.120 --> 00:00:05.960 You may be seated. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:09.300 Yeah, I'm going to do the scripture reading a little bit later. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:12.040 All right, yeah, so my name is Jeff Kreisel. 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:14.400 I serve as the RUF campus minister at USAPHA. 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:17.780 If you would like to learn more about our ministry at the academy, 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:19.440 please grab me afterwards. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:21.120 My wife is also on staff. 00:00:21.400 --> 00:00:22.199 Raise your hand, Jennifer. 00:00:22.740 --> 00:00:23.620 She's on staff. 00:00:23.740 --> 00:00:25.740 And then Daniel Sachs, he's one of our volunteers. 00:00:26.080 --> 00:00:26.839 He's here as well. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:29.339 Just grab one of the three of us, and we would love to. 00:00:29.339 --> 00:00:32.539 Just tell you about how God is at work at the Air Force Academy. 00:00:33.799 --> 00:00:39.480 So this year, I've decided to work through the Gospel of Luke with our students. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:45.620 And the Gospel of Luke is a uniquely applicable book for college students. 00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:48.399 College students that struggle with doubt. 00:00:48.899 --> 00:00:55.359 College students who are surrounded by so many reasons to doubt the goodness and the plan of God. 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:58.159 And so we're working through the Gospel of Luke. 00:00:58.159 --> 00:01:05.039 And I was kind of struck by Luke's purpose statement that he gives for the entire book. 00:01:05.119 --> 00:01:07.399 He says this in chapter 1, verse 3. 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:12.940 It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, 00:01:13.340 --> 00:01:18.280 to write an orderly, detailed account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 00:01:18.940 --> 00:01:20.800 which is a name that means lover of God, 00:01:20.920 --> 00:01:26.340 so that you may have certainty concerning the things that you have been taught. 00:01:26.340 --> 00:01:33.400 Certainty is what Luke is after, because he knows that we, living in a fallen, wrecked world, 00:01:33.500 --> 00:01:34.800 will struggle with doubt. 00:01:34.939 --> 00:01:41.439 We will struggle to believe with certainty what Christ has accomplished on our behalf. 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:46.780 And this certainty is something that not only skeptical college students need, 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:50.500 it is something that all Christians, from all times, all places, 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:52.820 something that we all need. 00:01:52.819 --> 00:01:55.239 We need to experience certainty. 00:01:55.559 --> 00:01:58.739 And so the Gospel of Luke was written for people like you and I, 00:01:58.859 --> 00:02:00.479 people who struggle with doubt, 00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:05.919 people who struggle to experience full certainty 00:02:05.919 --> 00:02:09.959 about the events surrounding Christ's life, death, and resurrection. 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:14.299 In Luke's Gospel, it reminds us that experiencing doubt 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:16.380 doesn't mean that you aren't a Christian. 00:02:17.180 --> 00:02:20.719 In fact, Luke's Gospel shows us that experiencing doubt 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:28.260 is because we are fallen humans living in a fallen, wrecked, confusing wilderness of a world. 00:02:29.960 --> 00:02:33.620 And so the question isn't, do I have doubts? 00:02:33.720 --> 00:02:36.580 The question that the Gospel of Luke presents is, 00:02:36.860 --> 00:02:38.920 what do I do with them? 00:02:39.140 --> 00:02:41.000 What do I do with my doubts? 00:02:41.260 --> 00:02:42.340 Do I ignore them? 00:02:42.340 --> 00:02:47.120 Do I sweep them under the rug and act as if they don't exist? 00:02:47.240 --> 00:02:48.379 Do I downplay them? 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:54.560 Do I distract myself with other things so that I don't have to deal with my doubt? 00:02:55.340 --> 00:02:57.140 Do I feed my doubt? 00:02:57.819 --> 00:03:03.719 Or do I attempt to identify the root of my doubts 00:03:03.719 --> 00:03:07.140 and then I do the hard work of uprooting those doubts 00:03:07.140 --> 00:03:09.560 before they cause me to spiral? 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:14.300 Even Martin Luther, the great theologian author during the Reformation, 00:03:14.539 --> 00:03:15.699 struggled with doubt. 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:16.939 He said this. 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:17.280 He said, 00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:18.939 I cannot stop the birds. 00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:21.439 His word for doubts. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:25.039 I cannot stop the birds from flying around my head, 00:03:25.420 --> 00:03:28.800 but I can stop them from making a nest in my hair. 00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:31.680 I love that. 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:33.500 Luke's Gospel, it helps us. 00:03:34.480 --> 00:03:38.060 It helps prevent doubts from nesting in our head. 00:03:38.480 --> 00:03:42.080 It helps prevent doubts from nesting in our hearts. 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:46.439 And so as we look at this passage this morning in Luke 4, 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:52.520 it's particularly relevant given that you guys worked through Isaiah 7 last week. 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:57.560 A prophecy is given about the coming Messiah who would know how to choose right 00:03:57.560 --> 00:04:03.120 and how to choose or how to not choose evil or how to refuse what is evil. 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:10.060 And so we see this prophecy in Isaiah 7 that is actually lived out in Luke 4. 00:04:10.540 --> 00:04:12.879 When Jesus goes into the wilderness, 00:04:13.040 --> 00:04:18.560 he is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where he is tempted for 40 days and 40 nights. 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:20.860 He goes toe-to-toe with Satan himself. 00:04:20.860 --> 00:04:24.600 Satan throws all of his best temptations to doubt at Jesus, 00:04:24.840 --> 00:04:27.759 and we're going to see how Jesus responds. 00:04:27.900 --> 00:04:28.980 The stakes are high. 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:32.080 The stakes are really high in this passage. 00:04:32.420 --> 00:04:38.800 If Jesus fails, if he falters, kind of like Adam did back in Genesis 3, 00:04:38.900 --> 00:04:45.120 if he falls and Satan's doubts start to nest in his head and in his heart, 00:04:45.540 --> 00:04:50.120 the wilderness world in which we live will remain a wilderness world. 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:54.819 But if Jesus succeeds where Adam failed, 00:04:55.319 --> 00:05:01.699 then the wilderness will become a paradise that we all get to enjoy for eternity. 00:05:03.280 --> 00:05:08.960 Isaiah 7 prophesied that the coming Messiah would know how to refuse evil and to choose good. 00:05:09.400 --> 00:05:14.960 And in Luke 4, Jesus is going to show us how to deal with our doubts. 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:19.180 So I invite you all to please stand for the reading of God's word. 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:27.659 Luke 4, verses 1 through 13. 00:05:27.660 --> 00:05:36.640 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for 40 days, 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:38.360 being tempted by the devil. 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:42.560 And he ate nothing during those days, and when they were ended, he was hungry. 00:05:43.260 --> 00:05:44.240 The devil said to him, 00:05:44.300 --> 00:05:47.080 If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread. 00:05:47.460 --> 00:05:48.780 And Jesus answered him, 00:05:48.820 --> 00:05:49.340 It is written, 00:05:49.720 --> 00:05:51.420 Man shall not live by bread alone. 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:56.819 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 00:05:57.240 --> 00:05:57.900 and said to him, 00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:01.620 To you I will give all this authority and their glory, 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:04.640 for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 00:06:04.980 --> 00:06:08.420 If you then worship me, it will all be yours. 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:10.280 And Jesus answered him, 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:10.819 It is written, 00:06:11.200 --> 00:06:14.540 You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve. 00:06:14.740 --> 00:06:16.580 And he took him to Jerusalem, 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:19.060 and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:19.860 and said to him, 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:21.959 If you are the Son of God, 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:23.920 throw yourself down from here. 00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:25.160 For it is written, 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:28.379 He will command his angels concerning you to guard you. 00:06:28.699 --> 00:06:30.860 And on their hands they will bear you up, 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:32.939 lest you strike your foot against a stone. 00:06:33.540 --> 00:06:34.899 And Jesus answered him, 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:35.959 It is said, 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:38.360 You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:41.620 And when the devil had ended every temptation, 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:45.120 he departed from him until an opportune time. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:47.139 This is the reading of God's Word. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:48.579 Let me pray for us. 00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:50.240 Heavenly Father, 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:52.399 we live in a wilderness world, 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:55.780 a world in which we are surrounded by so many reasons 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:58.439 why we should doubt your goodness, 00:06:58.620 --> 00:06:59.939 and your plan for our lives, 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:02.060 and the reality that we are redeemed 00:07:02.060 --> 00:07:03.899 through the redemptive work of Christ. 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:05.180 We pray, Lord, 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:07.439 that we would doubt our doubts this morning, 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:09.920 that we would see Christ more clearly, 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:11.759 and that we would have greater certainty 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:14.560 concerning the things surrounding his life, 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:15.560 death, and resurrection. 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:17.639 We pray all these things in his name. 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:18.060 Amen. 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:19.839 You may be seated. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:24.759 Let me move this a little bit more. 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:27.519 So living in the wilderness is hard, 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:28.360 is it not? 00:07:29.780 --> 00:07:32.019 Living in the wilderness is hard, 00:07:32.060 --> 00:07:33.819 and it is especially hard 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:36.199 when you are trying to resist 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:38.199 the wilderness's temptations. 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:42.180 When you are trying to resist temptation, 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:44.420 the wilderness is hard. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:46.620 If you are tempted to lust, 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:47.920 tempted with greed, 00:07:48.139 --> 00:07:50.459 tempted with power or control, 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:53.060 maybe you are tempted with self-righteousness 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:54.819 or self-hatred, 00:07:55.339 --> 00:07:57.319 you name the temptation. 00:07:57.319 --> 00:08:00.199 When you face that temptation in the wilderness, 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:02.240 if you try to resist it, 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:04.240 it is going to be difficult. 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:06.500 Caving is easy. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:09.740 Fighting temptation is hard. 00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:12.259 And the harder that you fight temptation 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:14.420 and refuse to cave, 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:17.360 the better you actually understand 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:19.560 the power of temptation. 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:21.639 C.S. Lewis, 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:23.740 in one of his great writings, 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:25.839 he gave this summary 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:28.399 for how Jesus experienced 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:29.740 the wilderness temptations. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:30.459 He says this. 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:30.759 He says, 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:33.179 No man knows how bad he is 00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:36.299 till he has tried very hard to be good. 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:39.899 A silly idea is current 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:41.960 that good people do not know 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:43.299 what temptation means. 00:08:43.700 --> 00:08:45.319 This is an obvious lie. 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:48.039 Only those who try to resist temptation 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:50.200 know how strong it is. 00:08:50.819 --> 00:08:53.000 You find out the strength of a wind 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:55.100 by trying to walk against it, 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:56.919 not by lying down. 00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:59.500 A man who gives in to temptation 00:08:59.500 --> 00:09:01.100 after five minutes 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:02.519 simply does not know 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:03.799 what it would have been like 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:04.580 an hour later. 00:09:05.539 --> 00:09:06.980 That is why bad people, 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:07.860 in one sense, 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:10.019 know very little about badness. 00:09:10.620 --> 00:09:12.279 They have lived a sheltered life 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:13.679 by always giving in. 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:16.179 We never find out the strength 00:09:16.179 --> 00:09:18.139 of the evil impulse inside of us 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.659 until we try to fight it. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:20.740 In Christ, 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:22.419 because he was the only man 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:24.460 who never yielded to temptation, 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:26.840 is also the only man 00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:28.580 who knows to the full 00:09:28.580 --> 00:09:30.300 what temptation means. 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:32.340 Do you hear what C.S. Lewis 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:33.060 is saying here? 00:09:33.940 --> 00:09:34.280 He's saying, 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:35.480 to truly understand 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:37.180 the power and the weightiness 00:09:37.180 --> 00:09:38.379 of temptation 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:40.639 and how hard it is to fight it. 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:43.139 You have to fight it 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:45.560 for a long period of time, 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:46.820 and no one knew this better 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:47.379 than Jesus. 00:09:47.520 --> 00:09:48.280 Throughout his life, 00:09:48.320 --> 00:09:49.420 not just for 40 days 00:09:49.420 --> 00:09:50.120 and 40 nights, 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:51.379 Jesus was tempted 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:52.200 in every way 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:53.280 that we are tempted. 00:09:53.680 --> 00:09:54.920 We can't even begin 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:56.979 to grasp the depths, 00:09:57.419 --> 00:09:59.159 the degree of the temptation 00:09:59.159 --> 00:10:00.679 that Jesus experienced, 00:10:00.959 --> 00:10:02.379 and the reason why 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:03.819 is because we cave. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:07.179 When we're walking 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:07.919 against the wind, 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:08.740 we don't like it, 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:09.819 so we lie down. 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:11.620 We end the temptation 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:12.599 before it gets 00:10:12.599 --> 00:10:14.639 too hard and heavy. 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:16.779 But Jesus never stopped 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:17.959 walking into the wind. 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:21.439 Every day of his life, 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:23.880 Jesus more than anyone else 00:10:23.880 --> 00:10:26.140 knew the power of temptation. 00:10:28.260 --> 00:10:30.100 And because he never laid down 00:10:30.100 --> 00:10:31.480 when he was faced 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:34.560 with those temptations, 00:10:34.700 --> 00:10:35.960 we actually have a Savior 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:37.980 who can resonate with us 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:39.840 when we ourselves are tempted. 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.880 This is what the author 00:10:40.880 --> 00:10:42.180 of Hebrews brings out. 00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:42.980 He says, 00:10:43.140 --> 00:10:43.860 For we do not have 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:44.540 a high priest 00:10:44.540 --> 00:10:45.340 who is unable 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:46.380 to sympathize 00:10:46.380 --> 00:10:47.240 with our weakness, 00:10:47.640 --> 00:10:49.520 but one who in every respect 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:50.480 has been tempted 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:51.399 as we are, 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:52.860 yet without sin. 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:55.799 Jesus was fully human, 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:57.939 and he walked 00:10:57.939 --> 00:10:58.779 into the wilderness, 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:00.860 and he goes toe-to-toe 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:02.039 with Satan himself, 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:03.259 and he faces 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.319 every temptation 00:11:04.319 --> 00:11:06.220 that we could ever face, 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:07.259 and he wins. 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:09.860 For 40 days 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:10.720 and 40 nights, 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:12.039 the Holy Spirit 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:13.000 led Jesus 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:14.799 into this wilderness 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:15.519 experience 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:16.220 where he would 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:17.519 be bombarded 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:18.259 by Satan 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:19.879 with all of these reasons 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:20.639 to doubt, 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:22.139 to doubt the character 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:22.720 of God, 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:24.500 to doubt various attributes 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:25.399 of God, 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:27.019 to doubt the very plan 00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:27.500 of God 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.740 for his life, 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:31.059 and to make things 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:31.899 even harder. 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:33.480 During this entire time, 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:34.259 he fasted. 00:11:34.319 --> 00:11:36.000 He fasted for 40 days 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:36.919 and 40 nights, 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:37.679 and the text says 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:38.919 that at the 40-day mark, 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:39.860 he was starving. 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:42.379 He was kind of 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.399 at the end of his rope. 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:45.059 He was in really bad shape. 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:46.899 He was probably 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:48.219 close to death 00:11:48.219 --> 00:11:49.419 at this point 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:51.099 after 40 days 00:11:51.099 --> 00:11:51.739 of fasting. 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:53.579 And so here he is, 00:11:53.619 --> 00:11:54.779 he's at his weakest, 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:56.159 and Satan goes 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:56.839 on the attack 00:11:56.839 --> 00:11:58.939 for one last attempt, 00:11:59.039 --> 00:11:59.299 right, 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:00.799 to get Jesus 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:02.419 to finally lay down, 00:12:03.099 --> 00:12:04.059 to get Jesus 00:12:04.059 --> 00:12:05.679 to finally cave 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:06.479 to the pressure 00:12:06.479 --> 00:12:08.299 and give in 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:09.139 to temptation. 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:11.699 Now imagine going 00:12:11.699 --> 00:12:12.479 without food 00:12:12.479 --> 00:12:13.919 for one week. 00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:16.519 Now imagine 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:18.459 adding five more weeks 00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:20.159 to that week. 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:22.039 I can't even fathom 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:23.099 how difficult 00:12:23.099 --> 00:12:24.000 this must have been 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:24.439 for him. 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:25.039 I've been watching 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:26.199 the TV show alone 00:12:26.199 --> 00:12:27.059 recently. 00:12:27.359 --> 00:12:28.139 It's on Netflix 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:28.619 and Hulu. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:29.459 It's essentially 00:12:29.459 --> 00:12:30.539 a survivalist show. 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:31.799 And usually around 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:32.699 the week mark, 00:12:33.059 --> 00:12:34.479 they start to think 00:12:34.479 --> 00:12:35.159 to themselves, 00:12:35.819 --> 00:12:36.839 why am I here? 00:12:37.139 --> 00:12:38.359 Why am I doing this? 00:12:38.579 --> 00:12:39.579 This is miserable. 00:12:40.079 --> 00:12:40.819 And they usually 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:41.559 tap out. 00:12:43.099 --> 00:12:44.139 Lower the stakes 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:44.699 even more. 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.799 I've been intermittent 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:47.199 fasting over the last 00:12:47.199 --> 00:12:47.740 few months, 00:12:47.939 --> 00:12:48.799 trying to lose 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:49.580 a few pounds. 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:51.500 And so for every day, 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:53.120 I fast for 16 hours. 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.519 So I stop eating 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:55.379 at 9 p.m. 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:56.240 and then I get to eat 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.240 again at 1 p.m. 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:57.980 the next day. 00:12:58.600 --> 00:12:59.679 And so 16 hours, 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.500 I go without food. 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:02.360 And so between 10 and 11 a.m., 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.500 I'll tell you what happens. 00:13:03.699 --> 00:13:04.559 Every single day, 00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:06.240 my stomach starts to growl 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:07.679 and I start to think, 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.019 why am I doing this? 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:12.639 Like I can just eat. 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:13.799 Like I have the power 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:15.539 to go into my kitchen 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:16.659 and open the fridge 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:17.819 and just eat something. 00:13:19.579 --> 00:13:20.860 It takes like all 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.840 of my willpower 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:23.299 to not cut a corner, 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:25.439 to not cheat my fast, 00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:27.699 to end my fast prematurely, 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:29.460 to stick it out every day 00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:31.319 and just go 16 hours. 00:13:31.579 --> 00:13:33.600 Now imagine 40 days 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:35.519 without food. 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:39.419 And you have no distractions. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.879 Like I can distract myself 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.500 when I'm hungry. 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.379 I go on a walk. 00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:44.319 I listen to a podcast. 00:13:44.319 --> 00:13:45.299 I read a book. 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.579 I play with my kids. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:47.879 I can do things 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:49.079 to distract myself 00:13:49.079 --> 00:13:49.980 from my hunger. 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.299 But in Luke 4, 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:53.360 Satan wouldn't even allow Jesus 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.699 to distract himself 00:13:54.699 --> 00:13:55.639 for a minute, 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.840 for a moment. 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:58.600 His tempting whispers, 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:00.019 they never stop. 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.039 He says, 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.740 I bet you're really hungry, Jesus. 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:07.720 You don't look good, Jesus. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:08.519 You look like you're 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.840 in really bad shape. 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.579 You look like you 00:14:11.579 --> 00:14:13.840 might be close to the end, 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.319 in fact. 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:16.639 Just satisfy your cravings. 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:17.879 You have the power. 00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:19.419 Just turn this rock 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:20.519 into bread. 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:22.000 You know you want to. 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:24.779 You starving 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:26.220 can't be a good thing. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.419 You starving 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:30.600 can't be a purposeful thing. 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:32.279 It would be easy for you 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:34.179 just to break your fast 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:35.220 a day early. 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:36.399 What's a day? 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.180 It's only a day. 00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:40.000 You've gone 39 days. 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:40.840 Well done. 00:14:42.660 --> 00:14:43.660 What's one day? 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.600 Stop walking 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:45.660 into the wind 00:14:45.660 --> 00:14:47.399 and just lie down. 00:14:49.180 --> 00:14:49.519 You see, 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.580 while the fasting 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:51.700 for 40 days 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:52.519 was hard, 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.800 Jesus knew 00:14:53.800 --> 00:14:56.100 that it was purposeful. 00:14:57.540 --> 00:14:59.080 And he wasn't motivated 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:01.600 to lose a few pounds 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.200 like me. 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:03.520 like Jesus 00:15:03.520 --> 00:15:04.379 was motivated 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.259 in the wilderness 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:07.120 because he was preparing 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.640 for greater suffering. 00:15:09.160 --> 00:15:09.920 He was training 00:15:09.920 --> 00:15:11.460 and testing his spirit 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.300 in preparation 00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:14.100 for the next three years 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:15.420 of very difficult 00:15:15.420 --> 00:15:16.700 public ministry 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:18.060 that would ultimately 00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:19.060 culminate 00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:20.080 in the cross. 00:15:20.660 --> 00:15:21.220 Now, 00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:22.620 if he couldn't resist 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.360 temptation 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.720 for 40 days 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.580 without food, 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.700 how was he going 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:27.840 to bear the sins 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.480 of the world 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.000 as he hung 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:29.720 on a cross? 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.460 And so he needed 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.259 to go through 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.480 this period 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.320 of testing 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:35.280 and training. 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.500 He was learning 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.700 how to rely 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:38.840 on the Holy Spirit 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:41.460 even when he was starving. 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:42.580 He was learning 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.800 how to pray 00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:44.980 thy will, 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:46.420 not my will 00:15:46.420 --> 00:15:48.399 in the wilderness 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.659 so that 00:15:49.659 --> 00:15:50.959 he could pray 00:15:50.959 --> 00:15:52.079 the same prayer 00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:53.919 in Gethsemane. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.000 Thy will, 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.220 not my will 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.079 as he's looking 00:15:57.079 --> 00:15:58.039 straight into 00:15:58.039 --> 00:15:59.120 the reality 00:15:59.120 --> 00:15:59.980 of the cross. 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:03.899 But man, 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:04.620 was he hungry. 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:06.659 I can't imagine 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.179 how hungry 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.220 he must have been. 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:10.860 So with this temptation, 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.899 the first temptation, 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.860 it's pretty obvious 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.779 what Satan 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:14.319 is up to. 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:16.039 Satan is trying 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:16.899 to get Jesus 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.679 to doubt 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:19.299 God's provision, 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:20.459 God's ability 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:21.179 and willingness 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:22.179 to take care 00:16:22.179 --> 00:16:22.839 of Jesus' 00:16:23.099 --> 00:16:24.459 physical needs. 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.519 Now this temptation 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:27.819 worked on Israel 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:28.799 as they were 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:29.839 wandering in the wilderness 00:16:29.839 --> 00:16:31.379 for 40 years. 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:33.360 God told the Israelites, 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.699 I will be faithful 00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:35.620 to my promise 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.339 to provide 00:16:36.339 --> 00:16:37.259 for your needs. 00:16:37.579 --> 00:16:38.339 I will send you 00:16:38.339 --> 00:16:39.279 manna from heaven 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:41.079 every single day 00:16:41.079 --> 00:16:42.559 to care for you. 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:44.399 But there's one caveat. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:44.579 God, 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.159 you are to only 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.179 gather enough 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:48.860 manna for that day 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.679 with the exception 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.360 of the day 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:52.039 before the Sabbath. 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.500 You gather 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.399 for two days. 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.860 But you are to trust me 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.439 that I'm going 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:57.600 to provide for you 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.079 even when you're hungry, 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.519 even when you're 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.319 in the wilderness. 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.419 And what did 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.419 the Israelites do? 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.619 They doubted 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:05.799 God's ability 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.720 to provide, 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.619 his willingness 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.400 to provide, 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:08.940 and they start 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:10.059 hoarding the manna. 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.960 Start hoarding it. 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:14.420 But Jesus 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:15.160 was different. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.259 He knew, 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.960 as Isaiah 7 says, 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.680 how to refuse evil 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:23.240 and how to choose good. 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.480 He trusted 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.420 that God 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.980 was going to be faithful 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.319 to his provision, 00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:29.120 promise. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:30.920 He knew 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:31.660 that he didn't have 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.380 to take matters 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.480 into his own hands. 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.420 God was faithful 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:37.420 even while he was 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:37.779 starving 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.940 in the wilderness. 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:41.680 but there's more 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:42.799 to this temptation 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:44.039 than simply trusting 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:44.980 God's provision. 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:49.400 The preceding story 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:50.380 in Luke's gospel 00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:51.240 flows directly 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:52.200 into this story. 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.600 And what happened 00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:55.240 directly before 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.480 Jesus is led 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.180 into the wilderness? 00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:58.380 Well, 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.200 the Holy Spirit 00:17:59.200 --> 00:17:59.880 led Jesus 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:01.000 into the Jordan River 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.019 where he was baptized 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:03.440 and the clouds 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:03.980 open, 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:05.160 the skies open, 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.019 the heavens open, 00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:06.980 and God says, 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:09.079 this is my beloved son. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:09.920 With him 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:11.839 I am well pleased. 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.720 This is the backdrop 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.079 of this temptation. 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:17.360 You see, 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:19.200 the deeper temptation 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.860 here 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:21.519 was to get Jesus 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.700 to doubt 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.200 God's pronouncement 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.420 at his baptism 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:27.019 which had just occurred. 00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:28.980 He's essentially 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.819 tempting Jesus 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.460 to doubt 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:32.299 that he is God's son, 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.180 that he is 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:34.519 loved by God, 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:35.599 that he is 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:37.079 delighted in 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.919 by God. 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.279 You can hear 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:40.299 Satan's whispers. 00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:40.980 Like, 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:42.319 did God actually say 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:42.859 that you are 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:43.799 the son of God? 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:47.319 Did he actually say 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:47.779 that you are 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:49.019 his beloved son? 00:18:49.699 --> 00:18:50.859 If that's true, 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.899 then why are you starving? 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:56.659 Given your current condition, 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.980 it seems as if 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:59.939 God doesn't love you. 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.759 In fact, 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.379 it would seem 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.719 as if God hates you, 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.299 that you are his enemy. 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:06.139 Why would he allow you 00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:06.879 to starve 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:08.099 if he loves you? 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.759 Are you sure 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.379 about that? 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.500 Are you sure 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.240 you're his son? 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.099 Are you sure 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:13.759 he loves you? 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.639 Are you sure 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:15.819 he's pleased with you, 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:17.220 that he is proud of you? 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.960 Maybe he was lying 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:20.059 at your baptism. 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:21.740 Do you see 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.940 what Satan is doing here? 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.839 He wanted Jesus 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.419 to doubt 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:25.460 his very identity 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.480 as the Messiah. 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.460 He wanted him 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:28.919 to doubt 00:19:28.919 --> 00:19:29.619 his identity 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:31.039 as a child of God, 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:32.639 as the son of God. 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:33.500 He wants Jesus 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.200 to doubt 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.480 God's love for him, 00:19:35.560 --> 00:19:36.300 and he wants 00:19:36.300 --> 00:19:37.560 Jesus to doubt 00:19:37.560 --> 00:19:38.360 that God 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:39.700 is pleased with him. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:43.020 Satan was casting doubt 00:19:43.020 --> 00:19:44.420 on what God 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.740 said to be true, 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.560 which is what Satan 00:19:47.560 --> 00:19:48.259 has been doing 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.400 since the very beginning 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:49.880 of time. 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.900 Satan casts doubt 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.840 on what God 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:55.280 says to be true. 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.280 But Jesus 00:19:56.280 --> 00:19:57.420 doesn't cave. 00:19:57.780 --> 00:19:58.020 Instead, 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:58.740 he responds 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.680 to this temptation 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.800 by quoting a passage 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.759 from Deuteronomy 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.799 that the Israelites 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:04.200 so quickly forgot. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:05.980 He says this, 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:07.200 Man shall not live 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.319 by bread alone, 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:10.039 but by every word 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:10.779 that proceeds 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:12.059 from the mouth of God, 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:13.119 including the words 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:14.240 that he just heard 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.240 at his baptism. 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:18.039 This is my beloved son. 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:19.019 With him, 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:20.319 I am well pleased. 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.240 You see, 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.759 Jesus was not only 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:24.819 relying on God's promise 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.579 to provide 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:27.119 for his physical needs, 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.839 he was also relying 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:30.439 on God's pronouncement 00:20:30.439 --> 00:20:31.359 at his baptism 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:33.399 that he was God's son, 00:20:33.459 --> 00:20:34.399 that he was loved, 00:20:34.439 --> 00:20:36.379 and that he was delighted in. 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.500 Now, 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.559 if we're being honest 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.319 with ourselves, 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:42.019 I think that we're more 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.980 like the Israelites 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:43.799 in the wilderness 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:45.019 than Jesus 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:46.159 in the wilderness. 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:49.259 When life throws us 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.859 a curveball, 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:51.599 when things get difficult, 00:20:52.139 --> 00:20:53.939 we tend to take matters 00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:55.740 into our own hands, 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:57.539 and we start to doubt 00:20:57.539 --> 00:21:00.180 God's pronouncement 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:02.859 that we are his child, 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.240 that he does love us 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.359 more than we can imagine, 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:09.400 that he is pleased with us 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.980 because of the redemptive work 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.900 of Christ applied to us. 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:15.019 We are so quick 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:17.440 to doubt God's word 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:19.059 about us. 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.480 While starving, 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:25.059 Jesus reminds us 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.180 that God's word 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.740 about us, 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:28.900 it never changes. 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.160 In God's word, 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.599 it can never fail, 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.960 it can never falter. 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.779 Jesus had no doubt 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:36.140 in his mind 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:37.940 about who he was. 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:40.640 He knew that he was, 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.120 in fact, 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.039 the son of God. 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:43.099 He knew that he was 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:43.799 loved by God. 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:44.759 He knew that God 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.779 was pleased with him. 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:46.440 Why? 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:49.039 Because God said it. 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.559 Because God's word 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.480 spoke truth. 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.079 Truth. 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.279 And he believed 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.039 God's word. 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:57.180 Even in the wilderness. 00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:59.759 So the first temptation 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.460 doesn't work. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.640 So Satan moves on 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:03.279 to the second temptation, 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:05.059 and he shifts his tactics. 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:07.200 He is cunning and clever, 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.620 and he shifts his tactics. 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.839 Instead of focusing 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:10.860 on a lack of food, 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.120 Satan now focuses 00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:13.519 on a lack of power. 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.900 And so he gives Jesus, 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.940 he takes Jesus, 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.259 like, up, 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:19.700 and he shows him, 00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:19.880 like, 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:21.180 a panoramic view 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:23.060 of all of the kingdoms 00:22:23.060 --> 00:22:23.820 of the world. 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:25.600 And the text says 00:22:25.600 --> 00:22:26.280 that he did this 00:22:26.280 --> 00:22:26.920 in a moment. 00:22:27.080 --> 00:22:28.180 So clearly something 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:30.480 mysterious is at work. 00:22:30.600 --> 00:22:31.680 Something supernatural 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.800 is happening here. 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.980 He shows Jesus, 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:34.740 in a moment, 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.600 every kingdom 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:36.440 on the earth. 00:22:36.520 --> 00:22:37.120 And I imagine 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:37.940 this wasn't just 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:39.000 the existing kingdoms, 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.000 but every kingdom 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.640 throughout all time 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.600 and space, right? 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.919 And so he probably 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:44.439 showed him 00:22:44.439 --> 00:22:45.500 the Greek empire 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:47.539 and the Roman empire 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.819 and the Ottoman empire 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:51.439 and the Austro-Hungarian empire. 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:53.159 Maybe the Mongolian empire 00:22:53.159 --> 00:22:54.179 was thrown in there. 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.939 The British empire. 00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:56.439 And yeah, 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.259 I think he saw 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.919 the United States 00:22:58.919 --> 00:23:00.339 of America, right? 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:02.699 He saw all the glory, 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:03.779 all the fame, 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:04.819 all the wealth 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.980 that every kingdom 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:08.099 has ever possessed. 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:10.819 And at a time 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.819 when he had nothing, 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:12.939 Satan says 00:23:12.939 --> 00:23:14.139 it could all be yours. 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:16.019 All of it 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:17.379 could be yours. 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:19.740 Satan was offering Jesus 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.519 all the power, 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.000 all the glory, 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:23.240 all the wealth, 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.459 all the fame 00:23:24.459 --> 00:23:26.059 that this world 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.759 could offer 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:28.259 in a moment. 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.819 And all Jesus had to do 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.799 was hit his knees 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.659 on the ground. 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.740 That's it. 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:36.359 That's all he had to do 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:38.559 was just fall 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.779 two to three feet 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.500 to the ground 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:42.799 and he would have it all. 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.199 You see, 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.399 the second temptation, 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:47.039 it seems as if 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:48.279 it's like this simple 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.159 temptation 00:23:49.159 --> 00:23:50.359 for power 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.699 and glory, right? 00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:54.139 But like the first temptation, 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.619 there's a deeper temptation 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.639 at work here. 00:23:58.539 --> 00:24:00.479 The real temptation here 00:24:00.479 --> 00:24:01.759 is to get Jesus 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:03.799 to doubt God's plan 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:05.559 for redemption, 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.599 which includes 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.480 Jesus going 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.440 through the cross. 00:24:10.179 --> 00:24:11.240 Satan's offer 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:13.659 was a much easier route. 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:17.460 It was a much easier route 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:19.819 to get all the glory 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.539 and power. 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.000 You know, 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:22.980 Satan was essentially 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.919 offering Jesus 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:24.740 the same thing 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.539 that God the Father 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.619 was offering Jesus. 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:28.460 Everything. 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:30.879 And you can question, 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.500 you know, 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.879 if Satan was actually able 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:34.539 to promise something like this 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.559 or to give something 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.519 like this, 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.339 but the reality is 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:39.259 he's offering it. 00:24:41.399 --> 00:24:41.920 Listen, 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.899 God's road 00:24:42.899 --> 00:24:44.379 for Jesus 00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:45.920 was that Jesus 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.480 would die for sinners 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.859 on a cross 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:50.399 and then he would 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:51.339 get everything. 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.480 Satan's offer 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:56.960 is just bow. 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:59.240 no atoning death, 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:01.059 no cross. 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:02.860 This is like 00:25:02.860 --> 00:25:04.240 the easy button option. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:06.440 You can have 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.480 the crown 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:09.160 without the cross. 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.960 Take it, Jesus. 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:15.240 But here's the thing. 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:17.200 Jesus didn't just come 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.400 into our world 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:19.440 and put on flesh 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.059 to inherit 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:21.980 earthly fame 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.680 and fortune 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.539 and glory 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.319 and power. 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:26.319 he came 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.659 into this world 00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:30.259 to get us. 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:33.279 He put on flesh 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.480 to make us 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.799 his treasured possession, 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.059 to make us 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.819 a holy nation, 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.819 to make us 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:40.159 a kingdom of priests. 00:25:40.379 --> 00:25:41.759 He put on flesh 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.419 to solve 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.200 the problem 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:44.480 of sin 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:46.000 that we can't 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.539 solve 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.419 on our own. 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.319 So there's more 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.139 that Jesus 00:25:49.139 --> 00:25:50.500 has on his mind 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.439 than mere power, 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:51.859 glory, 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.319 fame, 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:52.939 and wealth. 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:55.660 above all, 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.340 Jesus was motivated 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:58.340 in this wilderness 00:25:58.340 --> 00:26:00.500 out of loving obedience 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.900 to God's plan. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.340 The atoning cross 00:26:04.340 --> 00:26:05.180 on which Jesus 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.620 would pay our debt 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:08.680 was part of God's plan. 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:11.100 And Jesus trusted 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:11.940 God's plan 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:13.120 even if 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:14.240 God's plan 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.160 meant that he 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:15.980 had to go 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.420 through the hardships 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.480 of the cross, 00:26:18.620 --> 00:26:19.519 that he would have 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.240 to suffer. 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:20.940 You see, 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.720 if he took 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.880 Satan's offer, 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.820 he would reject 00:26:24.820 --> 00:26:25.779 God's plan. 00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:27.380 And if he rejects 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:28.299 God's plan, 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.500 he was rejecting 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.580 God himself. 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.259 Instead, 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.000 he was choosing 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:34.160 to worship Satan 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:36.140 and follow Satan's plan 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:37.620 for his life. 00:26:38.340 --> 00:26:39.559 But in the wilderness, 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:40.340 Jesus doesn't 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.400 hesitate 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.259 to reject 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:43.279 the easy button 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:43.940 option. 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:46.400 Isn't that amazing? 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:48.620 Once again, 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:50.080 he quotes a passage 00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:50.960 from Deuteronomy 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:52.259 that was so quickly 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:52.780 forgotten 00:26:52.780 --> 00:26:53.700 by the Israelites. 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.300 He says, 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.140 you shall worship 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:56.060 the Lord your God 00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:56.820 and him only 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:57.660 shall you serve. 00:26:59.040 --> 00:26:59.420 Listen, 00:27:00.060 --> 00:27:01.300 sometimes in life, 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:02.880 God's plan 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:04.560 and your plan 00:27:04.560 --> 00:27:05.820 may not match up. 00:27:07.820 --> 00:27:08.620 Sometimes, 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.720 God's plan 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.940 may even include 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.400 hardship. 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:13.000 It may include 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.519 suffering. 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.460 I love, 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.660 so last week, 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:17.119 I preached from Luke 8 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.779 when Jesus 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:19.059 leads them 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:20.359 into the storm 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:21.700 only to calm it. 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:23.240 Like, 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.019 so clearly, 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.259 like, 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.119 sometimes Jesus 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.859 will lead you 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.660 into hardship 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:28.400 to humble you, 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:30.379 maybe to prepare you 00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:31.819 for greater hardship 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.400 to come, 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.879 or maybe he's leading you 00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:34.680 into hardship 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:36.799 to reveal 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.579 the goodness 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.440 of Christ 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:39.339 and the power 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.019 of Christ 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.019 to get you 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.960 through the storm. 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:45.559 easy button options 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.500 will be offered. 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.759 I want a promotion. 00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.940 I want it desperately, 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.279 but am I willing 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.620 to work on Sundays 00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:55.400 to get it? 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:58.860 Or how about this one? 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:00.200 I really want 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:02.279 to buy that new car 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.579 that I've been eyeballing 00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:04.640 all these years, 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:06.120 but am I willing 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:08.140 to stop giving 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:09.579 to a missionary 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:11.859 or to a local charity 00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:12.879 to get it? 00:28:13.939 --> 00:28:14.919 Jesus answered, 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.359 no. 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.819 Or how about this one? 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:18.799 I want to enjoy 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.519 like a nice, 00:28:19.659 --> 00:28:20.460 restful day 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.939 just sitting on my couch 00:28:21.939 --> 00:28:23.179 watching football, 00:28:24.179 --> 00:28:25.259 but am I willing 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.939 to ignore my neighbor 00:28:26.939 --> 00:28:27.939 whose mom 00:28:27.939 --> 00:28:29.359 just passed away 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:30.480 to get it? 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.639 Jesus answered, 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:32.960 no. 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:34.380 He refused 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:34.900 to take 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:35.900 the easy button 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.579 option 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.440 even though 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.200 it was presented 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:38.640 to him 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:39.720 on a silver platter. 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:41.279 All you have to do 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.019 is hit your knees 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.620 on the ground, 00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:44.259 two to three feet. 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.700 Jesus said no 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.759 to the quick fix 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.840 and he said yes 00:28:47.840 --> 00:28:48.640 to the cross 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.880 because he firmly 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.579 believed 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.799 that God knew 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:53.059 what he was doing, 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.019 leading him there. 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.380 All right, 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.340 so two temptations 00:28:57.340 --> 00:28:57.660 down, 00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.340 one to go. 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:01.079 And once again, 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:02.420 Satan shifts tactics. 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.480 So twice, 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:06.420 Jesus has bested Satan 00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:07.440 by quoting scripture. 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.460 And so what does Satan do 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.460 with a third temptation? 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:10.819 Well, 00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:12.460 he uses scripture 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:15.559 as part of his final temptation 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.840 to best Jesus. 00:29:18.100 --> 00:29:19.600 And so he takes Jesus 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:21.120 to the roof 00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:22.579 of the Jerusalem temple. 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.799 It was probably 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.700 somewhere around 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:26.740 550 feet. 00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:27.960 And so yes, 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:28.660 if you fell 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.480 from that height, 00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:30.380 you would die 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:30.960 instantly. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:33.220 he takes him 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.900 to the top 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.860 and he says, 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.180 I see what you've been doing 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.480 all these 40 days. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:39.120 You have been using scripture 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:40.039 to best me. 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.120 Well, 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.480 I know my Bible 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.120 as well. 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.440 So Jesus, 00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:45.500 please turn with me 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:47.180 to Psalm 91. 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.460 Because here, 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.420 God promised 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:51.539 that he was going 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.900 to protect his Messiah 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:54.200 from danger. 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.680 It says right here, 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:57.160 it says right here 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.340 that God will catch 00:29:58.340 --> 00:29:59.160 his Messiah 00:29:59.160 --> 00:30:00.180 if he falls. 00:30:00.560 --> 00:30:02.039 So if you are the Messiah, 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.460 then jump. 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.560 Jump. 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:07.039 Let's see what happens. 00:30:07.340 --> 00:30:07.940 What's the worst 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.779 that could happen? 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:09.920 God catches you? 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.080 Cool. 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.539 Then you prove 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.500 that you are the Messiah. 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:14.920 You see, 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.580 once again, 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:17.200 it seems like Satan 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:19.299 is simply tempting Jesus 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:21.060 to doubt God's ability 00:30:21.060 --> 00:30:22.140 to protect him. 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.060 But once again, 00:30:23.060 --> 00:30:24.279 there's more going on 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:25.539 with this third temptation. 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.019 In this one, 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.960 Satan is tempting Jesus 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:30.660 to doubt God's presence. 00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:31.940 He takes Jesus 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.960 to the temple, 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.980 which is where, 00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:34.259 like, 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:36.079 God's concentrated presence 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:37.139 was found. 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:38.779 And he essentially says, 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:39.799 if God is present 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:41.019 anywhere on the earth, 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.920 it's right here 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.700 on the temple. 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:44.740 This is where he dwells. 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.759 He is present, 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:46.059 right? 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:47.980 Do you believe 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.859 that he's with you? 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:53.019 His presence 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.440 implies his ability 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.200 to protect, 00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:56.019 does it not? 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:58.139 And once again, 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.200 Jesus doesn't bite. 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.619 Why doesn't he bite? 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:02.599 Because he trusts God 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:03.400 at his word. 00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:05.839 He didn't need 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:07.539 to test God's presence 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:09.079 because God said 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:10.319 that he would always 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.299 be with him. 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.859 If God said it, 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:15.680 he will do it. 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:17.900 His word cannot fail. 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:19.460 His word is power. 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:21.400 His word is the sword 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.259 of the spirit 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:24.380 that cuts down 00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:25.960 the lies that surround us, 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:28.280 that cuts down doubt 00:31:28.280 --> 00:31:30.660 before it can nest 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.380 in our hair. 00:31:33.040 --> 00:31:33.600 You see, 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.820 Jesus shows us 00:31:34.820 --> 00:31:36.040 in Luke 4 00:31:36.040 --> 00:31:36.940 how to resist 00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:37.860 the temptations 00:31:37.860 --> 00:31:39.100 to doubt God's, 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.540 there's a lot of P's here, 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:40.800 right? 00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:41.600 Provision, 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:43.460 God's pronouncement 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.940 of who he is, 00:31:45.280 --> 00:31:46.600 to doubt God's power, 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.300 his plan, 00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:48.060 his protection, 00:31:48.060 --> 00:31:49.440 and his presence. 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:53.660 When you start 00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.779 to hear the tempting 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:56.000 whispers to doubt, 00:31:57.080 --> 00:31:57.900 your weapon 00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:59.059 is the same weapon 00:31:59.059 --> 00:32:00.259 that Jesus employed 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.960 in the wilderness. 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.779 Your weapon 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:03.519 is God's very word. 00:32:04.580 --> 00:32:06.039 When you hear the whisper, 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.120 you're not actually 00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:08.240 a child of God. 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.820 We turn to John 1, 00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:12.500 verse 12, 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:13.880 and we say, 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:14.779 but to all 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:16.039 who did receive him, 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.180 who believed 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:17.860 in his name, 00:32:17.859 --> 00:32:18.939 God gave the right 00:32:18.939 --> 00:32:19.619 to be called 00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:21.099 children of God. 00:32:21.359 --> 00:32:21.659 No, 00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:23.519 I am a child of God. 00:32:23.619 --> 00:32:23.859 Why? 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:25.159 Because God's word 00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:26.079 says so. 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.240 How about this one? 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.459 God won't take care 00:32:30.459 --> 00:32:30.939 of you. 00:32:31.919 --> 00:32:33.139 You're in a storm. 00:32:33.479 --> 00:32:33.939 You're going 00:32:33.939 --> 00:32:34.719 through hardship. 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:36.740 He must be mad at you. 00:32:36.979 --> 00:32:37.939 He won't take care 00:32:37.939 --> 00:32:38.699 of your needs. 00:32:40.439 --> 00:32:41.879 Matthew 6, 26, 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:43.240 look at the birds 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.919 of the air. 00:32:44.199 --> 00:32:45.139 They neither sow 00:32:45.139 --> 00:32:45.939 nor reap, 00:32:46.159 --> 00:32:47.559 nor gather into barns, 00:32:47.559 --> 00:32:48.299 and yet your heavenly 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.279 Father feeds them. 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.579 Are you not more value 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:51.819 than they? 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.879 You're wrong, 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.440 whispers. 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:58.299 God does care 00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:58.940 about me. 00:32:59.399 --> 00:33:00.299 He cares about me 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:01.740 more than I even 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.980 could ever believe 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.599 myself. 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:06.139 How about this one? 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:07.379 God doesn't love you. 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.319 Have you ever heard 00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:10.200 that whispered 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:10.940 into your ear? 00:33:11.399 --> 00:33:12.500 Maybe after you've 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.679 sinned and you feel 00:33:13.679 --> 00:33:14.720 the weight of your 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.559 guilt and shame, 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:16.339 do you ever 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:17.419 tell yourself 00:33:17.419 --> 00:33:18.419 or hear that whisper, 00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:20.119 God doesn't love you. 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.539 Where do you turn? 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:24.599 Well, how about 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:26.179 Romans 5, verse 8? 00:33:26.879 --> 00:33:28.019 God shows his love 00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:28.539 for us, 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:29.319 and that while we 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.339 were still sinners, 00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:32.240 Christ died for us. 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:34.500 Yeah, God loves me. 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.879 Or how about this? 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:39.159 God hasn't redeemed you. 00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:42.279 You still have debt 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:42.880 to pay. 00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:46.519 Isaiah 43, verse 1. 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.180 Fear not, 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:49.860 for I have redeemed you. 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.240 I have called you 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.820 by name. 00:33:52.620 --> 00:33:53.620 You are mine. 00:33:56.600 --> 00:33:58.560 No, God knows my name. 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.960 He has redeemed me. 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:04.380 And so those doubts 00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:06.000 can get behind me. 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:08.159 You see, 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:09.579 this is why Jesus came. 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.300 This is why we 00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:11.239 celebrate Christmas. 00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:13.260 Jesus came to fulfill 00:34:13.260 --> 00:34:14.079 God's word 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:15.420 because we could not. 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:18.820 Jesus came to lead us 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.920 through the wilderness 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:22.159 because he's the only one 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:22.860 who went through 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:24.500 the wilderness unscathed. 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.579 There's no one better 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.739 to lead us through it. 00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:29.119 He came to live 00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:30.579 a perfectly righteous life 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:31.780 to give us 00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:32.519 his righteousness. 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:34.539 He came to empower us 00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:35.099 to pray, 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:36.139 thy will, 00:34:36.259 --> 00:34:37.239 not my will, 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:39.039 even in hardship, 00:34:39.659 --> 00:34:41.179 even when we're suffering, 00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:43.000 even when we're facing 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:44.719 the greatest of storms. 00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:46.299 He came to defeat 00:34:46.299 --> 00:34:47.059 the devil 00:34:47.059 --> 00:34:48.199 for people 00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:49.839 who just lay down 00:34:49.839 --> 00:34:50.659 when it starts 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:51.400 to get windy. 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:53.900 You know, 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.360 at the beginning 00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:55.179 of the Bible, 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:57.159 this is an interesting 00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:57.699 parallel. 00:34:58.380 --> 00:34:59.579 Adam faced 00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:00.319 temptation 00:35:00.319 --> 00:35:01.299 in paradise 00:35:01.299 --> 00:35:03.019 and through 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:04.039 his failure, 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:05.300 he cast 00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:05.980 humanity 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:07.500 into a spiritual 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.059 wilderness. 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.980 Jesus faced 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.599 temptation 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:13.340 in a spiritual 00:35:13.340 --> 00:35:13.960 wilderness 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:15.360 and through 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.300 his victory 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:17.699 he secured 00:35:17.699 --> 00:35:18.719 for us 00:35:18.719 --> 00:35:20.360 the eternal 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:20.980 restoration 00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:21.980 of paradise. 00:35:23.539 --> 00:35:24.139 Amen. 00:35:24.579 --> 00:35:25.519 Let me pray for us. 00:35:26.779 --> 00:35:27.420 Heavenly Father, 00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:28.460 we thank you 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:29.000 that you are 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:29.779 a good and gracious 00:35:29.779 --> 00:35:31.079 God who is with us, 00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:31.840 who is for us, 00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:32.780 who loves us more 00:35:32.780 --> 00:35:33.500 than we could even 00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:34.980 begin to realize. 00:35:35.220 --> 00:35:35.960 We pray that your 00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:36.900 spirit would empower 00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:38.780 us to struggle 00:35:38.780 --> 00:35:40.440 with temptation, 00:35:40.680 --> 00:35:41.800 to push against it, 00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:43.160 to walk into the wind 00:35:43.160 --> 00:35:44.400 instead of laying down 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:46.000 and taking the easy 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:47.519 button option. 00:35:48.180 --> 00:35:49.140 We pray that we would 00:35:49.140 --> 00:35:50.340 be the kind of people 00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:52.360 who put others 00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:53.240 ahead of ourselves, 00:35:53.680 --> 00:35:55.260 who love our neighbors, 00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:57.180 who pursue them 00:35:57.180 --> 00:35:58.780 even when we want 00:35:58.780 --> 00:35:59.760 comfort and security. 00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:00.960 we pray, Lord, 00:36:01.020 --> 00:36:01.840 that you would help us 00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:03.220 this Christmas season 00:36:03.220 --> 00:36:04.260 to be mindful of the 00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:05.480 one who became a servant, 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:07.540 who humbled himself 00:36:07.540 --> 00:36:10.180 and suffered on a cross 00:36:10.180 --> 00:36:11.160 so that we could receive 00:36:11.160 --> 00:36:11.900 his righteousness 00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:13.040 and it's through his name. 00:36:13.240 --> 00:36:13.460 Amen.