Matthew: Overcoming Temptation - Part 2

Part 2 of this message

Temptation is all around us. Each of us is confronted with it on a daily basis. Temptation comes in all shapes and sizes. In the food category, it can be as small as skittles or as large as an all you can eat buffet. In relationships, God has spelled out clearly that marital intimacy is a beautiful gift reserved only for a man and a woman in holy matrimony. However, daily people are tempted to participate in this marital intimacy outside its God given context of marriage. Folks, Satan has been around a long time and has become quite skilled in the temptation business. He goes after us from every angle. John discusses this in I John 2:5-17 where he makes us aware that Satan tempts us in three broad areas: 1) The lust of the flesh, 2) The lust of the eyes, and 3) The boastful pride of life.

Jesus, The Christ was “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15b) Matthew records for us one of the instances when Christ was tempted by Satan. Matthew records Christ’s temptation to further demonstrate that Jesus is The Christ The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In essence, he is saying that the very fact that Jesus was tempted and yet never sinned points to His special exalted position. After all He did something that none of us can do…never sin! This instructive passage is found in Matthew 4:1-11. Let’s make some observations…Do a little interpretation…And Lord willing discover some timeless truths we can apply to our lives today on how to overcome temptation

Pastor Jeff Nyberg, Ph.D.