The Temptation Of Jesus Christ-2

This concludes The Temptation of Jesus Christ Biblical teaching. We learn in this lesson, to resist temptation, God gives us everything Jesus had...everything we need.

The Temptation Of Jesus Christ-2

Continued from The Temptation Of Jesus Christ

He was Attuned to the Spirit, Attentive to the Word, and Attended by angels.

1. Attuned To The Spirit: Lk 4:1 "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert."

a. Filled with the Spirit: Mt 3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come one who…will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Everyone else who was baptized by John just changed their lifestyle (repented). Jesus received another style of life…a Spiritual style. All the power of God in Him! That's a different style. In the Book of Acts, as the Apostles were traveling around they often ran into people who just had the baptism of John, for repentance, but didn't receive the holy Spirit, the baptism of Jesus. They would lay hands on them and then they'd get the whole package. Some people, even today, having been taught by a traditional legalistic group, may think Christianity is just another religion. (I'm not referring to any specific group) I taught against religion last week, but If you've been taught a religious bill of goods, that to follow Jesus is just a bunch of rules for behavior, they were wrong! The Holy Spirit is just as available to us now, as back then. We can have the power of the living God in our lives. All we need to do is ask God for it. Jesus had the Holy Spirit helping Him slam temptation, and so can we.

b. Led by the Spirit: Ga 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Jesus was Spirit led, not just Spirit filled. Have you ever seen someone who was filled by the Spirit, but not led by Him? They have all kinds of whoopee experiences but there is no fruit in their lives to suggest God is in control. You see 'em in churches all spiffed up, saying all the right things, acting all the right parts, but their life is a mess. There is a war going on in us between the Spirit of God and our sinful nature. When we don't allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit we leave ourselves vulnerable to temptation.

Jesus was not only Attuned to the Spirit of God, He was attentive to the Word of God.

2. Attentive To The Word: Look at Jesus' reply to the devil in Lk. 4:4,8,12 "4…It is written, man does not live by bread alone…8…it is written, worship the Lord your God…12…It says, Do not put the Lord your God to the test." It was clear from His responses that Jesus knew the Word.

a. Know The Word: Ps 119:11 "I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Part of what helped Jesus to resist the devil was His knowledge of the Word of God. We can have that, too.

When I was stationed in Texas, I met the owner of a country store, named Homer…the owner's name was homer…I don't remember the store's name. This was one of those stores that sells hay and feed and something called "tack". I don't know what that is, but it doesn't sound like something I'd buy. But, I'm a city boy. Anyway, Homer knew the Bible. He had one of those old cash registers that looks like an upright typewriter, I know some of you computer wizards don't understand, but we used to have to erase our typing errors off of the paper. Whenever he hit the total key, the cash register would go "ding", the drawer would open and Homer would quote a Scripture. I got over to his store as often as the service would let me because I found the culture so fascinating. In fact, I've still got a little Texas in my speech, over 25 years later. One day, a big rig, you know, one of those trucks with 4 wheels in the back and a big greasy metal thing that keeps you from loading anything else in the bed? Attached to that was the longest horse trailer I've ever seen, with big gold mustang emblems (the horse) on the side. This huge guy, wearing a fancy hat, boots and a huge belt buckle bursts through the door and interrupts our conversation to ask Homer for his best horse blanket. We all had been around long enough to know Homer only had one style of horse blanket.

But Homer goes to the back and returns with a horse blanket and says, "That'll be $ 9.99" The big man said "That won't do…I need your best blanket." Homer calmly goes to the back room and comes out with another color of the same blanket and says, "That'll be $ 29.99". The big man angrily says, "You don't understand, I have the best thoroughbreds in three states out there, and I need the best horse blanket you have." Homer again goes, and returns with yet another color of the same blanket, and says, "I'm sorry, but the price on this blanket is pretty high, because of its fine quality and the price I had to give for it. I have to ask you for $ 89.99." The big man seemed happy, and, as he was preparing to pay Homer, the rest of us began wondering what Bible verse Homer would quote. Well, the bell rang, the drawer popped open and Homer said, "He was a stranger and I took him in."

Concluded at The Temptation Of Jesus Christ-3

The Temptation Of Jesus Christ-2

I'm honored that you've allowed me to be a part of your Christian life. Please return often for fellowship, study and prayer. Thank you very much for visiting.

Love & Hugs,
Glen

This concludes The Temptation of Jesus Christ Biblical teaching. We learn in this lesson, to resist temptation, God gives us everything Jesus had...everything we need.