1. Tempted and Tried Vacation Bible School Luke 4:1-13

2. Song: Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder, why it should be thus, all the day long. Have you ever been tempted to do something that you knew was wrong? What excuses do you use to think it will be OK?

3. Temptations How do you feel when you know your being tempted? What are some ways you fight these temptations? Where do temptations come from? –Satan –Mean, wicked people –Internal, our mind, fleshly lusts –External, the world, movies, TV

4. Temptations Text – Luke 4:1-13 The Temptations of Jesus We are tempted in the same three ways that Jesus was tempted Temptations often come when we reach a new high point in life – marriage, baptism, graduate, promotion, etc. Temptation finds us when we are vulnerable

5. Temptations Jesus was introduced as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world He was baptized of John in Jordan God declared that He was well pleased with His Son Jesus is preparing to begin 3 years of ministry

6. DESIRE Luke 4:2 - being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. That is an understatement! How long have you gone without eating? Man on crane in Atlanta – 3 days

7. DESIRE QuestionQuestion: What would be wrong with this temptation? IF you are the Son of God – casting doubt about his person and mission Later Jesus turned water into wine, fed 4,000, 5,000, caught boats of fish What is the harm in turning a stone into a loaf of bread?

8. DESIRE Jesus Answers:Jesus Answers: IT IS WRITTEN Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - 2 And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.

9. DESIRE God wanted His people to depend on Him We must learn that God is the source of everything – physical and spiritual We must NOT depend on our own power We need God – Don’t forget that lesson. Jesus decided to submit to the Father

10. DESIRE “The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink every night.”

11. DESIRE “The most deadly appetites are not for the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of earth. For when these replace an appetite for God himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable, and almost incurable.” A Hunger for God, John Piper The devil attacks at our weakest point

12. DECEPTION Luke 4:5-7Luke 4:5-7 – 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

13. DECEPTION Shortcut to kingship – Worship me, I will give you the world Gain without the pain Jesus already knows what lies ahead – rejection, betrayal, denial, persecution, loneliness, humiliation, agony, desolation, death on the cross

14. DECEPTION What if we could by-pass all that and reach the same goal? In life – there is no shortcut Many of our temptations come because we want the shortcut –Lose weight and eat all you want to! –Tone your muscles without exercise!

15. DECEPTION Junk email – called “spam” “Diplomas from non-accredited universities. No tests, classes, books. Bachelors, masters, MBA, and doctorate diplomas available. No one is turned down.” “Become a legally ordained minister in 48 hours.”

16. DECEPTION Such offers are counterfeit, worthless There is no shortcut Satan can’t deliver what he promises Deuteronomy 6:13Jesus answers – Deuteronomy 6:13 - You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

17. DOUBT IF – Twice Satan seeks to cast doubt in Jesus’ mind Do you really believe the promises of God? Satan quotes Scripture – Psalm 91:11-12Psalm 91:11-12 – 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

18. DOUBT Satan asks: –Did God really say He would protect you? –Will He protect you like He promised? –With Eve – Did God really say - - ? Scripture can be twisted out of context God does not promise to protect you from stupidity Protect does not mean no harm ever

19. DOUBT Deuteronomy 6:16Jesus responds – Deuteronomy 6:16 - “You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah. Don’t test God We must refuse to test God Trust Him; Don’t test Him

20. JESUS UNDERSTANDS Hebrews 4:15Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Each temptation hits a common weakness in all of us

21. JESUS UNDERSTANDS Hebrews 4:15Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Each temptation hits a common weakness in all of us

22. JESUS UNDERSTANDS 1.Stones into bread – physical over spiritual 2.Kingdoms of the world – instant gratification, wealth, fame, power 3.Jump off temple – test God Hebrews 2:18 Hebrews 2:18 - For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

23. We have what we need EVERYTHING AVAILABLE TO JESUS TO HELP HIM OVERCOME TEMPTATION, WE HAVE TODAY!EVERYTHING AVAILABLE TO JESUS TO HELP HIM OVERCOME TEMPTATION, WE HAVE TODAY! Jesus knew the Word –When tempted – Quote Scripture –Can you quote a verse from the Bible?

24. We have what we need Jesus submitted to the Will of GodJesus submitted to the Will of God –Each answer was “It is written” –God’s answer is my answer Attuned to the Spirit – Luke 4:1 Attentive to the Word – Luke 4:4, 8, 12 Attended by angels – Matthew 4:11

25. If there is time left - THE OTHER “TEMPTATION”THE OTHER “TEMPTATION” TemptTempt – entice to do evil James 1:13 -James 1:13 - Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

26. If there is time left - TemptTempt – test, try, suffer, persecuted 1 Corinthians 10:131 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

27. If there is time left - When trials come to test your faith:When trials come to test your faith: –Rejoice – James 1:2 –Know – your faith will be stronger –Endure – James 1:13; Romans 5:3-4 –Ask – Seek God’s wisdom, James 1:5-6 –Develop patience – James 5:7-8