[0.00 --> 14.42] Good morning, Hope. [16.56 --> 17.12] Wow. [18.22 --> 19.50] That was very encouraging. [19.64 --> 20.42] Good morning, Hope. [20.54 --> 20.86] Yes. [22.28 --> 23.60] It's good to see you too. [23.70 --> 24.28] Yes, I know. [25.28 --> 27.32] Were you expecting somebody else to come up? [27.44 --> 27.56] No. [27.56 --> 30.10] I guess it's been a while. [30.32 --> 31.04] Well, good morning. [31.48 --> 38.12] It's my privilege to continue our sermon series called The Good Fight, where we reflect on [38.12 --> 40.82] the very real fight that we are journeying through as Christians. [41.54 --> 46.30] Now, we journey through this fight, the spiritual warfare, we sometimes call it, against our [46.30 --> 52.08] flesh or sinful nature, against the world or the culture that seeks to live without [52.08 --> 52.56] God. [52.56 --> 59.82] And today, I get to talk about the devil, a being that seeks to split us away from God. [60.94 --> 66.86] And so, we have many names for this being, whether it be Satan, which is interestingly [66.86 --> 70.82] from Hebrew roots, shatan, which means adversary or enemy. [71.02 --> 72.12] That's what we call it, the enemy. [72.12 --> 79.36] Or, in our passage today, it's called the tempter, because the devil tries to trip up Jesus and God's [79.36 --> 79.70] people. [80.40 --> 84.80] Another name that we use is the devil, which comes from the Greek diabolos. [85.24 --> 88.46] And it has the meaning of splitting, as one commentator says. [88.96 --> 91.30] So, in another way, you could say he's the splitter. [92.06 --> 92.50] Of what? [92.50 --> 100.14] Splitter of relationships between us and God, between ourselves, between each other, and [100.14 --> 101.24] between all of creation. [101.38 --> 105.30] That's the fall, the rebellion against God and the fall of creation. [106.00 --> 112.26] And lastly, Jesus also calls it the father of lies in the Gospel of John, because the [112.26 --> 115.60] native tongue for the devil is lies and deception. [116.42 --> 117.56] Lies and deception. [117.56 --> 121.74] These names or titles reflect how the devil works. [122.32 --> 123.72] In other words, it's his MO. [124.16 --> 130.32] His character, his being itself, stands against everything that God beautifully designed as [130.32 --> 131.80] a reflection of his goodness. [132.48 --> 133.94] And he stands against that. [134.34 --> 137.56] Through lies and deception, he tries to break all of this down. [139.26 --> 144.60] And it's like, so thinking about lies and deception, the thing that popped into my head [144.60 --> 146.96] as I was preparing was commercials. [147.56 --> 151.84] And how they promise you happiness on a snippet of truth. [152.16 --> 153.88] It's not all false, not all of it. [154.22 --> 159.32] But based on a little tiny snippet of truth, they try to deceive you into tricking you to [159.32 --> 161.00] think their product is the best. [161.72 --> 167.04] And so, I actually Googled for this sermon the most deceptive commercial. [168.00 --> 170.36] And you know what one of the top results were? [171.92 --> 174.06] I won't name it, but it was a dating site. [174.06 --> 176.18] I won't name the specific dating site. [176.18 --> 182.04] But it's a dating site that promised you your perfect match based on scientific research. [182.74 --> 185.30] Now, this is actually based on real research. [185.62 --> 188.22] So, there is some truth to that. [188.22 --> 197.72] But it's deceptive when they had to create fake profiles to make your perfect match, bait you into paying for their services, [198.04 --> 200.12] and you end up being sad and broken again. [201.52 --> 206.82] And so, the best lies are the ones that are a twisting of the truth. [206.82 --> 209.06] And this is how the devil works. [209.76 --> 213.20] Not a blatant lie, but a twisting of the truth. [214.32 --> 219.96] And so, on that cheerful note, if you would turn with me to Matthew chapter 4, and we read from verse 1, [220.92 --> 224.28] on how our Savior Jesus was also tested in the wilderness. [225.78 --> 229.10] Matthew chapter 4, verse 1. [229.10 --> 235.24] Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [236.20 --> 239.80] After fasting 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry. [240.84 --> 242.40] The tempter came to him and said, [242.70 --> 246.16] If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. [246.90 --> 247.72] Jesus answered, [248.04 --> 248.58] It is written, [249.04 --> 253.18] Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. [253.18 --> 259.14] Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. [259.80 --> 261.64] If you are the Son of God, he said again, [262.00 --> 264.44] Throw yourself down, for it is written, [264.94 --> 267.04] He will command his angels concerning you, [267.20 --> 271.76] and they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against stone. [272.98 --> 273.84] Jesus answered, [274.34 --> 275.36] It is also written, [275.88 --> 278.12] Do not put the Lord your God to the test. [278.12 --> 285.34] Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. [286.04 --> 290.14] All of this I will give you, he said, if you will bow down and worship me. [290.78 --> 291.82] Jesus said to him, [292.40 --> 293.76] Away from me, Satan. [294.38 --> 295.16] For it is written, [295.82 --> 298.02] Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. [299.12 --> 301.96] Then the devil left him and angels came and attended him. [304.72 --> 307.80] Now on an initial reading of this text this time around, [308.12 --> 315.20] It was weird how the phrase that stuck out to me was this little part of the sentence where it says that Jesus was hungry. [316.30 --> 323.20] I highlighted this specific part of my Bible because it sounded so real down to earth for me. [324.36 --> 327.14] So after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights, [328.10 --> 328.96] Jesus was hungry. [329.50 --> 330.36] That's just fact. [330.72 --> 333.04] That he was really human, that he was really hungry. [333.04 --> 340.06] And I remember a time where my dad, in preparation of his, I think it was ordination, but whatever it was, [340.28 --> 342.82] He did a whole 40-day fasting as well. [343.20 --> 345.06] Now I don't know if he did the whole 40 days, [345.30 --> 349.14] But during that time, no one was to go around his little prayer room. [349.48 --> 350.38] Like that was his space. [350.44 --> 351.84] It was really dark and gloomy there. [352.24 --> 353.76] And he didn't seem too happy. [354.50 --> 355.62] He was very hungry. [356.10 --> 356.78] Very human. [356.78 --> 365.96] And it was a reminder for me that it, or it showed me, of how Jesus our Savior and the Son of God Himself that we glorify and worship, [366.96 --> 367.92] Was really human. [369.34 --> 374.88] He came, he became a human like us to be tempted and tested just as we are. [374.88 --> 381.90] And so with this real Jesus, who came to us as a real human being, [382.42 --> 388.02] Satan tempts Jesus, trying to split the relationship between Him and God. [389.24 --> 394.26] And this is what He does against us as well, through lies and deception again. [394.86 --> 398.88] And specifically, the lie or the twisting of the truth is, [399.46 --> 402.12] Our own God-given desire for goodness. [402.12 --> 409.32] And I would argue that every human being made in the image of God has this deep desire for goodness. [409.84 --> 411.54] This is a reflection of our designer. [412.22 --> 417.54] But what Satan does is he takes that natural, truthful desire for goodness, [418.24 --> 421.16] And he uses it to pull us away from God, [421.22 --> 424.62] Not to bring us closer in harmony and relationship with Him, [424.82 --> 425.88] Which is such an irony. [426.50 --> 428.34] Using the gift God gave us Himself, [428.72 --> 430.52] And using that to pull us away from God. [430.52 --> 431.82] And that's deception. [432.80 --> 437.04] Again, it's not a blatant or explicit lie telling you right in your face, [437.40 --> 439.20] Hey, betray God. [439.54 --> 441.56] Or betray your own convictions. [441.96 --> 443.70] Your own desires for goodness. [445.06 --> 448.90] Betray all that and live in a life of sadness and anxiety and depression. [450.40 --> 452.66] If that was Satan's method, [452.66 --> 457.14] I would think it would be a little bit easier to ward off. [457.14 --> 458.78] Because we know it's a lie. [459.82 --> 467.94] But why it's so deceitful is that he takes a snippet of truth again and twists it in a false idea or message. [467.94 --> 473.58] Before we get into the actual content of the temptations, [474.22 --> 478.74] Notice that Jesus is led into the wilderness right after the baptism. [478.74 --> 484.84] The conjunctive word that connects the chapter 3 to chapter 4 that we read is the word tote. [485.02 --> 486.06] It just means then. [486.70 --> 490.20] And it's a conjunction connecting Jesus' baptism [490.20 --> 494.22] And continuing straight into the wilderness for his temptation. [494.22 --> 498.40] Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. [498.40 --> 506.64] And this is important because there is a temptation to think that the natural or right path after being baptized [506.64 --> 510.86] Is now to live gloriously and triumphantly as new creation. [511.92 --> 513.72] That's the temptation to think that. [514.00 --> 516.02] That because I'm a Christian, everything is okay now. [517.00 --> 519.16] Just test that theory out right now. [519.80 --> 523.40] Was that the case for you after your baptism or your profession of faith? [523.40 --> 527.42] That all problems were gone and away with after you became a Christian? [529.50 --> 533.78] At the very least, Jesus, it wasn't the case for Jesus. [535.40 --> 539.26] God's Spirit himself leads Jesus into the wilderness [539.26 --> 542.94] So that he would be tested and tempted by the devil. [544.54 --> 546.18] God leads Jesus. [546.46 --> 548.46] God's Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness. [548.88 --> 551.18] And so I had to ask and kept asking, [551.18 --> 556.64] Why would God let Jesus or lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted? [557.02 --> 559.06] And then flip that around for ourselves. [559.76 --> 563.40] Why would God let us be tempted and tested? [564.26 --> 566.90] In the prayer that Jesus himself teaches us, [567.14 --> 568.82] He says to pray like this, [569.22 --> 573.16] Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [573.48 --> 577.10] So if that's our prayer, if that is our desperate desire, [577.10 --> 580.60] Then how come we are still tested and tempted? [583.26 --> 588.30] My hope this morning is that the answer is found as we faithfully witness [588.30 --> 591.46] To the temptations that Jesus himself faced, [591.82 --> 595.16] And more importantly, how he responded to these temptations. [595.94 --> 599.76] And so before expanding on that and answering the question here explicitly, [600.18 --> 601.76] Allow me to leave you in suspense. [602.02 --> 604.12] Because I promise you, based on God's Word, [604.42 --> 605.66] It is good news for us. [605.66 --> 608.60] So the first temptation, [609.34 --> 612.36] The tempter tests Jesus through a weak spot. [613.42 --> 613.88] His hunger. [614.96 --> 616.02] Very real human. [616.36 --> 617.60] Came to be tested like us, [617.64 --> 618.94] And he fasted for 40 days. [619.14 --> 619.98] Now he's hungry. [620.44 --> 623.24] And so Satan pokes at that weakness, [623.58 --> 626.66] And challenges Jesus' own identity. [627.18 --> 628.32] So what does he say here? [628.62 --> 629.02] He says, [629.36 --> 630.84] If you are the Son of God, [631.24 --> 633.74] Or another translation, you could even say it like this, [633.74 --> 636.58] Since you are the Son of God, [637.16 --> 638.00] Feed yourself. [640.00 --> 643.90] He's not saying here that you are not the Son of God, Jesus. [644.64 --> 645.90] That's not his deception. [646.26 --> 646.82] He's saying, [647.46 --> 648.62] You are the Son of God. [648.74 --> 649.98] I know that you believe, [650.06 --> 651.52] You think you are the Son of God. [651.68 --> 652.74] So prove it. [653.50 --> 654.58] Prove it for yourself. [655.54 --> 657.12] You've now just been baptized, [657.46 --> 659.82] Anointed as the Messiah to save the whole world. [659.82 --> 662.76] Making stones into bread should be nothing. [662.90 --> 664.50] I mean, you did it with the water into wine. [665.46 --> 666.72] This should be nothing for you. [667.06 --> 667.78] So prove it. [667.96 --> 668.82] Prove your identity. [671.18 --> 672.66] It's a twisting of the truth. [673.06 --> 676.36] Challenging Jesus' true identity as the Son of God. [676.74 --> 679.22] Do something spectacular so you know for sure. [680.40 --> 681.80] That's the temptation here. [682.66 --> 684.04] This might be a silly example, [684.16 --> 685.68] But as I was reflecting on this, [685.68 --> 686.64] It occurred to me, [686.76 --> 689.64] It would be like asking Lionel Messi, [689.78 --> 691.50] Like one of the greatest soccer players in the world. [691.74 --> 693.72] It would be like going and asking him [693.72 --> 694.88] To score a goal, [695.10 --> 696.68] Playing against a whole bunch of kids. [697.06 --> 698.48] Which sometimes it feels that way, [698.60 --> 699.64] Him playing in the MLS. [700.02 --> 700.68] No offense. [701.12 --> 701.34] But, [702.06 --> 704.10] It's like asking him to go score a goal, [704.30 --> 706.84] To prove that you're one of the greatest soccer players in the world. [708.28 --> 709.42] That's a silly question. [709.76 --> 712.20] Because Messi doesn't have to go score a goal, [712.20 --> 716.38] Playing against kids to prove his identity as a good soccer player. [717.04 --> 717.96] Unless what? [719.44 --> 721.02] Unless he doubts it. [722.04 --> 724.46] Unless he doubts his identity. [725.22 --> 726.98] And now turn this around on ourselves. [727.60 --> 731.88] If we doubt our own self-identity as God's children, [732.74 --> 737.22] We may be faced with temptations to try and prove our identity. [737.22 --> 740.04] Do something spectacular, [740.58 --> 744.22] So that you know for sure that you are really God's child. [746.72 --> 747.28] So, [747.58 --> 748.04] For me, [748.28 --> 749.88] Simply thinking about this, [749.96 --> 751.16] It was this simple phrase, [751.66 --> 754.28] Instead of loving because we are loved, [754.82 --> 757.34] Which would be to live out our God-given identity. [757.86 --> 758.00] So, [758.36 --> 761.12] Instead of loving because we are first loved, [761.56 --> 765.18] It would be like loving to be loved by God. [765.50 --> 766.94] Trying to prove that identity. [767.22 --> 769.80] So, [769.80 --> 771.00] So now we turn to our Savior. [771.86 --> 774.28] How does Jesus respond in the face of doubt? [775.18 --> 775.94] Well, first of all, [776.26 --> 777.80] In all three temptations, [778.20 --> 780.84] Jesus uses the only weapon that he has, [781.10 --> 782.30] The sword of the Spirit, [782.46 --> 783.62] Which is the word of God. [784.14 --> 785.46] That's very important to note. [785.86 --> 788.02] Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy, [788.10 --> 789.58] A part of the passage that reads, [790.22 --> 791.18] He humbled you, [791.68 --> 792.80] Causing you to hunger, [793.02 --> 794.40] And then feeding you with manna, [794.40 --> 797.42] Which neither you nor your ancestors had known, [797.96 --> 799.70] To teach you that man, [800.16 --> 801.02] Or more literally, [801.18 --> 801.68] Ha'adam, [801.74 --> 802.44] So the human, [803.06 --> 806.52] To teach you that the human does not live on bread alone, [806.72 --> 809.38] But on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. [809.38 --> 814.10] What Jesus is telling the devil is that God's children, [814.76 --> 816.54] And himself as the Son of God, [816.90 --> 819.02] Live in full trust in him. [819.84 --> 823.44] That we don't use our God-given identity for our own purposes. [823.44 --> 827.26] It is a calling to fully trust in God. [828.32 --> 830.56] And so in a response to a temptation of doubt, [831.66 --> 834.04] We can answer with Jesus, [834.38 --> 837.28] And stand against this temptation, [837.74 --> 839.22] Resist this temptation, [839.76 --> 840.36] To say, [840.72 --> 842.02] Are you really God's child? [843.66 --> 844.74] Yes, I am. [845.82 --> 848.68] I fully trust that God loves me, [848.76 --> 850.38] And that I am his child. [850.38 --> 855.14] We have our hope in our Savior and our God, [855.36 --> 856.64] Who is the bread of life. [857.84 --> 859.28] He is our only hope. [860.96 --> 862.42] And then at this point, [862.56 --> 865.12] I picture Satan kind of responding like this. [865.90 --> 866.72] Alright, fine. [866.84 --> 867.70] Great comeback, Jesus. [868.56 --> 871.94] You're right when you say that you are to fully trust God as God's children. [871.94 --> 876.14] But if you say that you live by God's word, [876.60 --> 879.54] Then jump off the top of this holy temple here. [879.86 --> 881.72] Because the word that you quoted, [881.82 --> 882.92] I'm going to quote myself, [883.32 --> 885.72] From God's holy scripture itself, [886.06 --> 886.86] It says, [888.36 --> 890.66] He will command his angels concerning you, [890.92 --> 892.88] And they will lift you up in their hands, [892.96 --> 895.22] So that you will not strike your foot against the stone. [895.22 --> 899.44] Satan, I should say, [899.74 --> 902.82] Is using again a snippet of truth and perverting it. [903.36 --> 903.74] Saying, [903.92 --> 905.56] Hey, the Bible you quoted, [905.68 --> 906.62] I'm quoting as well. [907.10 --> 910.20] The Bible says that you will be provided and protected for. [910.76 --> 911.78] So jump off. [912.34 --> 915.00] Again, it's the same temptation, isn't it? [915.60 --> 916.58] Prove your identity. [917.84 --> 919.30] Prove you are the son of God. [919.78 --> 920.78] Because it says, [921.06 --> 922.84] God's children will be protected for. [922.84 --> 926.44] The key here, [926.68 --> 928.76] Just like the temptation from before, [929.02 --> 933.88] Is to know and name the purpose behind Satan's temptation. [935.02 --> 936.30] What's his purpose? [936.64 --> 937.86] What does he stand for? [939.52 --> 944.26] He is trying to split the relationship between God the Father here, [944.40 --> 945.32] And God the Son. [946.04 --> 948.22] That's the purpose behind the temptation. [949.32 --> 950.06] In other words, [950.06 --> 954.18] If Jesus were to try and prove his identity by jumping off a roof, [954.44 --> 955.04] And in turn, [955.22 --> 957.16] Forcing God to act to protect him, [957.70 --> 961.80] It would be to prioritize his own privilege as God's son, [962.14 --> 963.34] Over and against, [963.50 --> 963.74] Again, [964.52 --> 965.94] Fully trusting in him. [966.66 --> 967.96] Fully trusting in God. [968.02 --> 969.04] That's what we're called for. [969.28 --> 970.74] But here in this temptation, [971.20 --> 972.14] It's to challenge, [972.42 --> 973.68] And flip that hierarchy, [973.90 --> 974.84] And say, [975.14 --> 975.96] And tempting us, [975.96 --> 978.48] If you really are the son of God, [978.52 --> 980.10] If you are God's child, [980.58 --> 981.70] You have to prove it. [982.34 --> 983.56] Make God act. [983.56 --> 990.02] You could think that jumping off the roof, [990.28 --> 990.58] Now, [990.66 --> 991.32] When I was younger, [991.44 --> 994.22] This is sometimes how I thought of in this temptation. [995.40 --> 996.46] Jumping off a roof, [996.54 --> 998.46] Isn't that like taking a leap of faith? [998.76 --> 1000.26] Like literally and figuratively? [1000.94 --> 1002.76] That you're testing your own faith? [1002.84 --> 1003.84] You're not testing God. [1004.08 --> 1005.06] Why would Jesus say that? [1005.28 --> 1006.74] You're testing your own faith [1006.74 --> 1009.02] To see if you really believe in God or not. [1009.02 --> 1013.46] But in this context, [1014.20 --> 1016.98] The specific purpose behind Satan's temptation [1016.98 --> 1018.92] Is to flip that hierarchy, [1019.12 --> 1022.26] To split that relationship between God the Father and the Son. [1022.72 --> 1028.00] Because it really is a testing and manipulating of God [1028.00 --> 1029.74] To follow our agenda. [1030.60 --> 1032.66] Not to fully trust in him. [1032.90 --> 1034.14] So in a simpler way, [1034.60 --> 1036.74] It would be to simply ask the question here. [1036.74 --> 1042.12] Do we follow God and fully trust in him? [1042.26 --> 1042.78] Bless you. [1043.74 --> 1046.50] Do we follow God and fully trust in God? [1047.00 --> 1047.46] Or, [1048.30 --> 1052.06] Do we require God to follow us [1052.06 --> 1053.56] In our own agendas? [1054.46 --> 1055.96] That's the temptation. [1056.34 --> 1059.70] The latter is what the devil is trying to entice from Jesus. [1061.74 --> 1063.90] And then applying this to our lives, [1064.28 --> 1065.60] I think to myself, [1065.60 --> 1068.68] Do we not do that sometimes in our own faith journeys? [1069.54 --> 1071.84] Do we always trust in God, [1072.02 --> 1074.50] Even if life looks dark and gloomy? [1075.82 --> 1076.38] Or, [1076.56 --> 1081.12] Do we demand that God follow our agenda [1081.12 --> 1083.04] Because we have tithed enough, [1083.28 --> 1083.94] Prayed enough, [1084.06 --> 1085.04] Gone to church enough? [1086.12 --> 1089.70] Do we demand that God now follow our own agendas [1089.70 --> 1091.38] And somehow fix all of our problems [1091.38 --> 1093.32] Because we have done all these things? [1093.32 --> 1097.30] In our weakness and desperation, [1097.30 --> 1099.50] We seek God's healing and guidance, [1099.60 --> 1100.26] Of course. [1100.82 --> 1103.22] And this is out of trust in his ultimate wisdom. [1104.34 --> 1105.54] We fully trust in him. [1105.66 --> 1106.70] That is a truth. [1106.98 --> 1110.26] But do we sometimes even take this truth [1110.26 --> 1112.32] And pervert it in a way [1112.32 --> 1115.22] Where we require him to follow us [1115.22 --> 1116.44] Instead of us following him? [1116.44 --> 1120.14] And notice something very significant here. [1120.38 --> 1123.76] Because Jesus says that the most important commandments in the Bible are, [1124.60 --> 1125.30] Love God, [1125.78 --> 1126.36] Love neighbor. [1126.66 --> 1128.68] And I love how this commentator pointed this out. [1129.02 --> 1129.80] Simple fact, [1130.18 --> 1131.86] Jumping off the top of a roof [1131.86 --> 1133.22] And testing God [1133.22 --> 1135.18] Does neither of these things. [1137.18 --> 1139.46] Testing God by jumping off a roof [1139.46 --> 1141.76] Does neither loving God more [1141.76 --> 1143.60] Or loving our neighbors more. [1143.60 --> 1146.14] So what's the point? [1146.78 --> 1149.88] Well, the point was for Satan to try to split that relationship. [1152.92 --> 1155.66] And finally, we come to the last temptation. [1156.22 --> 1157.88] As one commentator titled it, [1158.24 --> 1160.86] Challenging Jesus' love for God's world. [1161.98 --> 1167.00] And this temptation is a challenge against the core of Jesus' own vocation. [1167.00 --> 1170.42] He came to save the world that was lost [1170.42 --> 1172.54] Because it was broken in sin. [1173.90 --> 1175.90] That was his job, you can say. [1177.14 --> 1178.52] And Satan here [1178.52 --> 1182.72] Is perversely offering that completion of the job [1182.72 --> 1184.04] To Jesus [1184.04 --> 1187.38] Only if he would bow and worship Satan. [1188.86 --> 1190.08] I'll give you this world. [1190.16 --> 1191.06] You came to save it. [1191.14 --> 1191.94] I'll give it to you. [1192.30 --> 1193.62] Just bow and worship me. [1194.98 --> 1196.56] Do you see the purpose behind it now? [1197.20 --> 1198.10] What's he trying to do? [1198.40 --> 1200.68] If Jesus were to bow down and worship Satan, [1201.44 --> 1202.44] That would be, again, [1202.56 --> 1204.86] Breaking that relationship between him and God. [1204.86 --> 1206.84] Because God is the only one [1206.84 --> 1210.62] Who is deserving of all praise and worship. [1211.60 --> 1212.94] Breaking of the relationship. [1215.24 --> 1218.02] Satan is tempting us as well, [1218.12 --> 1219.20] Like he did to Jesus. [1220.00 --> 1222.60] Tempting us to think that when we are successful, [1223.32 --> 1225.30] And when our work advances, [1225.30 --> 1229.92] Then the glory of God automatically advances as well. [1230.18 --> 1231.78] This is the subtlety here. [1232.40 --> 1235.82] It is one thing to do our best to be faithful to God's calling, [1236.14 --> 1238.58] Wherever he calls us to. [1239.02 --> 1240.40] Whatever he calls us to. [1241.20 --> 1246.24] The truth is that doing our best does reflect God's goodness through our lives. [1246.24 --> 1247.84] That is a truth. [1247.84 --> 1249.80] But this same truth, [1249.92 --> 1251.68] This same vocation or calling, [1252.00 --> 1254.40] Can be turned quickly into an idol [1254.40 --> 1257.04] When we would do absolutely anything [1257.04 --> 1259.08] To not let it fail. [1259.08 --> 1263.28] The lies that we sometimes believe, [1264.00 --> 1265.62] You need to be successful, [1266.06 --> 1267.82] Otherwise God will not love you. [1268.16 --> 1269.10] Or the lie, [1269.54 --> 1272.76] You are only as good as you are successful at your job. [1272.76 --> 1277.10] That is a blatant lie. [1277.10 --> 1278.96] But it's a deceptive lie. [1279.10 --> 1280.78] Because we can always think to ourselves, [1281.04 --> 1282.54] But I'm doing all this for God. [1284.72 --> 1286.74] This is all for God's glory, isn't it? [1287.86 --> 1289.48] No, it's not for my pride. [1289.72 --> 1290.98] No, it's for God. [1291.36 --> 1293.14] And we keep deceiving. [1293.26 --> 1296.36] We have the temptation of deceiving ourselves with that. [1299.02 --> 1300.82] We belong to God. [1301.24 --> 1303.46] And as Jesus proclaims from Scripture again, [1303.58 --> 1309.20] The ultimate truth is that only God is worthy to be served and worshipped. [1310.80 --> 1314.70] And this God that we worship loves us unconditionally, [1315.18 --> 1316.74] No matter where we are. [1317.80 --> 1320.42] And we are called to trust fully in Him. [1323.14 --> 1325.98] And then at the end of our passage, [1326.10 --> 1326.46] It says, [1326.94 --> 1327.92] The devil left Him, [1328.12 --> 1330.22] And angels came and attended to Him. [1332.74 --> 1335.72] So to fully loop back to the question that I posed earlier, [1337.00 --> 1341.32] Why does God allow Jesus and us in our own Christian journeys [1341.32 --> 1342.72] Go through temptations? [1343.76 --> 1348.06] What is the purpose behind God allowing us to suffer through temptations [1348.06 --> 1348.82] Is the question. [1349.66 --> 1351.84] And the answer to temptations is the question. [1351.84 --> 1354.18] And the answer to this, [1354.26 --> 1357.20] As we witness to Jesus facing His own temptations, [1357.46 --> 1361.64] We know and our calling is to trust fully in God's ways. [1362.12 --> 1366.00] Because God's ways is with the purpose of testing us [1366.00 --> 1367.72] To build us up, [1368.04 --> 1371.86] To shape and equip us to live in His love. [1373.60 --> 1376.02] Satan's purpose is to tear down, [1376.38 --> 1377.56] Break apart relationships. [1377.56 --> 1380.90] God's purpose behind all that we go through, [1381.10 --> 1382.58] All that we would suffer through, [1383.06 --> 1384.32] Is to build us up, [1384.92 --> 1385.76] Strengthen us, [1385.88 --> 1386.48] Train us, [1386.58 --> 1388.82] Because our own sinful natures, [1389.04 --> 1390.96] Our own disordered desires, [1391.40 --> 1392.62] Our flesh we call it, [1392.84 --> 1394.70] The world that pulls us away from God, [1394.78 --> 1396.06] And the devil himself, [1396.34 --> 1398.70] That is always constantly trying to break down, [1398.94 --> 1399.72] And deceive us, [1399.78 --> 1401.30] And break our relationship with God. [1401.30 --> 1403.50] God knows that's what we face, [1403.64 --> 1408.00] And that's why God always strengthens us, [1408.08 --> 1409.78] By His Holy Spirit, [1410.14 --> 1411.74] To build us up, [1412.66 --> 1414.04] Not tear us down. [1415.72 --> 1416.94] In other words, [1417.28 --> 1420.22] God does not give us anything that we cannot handle, [1420.54 --> 1422.94] With the power that He gifts us with. [1422.94 --> 1426.52] That is the good news, [1426.58 --> 1427.00] Isn't it? [1427.74 --> 1430.76] Because Jesus did not suffer on the cross, [1430.76 --> 1432.46] To end in the grave. [1432.82 --> 1435.48] Jesus did not go and suffer through temptations, [1435.56 --> 1436.24] Just like us, [1436.36 --> 1438.12] To end up in doubt, [1438.54 --> 1439.80] In doubting His own identity. [1440.92 --> 1442.68] Jesus went through all these things, [1442.94 --> 1444.52] And defeated devil, [1444.80 --> 1445.36] And Satan, [1445.56 --> 1446.34] And the world, [1446.52 --> 1446.96] And sin, [1447.10 --> 1448.06] Once and for all. [1448.06 --> 1450.76] This Savior, [1451.86 --> 1452.74] This Jesus, [1453.14 --> 1454.58] Is the one who is with us, [1454.60 --> 1455.44] And is for us. [1457.64 --> 1460.86] And since He has already defeated Satan, [1461.76 --> 1462.80] We are therefore, [1463.44 --> 1465.98] Even if we may feel like sometimes, [1466.16 --> 1467.82] Our trials are too challenging, [1467.94 --> 1469.66] Or too daunting for us to handle, [1470.14 --> 1471.74] We can overcome it. [1471.96 --> 1473.48] We can resist it. [1474.12 --> 1475.62] Not by our own strength, [1475.62 --> 1477.40] But by the strength of Him, [1477.40 --> 1479.84] Who empowers us by His own spirit. [1480.96 --> 1482.10] He is our hope. [1482.48 --> 1485.12] And we get to live into that same simple truth. [1486.10 --> 1487.34] Trust in Him. [1488.06 --> 1489.44] Trust in God's ways. [1491.50 --> 1494.58] And so as I want to conclude our message this morning, [1494.64 --> 1495.52] My message this morning, [1495.92 --> 1497.24] Three encouragements for us, [1497.28 --> 1501.56] As we face our real temptation through our real lives. [1502.42 --> 1502.78] One, [1503.28 --> 1504.32] First encouragement, [1504.32 --> 1507.38] Read and depend on God's word. [1507.38 --> 1508.70] This is our weapon. [1509.26 --> 1511.40] It is called the sword of the spirit in Ephesians. [1512.66 --> 1514.58] There is power in God's word, [1514.86 --> 1519.46] And there is power the more we rely and depend on our Savior through His word. [1521.06 --> 1523.62] Jesus faced His temptations relying on Scripture. [1524.48 --> 1525.72] We are called to do the same. [1527.40 --> 1527.66] Second, [1528.16 --> 1531.12] Surround yourselves with other brothers and sisters of faith. [1531.12 --> 1533.62] There is power in community. [1534.04 --> 1536.90] You don't even need to be Christian to know this objective fact. [1537.74 --> 1539.60] There is power when you face struggles, [1539.88 --> 1542.10] When you are in community together. [1542.66 --> 1547.12] How much more power is there when you know that other brothers and sisters of faith, [1547.26 --> 1549.26] Who depend on God themselves, [1549.62 --> 1550.68] Are journeying with you, [1550.76 --> 1555.06] Are facing the same struggles and temptations that you are as well. [1555.06 --> 1557.50] We journey together. [1557.68 --> 1560.08] We are called as a family of God, [1560.22 --> 1561.64] Not just as individuals. [1563.12 --> 1563.70] And lastly, [1564.52 --> 1565.34] Through prayer. [1566.44 --> 1566.90] Prayer. [1567.88 --> 1570.76] Now it's not explicitly mentioned in our passage, [1571.48 --> 1573.20] But I think it's safe to assume [1573.20 --> 1577.68] That Jesus was not just hiking as He was doing His 40-day fasting. [1578.30 --> 1579.38] He was praying. [1579.38 --> 1583.34] He was abiding with His heavenly Father through prayer. [1584.14 --> 1586.16] Total dependence in Him. [1588.04 --> 1590.58] And these spiritual practices that are named, [1590.66 --> 1594.46] Among a whole bunch of other spiritual practices that we can do, [1595.30 --> 1599.08] These are not just some self-help methods just to get healthier. [1599.40 --> 1600.94] That's not the ultimate goal. [1601.92 --> 1603.90] See how even this truth can be twisted? [1604.40 --> 1607.10] If you're just wanting to end up being a healthier person, [1607.10 --> 1608.58] And that's the ultimate goal. [1609.24 --> 1610.12] Then at the end of the day, [1610.18 --> 1610.96] You might be thinking, [1611.14 --> 1612.18] Oh, I don't need God then. [1613.64 --> 1615.42] That's another twisting of the truth. [1615.86 --> 1619.14] But these habits of faith that we journey with, [1619.92 --> 1624.92] These are constant physical, mental, emotional, spiritual reminders [1624.92 --> 1627.18] That you belong to God. [1628.18 --> 1629.90] Reminders of your true identity. [1629.90 --> 1631.64] That you belong to Him. [1631.98 --> 1635.32] And that the devil's schemes and his lies and his temptations [1635.32 --> 1636.82] Are at the end of the day, [1637.02 --> 1638.06] They are pointless. [1638.46 --> 1639.36] They are powerless. [1642.06 --> 1644.64] So hope, abide with God, [1645.16 --> 1646.40] Through His word, [1646.84 --> 1647.74] With His people, [1647.88 --> 1648.68] And through prayer. [1650.68 --> 1653.96] For, and now I want to end by quoting Hebrews, [1653.96 --> 1657.40] For we do not have a high priest in Jesus, [1657.96 --> 1660.46] Who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, [1660.96 --> 1663.94] But we have one who has been tempted in every way, [1664.40 --> 1665.44] Just as we are. [1666.14 --> 1667.64] Yet, He did not sin. [1669.32 --> 1673.14] Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, [1673.82 --> 1677.24] So that we may receive mercy and find grace [1677.24 --> 1679.88] To help us in our time of need. [1680.88 --> 1681.32] Amen. [1682.10 --> 1682.58] Amen. [1682.58 --> 1683.22] Let's pray. [1693.62 --> 1694.44] Loving Father, [1694.56 --> 1695.62] We come before You [1695.62 --> 1698.20] In humility and independence, [1698.84 --> 1700.06] Because Lord, [1700.68 --> 1703.02] We can only face our trials, [1703.16 --> 1704.02] Our temptations, [1704.38 --> 1705.84] And we can only resist them [1705.84 --> 1707.94] By the power You allow us to have. [1707.94 --> 1712.52] So just as we prayed in our prayers of confession, [1712.98 --> 1715.68] Just as we have sung in our worship, [1716.82 --> 1718.22] Lord, we need You. [1719.36 --> 1720.82] We need Your love, [1720.88 --> 1722.08] And we need Your power [1722.08 --> 1724.04] To guide us, [1724.86 --> 1727.60] And to empower us through our everyday journeys [1727.60 --> 1728.42] As Your children. [1728.42 --> 1734.32] So I pray over all the temptations and addictions and brokenness over our lives, [1734.56 --> 1737.84] And that by the power You grant us in Your name, [1738.36 --> 1740.26] We would be able to face them, [1740.52 --> 1741.32] And resist them, [1741.38 --> 1745.00] And overcome everything with the hope that we have in You. [1745.68 --> 1746.98] You are our confidence. [1747.48 --> 1748.90] You are our only hope. [1748.90 --> 1750.96] We come before You [1750.96 --> 1753.58] In needing, [1753.70 --> 1754.88] In desperate need [1754.88 --> 1756.26] For Your guidance. [1756.82 --> 1757.44] Once again. [1758.34 --> 1759.64] We thank You for the truth. [1759.98 --> 1761.48] We thank You for this good news. [1762.92 --> 1764.22] We thank You for Your love. [1764.44 --> 1765.42] In Jesus' name we pray. [1766.00 --> 1766.28] Amen. [1766.28 --> 1770.22] I invite you to stand as we sing our song response. [1770.22 --> 1770.70] Amen. [1770.70 --> 1800.68] Thank you.