The story of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness features three temptations. It's a pretty solid narrative structure, but it also can be applied to more general situations that we find ourselves in.

First temptation is to go after short-term immediate gratification rather than trusting that God will provide what we need when we need it. We can have whatever we want whenever we want it without thinking about it. Whether it's buying something with one click on our online account, or upgrading our phones, we are conditioned to expect those desires to be fulfilled pretty immediately.

Second temptation is all about cutting corners, cheating the system in order to get what we want. We all have ambition - what's a little white lie here and there? Jesus is uncompromisingly committed to being the kind of person God wants him to be.

Third temptation is to jump - to test and see if God is as faithful as God says. We don't need to test God, for God is always with us.

Speaker: Aaron Vis

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

http://bible.com/events/49039133