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Sunday, March 6, 2022
Deut 26:1-11, Ps 91, Rom 10:4-13, Luke 4:1-13

SERMON 
Temptation for the Kingdom

Setting the Scene

Hunger - Stones are not Bread
What is the temptation?
Disordered Desire
To use appetite not as an indicator for life but as an indicator for pleasure.
Human response: He’s just hungry. He can make food how he wants. 
Spiritual retort: God has specially ordered creation so that it can spring forth life in proper order.
Rocks are not food. It is not in the proper order of creation for Jesus, by whom all things were made, to eat rocks. 

 Do not live by disordered desire (have ≠ want)
 Do not identify yourself by your desire

INSTEAD
Deuteronomy 8:3
This response of Jesus, this quotation seems like a non sequitur.
Trust in God begins with our appetite. 
“The Law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul” (Ps 19:7).
Live by what God commands, not by your desires.
Identify yourself by God’s commands, not by your desires. 

Glory and Authority - Don’t read the fine print
What is the temptation?
Power
Jesus is tempted to gain power through wrong means.
The temptation to do evil for the cause/sake of good. (consequentialism)
Imagine Jesus as Caesar
Read the fine print (facebook realities)
Notice when Joseph, was made second in command over Egypt, was given all the Glory and Authority of Egypt … what ultimately happened in Egypt? SLAVERY.

 Do not flex power. Do not take your talents for granted.
 Your talents/skills/abilities do not identify you. 

INSTEAD
Deuteronomy 6:10-15
:: The ends do not justify the means. The purpose of your life is the way you live your life, not what you accomplish. 
When you serve God, you will accomplish what God sets out for you to do. 
“But strive first for the kingdom of God .... (Matthew 6:33).

Life - Test
What is the temptation?
Arrogance - Take your life into your own hands

Where are they?
On the top of the temple's main tower, above the sanctuary proper, some 180 feet above ground, the location that artists and others using the traditional translation generally set the story.
If Jesus would just alter the plan, right here in front of everyone, he could prove God’s power and put his own life at risk, and prove to all the authorities. 

Satan quotes Psalm 91:12
12 They [the angels] shall bear you in their hands, *
that you hurt not your foot against a stone.

 Do not decide how God is going to work through you based on your desires/interests/opinions or on your power/talent/ability.

INSTEAD

Jesus quotes Deut 6:16
Deuteronomy 6:16

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

God has placed you right here. It is not an accident. 
What needs do you see around you? 
Jesus never asks someone if they feel called. 
Jesus never sets skill as a requirement of service. 

Instead of planning your life, surrender to God. 

Conclusions
How do we deal with temptation?
My power is made perfect in weakness …
Lead us not into temptation …
Flee from [sin].
Sin is ever knocking on your door, master it. 
Be dead to sin. 

Importance of daily confession
Doing confession with my toddlers
Reciting the 10 comm

Thank you for listening!
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