Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
May 20, 2018

Jesus Was Tempted, Too
by Bryan Gibson
Immediately after He was baptized by John, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” This series of temptations is recorded in Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; and Luke 4:1-13. Let’s see what we can learn from what happened.
The word of God gives us strength against temptation.
In response to each temptation, Jesus used the words, “it is written,” and then quoted a passage from God’s word. Using the word of God as part of His armor, He was able to “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11; see also 1 John 2:14; Psalms 119:9-11).
The devil looks for an opportune time to tempt us.
Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, when He was seemingly most vulnerable—after He had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. When Satan left Jesus, the text says “he departed from Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). Don’t expect anything different when he goes after us.
Resist the devil, and he will flee.
That promise is made in James 4:7, but illustrated in the temptations of Jesus. Jesus resisted Satan at every turn, and Satan left him—maybe not for good, but he did leave.
Man shall not live by bread alone.
That’s how Jesus responded to the temptation to turn stones into bread. There is much more to life than just what sustains us physically. “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25). “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33)—that’s what life is really all about. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Use what God has given for the purpose God intends.
Jesus had the power to turn those stones into bread, but to use that power strictly for his own benefit would be a misuse of it. In principle, we face this same temptation every day—to use what God has given us for a different purpose than He intends. Consider this one example: God has given us our bodies, but not to do with as we please (“the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord”—1 Corinthians 6:13).
Never tempt the Lord, or put Him on trial.
Jesus made this point to the devil, after the devil tried to get Him to throw Himself down off the pinnacle of the temple. God has forever proved his care for us by sending His Son to die on the cross (Romans 8:31-32). We don’t have to do things to see whether or not He cares for us. We don’t have to ask as the Israelites once did, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7). We’re the ones on trial here, not God.
No offer from Satan is worth losing our soul over.
All the kingdoms of the world and their glory—that’s what Satan offered Jesus, if Jesus would fall down and worship him. A particularly sly approach, because Jesus would ultimately be given dominion over all these kingdoms, just not by the means Satan proposed. He would first have to go the cross. Whatever Satan may offer, it’s not as valuable as our soul. He may even offer us a legitimate end to get us to use the wrong means. Don’t be talked into doing wrong, no matter what Satan may promise.

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.