Matthew Chapter 3:13-4:11 "Living Righteously & Fighting Temptation"

INTRODUCTION INTO STUDY In this study we’ll be looking at the end of Matthew chapter 3 and the first section of chapter 4. In the end of chapter 3 we find Jesus with John The Baptist being baptized. Then in chapter 4 we’re able to read about Jesus, God in human form, being tempted – something we all face, but unlike us, He handles it perfectly - giving us the perfect example to follow in our own temptations. It really feels like there’s enough to dive into here that we could spend days on end looking at each section. However, we’re going to try to narrow things down into a few overarching points, but first let’s read through the passage and talk about what we see: SCRIPTURE READING & OBSERVATIONS Read Matthew Ch. 3:13-17 >> Ch. 3 verses 13-15 Isn’t this interesting. Jesus, wasn’t too good for baptism or to be baptized by John? As we grow in our Christian walks and ministries we often find ourselves too good for a lot of Christian practices. We can get so Christian we feel we don’t need church, we don’t need a Bible study, etc. We forget that as Christ joined together with others in fellowship we should be doing the same. We forget that to be Christ-like is to literally follow in His footsteps. We stop looking at the opportunities at hand as ways to worship our God, or ways to spread His word, but rather we look at them through self-centered eyes. Think of how often we ignore our Christian brothers and sisters because of their age, or because we feel they’re not as advanced as we are. Maybe they lack the spiritual and biblical understanding we have, so we view them as offering nothing at all. Well, maybe we should approach ministry and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ a bit more humbly. Maybe we should be like Christ and use our opportunities to not compare ourselves, but to be an example to others. Maybe we should allow the brothers and sisters God has aligned us with to be blessings to us and enablers to fulfilling God’s commands. Lastly, in verse 15 notice that baptism isn’t looked at as a choice. It’s considered a way to “fulfill all righteousness.” Seems pretty important doesn’t it? Why might you be holding off on getting baptized? Repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38)! Don’t ignore this. Throughout the New Testament baptism is tightly tied to salvation itself. Ch. 3 verse 16-17 This is an amazing passage. What a demonstration of the trinity working together – the Father confirms, the Son is active, the Spirit is sent down by the Father onto the Son. This is a perfect example of what each of us is able to receive through accepting Christ – through believing in Him and being baptized with the Holy Spirit. We become sons and daughters of the Father in our acceptance of Christ (Romans 3:22-26), and when in this relationship God blesses us with the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:13).

Read Matthew Ch. 4:1-11 >>

Ch. 4 verse 1 The Spirit led Jesus up to the wilderness to be tempted? Hm? Could this be a bit of God allowing Him to be sharpened (James 1:2-3). Could it be so Jesus could even better understand the struggles of man so He could be a truly compassionate intercessor between us and the Father (Hebrews 4:15, Romans 8:34)? Could it be that God wanted us to have an example to look to when we go through the temptations of our life? What if we began looking at temptation as a way to honor God by choosing Him over our alternative desires? What if we began looking at temptation as a way to sharpen ourselves and to become more Christ-like? Just think of the love we can display to God when we win our battles with temptation. Just think of the change we could begin to see in our own lives when we choose God over temptation. Is there anything that feels better than when someone you care about chooses to spend time with you over someone else? Is there anything that makes you feel more special than when someone chooses to make a sacrifice for you, because they love and care about you? Every temptation is a chance to say “God, I love and choose you.” Every temptation is also a chance to unshackle yourself from another lust or desire you know is wrong. It’s a chance to redirect your heart in the direction of life! Ch. 4 verse 2 We’re to be Christ-like but almost none of us have ever fasted for more than a meal, let alone 40 days! If Christ fasted, why don’t we? Is it just because it’s uncomfortable? Might it mess up our weekend dinner plans? Might it mess up that workout routine we started? Well the truth is, without God and His grace on us, we would not even have these things to sacrifice. God has given to us, so let’s give back to Him! Ch. 4 verses 2-3 Isn’t this the Satan we have all come to know so well? He loves to meet us in our weakness doesn’t he? When we’re tired, hungry, bored, sad, lonely, and so on, you better believe Satan is close behind. How the great deceiver likes to work – “well if you’re feeling this, then just do that…if you need this, then go ahead and do this!” It’s always so simple isn’t it? When else does Satan show up? Doesn’t he seem to love showing up when we’re trying to get closer to God? Here Christ just finished fasting and Satan quickly shows up. In our lives we might go to a worship service and see someone from our past we’re hoping not to see, and next thing we know Satan is in our head and we’re distracted through each and every song. Maybe we’ve set aside time to dive into the Scripture and meditate on it, but then our phone begins to ring off the hook, and then we notice we have new messages and suddenly God is going to have to wait. Also, doesn’t Satan loves to play our pride against us as he does here to Jesus? He might not ask us to turn rock to bread, but we might hear “Hey, you’re a good looking man or woman right? You work hard to be fit and keep up with the current trends? Well your husband / wife isn’t here, so what’s wrong with getting some acknowledgement for what you’ve accomplished? You deserve attention don’t you? Yes you do! So go on over and talk to that guy or girl who has been checking you out. It’s harmless and you’ve earned this! Really, it’s your right!” It’s a tricky and slippery slope playing into the hand of satan, isn’t it? Ch. 4 verse 4 How does Jesus answer this temptation? He answers with Scripture. The sword of the Spirit – the word of God. This is the one weapon we’re given as listed in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:17). Well, if we’ve been given a weapon – let’s use it! Let’s learn how to use our weapon; let’s get good with our weapon! Don’t expect to be an elite swordsman from day one either. It takes practice and time. Lots and lots of practice. So let’s get into the Word and spend time in the Word! Ch. 4 verse 5 There’s no question, Satan has real power in this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). Ch. 4 verse 7 How does Jesus answer this next temptation? Again He answers with Scripture. Ch. 4 verse 8-10 Look what Satan offers Jesus here. Satan offers amazing gifts of power and possession. Whether Satan can or can’t give it to us, how often are we deceived and tempted with potential success or gratification, which we know will cause us to turn from God? Maybe your boss thinks your biggest competitor at work has messed up, but you know it wasn’t them who made the mistake. Still you slyly spread the rumor so you get the next promotion as they lose favor. What have you done? You have killed any potential witness you have to that individual, and possibly your whole work place, if the truth comes out! What if this chapter read differently and we saw Christ give into temptation? We wouldn’t be studying this Scripture right now! None of it would make any sense. Isn’t it amazing that sin can have such incredible ramifications? Luckily our Savior is flawless and a perfect example. He is blameless, and that’s why He was the sacrifice that covered all of our sins (1 John 2:2). Lastly, how does Jesus handle this final temptation? He again recites the Scripture. Ch. 4 vs 11 Finally, after once again being pushed away with Scripture, Satan gives up. Then what happens? The angels come and minister to a tired and hungry Jesus.

Don’t we receive this same love in our time of pain and need (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)? When we are one with God we can find amazing comfort even in death. Just look at Stephen as he was stoned to death - he was seems to be at peace (Acts 7:54-60). Ch. 4 vs 3-11 Now as we finish this section there are a couple of overall points I think we should look at:

1. Satan knows the Scripture. The demons know who Christ is and they deeply fear Him (Mark 5:7). That’s why it’s so important to test the spirits (1 John 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:21), because the Word can be manipulated. Just because someone is preaching the Word doesn’t mean they are a Christian - they can literally be no better than the devil himself. Aren’t we living in a time that is full of this? Scripture is constantly being manipulated and taken out of context.

2. Next, look at how Satan approaches temptation. He tempts, and tempts, and tempts – he does not give up easily. So, in our lives, be ready to fight through more than just one temptation. We need to persevere and be ready!

TAKEAWAYS So what can we take away from these passages? It feels like the list could go on forever, but here are a few points I think we can focus on:

1. We can never be too righteous to follow God’s commands – Looking at Jesus’s approach to both baptism and John The Baptist, we can easily be convicted. How often do we refuse to sing along to worship because we feel the worship isn’t up to our standards? We’re called to worship and glorify God, not to judge performance and vocal quality (1 Chronicles 16:23-31). How often do we turn our minds off when a younger Christian begins to speak at a Bible study or a church event? Don’t we see that age (1 Timothy 4:11-14), and the length of one’s Christian walk doesn’t always determining their understanding of the Scripture? Just imagine if Paul had been ignored, because he had only been following Christ for several years when he began his ministry.

So, let’s all be humble and remember our righteousness does not justify or save us (Isaiah 64:6), but we’re saved and justified through the grace of God. Let’s remember that keeping God’s commandments is the way we can show Him our love, whether it’s through baptism or anything else He has asked of us (1 John 5:3).

2. To please the Father is to accept His direction and commands – It’s funny the parallels between our relationships on this earth to the relationship we have with God. Makes sense though, considering we all bare His image.

Look at what pleases the Father: keeping His commandments and accepting His direction. Is there anything that makes us feel better as a people than when someone listens to us, trusts us, believes us, and wants to keep with what we ask? It’s a wonderful love to align yourself with someone and the things that are important to them.

Look here at Jesus. He “consents” to being baptized. He consents throughout the Gospels to God’s plan no matter how hard it is – look at His prayer at the garden of Gethsemane, when He prays over His coming death on the cross (Matthew 26:36-46). So, what does our consent get us? It gets us a Father who will look toward us and say “this is my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased.” Is there anything better than that? The God of creation telling us He not only loves us, but that He is pleased with us?

3. The Scripture is our weapon against temptation, so let’s use it & know it – Christ is our example. He is our perfect example. We are called to live and be like Him (1 John 2:6). So, let’s emulate Him in our response to temptation.

We all know the temptations we struggle with. Rarely are we surprised by the thoughts that come to our head, so let’s prepare for them! If we struggle with anxiety, let’s look up and copy down the Scriptures on peace! If we struggle with depression, let’s look up and copy down the Scriptures on being joyful! If we struggle with sexual sin, let’s look up and copy down the verses against idolatry and sexual sin!

Let’s store up the Word in our heart, that we might not sin against God (Psalm 119:11). Let’s fight our temptation with the weapon God gave us: the sword – the Scripture. Let’s know the word so we can identify those who are only looking to deceive.

DAILY APPLICATION + INTO THE WORLD Now there was a lot to learn from these passages, but let’s try to apply them from here on out. Let’s approach our brothers and sisters in Christ humbly. Let’s humbly approach God’s commands and look to fulfill all that He has asked of us. Let’s spend time in the Scripture and fight our temptation with the word God has given us! Let’s study the entire scripture so we can identify those who are looking to deceive us with selections of it’s words. Let’s follow Christ’s example and be truly righteous.

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