Matthew 4:1-11 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
 
Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin”
 
“Don’t tempt me, I can resist anything but temptation.” - Bob Hope
 
Part I – Jesus Understands Temptations
 
Luke 4:2 who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin
 
Now, Wow, Bow
 
1. Temptation of "Now": Stones to Bread
 
Matthew 4:4 "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
 
Proverbs 22:3 says: “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”
 
2. Temptation of "Wow": The Temple
 
Matthew 4:6 "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands.'"
 
Luke 14:27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
 
Deuteronomy 6:16 "It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’"
 
Matthew 4:10 "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’"
 
1. Be Ready
 
James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.
 
2 Be Humble
 
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man!
 
3. Be Courageous
 
1 Corinthians 10:13b And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.