This Is Only A Test – Week 4 (4-28-24)
This is Only A Test
If You Are God’s Son…
April 28, 2024
When we allow the flesh to dictate our direction we are filling ourself with fruit from the wrong tree!
Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Do you ever feel fulfilled?
Matthew 3:16-17
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
What does it mean to be God’s Son in this world?
Matthew 4:1-2
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Matthew 4:3-10
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.’” 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.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 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.’”
Deuteronomy 6 & 8
Which Tree? Life or Knowledge
Satan uses Jesus faith to try to trap him…
Prove it… Test God, don’t trust God.
Allure of the Tree of Knowledge
Abandon the Cross & you get a crown.
What is the problem with this crown?
We know it’s a mirage, but knowing it’s a mirage does not strip the temptation of it’s power.
Foundational lie… I can save myself.
Jesus will chose the tree of life in the desert, that tree will lead him to another tree, a tree that is the symbol of death but this tree will be transformed into the tree of life!