Tried, Tempted, Triumphant - Luke 4:1-13

Phil. 2:6-7
Heb. 2:17
Heb. 2:18
Heb. 4:15

Christ was tempted LIKE WE ARE, and He resisted LIKE WE CAN.

“Adam faced temptation in the best possible surroundings, the garden of Eden. Jesus faced temptation in the worst imaginable setting – the wasteland of the Judean desert. Adam lived in the sinless perfection of the pre-fall world. Jesus lived in a sinful, fallen world. No overwhelming buildup of temptation lured Adam into sin, because he yielded to the first temptation he faced. Jesus, on the other hand, faced intense temptation during the forty days before the final three recorded here. Adam feasted on all the lush provisions the garden had to offer. Jesus was weakened by forty days of fasting. In the best of circumstances, Adam fell; in the worst imaginable circumstances, Jesus did not. The consequences of Adam’s fall to temptation were lethal to the human race; the consequences of Jesus’ triumph were life-giving.” (John MacArthur; The MacArthur New Testament Commentary)

1. The FIRST TEMPTATION: vs. 3-4
A. The Devil Speaks: v. 3
Ps. 73:1-3
B. Jesus Answers: v. 4 (Deut 8:3). John 4:34

2. The SECOND TEMPTATION: VS. 5-8
A. The Devil Speaks: vs. 5-7
1) Was Satan telling the truth?
a. Yes (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph. 2:2)
b. No: Ps. 2:8
2)V. 7 – Isa. 14:13-14
B. Jesus Answers: v. 8 (Deut. 6:13)

 The THIRD TEMPTATION: vs. 9-12
A. The Devil Speaks: vs. 9-11
B. Jesus Answers: v. 12 (Deut. 6:16)

How Satan tempted Christ (and how he tempts us):
1. He came when He was physically weak & emotionally exhausted
2. He came following an intense spiritual high
3. He wanted Him to distrust God’s plan
4. He wanted Him to doubt God’s love

How Christ resisted Satan (and how we can as well):

1. He depended upon God’s strength
2. He was filled with the Holy Spirit
3. He knew and used the Scriptures. Ps. 119:11

1 Cor. 10:13
Christ was tempted like we are, & He resisted like we can.