Title: Jesus Christ Victorious in Temptation
Contents
Jesus Christ overcame the temptation (Matthew 4:1-11)
You worked hard to receive grace during the ‘New Year’s Blessing Crusade’. I bless you in the name of Jesus that our church will ride the wave of revival and the families of Seongsan will ride the wave of blessing. After being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus was tempted by the devil while he was filled with the Holy Spirit immediately after his baptism. By examining the situation in which Jesus is being tempted, I hope that you will know how to overcome the temptations of the devil that come in our lives from time to time, so that you can win every day.
First, the test comes immediately after receiving grace.
After being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Jesus was full of grace, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit of God descended on him like a dove. After receiving full grace, the test came. The devil's temptation comes when the heart overflows with joy. Jesus was subjected to three temptations. First, he was tempted financially and materially to turn stones into bread. Second, it was the test of jumping off the top of the temple. This was a temptation to lust for honor to show off that he is the Son of God. Many people in the world struggle for fame. Third, it was a test about the lust for power that if you bow down and worship, you will receive everything. Many people are living with a lust for power without being satisfied. Jesus was tempted by the devil through these three temptations while he was filled with the Holy Spirit. We need to be careful when we receive the fullness of grace and rejoice. (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Second, the test is to train a person.
Jesus was tempted to teach the kingdom of heaven and prepare for work before he was crucified for sinners. Because Jesus is the substance of God and came in a human body, he needed preparation as a human being. Without testing and training, we can only forget God's grace. Just as clear weather never lasts, without tests, we can live powerless and complacent. Temptation is the act of training the saints for meaningful work. Therefore, in the Bible, it is written, “Consider it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2), and “the trials of your faith produce patience” (James 1:3). He also emphasizes that “the trial of our faith is more precious than gold, which perishes even though it is tried by fire” (1 Peter 1:7). The reason it is precious is so that we may receive praise, glory, and honor at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Rather, we must overcome trials by becoming mature believers who are thankful for them.
Third, the test is the key to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Not all believers in the temple are saved. True believers and false believers must live together. The test is the standard that separates these faithful saints from false saints. All trials are under the control of God. Therefore, we must overcome temptations abundantly and become saints belonging to the wheat.
The secret to overcoming temptation is to overcome it only with the Word of God. The Bible emphasizes that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by the word of God” (verse 4). Only the word of God, the food of the soul, is the secret to possessing the true life and winning the test. Therefore, I believe that you will become the saints who overcome trials by being armed with the Word of God.