Theme: Jesus Christ, the Promised King in David S Line
SPRING QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2014
THEME: JESUS CHRIST, THE PROMISED KING IN DAVID’S LINE
Unit III – “Jesus’ Use of Scripture”
“CHRIST'S EXAMPLE TO US IN OVERCOMING TEMPTATION, FROM THE SCRIPTURES”
Sunday School Lesson No. X – May 4, 2014
Lesson Presented by Rev. Frank A. Davis, III Pastor-Teacher
Lesson Texts:Deuteronomy 6:13-16; Matthew 4:1-11
Required Reading: Deuteronomy 6:13-16; 8:3;
Psalm91:11-12; Matthew 4:1-11;
Ephesians6:10-11
Lesson Motto Text: Matthew 4:4,“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Ephesians 6:10-11, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour
of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Reliable Resources: Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Standard Lesson Commentary; Willmington’s
Guide to the Bible; Precepts forLiving(UMI); Word Search 9 and 10 Electronic Library; The
Maxwell Leadership Bible by Dr. John Maxwell.
LESSON INTRODUCTION
How often are we as believers engaged in overcoming temptation? The TempterSatan, seeks many ways to cause the Christian to stumble and appear ineffective through yielding to his temptations. But Jesus Christ our Messiah came to “save His people from their sins.” Not only to save us, but also to instruct and encourage us as He does in the model prayer of Matthew 6:9-13. I am encouraged when Jesus said to pray,“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (the Evil One). In this week’s lesson the Evil One Satan blatantly attacks the Messiah, and Jesus overcomes and is victorious! Temptation is a part of our time on this planet, but the ability to be an overcomer is within the grasp of the believer who follows the example of our Lord Jesus Christ! But how do we overcome the Adversary? We must be totally committed to following the teachings of the scriptures. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” And James 4:7 tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” In our lesson, Jesus demonstrates the power of the scriptures! Upon coming face to face with the Devil in the wilderness, he is not overcome by Satan's deceitful temptations, but using the scriptures available to Him from the Old Testament, He totally overcomes the temptations of the Adversary!Beloved, we not only have the Old Testament, but also the New Testament and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit which should make us more than conquerors over Satan!
Anticipated Power Points:
- Overcoming the Temptation of Self-Prostration. Deuteronomy 6:13-16
•Overcoming the Temptation of Self-Pity. Matthew 4:1-4
•Overcoming the Temptation of Self-Promotion. Matthew 4:5-7
•Overcoming the Temptation of Self-Pride. Matthew 4:8-11
A cue that Satan the Tempter is near is when the believer has had a great victorious experience with God! As you read Matthew 3:17, God the Father verbally testified that Jesus Christ His beloved Son found perfect satisfaction in His eyes. Beloved, when you and I as Christians have been to the mountain of divine success, beware, for the adversary is lurking in the shadows and waiting for an opportunity to lead us into temptation. But note Jesus’ responses to Satan’s advances of temptation in our lesson.
LESSON EXPOSITION
I. Overcoming the Temptation of Self-Prostration. Deuteronomy 6:13-16
Moses, under God's directive, led Israel to a place called Massah, in which there was not much water, to demonstrate God's authority over them. They were not to trust in themselves nor any other deity. They were to prostrate themselves before Jehovah only. Trusting, swearing or putting God to the test was seen as self-prostration and would cause the chastening hand of Jehovah to come forth!
II. Overcoming the Temptation of Self-Pity. Matthew 4:1-4
“Where is God?” “Why hasn’t He done something?” “Poor me!” These are the thoughts of one who is allowing self-pity to gain a position in their lives, and Satan is behind it all! After 40 days of fasting at the Spirit’s direction, Satan now attempts to make Jesus think the Father doesn’t care about His needs, and that He has to step out on His own and take matters into His own hands. In verse 3 we find, “…If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” Oftentimes even we as believers are tempted to relegate our lives by self-pity. “Does God really care?” “If He did care, He wouldn’t let us be in some of the predicaments in which we find ourselves.” So we take matters into our own hands and utterly fail!
But Jesus didn’t buy into the lie of self-pity by trying to help God out! He didn’t use the famous statement “The Lord gave me five senses” but He spoke to the Tempter in the words of authority. Note Deuteronomy 8:3or the words simply spoken in Matthew 4:4. Believers should not allow our self-pity or indulgences to usurp God’s authority in our lives.
III. Overcoming the Temptation of Self-Promotion. Matthew 4:5-7
Satan has a super sales program today in our world, which causes people to “blow their own horn” or simply, indulge in self-promotion. Whether it is in preachers, musicians, motivational speakers, or whatever, there is a spirit of self-promotion and competition! Facebook, twittering, radio, television, and billboard signs litter the human landscape with self-promotion. But beloved, is this the way of our Lord, or a deception of the Deceiver? Let’s see what is revealed in the context of our lesson.
A. Satan’s proposal. vss. 5-6, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you, and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” (NKJV).
Satan’s proposal was that Jesus would do something spectacular to gain the attention of the people, or literally, promote Himself. Beloved, Satan even went so far as to pervert the meaning of Psalm 91:11-12 in order to sound sincere to get Jesus to put God the Father to the test! May I share with you that the greatest way to make Christianity known is for Christians to practice their faith in a living, tangible way. Not through advertising but through service such as Jesus practiced. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Not “I” but “Thy will be done” should be the mantra of the saints.
B. Jesus’ response was again with the purity of the scriptures. vs. 7
Deuteronomy 6:16 commands that God should not be put to the test to prove Himself. Beloved, God is faithful and ever stands to protect His people from temptation. He is to be trusted and not tempted! Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
IV. Overcoming the Temptation of Self-Pride. Matthew 4:8-11
A. Satan shows Jesus the way to ungodly success, “making friends and influencing people.”
Just take the shortcut and spare yourself the pain and sacrifice of the Lord’s way, which meant the Cross! Satan is the “god of this world” (II Corinthians 4:4) and he has legitimate power in this earthly realm! Read these scriptures about Satan’s authority in this world: John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11. “If thou wilt fall down and worship me” is his plea! (vs. 9)
B. But Jesus’ response opens with a strong rebuke: “Get thee hence, Satan!”
“Get away from me!” or “Get out of here, Satan!” And with that statement Jesus again gives Satan a rebuke from the Word! Deuteronomy 6:13 reminds us, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Beloved, here lies "Christ’s Example to us in Overcoming Temptation.” Verse 11 declares the victory over the Tempter is only accomplished through total dependence on the word of our Great God! Our worship and service should be toward Him. Verse 11 tells us, “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Closing:
Christ's example to us in our hour of temptation can best be expressed in these scriptural words: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31. Thank God for “CHRIST'S EXAMPLE TO US IN OVERCOMING TEMPTATION.”
Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA and Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179 - Phone: (504) 486-7876
Website: (See and hear lesson taught via Video)
Radio Broadcasts: WLNO AM 1060, Saturday 8:30 a.m.; Sunday 5:30 a.m.
TV Broadcasts: WHNO TV-Channel 20, Sunday, 6:30 a.m.
Looking Ahead: May 11, 2014 Luke 4:14-21
You are invited to attend Noon Bible Study every Wednesday as Pastor Davis teaches the lesson at Bibleway.