The Temptation of Jesus

Northwest Bible Church – July 20, 2025 – Matthew – Alan Conner

Matthew 4:1

The Temptation of Jesus

Intro 

A. JESUS LED BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS. (Matthew 4:1).

1. The purpose of the leading of the Spirit – “to be tempted by the devil.”

 

2. The importance of these temptations.   

a. To show Jesus’ character as the Son of God, Messianic King, Suffering Servant.   

b. To show that Jesus is qualified to be our sinless Substitute.

c. To show that Jesus is our sympathetic high priest.  

B. CHRIST AS THE NEW ISRAEL.

1. See Mt. 2:15 where the “Son” in Hos. 11:1 refers to Israel (Ex. 4:22) but Matthew applies it as being fulfilled in Jesus.

2.  The Holy Spirit and the cloud that led Israel in the wilderness.  Isa. 63:11; Neh. 9:20; Rom. 8:14.

3.  Israel’s wilderness experiences parallels Jesus’.  Deut. 8:2 

4. Jesus responds to each temptation with Scripture from Deut. 6 and 8 that relates to Israel’s failures in the wilderness.     

C. WISDOM FOR OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS

1. NOW YOUR ENEMY.  

2. KNOW YOUR GOD.    

3. KNOW YOURSELF.    

4. KNOW THE WORD

Conclusion