Today we are continuing our sermon series going through the Gospel of Matthew.

Introduction:

Did you know that Jesus was tempted to sin just like we are? Right after Jesus was baptized, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. While there, He fasted for 40 days, and was tempted by the devil. Today, as we look at this part of God’s Word, we are going to observe what techniques the devil used to tempt Jesus, and how Jesus overcomes the devil’s temptations. By doing this we can learn how to overcome the temptations we find in our own lives.

The enemy can tempt us with:

1. Earthly and bodily comforts
Matt. 4:3, Gal. 5:16-21, Rom. 8:12-14, 13:13-14, Gal. 6:8, 1 John 2:15-16

2. Half truths and bad theology
Matt. 4:5-6, Eph. 6:10-20, 1 Pet. 5:8, 2 Cor. 11:14, John 8:44

3. Our pride
Matt. 3:8-9, Prov. 11:2, 16:18, James 4:6, 1 John 2:16, Ob. 1:3


We can overcome this temptation by:

1. Always being on guard
Matt. 4:1, 1 Pet. 5:8, Rom. 12:1-2, 1 John 4:1, Eph. 6:18

2. Being full of the Holy Spirit
Matt. 4:1, Eph. 5:18, Acts 6:3, 1 Pet. 4:14

3. Arming ourselves with God’s Word
Matt. 4:4, 7, 10, Heb. 4:12, Ps. 119:105, 111, Is. 40:8, Col. 3:16

4. Keeping the end in mind
Matt. 4: 2 Tim. 4:7, 1 Cor. 9:24-27, Phil. 2:16, 3:14, James 1:12

Getting Started
Have you ever read or heard about this story before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?

What do you think it was like for Jesus to go from a high point in His life (being baptized), to go to such a dark point, where He is constantly being tempted?

What do you think was Jesus’ biggest physical challenge during His 40 days in the wilderness?

Why do you think Jesus was led by Spirit into the wilderness? Read Heb. 2:18 and 4:15


Diving In

Read Matthew 4:3. Not only is Jesus coming from a high moment in His life (His baptism), but He is also at a point of extreme hunger, where He probably felt completely empty. The enemy seems to tempt us when we are most vulnerable. What situations do you find yourself in where you feel the most tempted (i.e. alone, tired, stressed, lonely, ect.).
- How can you recognize when you think you will be tempted, and preemptively take step(s) to reduce that temptation? How do you think prayer would help in that process?

Read Matthew 4:5-6 and Ps. 91:11-12.. The devil falsely quotes Psalm 91:11-12 and takes it out of context to use it to tempt Jesus to test the Father. Unfortunately, because of a lack of Biblical knowledge and discernment, many people fall for the same trap today. Can you look back at something you used to believe in, and now know that that is not Biblically accurate?
- How can you increase your Biblical knowledge and discernment?
- What practical step(s) can you take to grow in your understanding of God’s truth?

Read Matthew 4:7-11. Here, the devil appeals to Jesus’ pride in order to tempt Him. Obviously, Jesus does not fall for this temptation, but unfortunately the same cannot be said of us. What type of sin can pride produce?
- Looking back in your life, has pride ever caused you to sin?
- How can you guard yourself against falling into sin because of pride?

Read Matthew 4:1. Jesus is full of the Spirit, and on guard against temptation. Evaluate your life during this season. How full of the Spirit and on guard against temptation are you?
- What practical step(s) can you implement into your life in order to be full of the Spirit and on guard against temptations in your life?

Read Matthew 4:7-11. The devil tempts Jesus with all the kingdoms of this world and their glory. Undoubtedly, Jesus would have been thinking of eternity with the Father, Himself, and the Holy Spirit being worshiped forever in the New Heaven and the New Earth. This is a long-term mindset, instead of a short-term mindset. How would having a more long-term mindset in your life help you to live your life in a way that worships God better?
- What stops you from having a long-term mindset?
- What are a few particular areas that you need help with having a long-term mindset in?

What are the biggest temptations you're facing during this season of your life? How long have you been battling them? What’s worked? What hasn’t worked? Spend some time reflecting and in prayer, asking the Lord to help you in these areas of your life.
- How would accountability help you with what you are being tempted with?

Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
- What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
- How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
- Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?

CHURCH FAMILY NEEDS: Pray for Katy, as she recovers from her wrist surgery. Pray for Carolyn Dodd and what’s going with her thyroid. Pray for Jerry Jamrozy, who has bone cancer.

MISSIONARIES: This month pray for the Mishkins.


FAMILY OF THE WEEK: Each week we’ll pray for a different family in our church. This week pray for the Rollfs.

HILLSIDE HAPPENINGS: Pray that the church would continue to stay unified under Christ. Pray for our livestream and for the people joining us there. Pray for Casa Del Alfarero, the Spanish-speaking Missionary Church 5 minutes from our building.

CURRENT HAPPENINGS: Pray for the war in Israel.Pray for the war in Ukraine.

Attendance
In-person on 1/7: 45
Online views (through 1/10): 7

Giving
Online (1/1/24-1/7/24): will be included in next week’s bulletin
In-Person on 1/7/24: $1945 for general
Total general needed weekly to meet budget: $1480

Ladies, mark your calendars for the regional denominational retreat! This year, it is happening on Saturday, March 2nd, at St. Mark Missionary Church. Please see Tammi for more details.

This is a great time to join a small group! Joining a small group is a great way to grow in your faith. There is a small group that meets on Sunday mornings, at 9:30am, and men’s and women’s groups that meet every other Tuesday evening. For more information, please see Pastor Josh.

If you do not receive our weekly emails, announcements, and prayer requests, please join our email list! You can do so by going to hmcworship.com/im-new

TECH: Our worship team is looking for someone who would like to run sound and/or slides. Please see Pastor Josh.

WORSHIP TEAM: Would you like to help out on the worship team? Please see Carolyn Dodd for details.

PRAYER GUIDE: Will you be in prayer for Hillside? Prayer guides are available at the welcome counter. Also, if you would like to be a prayer advocate, please see Pastor Josh.

MAINTENANCE TEAM: Would you like to help out on the maintenance team? We need help inside and outside the building. Please see Jeff Soule for details.