24-1027p Transcript

Preacher: Jim Lokenbauer

(1:24) Hello again. Well, this evening I’ll be concluding the study (1:29) on tests, and John read for us from 1st Peter, and Peter tells us that these tests dry our hearts (1:43) and prepare us for heaven. We have to pass these tests.

You gotta at least try to pass these tests. (1:55) God sees if you’re trying. If you fail at some of those tests, you gotta dust yourself off.

(2:04) Pray to him. Tell him how you failed, and ask for his strength, and he’ll bless you with that. (2:17) So, this morning’s lesson on tests was part one.

This will be part two, and tonight we’ll conclude. (2:28) And we left off talking about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, as recorded in Matthew 4, (2:38) and also in Luke 4. And if you’d like, you can turn to Luke 4. I’m gonna read 1 through 13 (2:50) of the great things Jesus has done for us, is to

leave us an example. Man, there’s no better example (3:07) of dealing with trials, temptations, and tests than this.

This is our blueprint to success. (3:20) Luke 4, 1 through 13. Jesus, full of Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit (3:30) in the desert, where for 40 days he was tempted by the devil.

He ate nothing during those days, (3:40) and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, if you are the Son of God, (3:46) tilt the stone to become bread. Jesus answered, it is written, man does not live on bread alone.

(3:57) And in Matthew he adds, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. (4:03) He’s quoting from Deuteronomy 8. The devil led him up to a high place and showed him, (4:10) in an instant, all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, I will give you all their authority (4:20) and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

(4:26) So if you worship me, it will be all yours. Jesus answered, it is written, worship the Lord your God (4:37) and serve him only. The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.

(4:45) If you are the Son of God, he said, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, (4:51) he will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully. They will lift you up in their hands (5:00) so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus answered, it says, do not put the Lord your God to the test.

(5:11) When the devil had finished all his tempting, he left him until an opportune time. (5:19) So let’s go over this verse by verse, or nearly verse by verse, because of its spiritual importance to us. (5:29) Verse 1 says, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert.

(5:38) Jesus was just baptized by John in the Jordan River. (5:44) When he had come up out of the water, he had received the full measure of Holy Spirit. (5:57) And Holy Spirit immediately drove him, it says in Luke, drove him straight away.

(6:08) And Mark’s version, I’m sorry, straight away drove is in Mark’s version of this. (6:15) And led by is what Matthew and Luke records. It appears that Jesus didn’t have a choice in the matter to be led or to be driven, (6:29) suggests that it was God’s purpose for him to go through this temptation and have victory over Satan.

(6:39) Just like being baptized was God’s purpose. (6:44) And Jesus obeyed his Father to fulfill all righteousness. (6:51) So Jesus willingly let the Spirit herd him out into the desert to face the arch nemesis, Satan.

(7:06) Second verse, where for 40 days he was tempted by the devil. (7:12) He ate nothing during those days and at the end of them he was hungry. (7:17) As the Hebrew writer tells us in Hebrews 2.18 says, for in that he himself had suffered being tempted.

(7:28) He is able to help those who are tempted. (7:30) It wasn’t a piece of cake for Jesus. He suffered as we do.

(7:37) He felt the urges of his body. He felt the pressure, spiritual pressure to sin. (7:48) But he did not sin.

He had self-control 24-7. (7:56) Who can claim that? No one. That’s what made him the perfect sacrifice.

(8:03) Jesus feels our pain when we go through our trials because he went through them too. (8:10) Also, further in Hebrews 4.15 it says, Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are, yet was without sin. (8:19) It is my opinion that during his life up to that point, and especially during those 40 days where he was tempted by the devil, (8:34) is when Jesus experienced everything that can tempt a human.

(8:40) I can’t even imagine what he went through during those 40 days. (8:46) It was probably horrific from a pure person’s point of view. (9:03) Jesus' day of evil that Paul mentions in Ephesians 6.13, that day of temptation or trial that will come to all of us, (9:16) that we must prepare for by wearing the full armor of God.

(9:20) For Jesus, that day was a 40-day period. (9:25) So the day of evil Paul talks about can be a period of time. (9:31) It’s not necessarily a 24-hour, okay, 24’s up, your temptation’s over.

(9:37) It doesn’t work that way. (9:40) When the devil has finished, he left Jesus. (9:46) He had no food during that time because Matthew reveals that he fasted, which is deliberate, choosing not to eat.

(10:00) So he would have become physically weak in that period of time. (10:04) But guess what? (10:06) When we deliberately give up the very things we need for life, when praying and fasting to God, (10:14) at the end of it, we become stronger spiritually. (10:19) God blesses those who are willing to exercise self-control in such a way to give up the very things we need for life (10:30) in order to receive some spiritual blessing or whatever it is that you’re petitioning God for.

(10:39) God blesses that. (10:43) God sees that you’re fasting and some kind of petition to Him, and He is more than eager to help. (10:57) We recognize that God is the giver of all blessings, both spiritual and physical.

(11:04) That whatever the matter is, we regard it more important than the necessities of life that we need. (11:15) We are serious about the undertaking we have begun when we fast. (11:21) You are willing to humble yourself and wait upon God.

(11:26) You are trying to exercise self-control and patience in your life, and you’re seeking out God. (11:34) You’re trying to develop a closer relationship with your God by fasting and praying. (11:41) So when Jesus did that, God was strengthening Him from the inner man.

(11:49) At the end of those 40 days, only these three temptations are recorded for us. (11:56) We don’t know what He went through the first 40 days, but at the end, this is the grand finale. (12:03) This is Satan giving it his last shot.

(12:08) First, Satan attacks Jesus at his weakest point. (12:15) Most of us get upset if we go a day without food. (12:19) We get the hangries, or we’re hungry and angry.

(12:23) It alters our mood when we don’t have food. (12:27) I didn’t mean that to rhyme, really, although I’ll take it. (12:32) Jesus went 40 days, and I couldn’t imagine going 40 days without food.

(12:39) I think the most I went without food was three days in a fast. (12:43) And I know some people in here have fasted longer than that. (12:47) And I think they’ll agree, it’s not easy.

(12:53) Verse 3, the devil said to Him, (12:55) If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread. (13:02) Jesus knew who He was. (13:05) He even had God the Father say from heaven publicly, (13:10) after He came up out of the baptismal waters, (13:14) and He said, This is my Son whom I love.

(13:18) With Him I am well pleased. (13:22) So was Satan trying to sow seeds of doubt in Jesus' mind? (13:27) Was he not sure himself? (13:30) No, I believe he was going to the basest level of temptation (13:35) and trying to entice the human carnal side of Jesus' nature, (13:41) being part man, and satisfying his hunger. (13:47) Would it have been bad to satisfy your hunger by eating something? (13:51) No, but what Satan most likely was trying to do (13:56) was to get Jesus to abuse his miraculous abilities, (14:02) power, to satisfy himself, (14:05) to take the easy way out to solve a problem.

(14:08) And worse yet, just to get him to do something, (14:13) anything at his suggestion, (14:17) to start chipping away at Jesus' character (14:20) and to get him to compromise on something small, (14:24) like eating, in order that he might get him to take the bait (14:27) for something more sinister later. (14:33) Verse 4, Jesus answered, (14:35) It is written, Man does not live on bread alone, (14:38) but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (14:44) Jesus knew the Word of God, and so should we.

(14:48) You can see how handy it is here. (14:53) Jesus, being logos, is the Word. (14:58) Jesus was the angel of the covenant, (15:02) if you remember your Old Testament history.

(15:05) Jesus gave Moses the law. (15:10) It was by Yahweh, Jesus' finger, (15:15) that wrote that law on the stone tablets. (15:19) Trust me, being full of Holy Spirit, (15:22) he had full remembrance of the past, I’m sure.

(15:27) And so he knew Scripture forward and backward (15:32) way better than Satan. (15:35) And so he was able to rely, as we should, (15:39) laying down an example for us. (15:41) Know my Word.

(15:43) When tempted and your soul’s at stake, (15:47) remember my Word. (15:49) Remember my teachings. (15:53) Trust and rely on God’s Word.

(15:56) And make it your guide for life. (16:00) The next two temptations go on exactly the same way. (16:05) Satan tempts Jesus with all of the world’s treasures and empires.

(16:10) If he’ll kneel and worship him, (16:14) could you imagine the gall of something that you created, (16:19) saying, worship me. (16:22) What? (16:25) I only did that not to mock Satan, (16:28) but to show great Jesus created Satan. (16:34) It’s absurd.

(16:38) So Jesus again answered with Scripture, (16:42) you shall worship your Lord only. (16:50) And Satan’s final try, (16:53) he takes Jesus to the top of the temple (16:57) and asked him to jump off. (17:03) That’s what he did, (17:04) while misapplying Psalm 91-11 (17:09) as the reason for his request.

(17:13) The angels will protect you. (17:15) The angels will protect you. (17:20) He takes Jesus as a fool.

(17:27) Well, besides just wanting him dead, (17:30) and we know he does, (17:32) he needed Jesus to do the dirty work (17:34) because he doesn’t have any authority (17:38) to take human life. (17:42) Satan will present the opportunities to sin (17:46) and even entice us to do wrong (17:49) as he did to King David (17:50) when he got David to count (17:54) all the fighting men in Israel. (17:56) He was commanded not to do that by God, (17:59) but Satan worked at him (18:02) in that silent way that he does, (18:07) probably sowing doubt in his mind.

(18:11) Just the way he’s doing here to Jesus, (18:13) if you’re the son of God. (18:17) Chip, chip, chip, chipping away. (18:22) He can’t physically kill us or force us (18:26) to do something against our will (18:28) without special permission from God.

(18:33) God had to grant him permission (18:37) to work against Job and his family. (18:43) Satan had to ask permission (18:46) to sift Peter and the apostles like wheat, (18:50) if you remember that. (18:54) And in both cases, (18:56) what was the answer? (19:00) Do you know? (19:04) Satan was granted permission.

(19:07) Do whatever you want, (19:09) but don’t take Job’s life. (19:12) Jesus' answer to Peter (19:15) when he said that Satan (19:17) asked to sift you like wheat. (19:21) After you’ve come back, Peter, (19:24) strengthen your brothers.

(19:29) They were going to go through (19:31) their own personal trials and tests (19:35) and temptations. (19:41) What do you think might have been (19:42) working against Peter (19:44) in the courtyard of the high priest (19:46) as they were warming themselves (19:48) around the fire at night (19:50) as Jesus went inside (19:52) to be questioned by Annas? (19:58) Hey, didn’t I see you? (20:04) Bye, Peter. (20:05) You’ll get out of it.

(20:07) You want to see what’s going to happen to Jesus? (20:10) Just tell him anything. (20:12) Oh, I don’t know the man. (20:17) That’s how he works.

(20:20) He can work in the unseen world (20:25) against us, (20:26) and then he uses proxies. (20:29) A little girl, (20:30) a woman who was a servant (20:32) of the high priest. (20:33) Hey, didn’t I see you with them? (20:39) So we always have to be on guard.

(20:50) On the top of the temple, (20:51) Satan was appealing to Christ’s (20:54) human nature side again of vanity. (20:59) It was as if he said, (21:01) You’re God’s special son (21:02) with a hedge around you (21:05) for protection. (21:06) Go ahead and jump to prove me right.

(21:09) He didn’t know Jesus very well, apparently. (21:12) Jesus' answer was, it says, (21:15) Do not put the Lord your God to the test. (21:20) Satan was testing the tester.

(21:26) That’s my job, Jesus. (21:29) I test man’s hearts. (21:35) Jesus answered Satan once again (21:37) with the word of God, (21:38) showing how to properly use it (21:41) and have mastery over it.

(21:43) His example was for us. (21:47) Verse 13 tells us (21:49) that when Satan had finished, (21:51) he left them till a more opportune time. (21:56) And he most certainly did.

(21:58) Didn’t he start working on Judas? (22:06) Basically, Satan said, (22:08) I’ll be back. (22:13) You can count on it. (22:16) And he’ll be back for us.

(22:20) What an example Jesus left for us (22:22) as to how to handle temptation and tests. (22:26) God loves us (22:28) and permits tests to happen in our lives. (22:34) They are challenges to our faith (22:36) that help mold us into Jesus' image.

(22:40) But it is absolutely crucial (22:43) to have Holy Spirit and God’s word in us (22:47) in order to pass these tests and temptations (22:51) in a godly fashion. (22:55) God humbles us to have tender hearts (22:58) that are sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance, (23:02) be obedient, (23:04) and be able to recognize good from evil. (23:08) The Spirit will help us (23:09) to bring to mind His word (23:11) so that we can act on it.

(23:14) This is how we learn His will in our lives. (23:19) To help achieve this, (23:21) we need to remove certain distractions (23:24) from our lives. (23:27) Evil companions corrupt good morals.

(23:31) If you’re a new Christian starting out, (23:35) you need to separate yourself (23:38) from those who still behave (23:41) the way you used to behave. (23:44) You have to. (23:46) Otherwise, it’s easy to become (23:48) right back where you started.

(23:53) To help us, we need God’s word. (23:58) He wants us to be a unique people (24:03) separated from the world (24:04) and all its evil attractions. (24:07) And both the Apostle John (24:09) and James, the brother of Jesus, (24:12) tell us in their respective writings (24:14) that friendliness with the world (24:17) is hatred towards God.

(24:21) To help us pass God’s test, (24:24) we should separate from ungodly people, (24:27) places, and activities, (24:29) and spend more time in fellowship (24:31) with other believers, (24:34) people of like mind, (24:36) being influenced by them (24:38) rather than by ungodly people. (24:42) Sure, we’ve got to be concerned (24:44) about those ungodly people (24:46) and share the word with them, (24:49) but do not be yoked with them. (24:52) Matter of fact, Paul tells us (24:53) in 2 Corinthians 6.14, (24:56) don’t be unequally yoked (24:58) with unbelievers.

(24:59) For what fellowship does righteousness (25:02) have with iniquity? (25:04) For what fellowship has light (25:06) with darkness? (25:09) And in verse 17 of that chapter, (25:12) Paul gives us an apostolic command, (25:16) echoing what God said to the Jews (25:17) by Isaiah, who were surrounded (25:20) and influenced by adulterous pagans. (25:24) He said, (25:25) Therefore, come out from among them (25:27) and be separate, says the Lord. (25:29) Touch no unclean thing, (25:32) and I will receive you.

(25:34) He doesn’t want us to be unclean. (25:37) That means we’re clean already. (25:39) And when did that happen? (25:42) It happened when we, (25:44) with our old, filthy, sinful nature, (25:47) finally believed the gospel message, (25:50) and we faithfully obeyed the command (25:53) to be baptized.

(25:55) A lot happened while we were (25:57) under the water being baptized. (26:02) Bringing to memory what happened (26:04) for us at baptism, (26:06) should strengthen and encourage us (26:08) so that we can pass those tests (26:11) first while we were under the water. (26:15) We were in a type of burial with Jesus.

(26:19) We died with Jesus. (26:22) Having died, we’ve been released (26:24) from our citizenship of the world, (26:27) Satan’s kingdom. (26:29) We no longer belong to him.

(26:31) We now belong to Christ, (26:34) just like being released (26:35) from the bond of marriage. (26:38) The vow that we made ends (26:41) when one of the spouses dies, (26:43) and as the vow says, (26:45) till death do we part. (26:48) And when we are buried with him (26:50) in like manner in baptism, (26:53) we die with him.

(26:55) We’re released from vows (26:59) that bound us to any other religion (27:02) we may have been associated with, (27:04) or any other perverse mindset (27:06) like evolution. (27:09) We don’t have to believe (27:11) in that garbage anymore. (27:13) So we’re free to be marrying another, (27:18) so to speak.

(27:18) We’re free to become part (27:20) of the bride of Christ, (27:22) which is the church. (27:23) Christ adds us to the church (27:26) when we’re baptized. (27:29) Second, we came in contact (27:31) with his blood, (27:32) which cleanses us from sin.

(27:35) Jesus, our high priest, (27:37) sprinkles us with his blood, (27:39) and it’s a continuing (27:41) once we’re baptized. (27:44) When we walk in the light, (27:45) we’re continually sprinkled (27:48) by Jesus, the high priest. (27:53) Third, by his blood, (27:54) and by his word, (27:56) and by Holy Spirit, (27:58) we are sanctified.

(28:02) We’re made holy by his blood, (28:05) so we can serve him (28:07) and worship him (28:08) with clean hearts. (28:10) Fourth, Christ circumcises (28:13) our hearts at baptism (28:16) because we’ve changed within. (28:18) We think differently now.

(28:21) It’s the sign of entering (28:22) Christ’s covenant. (28:25) By contrast, the patriarchs (28:27) in the nation of Israel (28:28) had an outward circumcision (28:31) of the flesh (28:32) as a sign of being in our church, (28:44) whom we were also circumcised (28:47) with a circumcision (28:48) not made with hands (28:50) and the putting off of the body (28:51) of the sins of the flesh. (28:54) And the circumcision of Christ, (28:56) having been buried with him (28:58) in baptism, (28:59) in which you also (29:01) raised with him true faith (29:03) in the working of God, (29:05) who raised him from the dead.

(29:09) Also in Philip 3.3, (29:11) for we are the circumcision (29:13) who worship God in the spirit (29:16) and rejoice in Christ (29:23) and have no confidence in the flesh. (29:26) And in Romans 2, 28 and 29, (29:29) for it is not a Jew who is one outwardly, (29:32) neither is circumcision, (29:34) which is outward in the flesh, (29:36) but he is a Jew who is one inwardly. (29:39) And circumcision is that of the heart (29:42) in the spirit, not in the letter, (29:44) whose praise is not from men, (29:47) but from God.

(29:49) So we, by baptism, (29:51) get circumcised in the heart (29:53) and we become spiritual people (29:56) led by the spirit (29:58) into a spiritual law, (30:01) not the law of the letter. (30:03) Fifth, from these verses we just read, (30:05) we also see that at baptism, (30:08) Christ was the first fruit (30:09) to rise from the dead. (30:11) And the promise to us is (30:13) that we too have this hope.

(30:16) Just like when we were raised up (30:18) out of the baptismal water, (30:20) we will rise from the dead one day (30:22) in the resurrection of life. (30:25) Sixth, a minor point, (30:27) but a

point nonetheless, (30:30) we have a change of identity. (30:32) We were bought at a price (30:34) in our redemption by Jesus.

(30:37) So we belong to Christ. (30:39) We are Christians. (30:40) We’re not our own.

(30:43) We now bear his name. (30:45) We belong to the brotherhood (30:47) of believers. (30:48) We are spiritual Israel, (30:52) spiritual Jews.

(30:54) That’s what we are, Paul said (30:58) in the Philippian letter. (31:01) And there’s an important seventh point. (31:03) I’m sure there’s many more, (31:05) but I only think of seven at the time.

(31:08) So anyhow, we receive the gift (31:11) of Holy Spirit at baptism. (31:15) He is our deposit, (31:16) our guarantee that we belong (31:19) to God the Father (31:22) and that we are heaven bound, (31:24) that we will spend eternity (31:26) with our Creator and Father. (31:30) He also works hand in hand (31:32) with the Word of God (31:34) inside of us, (31:35) giving us understanding (31:38) as to what we are reading (31:40) and learning so that we can apply (31:42) those things to our life (31:44) to make us more Christ-like (31:47) and pass any test (31:49) that will come our way.

(31:52) But wait, there’s more. (31:55) An eighth point, final point. (31:58) After we’ve been baptized, (31:59) God gives us a clear conscience.

(32:03) We don’t have to be ashamed (32:05) of the guilt from our sins (32:07) from the past. (32:10) And God forgives us. (32:12) He remembers our sin no more.

(32:15) He removes our sin from us (32:18) as far as east is from west. (32:21) So our old sinful nature (32:23) was nailed to Christ’s cross. (32:26) He vicariously died in our place.

(32:29) He willingly took our place (32:31) and died for us a real death. (32:35) He tasted death (32:36) so that we wouldn’t have to. (32:40) He became our sin sacrifice.

(32:42) And just as the Israelite (32:45) was commanded to confess his sins (32:47) and lay his hands upon the animal (32:49) he was offering, (32:51) which was going to be (32:52) a vicarious atoning sacrifice (32:55) in his place, (32:57) he symbolically imputed his sins (33:00) to that animal. (33:03) So likewise, when we’re baptized, (33:05) our sins are imputed or transferred, (33:08) really are transferred to Christ (33:11) because he was the perfect sacrifice. (33:15) The animal couldn’t take the sins away, (33:17) but Christ could.

(33:20) He became sin on the cross (33:22) from all of our sins (33:24) being heaped upon him. (33:28) So his sacrifice on the cross (33:30) is available for all (33:32) who will believe in him. (33:35) He died a symbolic death (33:37) by being buried with him through baptism.

(33:40) And as Christ rose from the grave (33:42) three days after his death, (33:44) we too, after our symbolic death (33:48) and burial with him, (33:49) we rise out of the baptismal water, (33:52) a new creature, (33:53) a new person, (33:55) and redeemed (33:56) who are no longer stained from sin, (33:59) free to worship and serve God (34:01) with a clear conscience. (34:03) And we are going to face (34:05) many more tests in our life. (34:09) Are you ready? (34:10) Have you been passing or failing tests? (34:17) If you have been failing, (34:19) we can pray for you.

(34:21) So it’s this time, (34:23) if you have need, come. (34:25) And we’ll be glad to assist you (34:27) as we stand and sing.(34:28)