Sunday, February 26, 2023
Pastor Matt McFarland
Matthew 4:1 (CEB) 4 Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him.
James 1:12 – 15 12 Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love him as their reward.
Our cravings versus God’s gifts
13 No one who is tested should say, “God is tempting me!” This is because God is not tempted by any form of evil, nor does he tempt anyone. 14 Everyone is tempted by their own cravings; they are lured away and enticed by them. 15 Once those cravings conceive, they give birth to sin; and when sin grows up, it gives birth to death.
Matthew 4:4 4 Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God.”[a]
Matthew 4:5 – 6. 5 After that the devil brought him into the holy city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, 6 “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.”[a]
Matthew 4: 7. 7 Jesus replied, “Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your God.”[a]
Matthew 4:8 – 9. 8 Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 He said, “I’ll give you all these if you bow down and worship me.”
Matthew 4:10 10 Jesus responded, “Go away, Satan, because it’s written,You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”[a]
