The Importance Of The Temptation Of Christ
(based on a Bible study led by Darrel Cline)

Lesson 3

The Third Temptation
(according to the Gospel of Matthew)

As we start into the final temptation, we have seen how Satan has tried to deceive Jesus with truth mixed with lies. In the final temptation we will see that Satan attempts a different strategy.

Read Matthew 4:8.
Compare this to the first two temptations (verse 3 and verse 6). Satan started the first two temptations with a phrase that is not included in the third temptation.

3-1. What is missing in the third temptation?

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This temptation is more direct. Of the three temptations the third temptation is often viewed as the least, "Why would Jesus be tempted by the riches of the world? Why would the Son of God want anything?" But the temptation is real. Satan offered power and glory to a man - Jesus. Notice the devil had the ability to take Jesus wherever the devil wanted. Satan did not just tell Jesus about the second and third temptations, He "took him" to add to the temptation so that Jesus could see with his own eyes.

Read 1 John 2:16 (not the Gospel of John).
3-2. What are the three categories of sins listed?

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3-3. Of the three categories of sins, which sin affected Jesus in this temptation?

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Notice how this is like the temptation that Eve experienced in Genesis 3:6. The fruit was "pleasing to the eye."

Read Matthew 4:9.
3-4. What would Satan do if Jesus fulfilled his request?

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Read John 12:31.
Read John 14:30.
Read John 16:11.

3-5. Who did Jesus say is the "prince of this world?"

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3-6. Is it believable for the devil to give all of the kingdoms of the world?

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Read what Satan said in Isaiah 14:13-14.
3-7. Who did Satan want to be like?

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3-8. In Matthew 4:9 what was the price that the devil asked for the "kingdoms of the world?"

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3-9. Why?

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Satan wanted to switch Jesus' attention from the supplier (God) to the supplies (what the world offers). Satan's twist is that life comes from possessing the life's supplies (things we believe that we need to live) rather than from life itself - God. Simply wishing for supplies could lead to danger by opening the door to desire them.

Read Romans 1:25.
3-10. When the Creator (God) is not worshipped and abandoned, what does the creature (man) desire to do?

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As a result of the fall, man has acquired this character of Satan, who wants self-glorification and self-serving deeds. He wants to be on the top with all others serving him. This is the opposite of God's kingdom, which we discussed in the previous lesson, where we saw God's kingdom - selfless serving one another and the one on top is the least.

Here is the situation - Jesus is weak from fasting and is tempted with the lust of the eyes in a world that promotes self-glorification, which works on the sin of man boasting of what he has and does (pride of life). Now we will see how Jesus responds.

Read Matthew 4:10.
3-11. What is the first thing that Jesus tells Satan?

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Read Matthew 16:23.
Satan was using Peter to stumble Jesus.

3-12. What did Jesus say about the mindset of Peter?

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Let us look at how Jesus defeated Satan with the Word of God. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:13-14.

For context read Deuteronomy 6:10-15.
3-13. In verses 10 and 11 how many times does the phrase "you did not" appear?

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Grace is receiving something when you did not earn it and did not deserve it. Notice in verses ten and eleven the grace God promised to Israel. Now look at the key verses that Jesus quoted, verses 13-14. Let us see how serious God was about serving Him only.

Read Deuteronomy Chapter 13.
3-14. What was the penalty for worshipping a false god?

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The penalty may seem too severe but God wanted the Israelites to cut out the cancer - to remove the serving and worshipping of a false god. Unfortunately, they did not follow God's instruction. They worshipped and allowed worship of false gods. Even today, worshipping a false god leads to eternal death - separation from God forever. God will not allow anyone who worships a false god into heaven.

By quoting Deuteronomy 6:13-14, Jesus knew the seriousness of worshipping anyone but God the Father. Jesus knew that there is life in God's Words. He knew that regardless of what would happen to his physical body, obedience to the Father was imperative. To be obedient starts with knowing what God wants - this is found in the Bible. Jesus was able to do what no other person has been able to do - fully resist Satan's temptations and completely obey God.

Conclusion To Lesson 3

We have reviewed the failure of the first Adam and the success of the Final Adam with His victory over Satan. We have seen some of the methods that Satan has used to deceive and tempt. Also, we have studied how God's kingdom is so different from our fallen world.

As we digest this study, we must remember that life comes from the Supplier not from the supplies. Jesus' obedience showed His loyalty to God by continuing His march to Calvary where He completely defeated Satan. It was all for our sake. Jesus said, "If you love me, obey me." We must ask ourselves do we love the blessings of God more than God? Are we willing to sacrifice our relationship with the Father for the things of life like Satan did? Are we willing to sacrifice the things in life for the people that God loved so much? Are we willing to permit the Spirit of Christ in us to manifest (be like) Christ in our everyday lives?

As you ask yourself these very important questions, remember the temptations that Jesus overcame. His reliance on God's Word and unyielding sacrifice gives us the model that God desires of us.

- End of Lesson 3 & Study -

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©2003 - Lincoln Community Bible Church, Lincolnton, NC - www.lincolncommunity.org

Personal notes that you want to remember from this lesson & study:

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