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What parts of Scripture you have committed to memory. Take a few moments and think for a moment... This is not a trick question. When did you learn that? Do you remember when you memorized it? You might say that you don’t know any passages from the Bible by memory, however, you might be surprised! Remember this verse? “Lord, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” *** God shows us through Jesus experience that it is essential to be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to deliver us from evil. When our hearts are focused on God, our hearts are filled with His Spirit, Jesus gives us the example to follow – in our human body we can do nothing on our own, but in Christ, living in us, all things are possible through Christ who strengthens us. PAUSE “If you are the Son of God, then command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” And the second time, “If you, then, will worship me, then it will all be yours.” And a third time, “If you are the Son of God, then throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” “Jesus answered him, (the devil) “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” But the devil wants us to believe that temptation is all around us, that it is “always out there.” The devil wants us to believe that we can be in complete control of our destiny, and when we are not, we must prove ourselves to the world and to ourselves. However, Jesus shows that you don't have to go all the way to Las Vegas to be tempted. Temptation does not have to be found “out there” because temptation begins much closer to home. Temptation begins “within our hearts.” In fact, you can be all by yourself in the remote wilderness, and without warning, temptation comes. It isn’t that temptation cannot come from the obvious – out there – but it begins inside us first. The devil tempts us with lies all the time. Anything that is a slight weakness, the devil tries to plant any kind of negative thought into our minds – so that our words and actions will follow – and this is for ONE PURPOSE ONLY – so God is not FIRST! The temptation is always the same, to disbelieve in God; to question God, and question God’s GOOD plan for our lives and our world. This is why Jesus was FULL of the Holy Spirit BEFORE he went into the desert. We can learn by Jesus’ experience, that temptation is always lurking in the human heart, but when we put the needs of our spirits FIRST – God will open our eyes to see a way to be delivered from temptation. *** It is important to recognize something else in this passage about the three temptations. The temptations are not to do bad things, but to do good things for the wrong reasons. Obviously turning stones into bread for the hungry could be a good thing. Having Jesus as King of the world could also be a good thing. And visible proof of God's power and protection is another good thing! All three are all ostensibly good outcomes. HOWEVER, it is the MEANS, NOT the end, that is the devil’s playground! *** The devil wants us to question God – just enough to believe that God could not possibly love us “just as we are” and ESPECIALLY “God could not possibly love us for what we are NOT!.” However, Jesus takes all three of the devil’s temptations and transforms them from DEATH into NEW LIFE! “If you are who you say you are - do this,” … the devil says, “then …… do that and prove yourself to be who you claim to be!” BUT - Jesus does not get on the defensive. He does not have to prove himself to the devil, because he already knows who he is because he is FULL of the Holy Spirit. 1- Jesus KNOWS that he is the Son of God – fully divine, but does not have to prove it through an act of a miracle. 2 - Jesus knows that in order to live, we need bread for the body, but most important – we need bread for the soul/spirit – but when God is leading he is protected. 3 - Jesus KNOWS that God is Lord over all, not the devil and all his talk! Jesus can see through all his false and empty promises, and all the stuff he brags about around him is not what makes a person complete. Jesus turns each IF…..THEN challenge from the devil, into affirmations of faith in God. When you do what God instructs in the Bible - “It is written….” Jesus says, WHEN you do what God instructs, teaches, encourages, THEN…… GOOD THINGS HAPPEN – there is no place for doubt! God is faithful. Jesus went back to God’s Word, and God freed him from death’s snare. God gave Jesus what he needed – his Word at the correct time. And we gain the ultimate reward – eternal life – and THAT is a good thing! *** 1. Even Jesus Christ (God incarnate) has to go through hard times (temptation, suffering, and hard times). So why do we think it should be any different for us. 2. If we stay focused on God and His Scriptures and follow His instructions on how we should live our lives and not on our own desires, we will overcome. 3. Just because we have gone through the temptation, suffering and hard times does not mean they will not come again. Look at the last verse: "When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time." As long as we live on this earth as human beings we will have things to go through - tough things and good things! *** Which leads us to how this familiar passage from the Bible relates to our lives today – the valleys AND the mountains. Consider this: Why is it that we only consider it a temptation when it is a bad thing, an overindulgence, or something frivolous? Why are we not tempted to do good things, tempted to change our ways, or tempted to do random acts of kindness? Traditionally people gave something up for Lent, showing that they could turn away from temptation. Perhaps an alternative to this could be to discover a cause or good deed that somehow tempts you to move beyond your comfort zone. How about volunteering to read with children at Mosa or Ekcoe? Would you consider participating or reading scripture in church – even though you may never have read in front of a gathering of people? Maybe you could help prepare crafts or snacks – unexpectedly - for the Sunday School, the community VBS, or another church social. Perhaps you have a hidden talent and can fix things, build things, or you have a clean driving record and would like to drive people to the cancer clinic for appointments. Do you like shopping for bargains? There is always room for thrifty shoppers when planning events in the community. If you are a planner, KinDay is coming up, and volunteers are welcome! Have you considered helping out with the breakfast program in Ekcoe? Do you have an outrageous idea for our church, for a fundraiser, for our community? Have you shared it with anyone – maybe it isn’t so out-there as you might think! You say you’re not a plumber, a baker, a confident city driver – would you consider commiting yourself to a half an hour prayer everyday on behalf of our church and community – and concentrate on the needs of each person? Are you feeling tempted? Tempted to say, “No Thanks!” Good, that’s just what the devil wants you to say. Somethimes we love our comfort and daily habits more than we love God. It is written, in Matthew 19 - 16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Maybe you could begin by being tempted by GOD to seek Him first – ask his forgiveness, and love him in new ways. You might hold your tongue from nasty talk or gossip - for a whole day, doing a good deed with no alterior motive and nothing to gain, like stopping to pick up garbage on the side of the road or the sidewalk. Jesus leaves the devil behind and goes on to a greater ministry. When we leave behind the bad things that tempt us to disbelieve God, and give into God’s temptation to be loved and to love Him and others first – THEN we can go on to greater things *** What is your desert? Jesus response is relevant to lead you through your desert. Amen.