sermon from Matthew 4.8-11 on May 20, 2012

The Temptation of Christ  Round 3 – The Worship of God & The Glory of the World

Scripture:  Matthew 4.1-11

Million Dollar Man - “Everybody’s Got a Price!”

What Would You Do to Become a Millionaire?

08% Have a limb amputated
08% Play Russian Roulette
08% Never see your family again
34% Change religions
37% Have a pet put to sleep
51% Burn your country’s flag
58% Move to another country

Source: http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/41602/results

Showed Him All the Kingdoms of the World and their Glory

Supernatural showing

Luke says – “in a moment of time”

More from Luke:

• I will give you all this authority & glory

• For it has been delivered to me

• I give it to whom I will

• If you then… It will be yours

Conditional Clause = “If”

Worship – “Position me as if I am above You!”
Worship – “Make me God!”

Kingdom without the Cross
Crown without the Thorns

Get Rich Quick!

- Temporary Kingdom
- Temporary Glory

“Zoom in!”

Temporary bliss without any pain.

For the Joy set before Him… Jesus endured the Cross!

 

Eventually Satan Will Give Authority & Glory to Someone

Revelation 13:2–4 (sections)

And the beast…  And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 

the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.   And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, & who can fight against it?”” 

Eventually Satan will give his authority to someone
Eventually Satan will find people to worship him as he desires. 

 

v.10 – Jesus Responds

It is written…

Jesus has 1 defense over & over & over!

- Personal Needs - It is written!

- God’s Trustworthiness! – It is written!

- Temporary Happiness!!  – It is written!

He never detracted from trusting God’s Word as His source of strength, support, & truth!

He quotes Deuteronomy 6.13

“It is the Lord your God you shall fear.
Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.”

*3 Adjustments Jesus Makes to the Text

a.) Fear –> Worship (Reverence)
b.) Jesus adds the word “only” before serve
c.) Jesus rightly applies the principle of this text to the current situation & temptation.

 

This is a Worship Issue!

Jesus does not engage in an authority debate.  Jesus isn’t concerned about the misleading semantics of Satan’s wording.  Jesus doesn’t even bring up the fact that the Kingdoms of this world are temporary. This is not about authority…  This is not about wording…  This is not about facts… This is a worship issue! Worship is the End Goal!Worshiping God is the # 1 duty of every human being!

Missions exist because worship doesn’t! - Piper

- Mission exists for the worship of God!
- Evangelism exists for the worship of God!
- Discipleship exists for the worship of God!
- The Church exists for the worship of God!
- You exist for the worship of God!

This is the chief end goal of everything!!

 

ILLUSTRATION – EGGS FOR BREAKFAST

Mommy made scrambled eggs w/ cheese for breakfast. Sarah pouted – she wanted oatmeal instead!

Two problems: 1.) No time now    2.) You’ll eat what Mommy made

It would bring us joy for our daughter to eat a good breakfast in the morning.

- We want to see her belly full & her day to go well.
- Eggs are good for the brain.
- Breakfast is the 2nd most important meal of the day  (Bible is the 1st).

So we want her to have breakfast… But she refuses!  Later – she will wish she would have listened & obeyed. She will regret not eating the eggs.  Although it would bring us joy for her to eat breakfast… we don’t lose out on anything if she refuses. 

Sometimes God doesn’t do what we want.  Things don’t go the way we wish they would have.  We pout like little children at the breakfast table:

“Fine if I can’t have it my way…
I’m not doing it… I’m not listening… I’m not obeying… I’m not worshiping!”

The problem is -

We think we are hurting God by doing this. We are not. We are only hurting ourselves.

You were created with the need to worship …and you will worship something or someone.

It is engrained within your soul.  The question is who or what will you worship… When we make it a point for Jesus to be our portion… It is not for His gain… as if He will be lacking if we don’t: serve Him, obey Him, love Him, follow Him, worship Him.

Later
- we will have wished we would have obeyed.
- not argued about the details…
- would have worshiped Jesus…
- been satisfied w/ Jesus as our portion!

It is for our joy to worship Him. 

It is for our good!

 

v.10 – Jesus: “Be Gone Satan!” Thematic Address.

- Devil  (v.1) Title
- Tempter (v.3) Function
- Devil  (v.5) Title
- Devil  (v.8) Title
- Devil (v.11) Title

But in v.10… Jesus calls Satan by His name!

Effectual (John 11.43)

 

Then – The Devil Left Him

1 Peter 1:3–7

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith— more precious than gold that perishes ! though it is tested by fire —may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

 

BEHOLD – Angels Came & Ministered to Him

Probably ministered physical & spiritually

How Many? Could be: 12 legions = 72,000 (Mt.26.53)

Where From?! Were they there – whole time? “Came”=Approached

All of Heaven knew the significance of Jesus’ cosmic battle & His victory!

Psalm 91

Remember – Satan tried to twist this Scripture.

Psalm 91 was indeed fulfilled…

- God’s timing
- God’s way 

The One who had identified Himself with sinners by baptism… and who would provide righteousness… proved He is righteous… and revealed His approval by the Father.

The Worship of God is greater than the glory of the world.