Defending the Weakest Link

by Rev. Kirby Williams

Jesus' response to Satan's wilderness temptations, affirms His Sonship and perfectly defends "humanity's weakest link".

Text: Matthew 4:1-4
Date: 03/07/2010, the Traditional service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 9

After God affirms Jesus as His dearly beloved Son, the Spirit whisks Him into the wilderness to be tested. He has a "one-on-one" encounter with the "prince of demons", who immediately attacks Him at humanity's "weakest link". But what is the purpose of this temptation, what exactly is being tested, and why does God allow it? This passage builds on a wealth of Old Testament imagery to answer these, and other, deep questions. Often trivialized, our text is far more than just a discussion of resisted temptation. But rather a profound look at how Jesus perfectly defends and ultimately strengthens the "weakest link" between God and His people.

1. Introduction
2. Exposition of the text, Matt. 4:1-4.
1. Context
1. The baptism of Jesus, Psa. 2:7, Isa. 4:1.
2. The wilderness wanderings.
3. a. The crossing of the Red Sea.
4. b. Manna in the wilderness.
5. c. Water from the rock.
6. d. The golden calf.
7. The Shema (Deut. 6-8).
2. In the Wilderness, vs. 1-2.
1. Prelude to temptation, vs. 1
1. The location of the temptation.
2. The purpose of the temptation.
1. Tempting or testing?
2. The nature of the temptation.
3. The new Israel.
3. The adversary.
2. Preparation for temptation, vs. 2.
1. Forty days and forty nights, Deut. 8:2, Num. 14:33-34
2. Weak and vulnerable.
3. The first temptation, vs. 3-4.
1. Testing the Son of God, vs. 3a.
1. The "tempter".
2. Questioning Sonship.
2. Satan's challenge: turn stones into bread, vs. 3b.
1. The temptation of disobedience.
2. The temptation of self-reliance.
3. Jesus' reply: life is in the Words of God, vs. 4.
1. Wielding the "sword of the Spirit", Eph. 6:17.
2. Manna in the desert, Deut. 8:2-3.
3. Nourishing words, John 4:31-34.
4. The core of the first temptation.
3. Application
4. Conclusion