Worship the Lord our God

January 10, 2010

Lesson: Matthew 4:1–11

Key Verse: Matthew 4:10

Introduction

“It is written!” This is a unique approach to the Bible, the Word of God; unique, in the sense that it judges the various approaches to the Bible today. Some look to the Bible for proof texts that will support their suppositions. Such as, the Bible does not say anything about gambling; gambling is entertainment, therefore the Christian can gamble as long as he knows his limit. Trying to give an answer to this, I received this reply: “That is only your interpretation.” Others see the Bible as a book which contains things about God written by men. This term, ‘is written’ comes from the word ‘grapho,’ meaning to carve, cut, or engrave. When something is so written, it has with it the signature of authority which cannot be broken. It is true. Satan uses the Scripture because it is authoritative, but twists it to say something else. Speaking of his servant, John the Baptist, Jesus referred to the written Word as his authority, “For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face” (Matt. 11:10).

How we approach the Bible is quite important to the Christian. Dr. Lloyd-Jones wrote, “If you ever find yourself approaching the Bible in an intellectual rather than a spiritual manner, you are already on the wrong road.” He goes on to say that the Bible “is God’s Book and it is a Book of Life. It is a Book that speaks to us a word from God.” We can either approach God’s Book as one among many, gleaning what we can, heading toward the buffet rather than receiving the true meat which God alone can give. In other words, the “Bible should always preach to us, and we must never allow ourselves to come to it in any way but that” (Lloyd-Jones, Studies in The Sermon on the Mount). (For further understanding, read the first chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith.)

Discussion: How should we approach the Bible, and why?

Led By the Spirit: Matthew 4:1–2

Satan is not seen as the one who initiated the time of temptation. He would like to believe, and have us believe, that it is he who has authority over God’s will and purposes. He is but a lion without teeth, believing that he can devour whom he may. However, God’s Word teaches us that it is the wisdom and will of the Triune God that the Christ is tempted in the wilderness. For Jesus was “led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” In a true sense, Christ Jesus, the Man, came to Satan to be tempted, that he might show that it is he, as Man and appointed Messiah, who has victory over the devil, through the Truth that the Lord himself has revealed. Our victory over temptations is, therefore, through Christ and his Word. We, therefore come to the Word of God, written, in the same way that our Lord came, saying, “It is written!”

The very Breath of God, the second Person in the Godhead, accompanies the Son into the wilderness. He is the Spirit of Truth that will sustain the God-Man as he faces the temptations of the devil. The Holy Spirit is the one who gives life, sustaining life by his presence and by his Word. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jesus at his baptism, as did the Father in his words, “This is my Beloved Son.” The Spirit of the Lord is he who anointed Christ Jesus to “preach the gospel” (Luke 4:18).

Discussion: Who is it that sent Christ into the wilderness to be tempted?

Stones into Bread: Matthew 4:2–4

Having fasted, having fellowship with his Father in heaven for forty days and nights, Jesus, in his body, hungers. The tempter comes, at what he thinks is an opportune time, to tempt Jesus in his weakest moment. It is at our weakest moments that our old nature begins to bring question to our faith. It is at these moments that we must be the strongest; to be strong in weakness means that we must rest wholly upon our Lord and his word. The body can go only so long without food. However, the soul nurtured continually in the word of God, can find strength in time of need. Fasting intensifies the soul’s strength with the Spirit of Truth.

The tempter comes to Jesus, saying, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” It is not wrong to satisfy one’s hunger, but to satisfy ones selfish desires, to obtain that bread in an unholy manner, is giving in to that temptation. Satan knew that Jesus was the Son of God. It is Jesus, though, who confronts the tempter. Jesus faces the tempter in our stead. For he is our High Priest, who can be touched “with the feeling of our infirmities;” and “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). It is in Christ that we have our victory. As perfect man, Christ could face down Satan on our behalf. He knew our infirmities and conquered them for us.

Christ answers the devil with the written word of God, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” It is the word of God that is efficacious in our lives, not our programs nor our strengths, gifts, or talents. The word of which Christ speaks is that which comes from God—the infallible, God-breathed Word which the Lord recorded for us, and sends the Holy Spirit that we might find understanding and wisdom.

Discussion: How in the way of Christ do we answer our adversaries?

Cast Thyself Down: Matthew 4:5–7

The second recorded temptation is seen when the devil takes Christ up into the “holy city, and sitteth him on a pinnacle of the temple.” The second temptation places Christ at the highest point of the city, that all the inhabitants may be seen. The first temptation appeals to our physical needs. This temptation allures us to test our faith in the purpose and care of God in our lives. Test the Lord!—says the tempter; show before the world that God will give his angels “charge concerning thee; and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” The trap was laid. Scripture was twisted to say “If you yourself will test the Lord and cast yourself down, God will provide the deliverance.”

However, Christ again turns Satan down, rebuking him, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Pray that you will be a faithful disciple, studying Scripture rightly that you may know how to answer those who would lead you to tempt your Lord. “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, have made another glorious and conquering cut at the enemy. How grandly our Lord defeated the foe! Let us learn never to tempt the Lord by wickedly presuming upon his mercy, or his faithfulness” (Charles Spurgeon).

Discussion: What does it mean to tempt our Lord?

Worship Me!: Matthew 4:8–11

We can see the temptation to have power in many of our leaders in this world. They worship self, as they seek to make a name for themselves, or gather wealth, at the expense of others. In worshiping self, they worship the prince of this world. Christ Jesus was shown the “kingdoms of this world, and the glory of them.” It is like being brought into an ivory tower and shown only the glitter of gold hiding the wretchedness of the souls which it hides. Satan makes this false promise, which many still listen to today: “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” Though the kingdoms of this world are influenced by Satan, or they bear the same marks of sin and transgression as he does; it is also true that Christ is King of all nations. The devil said that he would give to him what he already owned. All the kingdoms of this world are under his authority, as is Satan, and they will come before their Judge and will be held accountable. For all authority is of God.

It should be as inconceivable to us as to Jesus that he or we would bow down and worship the liar. Man’s ambition moves him to worship the one who can give him nothing but eternal darkness. “Alas! How many have idolized evil for the sake of power, and so have ruined their own souls” (Spurgeon). Our ambition is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. We do this in the power and authority of Christ, who claimed victory over temptation and sin for us.

Christ’s answer to Satan drives him from his presence: “Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Our attendance at the church service on the Lord’s Day does not necessarily reveal our worship of our Creator and Redeemer. A pew-warmer pleases the devil. Worship is our relationship with God whereby we rest only upon him alone for our life. Our hearts, thoughts, and deeds are to serve him for his glory alone. We say in worship that we shall not have any other gods that would take His place, whether it is in the home, work, government, school, church, etc.

It is when the devil departed and the victory was Christ’s, that his “angels came and ministered unto him.” We know the comfort of our Lord best when we fight the good fight with the Sword of the Spirit, the word of God. Our prayer will be that of the Psalmist: “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes” (Ps. 119:47–48).

Discussion: How is the worship and service of the true God alone seen in our faith and practice?

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.