CHRIST THE TRAILBLAZER

LUKE 4:1-13, 1 Peter 2:21                                             

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

 

I. THE PATTERNS OF TEMPTATION [1 John 2:16]

 

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 

1. Lust of the Flesh- physical appetite [v. 1-4, Gn. 3:6] And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food…

 

2. Lust of the Eyes-aesthetic nature [v. 5-8, Gn. 3:6] … and that it was pleasant to the eyes,

 

3. Pride of Life-spiritual ambition [v. 9-13, Gn. 3:6, 1 Timothy 3:6] …a tree to be desired to make one wise

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

 

II. THE PERVERSION OF TWISTING

 

Satan questioned the Father’s love when he tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. He questioned His hope when he offered Jesus’ the world’s kingdoms this side of the cross. Satan questioned the Father’s faithfulness when he asked Jesus to jump from the temple and prove that the Father would keep His promise. Thus, the enemy attacked the three basic virtues of the Christian life- faith, hope, and love. - Warren W. Wiersbe

 

1. Satan Twists Normal Desires [v. 3, Romans 1:27]

 

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 

2. Satan Twists the Word of God [v. 10-11, Ps. 91:11-12, 2 Peter 3:16]

 

As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

3. Satan Twists the Plan of God [v. 5-8, Acts 13:10]

 

And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

 

III. THE PATHS TO TRIUMPH [2 Corinthians 2:14]

 

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

2 Samuel 23:12 But he [Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite] stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1. Jesus Was Spirit-filled [4:1, Ephesians 5:18]

 

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

2. Jesus Was Scripture-filled [4:4, 8, 12, Colossians 3:16]

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith

 

3. Jesus Was Fully Surrendered [4:1, Colossians 3:17]

 

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.