TEXT:  Heb. 4:15

INTRODUCTION:

A.      JESUS QUALIFIED TO INTERCEDE FOR US.

          1.       Possesses an understanding born out of experience - Tempted in all points.

          2.       Yet without sin.  Power over sin!

B.      ON WHAT POINTS DOES TEMPTATION COME?( 1 John 2:15-17 ).

C.      THESE ARE ILLUSTRATED IN HIS TEMPTATION( Matt. 4:1-11 ).

I.      LUST OF THE FLESH - HUNGER( Matt. 4:1-11 ).

A.      SATAN'S APPEAL - STONES TO BREAD - SATISFY THE FLESH.

B.      THE ANSWER( Deut. 8:3 ).  PASSAGE SHOWS DEPENDENCE ON GOD.

C.      LESSONS:

          1.       The flesh must not be yielded to( Gal. 5:16-24;  1 John 2:17 ).

          2.       Trust God and what he provides( John 6:27, 30-35 ).

          3.       It's difficult, but( 2 Cor. 4:16 -- 5:1 ).

II.     VAINGLORY OF LIFE (PRIDE) - DOUBT( Matt. 4:5-7 ).

A.      "CAST THYSELF DOWN" - PROVE WHO YOU ARE.

B.      THE ANSWER( Deut. 6:16 ).  TEMPTING GOD AT MASSAH( Ex. 17:1-7 ).

C.      LESSONS:

          1.       Jesus not shaming Satan for tempting him, He could not tempt God himself.

          2.       The feeling of the people expressed in vs. 7.  "Is the Lord among us or not?"

          3.       What had God already done in their presence?

          4.       Do we doubt?( Heb. 3:12;  Matt. 14:22-33 -- 2 Tim. 1:12 ).

          5.       Watch your mouth( Job 2:10;  1:22 ).

          6.       We should have a proper view of self( Psa. 144:3-4;  Rom. 12:3 ).

          7.       The humble mind submits and obeys( 1 Pet. 5:6-7 ).

III.    LUST OF THE EYE - WHAT HE COULD SEE( Matt. 4:8-11 ).

A.      THE TRADE - WHAT'S RIGHT FOR WHAT YOU SEE.

B.      THE ANSWER( Deut. 6:13 ).  NO DEALS!

C.      LESSONS:

          1.       No halfway ground( Matt. 6:24 ).

          2.       "Everyman has his price!"  Oh?( Mark 8:34-38;  1 Cor. 6:19-20 ).

          3.       What if we lose our souls?  For how small a price!

IV.   WE ARE TEMPTED LIKE JESUS.

A.      SATAN WANTS US, TOO( 1 Pet. 5:8 ).

B.      JESUS PROVIDES AN ESCAPE( 1 Cor. 10:13;  Eph. 6:16 ).

C.      Rom. 10:17.  JESUS REPLIED WITH SCRIPTURE.

          1.       Tells us what is right.

          2.       Tells us what he endured

          3.       Gives God's promise( 2 Tim. 2:11-13 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      IT IS NOT SIN TO BE TEMPTED( James 1:12 ).

B.      JESUS KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE.

C.      HE PROVIDES STRENGTH TO OVERCOME( Heb. 4:15-16 ).