Sermon delivered February 14, 2021.

BI: Jesus reminds us the Holy Spirit will use God’s word to strengthen us.

INTRODUCTION

I was outside the meeting hall, talking with Pastor Bill Sweeting and Roy Larsen, perhaps Pastor Zach Guyten when the President approached.  Now, before you get excited, it was the new President of Trinity International University, our denominations affiliated school.  We were scheduled to formally vote, all the church delegates, confirming his placement in this important role.  What I watched quietly at that door was truly a moment that revealed more about this guys character than any speech he was supposed to make.  You see as the new President, Nicholas Perrin did not have the right to vote any of the other maters being brought to the floor.  So he lacked the delegate lanyard that Bill and Zach and I had around our necks.  Three Trinity students, maybe sixty years between them, had been placed as sentries at the door of the auditorium.  No one with out a delegate lanyard was to be allowed in.  As the incoming President, these three students didn’t know Dr. Perrin from anybody, so they told him politely, that he was not allowed in.  Whatever, emotion, embarrassment, feelings of frustration as he was due to speak before the convention in just minutes, what I saw was gentle respect and kindness.  He simply said, “I’m sorry. I understand.”  And he left.  I know he made his way in through another entrance without trouble because he was there to do his presentation just minutes later.  But that moment of confrontation, this little temptation to exert his status, his position, his reputation which he handled so gracefully and humbly may have only been witnessed by two or three of us who were paying close attention. 

I know you are facing emotions, motivations, temptations that are both completely new and novel, but also familiar at the same time.  If you are not, then I am, and this sermon will be merely to encourage me. But I think we are together in this season. And today:

Jesus reminds us the Holy Spirit will use God’s word to strengthen us even in our temptations.

BODY

Luke, in his Gospel, is establishing an account for those who would love God and seek his path. The story of Jesus began with miracles, angelic prophecies, and people “filled with the Holy Spirit”. Jesus’ first words recorded by Luke are found in chapter two.  A young Jesus addresses his parents and speaks a deep truth about who’s son he really is.  They lost track of Jesus while traveling to Jerusalem and finding him after three days he said…

(Luke 2:49) – “Why were you searching for me?” (he asked.) “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 

Side note: at the end of Luke’s work, two other Mary’s are asked three days after Jesus’ death, “Why do you search for the living among the dead?” (Lk 24:5)

but here, in Chapter 2, Jesus is found at his father’s house, the temple of God.

In Chapter 3 Jesus is baptized by his cousin John whose ministry had converted tax collectors and soldiers, farmers and fishermen. John prepares them for Jesus saying that he will bring more than water baptism: baptism with the Holy Spirit.  And as Jesus himself is baptized in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descends on him and a voice from heaven says: “you are my son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased.” (Lk 3:22) 

Jesus begins his ministry aged approximately 30 and Luke inserts his genealogy, “He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,” (Lk 3:23)…

So whose son is this Jesus?  This is very much the focus of Luke as we enter Jesus’ formal ministry.  Next week we will hear Jesus’ neighbors exclaim, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

Whose son is he really?

Today our text will probe our hearts with this same question: Whose child are you? Whose child am I?

Jesus will demonstrate for us: As God’s children: the Holy Spirit will use God’s word to strengthen us.

INTRO: Luke 4:1-2

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted (or tested) by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them, he was hungry.”

Wait, Pastor, how can Jesus really be tempted? He’s God.  It’s not the same thing as I experience because I am not God!  Didn’t Jesus’ half brother James write: (James 1:13-14) When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

So if Jesus is God (and he is), then isn’t James saying Jesus can not really be tempted? Here is where it’s important for us to understand the Son of God became human, a human did not become the Son of God. This is critical. A member of Adam’s family did not acquire divine nature or ascend to become God. No. A member of the Trinity descended and became a member of Adam’s family line, a human.  

The author of Hebrews summarized this critical bit of theology in the second chapter of that book: 

(Hebrews 2:14-18) Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

You can’t kill God, but Jesus “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death.” (Philippians 2:7,8)

God can not be tempted by evil, but Jesus “shared in our humanity, fully human in every way… because he suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

So Luke shares that Jesus was in the wilderness being tempted by the Devil during a long and Biblically complete 40 days.  During these 40 days he did not eat, so through temptation and hunger, Jesus is physically and physiologically exhausted…

TEMPTATION 1: Luke 4:3-4

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

Like Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness, being fed manna from God, Jesus hunger could be satisfied by a divine act if he would take this suggestion. But observe the source.  The Devil is not only probing his hunger, but also his identity.  “If you are the Son of God…” prove it. Feed yourself in the wilderness like your Father fed the nation. Show your power man! You don’t have remain hungry. You don’t deserve to be exhausted.  But Jesus in not in a famine, unable to eat. He’s chosen to fast, he’s ben led by the Holy Spirit to the wilderness, and in the rivers of the Jordan, God’s voice confirmed, he is the Son of God. 

Jesus words here, in fact, all his words spoken in these three statements and first thing from his mouth next week are all quoting God’s word, scripture. This quote and his next two are from Deuteronomy. 

First, Jesus trusts his identity and God’s provision and timing because he knows God’s word. This is the way.

Jesus reminds us the Holy Spirit will use God’s word to strengthen us when we need it most.

Christian: We also have hungers and appetites, desires of the flesh, good and God-given, that the devil will exploit to tempt us. We rarely fast, and are always nourished, we feast often and are tempted into gluttony. We are parched for intimacy but are saturated in sexually suggestive songs, advertisements, and entertainment. We are tempted by lusts and cravings corrupted from God’s good gift of tender love and friendship into perverse selfishness. We strive after currency, things, travel, and toys. We are not poor by any standard, certainly not global standards, but we are tempted by idolatry as we grasp and hoard.

But Jesus reminds us our identity. Christian, we are children of God. Giver of all good things. Jesus knew his hunger was both appropriate and the core of the temptation.  Jesus is with you. The Holy Spirit strengthens you with God’s truths about your hurts, wounds, temptations, trials, about your hungers, appetites, and desires. Your Father’s word will guide you. His Holy Spirit can work to bring health and satisfaction that comes from above.  Jesus shows us that the Holy Spirit will use God’s word to strengthen us.

You can stand, Child of God, because we don’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Second…

TEMPTATION 2: Luke 4:5-8

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

So supernaturally, drawn into the sky or a high place, the Devil some how displays “all the kingdoms of the world” … in an instant. 

<<FAST, DRAMATIZE THE CAMERA>> 

Not unlike our modern film techniques that zoom impossibly from the atmosphere through clouds, rooftops and into the place of one scene only to pull back into the sky and descend across the earth. The audience is given a divine perspective enabling us to see what the characters in the story couldn’t possibly see. 

Jesus is shown what the Devil claims he has authority over: all the earthly kingdoms, their armies, prisons, merchants, kings and priests.

The devil tells Jesus, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.”  From the brutality of war and power through history, we might believe the devil has dominion and authority. It’s alway easy to summarize these historical kingdoms in terms of battles and territory, castles and dungeons, trade routes and diplomatic ties.  But God seems super focused on the relationships, the kinship of humanity. In the iconic Psalm 2 our Bible says: 

(Psalms 2:6-8) “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will proclaim the LORD’S decree: 

 He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.

 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

The devil tests Jesus’ relationship with his Father: simply kiss my ring, and I’ll give you way to bypass the cross, a path to “all people” that doesn’t require the pain, suffering, death. “If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

<<PAUSE>>

Quick to the scripture, Jesus responds: “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Earlier in our text, Luke writes that the angel told Mary (Lk 1:33) “[your son] will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Jesus refuses to take for himself what only should be given him by his true Father. His identity as the scepter of Judah is only given by the only one worthy of worship. He refuses to give the devil the one thing he craves most, to be worshiped in place of God.

Again, Jesus reminds us that the Holy Spirit will use God’s word to strengthen our resolve.

Child of God: We also fight temptations to worship the good things God has for us rather than the good God who gave them to us. Work accolades, Grades at school, a Spouse, our Reputation, Friendships… these and other blessings can become misplaced. The devil can confuse our focus.  

We may not imagine we would ever WORSHIP THE DEVIL! But perhaps we do bow to the deceiver when we “exchange the truth about God for a lie, and worship and served created things rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).  We listened to the serpent’s whisper, “you will be like God” (Genesis 3:4). You need to control these things in your life, you need to have power over them. You can’t trust God to continue being good. 

Saint of God, you can bow to the only good God. Jesus trusted his Father in life and in his death. Jesus shows us that placing anything before the one true God, our Father, will actually lead to loosing hold of it.  To gain life, Jesus shows us we can give our lives to God and he will raise us into life with him. Paul wrote that Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” and that you saint also “died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 2:20,3:3).

Jesus demonstrated to us that the Holy Spirit uses God’s word to strengthen us, when our will feels weak.

Third… 

TEMPTATION 3: Luke 4:9-12

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

From the wilderness to the heights, now to the temple, Luke places this temptation third and focus’ on the Temple of God.  Again the devil challenges Jesus’ identity: “If you are the Son of God” and turns the tables on Jesus. “For it is written” Satan suggests Jesus needs to prove his trust in God’s Word.  Do you really believe? Then test this scripture… Quoting from Psalm 91… For it is written: Satan recites “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”   <<PAUSE>>

How convenient the devil stops there and doesn’t include the next verse about trampling the cobra.  Maybe too close, too soon. 

The temptation Jesus faces begins with his identity again.  Who’s son are you?  Is this really your Father’s house?  Will your Father really spare your life? If you are his beloved Son, if you are the fulfillment of these “written Words of God”, then you won’t die… even if you jump…

If you are God’s anointed one, surely you won’t have to die.

Again from Deuteronomy, Jesus says, “Do not put the Lord your God to test.”  This passage he quotes from Moses’ sermon is reminding the Israel of the location where God instructed Moses to speak to the rock and God would cause water to flow for them. Instead, Moses strikes the rock with his rod. The temptation to be the focus, the source of this miracle perhaps is one that Moses gave into.  Jesus uses Moses’ words here to face a similar temptation. The “I’ll show you who I am” temptation. 

I’ve never been tempted to jump from a temple roof, but I’ve failed a million times when tempted to show off spiritually, intellectually, with some skill I’m proud of. But Jesus’ temptation isn’t merely for a small bit of pride or applause.  Jesus is taken from the Jordan river and the Father’s blessing to the rugged wilderness in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. As he is tested and pressed, the devil dangles relief from his hunger, quick results and instant authority, then finally fame, glory, perhaps even worship. Jesus looks down upon a crowd, perhaps unaware at their presence above. His ministry will eventually bring him back to this temple with only a small faithful group of followers. Such a different path toward God than the quick dive the devil is offering. 

I should note that Jesus’ reply is not only an intellectual rebuttal. “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” This is not only Jesus refusing to put his true Father to the test. It is that. But it is also a rebuke to the Devil. “Do not put the Lord your God to test.”  Who is testing our Lord? The Devil. And Jesus rebukes him … and answers him. “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” 

Sisters, Brothers, you can lean into trusting God without testing him.  His path for us is rarely the easiest way, it is described as the narrow gate, taking up our cross, as loosing our lives to find true life. We, the sons of Adam, the daughters of Eve, are tempted by the devil: 
“Who’s child are you?” he sneers. 
“If God loved you, why is life this hard?” he taunts.
“If you are saved, why doesn’t it feel safe?” with his haunting grin.

These aren’t small. They don’t feel trivial. This temptation isn’t a passing fad or a current event.  Brothers, Sisters, these are the temptations that have tripped up generations. Our mothers and our fathers faced these questions. For them.  For us. Jesus reminds us the Holy Spirit will use God’s word to strengthen us. God’s word can be a hedge around us, a great wall protecting us, a support when our emotions are weak and our psyche is raw. God’s word says, the Holy Spirit says: trust God, don’t test God.

CONCLUSION: Luke 4:13-15

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

This wasn’t the last temptation of Jesus, but this battle was over. Jesus’ victory is important for us. The Son of God became fully human, and was tested just as we are.  But unlike me, unlike you, Jesus was completely victorious over sin. This is why our hope is placed in his righteousness rather than our own.  This is why Jesus has authority to say, this is my body, broken for you.  If he is not the Son of God, if he is not sinless, then he is merely a falsely convicted religious teacher. But if he is the Son of God, and he says, this is my blood, a promise with my Father, then it is indeed a new agreement. As the book of Hebrews says, “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place [the Father’s presence] once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. ¹³… [this] blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse[s] our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Heb 9:12-14)

<<Transition directly into communion.>>