A Recap from Sunday’s Sermon
Preaching Text: Luke 4:1-13

This past Sunday, we began a new sermon series from Luke’s gospel titled “Jesus the Ultimate Physician.” This comes after a summer in Acts, the other work authored by Luke, who was a physician. Jesus is an even greater physician. The kind of healing he brings is far broader than we initially realize.

The preaching text looked at Jesus’ temptation. To be aligned with the devil (even unwittingly) is a serious malady that requires treatment.

Jesus gives us victory over temptation by defeating it for us.

The text causes a problem for many who tend to think of the devil as a myth. The bible mentions the devil dozens of times from Genesis to Revelation. Also, notice in this passage that temptations involve good things. Food, kingly rule and protection are good, but the devil twists them into sin. He questions Jesus’ identity and offers a shortcut to glory. But where Adam and Eve failed, Jesus succeeded. Jesus does what we cannot do for ourselves.

At the cross, we see just how great God’s love is for us. This refutes the devil’s age-old lie that God is not good and shouldn’t be trusted. The cross also takes away the devil’s basis for accusing us. When he accuses, we agree, “Yes, I am a sinner, but thanks to Jesus my debt is paid and my guilt removed.         

Four quick application points:

1. Adopt a biblical worldview and keep watch for the attacks of the devil.
2. Overcome temptation by Jesus’ example and the Spirit’s empowering.
3. Take action to build a good and just society, overcoming the darkness of a world under the devil’s influence.
4. Worship God who bought you out of slavery to the devil’s way.

Taking it home: Discuss the mechanics of how Jesus overcame temptation in Luke 4:1-13. What can you learn from him and put into practice?