1. 1

2. [ big idea ]
A TEMPTATION
in the hands of
the Satan is a
TEST in the
hands of God
2

3. [ def ]
TEMPTATION
Any enticement
to act contrary to
God’s will
3

4. [ def ]
TEST
An opportunity to
prove faithful to
God’s will
4

5. John
I am the 14:16
way NIV
truth
life
5

6. multiplication
Mark 3:14 Become Fruitful
The Jesus Way
Matthew
4:12-17 invitation
Become Involved
Matthew
4:1-11 temptation
Become Strong
John 14:6
Matthew 3:17 foundation
Become Established
E
TEC H NOT lide.
s
ow this
D o not sh
6

7. good to know
temptation
7

8. It’s relentless
8

9. It’s relentless
It’s seasonal
9

10. It’s relentless
It’s seasonal
It’s incremental
10

11. It’s relentless
It’s seasonal
It’s incremental
It’s private
11

12. It’s relentless
It’s seasonal
It’s incremental
It’s private
It’s destructive
12

13. Matthew 4:1-11 NIV
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell
these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written:
‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from
the mouth of God.’ 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had
him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of
God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will
command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in
their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ 7
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God
to the test.’ 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and
showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 “All
this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship
me. 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written:
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. 11 Then the devil left
him, and angels came and attended him.
13

14. #1
PROVISION
Can I trust God
for my needs?
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15. #2
PROTECTION
Can I trust God
when I test God?
15

16. 16

17. #2.1
POSITION
Can I trust God
with my calling?
17

18. POWER #3
Can I trust God to
deliver His
purposes His
way?
18

19. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
13 The temptations in your life are no different
from what others experience. And God is faithful.
He will not allow the temptation to be more
than you can stand. When you are tempted, he
will show you a way out so that you can endure.
19

20. [ get this ]
STRENGTH
comes through
RESISTANCE
20

21. [ do this ]
Led by God’s Spirit
21

22. [ do this ]
Led by God’s Spirit
Guided by God’s Word
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23. [ do this ]
Led by God’s Spirit
Guided by God’s Word
Encouraged by
God’s Will
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24. In his book, The Great Divorce, C. S. Lewis tells of a busload of people who travel to heaven on their way to take up residence in hell.
These people appear thin and almost ghostlike in the robust atmosphere of heaven, and most of them immediately flee back to the
comfort of their bus. One Ghost, who is plagued by a talkative red lizard (representing the power of sin and lust) that sits on his shoulder,
ventures out into the plains of heaven and encounters an angel. Lewis describes their meeting, which is a parable of God's invitation to
break the power of sin in our life and to transform it into something for his glory:
A mighty angel approached the man and asked, "Would you like me to make the lizard quiet?"
"Of course I would," said the Ghost.
"Then I will kill him," said the Angel, taking a step forward.
"Oh—ah—look out! You're burning me. Keep away," said the Ghost, retreating.
"Don't you want him killed?"
"You didn't say anything about killing him at first. I hardly meant to bother you with anything so drastic as that."
"It's the only way," said the Angel …. "Shall I kill it?"
"Look! It's gone to sleep of its own accord. I'm sure it'll be all right now. Thanks ever so much."
"May I kill it?"
"Honestly, I don't think there's the slightest necessity for that. I'm sure I shall be able to keep it in order now. Some other day, perhaps."
"There is no other day …."
"Get back! You're burning me. How can I tell you to kill it? You'd kill me if you did."
"It is not so."
"Why, you're hurting me now."
"I never said I wouldn't hurt you. I said it wouldn't kill you."
[Suddenly] the Lizard began chattering loudly: "Be careful," it said. "He can do what he says. He can kill me. One fatal word from you and
he will! Then you'll be without me for ever and ever. I'll be so good. I admit I've sometimes gone too far in the past, but I promise I won't
do it again …."
"Have I your permission?" said the Angel to the Ghost.
"You're right. It would be better to be dead than to live with this creature."
"Then I may?"
"Blast you! Go on can't you? Get it over," bellowed the Ghost: but ended, whimpering, "God help me. God help me."
Next moment the Ghost gave a scream of agony such as I never heard. The Burning One closed his crimson grip on the reptile: twisted
it, while it bit and writhed, and then flung it, broken backed, on the turf.
E
Then I saw, unmistakably solid but growing every moment solider, the Ghost materialize into a man, not much smaller than the Angel.
H NOT lide.
At the same moment something seemed to be happening to the Lizard. At first I thought the operation had failed. So far from dying, the
TEC s
creature was still struggling and even growing bigger as it struggled. And as it grew it changed. Suddenly I stared back, rubbing my eyes.
ow this
What stood before me was the greatest stallion I have ever seen, silvery white but with mane and tail of gold.
o not sh
The man, now free from his torment, climbed upon the stallion that had been his sin and rode into the glowing sunrise towards
D
the Savior.
Adapted from C. S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (HarperCollins, 2009), pp. 106-112; submitted by Bill White, Paramount, California
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