Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus”
“Living under the Authority of Scripture” (Matt. 4:1-11) September 2, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

Honoring the Scriptures more than our Appetites

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" (Matthew 4:1-4)

Honoring the Scriptures more than the Approval of Men

“Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" (Matthew 4:5-7)

Honoring the Scriptures more than our Ambitions

“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" (Matthew 4:8-10)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?

2. Do you think every Christian is called to be a disciple of Jesus? Why or why not? Do you consider yourself His disciple? Why or why not? In what way would you most like to be more like Jesus?

Going Deeper

Please read Matthew 4:1-4. If Jesus is God, how was it possible for Him to be tempted? (Hebrews 2:17- 18, 4:15) Why do you think the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness TO BE tempted by the devil? Why was it necessary for Jesus to be tempted? Why do we need to be tempted?
How does Jesus honor the Scriptures above His own appetites in this passage? What was Satan’s intention? Why would the devil’s suggestion tempt Jesus? In what ways do your appetites compete with the Scriptures for your allegiance?
Please read Matthew 4:5-7. How does Jesus honor the Scriptures over the approval of men in this passage? What was Satan’s intention? Why would the devil’s suggestion tempt Jesus? In what ways does your desire for human approval compete with the Scriptures for your allegiance?
Please read Matthew 4:8-10. How does Jesus honor the Scriptures over His own ambitions in this passage? What was Satan’s intention? Why would the devil’s suggestion tempt Jesus? In what ways do your ambitions compete with the Scriptures for your allegiance?
Do you think it is to our benefit to learn to live under the authority of the Scriptures? Why or why not? What in our culture makes living under the authority of the Scriptures difficult for Christians today?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life?