This document discusses Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days. It outlines three stages in Israel's journey from Egypt (imprisonment), to the wilderness (challenges and preparation), to the promised land (prosperity). The wilderness represents surviving day to day, waiting for answers to prayer, mediocrity, and ineffective ministry. Jesus withstood three temptations from the devil by relying on scripture. Surviving the wilderness can make believers strong so they can move into the promised land of an effective, spirit-filled life.
2. Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was
led by the Spirit to the
wilderness to be tempted by
the devil
Matthew 4:1-11 the temptation of Jesus in
the wilderness
3. What is a Wilderness?
3 stages in Israel’s journey
1. Egypt – imprisonment, slavery,
oppression
2. Wilderness – challenges, consecration,
preparation, provision, freedom.
3. Promised land – prosperity, answered
prayer, peace, spirit-filled life, success
4. Wilderness
• Surviving day by day
• Waiting for answered prayer
• Waiting for Healings
• Persecution
• Problems
• Mediocre life
• Ineffective ministry
5. Why do we experience the
Wilderness
• Deuteronomy 8:2 remember how the
Lord your God led you all the way in the
wilderness these forty years, to
HUMBLE you and to TEST you in
order to KNOW WHAT’s IN YOUR
HEART whether or not you would keep
His commandments
6.
7. Surviving the Wilderness and
preparing for the Promised Land
• Jesus was in the wilderness for 40
days
• The stubborn Israelites spent 40
years!!!
8. Temptation #1 Provision
• Mat 4:3 – If you are really the Son of God, tell
these stones to become bread.
Jesus’ Reaction:
V4 Man does not live on bread alone, but on
every word that comes from the mouth of GOD
The Word is the secret weapon!!!
9. Temptation #2 Testing God
• Mat 4:6 – If you are really the Son of God, 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.
Jesus’ Reaction:
V7 Do not put the Lord your God to the TEST
10. Temptation #3 The GOD we
Worship
• Mat 4:9 – all this I will give you. If you bow
down and worship me (satan)
Jesus’ Reaction:
V 10b Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him
only.
11. 1 Cor 10:13 no temptation has seized you except what is
common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you
be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can
stand up under it.
The wilderness can make us strong. Don’t die there and
move to your promised land.
Joshua and Caleb are the only two original Israelites
who made it to the promised land and faced battles
victoriously.
12. Mat 4:11 The devil left HIM(Jesus) and angels
attended Him.
After this experience Jesus was filled with the
Holy Spirit and had a very effective ministry.
God wants you to live in the promised land
John 10:10b I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full.