The Temptations of Jesus MATTHEW 4 Temptations Matthew

The Temptations of Jesus MATTHEW 4

Temptations (Matthew 4: 1 -11) • Groups of 3 • Review Matthew 4: 1 -11 (don’t forget the JSTs —there are seven of them in these verses) • Share insights about how the JSTs really change the way the story reads. • Answer the question, “Why not? ” in each scenario. • Share insights about dealing with temptation and lessons learned from the Savior’s example

• • • What was similar about the Savior’s responses to each temptation? When have you been strengthened and able to resist a temptation because you recalled and applied truths taught in the scriptures? Is it a sin to be tempted? • “It is our own desires which determine the sizing and the attractiveness of various temptations. We set our thermostats as to temptations” (Elder Maxwell)

“Now, nearly every temptation that comes to you and me comes in one of those forms. Classify them, and you will find that under one of those three nearly every given temptation that makes you and me spotted, ever so little maybe, comes to us as 1. A temptation of the appetite 2. A yielding to the pride and fashion and vanity of those alienated from the things of God; or 3. A gratifying of the passion, or a desire for the riches of the world, or power among men. ” David O. Mc. Kay, 1911 Oct. Gen. Conf.

• • • • • God Presents the Plan of Salvation Lucifer rebels and takes a third part with him God counters by creating Adam and Eve Satan counters by tempting Adam and Eve to give him control God counters by providing a covering for their sin Satan countered by tempting Cain to kill Abel to cut off the priesthood line God sends Seth Satan counters with the birth of Nimrod God counters with Abraham and establishing a nation that will obey Satan counters with Pharaoh, trapping God’s people into slavery God counters with Moses (Let MY PEOPLE go!) God sends his son Satan tempts him Jesus counters by quoting scripture Satan has Jesus Crucified God makes his final move on a Sunday morning… OUR final moves happens when… Have you seen someone you love overcome temptation or addiction?

Satan's tactics: 2 Nephi 28 • vs. 20 Give some examples • vs. 21 Give some examples • vs. 22 Give some examples Spiritual Crocodiles video CROSS REFERENCES: Matthew 6: 13 1 Corinthians 10: 13 Alma 7: 11 Mosiah 3: 7

Avoid it (Elder Robbins): https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Vc 72 ej 1 hztw or https: //www. lds. org/church/news/avoiding-temptation-easier-than-resisting-elderrobbins-teaches? lang=eng

Genesis 32: 24 -30 • Principles? • How badly do you want a blessing? • Are you willing to change your name (nature) to get a blessing? • Could it be that the angel dislocated Jacob’s hip so Jacob would be reminded each day as he walked of the blessing of god? • The Lord might dislocate or discomfort us so we are reminded of the blessings we do have

President Brigham Young “We talk about our trials and troubles here in this life: but suppose that you could see yourselves thousands and millions of years after you have proved faithful to your religion during the few short years in this time, and have obtained eternal salvation and a crown of glory in the presence of God; then look back upon your lives here, and see the losses, crosses, and disappointments, the sorrows and you would be constrained to exclaim, "But what of all that? Those things were but for a moment, and we are now here. “ (as quoted by Neal A. Maxwell) Lord, Increase our Faith, 52

President Kimball’s call to the Twelve My weakness overcame me again. Hot tears came flooding down my cheeks as I made no effort to mop them up. I was accusing myself, and condemning myself and upbraiding myself. I was praying aloud for special blessings from the Lord. I was telling him that I had not asked for this position, that I was incapable of doing the work, that I was imperfect and weak and human, that I was unworthy of so noble a calling, though I had tried hard and my heart had been right. If I could only have the assurance that my call had been inspired most of my other worries would be dissipated. . I knew that I must have His acceptance before I could go on. I stumbled up the hill and onto the mountain, as the way became rough. I faltered some as the way became steep. No paths were there to follow; I climbed on and on. Never had I prayed before as I now prayed. What I wanted and felt I must have was an assurance that I was acceptable to the Lord. I told Him that I neither wanted nor was worthy of a vision or appearance of angels or any special manifestation. I wanted only the calm peaceful assurance that my offering was accepted. Never before had I been tortured as I was now being tortured. And the assurance did not come. .

President Kimball Cont. I mentally beat myself and chastised myself and accused myself. As the sun came up and moved in the sky I moved with it, lying in the sun, and still I received no relief. I sat up on the cliff and strange thoughts came to me: all this anguish and suffering could be ended so easily from this high cliff and then came to my mind the temptations of the Master when he was tempted to cast Himself down--then I was ashamed for having placed myself in a comparable position and trying to be dramatic. . I was filled with remorse because I had permitted myself to place myself. . . in a position comparable, in a small degree, to the position the Saviour found Himself in when He was tempted, and. . . I felt I had cheapened the experiences of the Lord, having compared mine with His. Again I challenged myself and told myself that I was only trying to be dramatic and sorry for myself. I lay on the cool earth. The thought came that I might take cold, but what did it matter now. There was one great desire, to get a testimony of my calling, to know that it was not human and inspired by ulterior motives, kindly as they might be. How I prayed! How I suffered! How I wept! How I struggled! [Edward L. Kimball and Andrew E. Kimball, Jr. , Spencer W. Kimball (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1977), p. 192– 95]

The Temptations of Jesus MATTHEW 4