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Guest (Male): Welcome to PowerPoint with Jack Graham. Why are we tempted? Because we are human. God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. But with the temptation will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it. On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Graham brings a message about how Jesus overcame the enemy. Now here's Dr. Graham with his message, "Jesus Goes to War."

Jack Graham: Take your Bibles and turn to Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 4. Read beginning with me at Verse 1, Chapter 4 of Matthew. Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for as it is written, he will command his angels concerning you and on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone." Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test."

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 I will give to you if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan, for it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve." Then the devil left him and behold, angels came and they were ministering to him.

This is such an important event in the life of Christ that three of the four Gospel writers tell this story about the temptation of Christ and how Jesus overcame the enemy. Jesus faces Satan in temptation and becomes the example as to how we also can overcome temptation. So as we begin this time together in the word of God, think first with me about how we should recognize the satanic presence of evil.

If you're going to overcome temptation in your life, and this is the biggest question we often get, how can I defeat the enemy? How can I overcome? How can I break this addiction? How can I overcome this sinful habit in my life? How can I resist temptation? We hear it again and again. I suppose it really at heart is the number one question that Christians ask. We wonder, how can we overcome temptation in our lives? How can we live a godly life, an obedient life?

Well, it begins by recognizing the satanic presence of evil, which is the source of our temptation. When you follow Jesus, you step into a war. You walk right into the middle of a war that began eons ago, before time began as we know it. In eternity past, there was war in heaven, the Bible says. There was a revolt as God had created angelic beings to worship him.

There was a beautiful and powerful angel by the name of Lucifer, meaning Son of the Morning, and Lucifer on a day rose up in rebellion against God. We read this in Isaiah Chapter 14. He said, "I will exalt myself above the throne of God." He desired to be worshipped as God and so there was a revolt in heaven. And we're told as a result of Lucifer's rebellion and sin against God in his pride, he was thrown out of heaven and along with him one third of the heavenly host rebelled. Before there was ever sin on earth, there was sin in heaven.

So this war began and continues to this day between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of darkness. In the beginning, the battle shifts from heaven to earth and God creates the perfect paradise and made the man and the woman perfectly in the garden, and Satan shows up and the serpent speaks to Adam and Eve and that temptation arises, the first temptation on earth.

Satan, the Bible says here that Jesus was driven into the wilderness, Mark said he was driven, Matthew and Luke tell us that he was led by the spirit in the wilderness to do battle with the enemy. Well, it all began back in the Garden of Eden. There are many names given to us in the Bible to describe the devil. He is Satan, he is the serpent, he is the dragon. Jesus called him a liar and a murderer from the beginning.

He's the father of lies, he's the evil one, he's the accuser, he's the destroyer. But here we see him specifically as the tempter. Satan is not an ambiguous expression of evil. Satan is alive and his presence is seen throughout the Bible. When you read the story of the Bible, it is filled with war and battles and bloodshed. Where does all this fighting come from? Why all this chaos? There are kingdoms in conflict and Satan heads this kingdom of darkness.

And as the tempter, he is seductive, he is sinister, he is strategic, powerful, and persuasive. And if you know your Bible, you know that our first parents, Adam and Eve, surrendered to Satan and to the temptation, and as they say, the rest is history. The battle begins with a beautiful wedding in paradise, Adam and Eve, and then Satan attacks and destroys what God has beautifully created. That's always his desire to turn people from a loving relationship with God and one another.

Thus you have the devil and his satanic force upon the earth. Some people think that when you become a Christian you're done with the devil. No, you're just getting started. I know some Christians are worried about, especially new Christians. If you're fresh to the faith, maybe you thought, okay, I've come to Jesus, I'm never going to sin again. I'm never going to have a problem with those temptations again.

Well, let me just give you a reality check. There is a devil and while God has a plan for your life, a wonderful plan for your life, Satan has a terrible plan for your life. He hates you. God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. The devil hates you and he has a terrible plan for your life. And so yes, you will be a target of the enemy, especially if you are new to the faith.

Maybe you're wondering how can it be that I'm thinking some of the same thoughts and I'm dealing with some of the same temptations in my life? Was I really saved? Was that just a hoax? Was that just something that didn't mean a thing? No, the fact that you are new to the faith, you are vulnerable at the beginning in particular to the attacks of the enemy. And you need therefore to be prepared.

But on the other side, let me tell you that when you are following Christ and walking with him, you also will face temptation. In fact, the devil loves a shining mark and if you are impacting the kingdom of God for the kingdom of God, if you're winning people to Christ, if you're standing for Christ strong, be prepared because you are a target of the enemy as well. This battle began in the Garden of Eden when man sinned. The first Adam failed in the garden and mankind were thrust into the wilderness, into the desert of life.

But when the second Adam came, who is the Lord Jesus Christ according to the Bible, the second Adam went to the desert, went to the wilderness in order to take us back to the garden, to restore us and renew us and to bring paradise again. Two kingdoms are in conflict and I say again, you are in the middle of this war. Don't be surprised that the weapons are all around you.

Secondly, realize the seductive power of temptation. We realize the satanic presence of temptation, Satan is real, but I want you to realize the seductive power of temptation. Because just when you think you are rising above the challenges and the confrontations of life, you find yourself, especially if you stand for Christ, you find yourself in the enemy's target zone.

If you are familiar with your Bible, you know that there were three temptations that we read about. One had to do with physical temptation for bread, so physical appetites. Another, the second of the temptations had to do with personal ambitions as the devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and said jump and the angels will carry you. And Jesus responded to that, but it had to do with his personal ambitions.

And then he showed him all the kingdoms of the world and said bow down and worship me and I'll give you all of these. And Jesus didn't deny that Satan controlled the kingdoms of this world. The Bible calls him the god of this age, that he is the god of this world. And so Jesus didn't say you don't have the right to do that. What he did say is you should worship God and him only. And Jesus resisted that temptation. But in the last temptation there, you see the reason for the temptation in Christ's life, in your life, Satan desires to be worshipped. He desires the worship that is due only to God and he uses temptation in order to destroy us if he can.

Guest (Male): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message "Jesus Goes to War." Did you know that you can join Dr. Graham for his daily devotion? It's a study of God's word that will help you grow in your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and show you how to navigate through the challenges of life. To sign up, text DEVO to 59789 and begin receiving Dr. Graham's devotional every day. Again, text DEVO to 59789.

Every day, people are hearing the truth of Jesus Christ through PowerPoint's broadcast, podcast, and digital outreach. Some are discovering the truth of the gospel for the very first time. Others are learning to trust God more deeply. And friends like you help make it all possible through your support. That's why this month, we want to say thank you for your gift of $10 or more by sending you Dr. Jack Graham's book, Choices. In this encouraging resource, Dr. Graham shares practical wisdom from God's word to help you make decisions with confidence, clarity, and faith. To give your gift and request your copy, text AUGUST to 59789. Please limit one per household. Again, text AUGUST to 59789. Now let's get back to today's message, "Jesus Goes to War."

Jack Graham: What is temptation? It is the enticement to evil. It is the desire to disobey God. It is the solicitation to sin for some pleasure that maybe the sin promises and there is pleasure in sin for a season. I would define temptation in this way: it is the solicitation to fulfill a God-given desire in a God-forbidden way. Bread, that's normal appetite. The temptation to bread, turn these stones into bread. Jesus could do it. He later turned water into wine, no problem performing a miracle.

But what was the temptation? It was to fulfill a desire in a God-forbidden way. It would have been disobedient to God in not in God's timing and so Jesus rejected this temptation. This all comes right after the baptism of Christ. And the Father spoke and said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." And the dove descended, the Holy Spirit. Right after this powerful announcement and anointing upon the life of Jesus as the Messiah, after the dove comes the devil.

Have you noticed that the most stringent temptations often come after spiritual highs in our life? I don't know about you, but I often find it harder to manage success than I do failures. We can become prideful and arrogant when we win if we do not give God glory and if we do not seek his grace even in every victory, knowing that the victory is the Lord's.

But we all will be tempted in one way or another, one time or another. First Corinthians 10:13, we are all tempted. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. Why are we tempted? Because we are human. It is common. God is faithful. Say amen. And he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. But with the temptation will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it. That's a promise from God.

The fact is the temptations will come. Psychologists talk about responding to temptations and decisions in our life when we are HIT. This is true spiritually. We often face our greatest temptations when we are hit by the devil. H-I-T. When we're hungry, when we're isolated, and when we're tired. And what is true psychologically is certainly true spiritually. We see it in the life of Jesus. He was hungry, he was physically famished. He was wasting away in the wilderness.

He was isolated. No family, no friends, just himself and the presence of the Father. And then he was tired. He was exhausted after these 40 days, no food, no water, just the desert and now the devil. And what happened to Jesus can happen to us at times when we are hungry, either physically or primarily emotionally or spiritually. If you're spiritually hungry, the Bible talks about being filled with the bread of heaven. Blessed are the hungry for theirs shall be the righteousness of God.

Jesus was hungry physically and we often are as well, but we are hungry emotionally or hungry spiritually. There's something missing, we're empty, and that's when we're vulnerable. Or when we're isolated. The devil loves to get us isolated from the church, from people, from our family, from our friends, to get you alone, and that's when he shows up and hits you. Or when you're tired, when you're not taking care of yourself, when you are physically or emotionally exhausted, when your body is wasting away, when you're sick, when you're struggling in some way, when you're tired, you're vulnerable to the enemy's attack. He will hit you.

Jesus takes the test and he passes it every time. Another reason we have this powerful scripture is to show the sinlessness of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus was tempted in all points just as we are tempted. So he understands our temptations, he knows, he's been there. There is a difference between temptation and sin. It is not a sin to be tempted. It is when we surrender to the temptation and say yes to the temptation that it becomes sin.

Jesus clearly defeated the devil, responding to the devil with the word of God. He's quoting scripture. The devil's quoting scripture. The devil knows the scripture but he distorts it and twists it and uses it for his own advantage. Jesus responded with the word of God. He used it like a sword. In spiritual battles we're told we have the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.

And therefore Jesus responded with the weapon of choice, which is the word of God. He did not take the bait. He rejected the temptation. In closing this message, let me give you some affirmations. Rely on the Savior's protection from temptation. Just as Jesus defeated the enemy, he has given us a way through, a way over.

So number one, write this down if you're taking notes, everyone is tempted, so be prepared. Everyone is tempted, so be prepared. If you are young in the faith in particular, get your Bible open. Start learning the word of God. Start listening to the word of God. Start filling your heart and your mind with truth. And if you are making a difference in the kingdom, you're in the war, be prepared.

Number two, it is not a sin to be tempted, so be encouraged. In fact, God uses temptation in our lives to prove us and prepare us. That's what was happening in effect in the life of Christ at the temptation. He was being proven and prepared and establishing his victory over the enemy. God wants to empower us to win, so he allows tests and temptations. It's not a sin to be tempted. You can be tested right now in certain areas of your life, so be encouraged.

Then don't underestimate the power of temptation and the enemy. Be wise. Don't overestimate the power of the enemy and of temptation, and don't underestimate. And some of you need to be very careful because you are underestimating the power of the enemy in your life. You're putting yourself in a position to sin and to be tempted to sin. Don't give the devil a stick to hit you with. Don't go places or hang with people or watch things or see things that are only going to tempt you and cause you to fail and fall.

Now, I don't fear the devil. I don't. I'm not afraid of the devil. Why? First John 4:4, greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. Because Jesus has established his victory over the enemy. This would not, of course, be the final battle that Jesus would fight with the devil. He would face the devil throughout his days and on the cross the ultimate victory was won at the power of the cross and in the resurrection the battle was won.

So when we come to face the devil, there is really no fear if you will be wise. Don't put yourself in a position to fail. Don't tempt God, don't test God. But there's no fear of the enemy because God has promised to give us a way out and a way through and a way of escape. You are no longer a slave. You are a child of God. Jesus knew who he was and we have the son of the living God alive in us. This is our identity in Christ.

We are no longer bound, we are no longer enslaved, we are set free by the power of Christ. They overcame him, Revelation 12, by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony and they did not love their lives unto death. By the power of his blood, by the power of the cross, therefore we say we don't fight for victory, we fight from victory. We don't pray for victory, Jesus taught us to pray, deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. We don't pray for victory, we pray from victory and our victory is in Jesus.

So don't underestimate the power of temptation and put yourself in a position that Satan can attack you, abuse you, and use you. Be wise. But don't overestimate him either. Know that your victory is in Christ. And then one final thing, know that God is able to deliver you. Be strong. You can be stronger when you overcome. Build godly habits into your life like scripture memory. Get the word of God in you because what happens when Satan shows up or one of his demon spirits attack and there's temptation, God will give you the word of God.

God will give you his word. God will enable you to remember a scripture or respond with the word of God just like Jesus did and the spirit of God. And oh yes, we have other allies. We have angels. Angels came and ministered to Jesus. And did you know that God has promised that angels will minister to you as well in times of fatigue and frustration and failure and spiritual hurt and difficulty? And yes, temptation. The angels will come to your aid. I believe that with all of my heart. Satan is a defeated enemy and our victory is in Christ. And so live in the war in the power of Jesus Christ and overcome temptation in Jesus' name.

Guest (Male): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message "Jesus Goes to War." Let me remind you about an encouraging resource Dr. Graham created to help you navigate life with biblical wisdom. It's his book, Choices, which comes as our thanks for your gift of $10 or more. When you give today to support the outreach of PowerPoint Ministries, you'll help share biblical truth and the life-changing hope of Jesus with people around the world through broadcast, podcast, and digital ministry.

To give your gift and request your copy, text AUGUST to 59789. So that everyone has a chance to take advantage of this limited offer, please limit to one per household. Again, text AUGUST to 59789. Did you know that you can join Dr. Graham for his daily devotion? It's a study of God's word that will help you grow in your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and show you how to navigate through the challenges of life. To sign up, text DEVO to 59789 and begin receiving Dr. Graham's devotional every day. Again, text DEVO to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today?

Jack Graham: It doesn't matter how old you are, where you live, or what your social status may be, temptation finds us all. And if you're a believer, you've definitely had to deal with temptation in your walk with Christ. There's no place we can hide from temptation, but we can certainly fight it in the power of Christ and as a result, win over sin. Whenever you feel like the temptation you face is too much to handle, just remember that Jesus was tempted even as you're tempted and yet through it all, he lived without sin by the power and the grace and the strength of God.

In First Corinthians 10:13, we're reminded that no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man. But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it. Also always be aware that Satan is watching to trip you up and his goal is to get you to give in to temptation.

So be ready, stay on the alert. Jesus said to his disciples in Mark 14:38, "Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." When Satan tries to entice you with temptation, whether it's your physical appetites, your personal ambitions, or your spiritual allegiance, run to God's word for strength, stand on his truth, and rest in the promises of Christ.

Guest (Male): And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift of $10 or more, we will send you Dr. Graham's book, Choices. Just text AUGUST to 59789. And join us again next time as Dr. Graham brings a message about how Jesus is the door and the good shepherd. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.