First Baptist Church on Littleton Common    

And His Only Reply was Scripture

Matthew 4:1-11

I have a confession to make.  

I have been tempted all week long and none of it was my fault! 

It all began last Sunday night during the Super Bowl when I was tempted to think horrible thoughts about the other team.    I gave in to that temptation while we were behind and easily resisted that temptation while the Patriots were ahead.   When they lost - I was really tempted to blame a hurt ankle, a red sweatshirt, or someone who was in attendance.  Then there was the food that was sitting on the table – calling me like a presidential candidate on the day before the primaries:  the nachos and the dip, the aroma of the chili made with a touch of chocolate in it, and the peanut butter brownies.  

Hmm, well Lord….“we all stumble in many ways ” so why not. [1]  It wasn’t my fault – I blame it on the Super Bowl. 

Then there were the temptations coming from the Super Bowl ads.   By the end of the night I wanted a horse, a Dalmatian, a Coke and some Gatorade for Mr. Gibson - my black lab.   But I also vowed never to eat cashews again or buy an Audi, a GMC or a Hyundai.   All the hype about the advertisements did make me want to go shopping, so this week, since I got one of those 20% coupons off, in the mail, I gave in and went to the store.  I was tempted by that new sweater that would be a fantastic bargain when combined with the sale coupon.  I didn’t really need a new sweater but I rationalized that it was such a great bargain - and I would save so much money – that I gave in and went to the register where I found out that the sweater, was not included in the coupon sale.  I was tempted to put it back… was tempted to buy it.  But I rationalized that I had spent so much time and emotional energy on this sweater - which I really needed it so I thought:  “God helps those who help themselves” [2] and “Lord we all stumble in many ways,”   and I gave in to the temptation and purchased the sweater.  It wasn’t my fault – it was all because of the Super Bowl.

I was tempted this week to skip exercising, drive too fast, gossip too much, or be short with my spouse or my children,   take a short cut, worry too much, work too hard and not relax enough.   And it was all the fault of ……….the Super Bowl. 

We are tempted all day long …. But “God is faithful; God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.   And when we are tempted, God will also provide a way out  - so that we can stand up under it.”  1 Corinthians 10:13

This is the first Sunday in Lent and our theme this morning is temptation and overcoming it. Lent a season of the Christian faith where we try to set aside time to reflect inwardly on our Christian journey.   It is a time to pause, slow down, reflect, stretch a little, grow and nurture ourselves and our faith life. It is a traditionally a time of reflection, of introspection and contemplation and is a journey of the heart and mind, which leads us to Holy Week with all its passion, pain and triumph.     The story of Jesus’ 40 days of solitude invites us into the desert or into the wilderness with him.   Many of you may feel that you are already stuck in a wilderness time.   We can find strength and encouragement from this story, knowing that Jesus has experienced long and challenging moments, as well as times of growth and inspiration.   His 40 days was a long time to be in that wilderness and this story a reminder that we are all vulnerable to those temptations to do something, to think something, or to act in a way that we know is not the best path to take.  Temptation was a problem for Adam and Eve in Genesis, Jesus in the Gospels and the problem lingers with us every day. 

In Matthew we read that Jesus is led into the desert by the Spirit, where he fasts for 40 days and nights and is therefore physically hungry.  He then is tempted three times – each time answering that temptation by quoting scriptures from the book of Deuteronomy. 

 First the tempter tries to get Jesus to turn stone into bread and Jesus replies – with Scripture from Deuteronomy 8:3.   “It is written:  One does not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” 

Then the temper takes Jesus to the highest point of the temple and says “If you are the Son of God – throw yourself down for it is written,” and then the tempter uses Scripture himself by quoting Psalm 91 which alludes to the fact that God will send the angels to catch him,

Jesus says “It is also written: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Deuteronomy 6) 

Lastly the tempter takes Jesus to a very high mountain, showing him all the kingdoms of the world, promising to deliver them to Jesus if he would only bow down and worship him.  

Jesus answers “away from me, Satan!  For it is written, quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”   Then tempter leaves and the angels come to care for him.

When Jesus was weak – his only reply was Scripture.   At his weakest moment, when he must have been physically vulnerable and emotionally exhausted, scripture gave him strength to be faithful.   When we are weak – we can also rely on Scripture to give us strength to be faithful and go forward.    

There are two areas of this story that I would like to point out today.   The first is the problem of evil in our world and the second is the strength Jesus received from knowing and living the scriptures. 

We can see that there is evil in the world.  We see it. We fear it and we shake our heads and often have long wilderness nights worrying about it.  It is pretty hard to ignore when evil is presented to us on the news in places far away – as well as places near to our heart.  The how and why of evil is debated, discussed, dissected and the subject matter for systematic theologians and seminary students, for people of faith  as well as pop culture authors, musicians and movie goers.  

We know it is out there – but no one really agrees on the how, the why or the who.  Many believe there are actual devils, or maybe fallen angels that are out there interrupting our lives and making horrible things happen to us.  We jokingly say that “the Devil made me do it.”  Some believe that there might be a higher devil with the name of Satan, while others believe that evil is a product of our own corrupt, greedy and power hungry nature.  Whenever power is involved - someone wants it - whether it is power over oil, a country, an employee or even in a conversation.   You know those kinds of conversations – don’t you?  Where someone seems to delight in besting the other person –and delights in making them feel worthless.  Evil?  Evil can start with small nuggets of anger, greed or a desire for revenge and build into a power to control, hurt or hinder.   It is pretty hard to dismiss evil in a world where you see it on the morning and evening news.   In this story though, the devil does not make Jesus do anything.  Instead he tempts Jesus to try to break his will – but he doesn’t have the power to make Jesus turn the stone into the bread.   In our attempt to define evil will not find a single correct answer about its nature.   In this story Jesus doesn’t try to define or explain evil either – but He shows us how to overcome it.  

When offered power – Jesus’ only reply was scripture. 

His only reply was scripture.   Jesus knew the Hebrew Scriptures in such a personal way that they filled him with faith and gave him strength, resolve and fortitude.   Fortitude is strength of mind or moral courage to persevere, endure, have courage, build strength, and be resilient in our life.   

Jesus was well versed in the Hebrew Scriptures, so much so that when the tempter misused them, Jesus was aware of the misuse.   We see right within this story, that scripture can be taken out of context and misused, like a weapon, to gain power.   We have to be careful not to play power games with others or ourselves with scripture.  I misused scripture in my opening story – as an excuse to give into all those temptations.  Did you catch my misuse?  “God helps those who help themselves” is a cliché but not a scripture.  And James 3:2 “We all stumble in many ways” is in there but I used it to justify actions – that I knew were not the best choice.  

We have to be careful never to use scripture as a weapon and we should be wary of those who do so. 

 The good news is that being familiar with scripture and having a few personal passages that you can  say and remember and internalize – is a healthy tool to build fortitude and resilience in your life.   A passage that you can bring to your mind, place in your heart, can calm you down or bring you courage.   That is what we mean when we say the Bible is a living Word.  It contains ancient stories with timeless truths. 

Do you have one or two of your own personal scriptures?  Ones that quickly come to the surface of your thoughts - or that is placed within your heart?  If not you can find one –if you take some time to discover one that speaks to you and gives you strength.  If you can’t find one - I could help you and I know some deacons and students of scripture that would love to help you or direct you in that joyful discovery process!

• “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:3

• “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses - that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”  Deuteronomy 30:19

• “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid and do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”   Joshua 1:9

• "I am convinced that nether death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38

 May this first week of Lent be a joyful discovery or rediscovery of a scripture that speaks to your heart – may you find one that you can carry with you in your heart.  One that will give you strength, faith, fortitude, peace and always hope.  

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4: 4-7

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all. The Lord is near.   Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication , with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to  God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Amen.