Book: Matthew, Chapters 1-4 

(Series 1 of 7 in Matthew)

Study No. 18 of 27        Passage:  Matthew 4:1,2

Title: Directed

A. Find Out:

1. Where was Jesus led by whom? v.1a

2. For what purpose? v.1b

3. What did he do for how long? v.2a

4. With what result? v.2b

B. Think:

1. How did Jesus end up in the desert?

2. What does this say about the purposes of God?

3. What does it say about our experiences?

C. Comment:  

     Jesus has just been publicly affirmed by his heavenly Father and if we were managing his activities we would probably have released him straight into ministry with the glory of this still strong in his mind. However the Father had other plans and the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert.

     Now a desert is a dry place, an unsociable place, a hard place, but the Spirit led him there, and even more, he led him there specifically to be tempted!  Now we must see that temptation is not sin; giving way to it is. The Father is putting His Son through a proving time, when humanly speaking everything will be against him and he will be at his weakest so that, in his humanity, he will overcome - and be an amazing example for us. We must watch carefully!

     But before we do, we must note the principle here: it's not "does God allow us to go into hard, dry times?", but sometimes He actually sends us into them to be tested.

     In Scripture the words for test and tempt are often interchangeable. Satan does the tempting but God allows it as a testing time, and the aim of putting us through this “exam” is that we will pass it and come out that much stronger.  We sometimes think we get stronger by sitting around in comfort getting fed, but all that does is make us fat!  No, we get stronger when we exercise, and in spiritual terms that means we struggle and fight against the opposition (see Rom 5:3,4 for the growing process!)

D. Application:

1. God does test us to prove and strengthen us.

Book: Matthew, Chapters 1-4 

(Series 1 of 7 in Matthew)

Study No. 19 of 27        Passage:  Matthew 4:3,4

Title: Personal Provision

A. Find Out:

1. Who came to Jesus? v.3a

2. What was the first “if” he brought? v.3b

3. What did he tell Jesus to do? v.3c

4. To what did Jesus obviously refer? v.4a

5. On what did he say man does not live alone? v.4b

6. But what does man live on? v.4c  

B. Think:   

1. When did this temptation come? (Look back to v.2)

2. How was Jesus particularly vulnerable?

3. What means did Jesus use to overcome the temptation?  

C. Comment:        

       There are various lessons from these two verses. First, Satan comes to our point of vulnerability. Jesus was hungry so Satan tempts him at that point. When we are feeling weak, weary or run down, those are often the times when he comes. If we leave unresolved issues or sin not dealt with in our lives, those will be the areas he will aim for.

     Second, the conflict will be between my desire and God's will. The Spirit had led Jesus to fast for a certain time and at the Father's bidding the fast would come to an end, not at Jesus instigation or, even worse, by the wrong use of his power.   Jas 1:14 tells us that we are tempted by our desires, our wanting pleasure or status for ourselves.

     Third, the conflict is overcome by a referral to the truth, the will of God. Jesus referred to a Scripture (Deut 8:3) that reminds us that God's word or His will is more important than our apparent physical desires.  Unrestrained desires ALWAYS lead into sin.  God has given us many desires and they are good and are for pleasure, and that is God given, but if they are to be used properly, there are God-given constraints.

     Excess desire for food is gluttony, for sex brings immorality, for things is covetousness, for status brings idolatry, and so on. The first temptation is God's will or my excess desires?

D. Application:

1. I need to check my areas of vulnerability.

2. I need to speak out the truth about the reality of these things.    

Book: Matthew, Chapters 1-4 

(Series 1 of 7 in Matthew)

Study No. 20 of 27        Passage:  Matthew 4:5-7

Title: Selfish Security

A. Find Out:

1. Where did Satan then take Jesus? v.5

2. What was his second “if”? v.6a

3. What did he tell Jesus to do? v.6b

4. What did he appeal to? v.6c

5. How did Jesus respond? v.7  

B. Think:   

1. What was Satan basically saying Jesus could do and why?

2. What was he seeking to undermine?

3. How can quoting Scripture be misleading?

C. Comment:  

     In the first temptation Satan appealed to Jesus' physical desire and challenged him over the matter of his Sonship and possible provision.  In this second temptation, he challenges Jesus over his security.

     Basically Satan is saying “Prove your security. If you really are God's Son then you will be secure whatever happens.   Look, even if you leap off the top of a tall building you will be safe.  God would look after you and make sure nothing happened to you!”

      Now the moment we are confronted with an “impossible challenge” like this, one where we know we would be hurt unless God turned up, doubt is ready to leap forth;  not merely doubt about whether God would do it, but doubt as to whether I really am God's child and am I worthy of His protection and care.

     In Genesis 3 we find Satan come to Eve and sow doubt in Eve's mind: “Did God say...?” And here, a second time Satan is sowing doubt by saying “IF you are the Son of God...” with the clear implication that there is doubt about it which needs proving.

     Don't let Satan lead you into battles you don't need to fight.  Get to a place where you don't need constantly to reassure yourself about being God's child.  Get clear on it and then just declare it whever he turns up. You'll soon find he stops coming with that issue! 

     Note also that Satan even used Scripture to “prove” his point. However Jesus also knows Scripture AND is secure in the knowledge of who he is. In both temptations so far, Satan seeks to make Jesus self orientated, focusing first on his own need for food then his need for reassurance for the days ahead.

D. Application:

1. Temptation so often challenges our relationship with God.

2. Each time we need to reaffirm we are children of God.

Book: Matthew, Chapters 1-4 

(Series 1 of 7 in Matthew)

Study No. 21 of 27        Passage:  Matthew 4:8-11

Title: Wrong Worship

A. Find Out:

1. Where did Satan next take Jesus? v.8a

2. What did he show him? v.8b

3. What did he offer him? v.9a

4. On what condition? v.9b

5. What did Jesus quote by way of response? v.10

6. What then happened? v.11   

B. Think:   

1. What short cut was Satan offering?

2. Read 1 John 5:19b How does that verify the possibility?

3. Why was the condition an impossibility for Jesus?

C. Comment:  

     Having attacked Jesus on his point of need for physical provision and then his need for reassurance as to who he was, Satan finally attacks in the area of Jesus' forthcoming ministry. Look, says Satan reasonably, there's no need to go to great lengths of endeavour and struggle over what you have to do in setting the people of the earth free, I'll just let you have them. To save you all the trouble, just acknowledge my greatness and power by bowing before me and submitting to me and they can be yours.

     The only trouble with that sort of reasoning is that when we do that we come into the same dominion as the rest of the people and they may be ours but we are all then under Satan's dominion!

     This temptation is pure deception! Take a short cut and do it the world's way with the world's methods, is the application for us today. Use big advertising campaigns, use clever techniques, throw money at it, preach a painless gospel, play on people's needs. But not Jesus!

     Not only that, it is deception because it is completely untrue! The people of the world are under Satan's dominion because they are in Sin and are quite happy about that. They have a problem with God. That's why they're given over to Satan, as a form of divine discipline. If Satan simply hands dominion over them back to Jesus, it still leaves the Sin question not dealt with. They are still unredeemed sinners.  Avoiding the Cross means leaving the Sin still there and the division between God and man still unresolved. Yes, this is total deception!  But then all of Satan's suggestions are!

     Interestingly Jesus doesn't waste time in refuting all this rubbish; he simply quotes Scripture again. The condition is impossible: God is the only one to be worshipped and submitted to, no one else has any authority beyond which God gives. Worship Him only!

D. Application:

1. Do we use Satan's methods or preach Christ crucified?

2. Do we use human methods or rely on the power of the Spirit!

Book: Matthew, Chapters 1-4 

(Series 1 of 7 in Matthew)

Study No. 22 of 27        Passage:  Matthew 4:12-16

Title: Light in the Land

A. Find Out:

1. When did Jesus return to Galilee ? v.12

2. Where did he settle? v.13

3. How does Matthew view this? v.14

4. To what people was it spoken? v.15

5. What had been their state? v.16

6. What had happened to them? v.16

B. Think:   

1. Why do you think Jesus went to live in the north?

2. What do you think Matthew meant with the Isaiah prophecy?

3. How is that applicable today?

C. Comment:  

       With the removal of John the Baptist from his ministry, it is time for Jesus to commence his own ministry. He moves north, perhaps to be out of the glare of the authorities in Jerusalem .   He has three years of ministry to perform before he is to clash with them, and so in accordance with a prophecy from Isaiah he goes to Galilee .   

     Isaiah had been speaking about darkness that comes with occult activity (see studies in this Series on the Messiah in Isaiah), and a darkness that had covered the land of Zebulun and Naphtali in the north of Israel when various invaders of the north had come. This land had known the oppression and darkness that comes with foreign domination but, said Isaiah, the land will know a time of great brightness, a time of rejoicing, a time of peace. When Jesus came, there was great joy as he ministered into similar conditions, there being much occult activity and the land was being dominated by a foreign invader. It was as if a great light had entered their dark land.

     The description of Jesus' ministry as a great light indicates what he also does in us. When he comes into our lives, he comes to expel the darkness and flood us with the light of goodness.   Jesus comes to bring total transformation.

D. Application:

1. Jesus' timing for his ministry is perfect.

Book: Matthew, Chapters 1-4 

(Series 1 of 7 in Matthew)

Study No. 23 of 27        Passage:  Matthew 4:17

Title: Heralding Heaven

A. Find Out:

1. What did Jesus start to DO?

2. What was the first thing he told people to do?

3. What reason did he give for that?  

B. Think:   

1. Look up the following verses and see what you can find out about

    heaven: Mt 5;16, 6:10 , 7:21 , 18:10 , Jn 3:13 , 6:38 , Acts 1:11

2. What feeling does that leave you with about heaven?

3. So what was Jesus saying in this verse?

C. Comment:  

     We pause on a single verse today because it is so important. Once Jesus arrived in Galilee he started preaching. No doubt the message was much greater than these eight words but they encapsulate all of his other teaching.

      First of all note that it is a one word command that he brings, the same that John brought. Repent means to do a one hundred and eighty degree turnabout, in our thinking, in our attitudes and in our lives in general.  Within the word repent there is an element of sorrow, contrition, or remorse, for one will not repent unless sure that the way they have been going is the wrong way, and in the acknowledgement of that there will be a measure of sorrow at having gone the wrong way.   Yet the meaning is far more than sorrowful acknowledgement of wrong; it is a willingness, even strong desire to do a complete turnabout and go a different way, the right way!

     Then comes the reason for this command and we need to note the word “for” which is used in the sense of “because”. Why repent? Because God's kingdom, the kingdom of heaven, is about to appear on the earth. If you have looked up each of the references above, you will have seen that heaven is a place where God rules absolutely, and is a place of perfection and goodness. I suspect it defies our wildest imagination in its wonder. Jesus came to bring a glimpse of this!!!!!    But note that it is the place where God rules, and therefore our repentance means we want a change to take place, a change from our self-rule to God's rule over our lives.

D. Application:

1. I need a complete turnabout to enter heaven, but I can go there.

2. Heaven is the most glorious existence imaginable. Wow!

Book: Matthew, Chapters 1-4 

(Series 1 of 7 in Matthew)

Study No. 24 of 27        Passage:  Matthew 4:17

Title: Fish Fishemen

A. Find Out:

1. Where was Jesus walking? v.18a

2. Who did he see? v.18b

3. What were they doing? v.18c

4. What did he call them to do? v.19a

5. What did he say he would make them? v.19b

6. What did they do? v.20

B. Think:

1. Read Luke 5:1-11 for a fuller account of this?

2. What does it say about Jesus that their left their livelihoods for him?

3. What sort of men must these have been?

C. Comment:  

     Now we come to Jesus' first encounter in this Gospel with people, after his baptism and temptation, as he starts his ministry. He wants others, not merely to follow him, but to become those who will go on doing what he has been doing, after he leaves them.

     He chooses two fishermen, men who were simple, straight forward, and non-academics. Yes they are fairly tough and hardy, used to living outside but those are their only merits. Jesus does not choose on the grounds of personal gifting; he chooses on the basis of likely response. Those who will respond to him and will go on with him, those are the ones he wants. We repeat again; he does NOT choose on the grounds of natural ability or natural goodness. He will impart goodness; he will impart ability. What we have of ourselves is tainted, and limited.

    He takes fishermen and says I will make you into fishermen, those who will fish-for-men.  Peter would become “The Big Fisherman” as one writer called him, who on the day of Pentecost threw out the gospel net with the others and caught three thousand souls in one go!  Note that when Jesus calls us, he calls us with a specific purpose.  He knows what he can do with us and he has a specific task for each of us. See Eph 2:10.

    But wait, just before we move on; if you know anything at all about Peter you will know that between his calling now and his being used at Pentecost and after, he was constantly putting his foot in it, he actually denied Jesus and he ran away leaving Jesus to the Cross - and Jesus knew it would happen!  You have a long walk ahead of you probably, and you'll probably get it wrong more than a few times, just like Peter. The outcome is not about how clever you are but how willing you are to respond when Jesus calls you - every time!

D. Application:

1. Jesus' knows what he can do with us. Rest in that.

2. Jesus knows what he wants us to do. Find that out and do it.

Book: Matthew, Chapters 1-4 

(Series 1 of 7 in Matthew)

Study No. 25 of 27        Passage:  Matthew 4:21,22

Title: Repairers Reaped

A. Find Out:

1. Who did Jesus next encounter? v.21a

2. Who were they with? v.21b

3. What were they doing? v.21c

4. What did he do? v.21d

5. What was their response? v.22

B. Think:   

1. Read John 1:35-42 What does that indicate about the disciples

    contacts with Jesus?

2. What would the presence of James' and John's father indicate about

    the strength of the call to follow Jesus?

C. Comment:        

    From John's and Luke's Gospel, together with reading this passage in Matthew, we begin to piece together the fuller picture.   Andrew and Peter had encountered Jesus on a trip to investigate John the Baptist. When Jesus had subsequently moved north and started preaching, he borrowed Peter's boat and subsequently called both he and Andrew.  A while later on the same water front he comes to James and John who would have now heard all about him and calls them.  The fact that their father was with them indicates either that they had their father's blessing to go (more probable) or that the call was so strong that they were even willing to cut their family ties. Whatever the truth, they left their fishing and went with Jesus, not really knowing what would be happening or where they would be going.  Amazing!

     Most versions say James and John were “mending” their nets. Watchman Nee once compared the ministries of various men to what they were doing when they were called. Peter was fishing and became the great evangelist. Paul was a tent maker and brought the great doctrines of the church and the structure to the growing church in Asia Minor . John in old age brought his Gospel and his letter to repair the gaps in the churches teaching. Interesting!

D. Application:

1. Jesus takes us as we are and transforms us in his service.

2. Our abilities are used to build his kingdom. What are they?

Book: Matthew, Chapters 1-4 

(Series 1 of 7 in Matthew)

Study No. 26 of 27        Passage:  Matthew 4:23

Title: Power Preaching

A. Find Out:

1. Where did Jesus go? v.23a

2. What was he first doing? v.23b

3. Where was he doing it? v.23c

4. What was he next doing? v.23d

5. What was his subject? v.23e

6. How was he confirm