Embracing Temptation: The Path of the Cross
Summary
In today's message, I shared a personal story from my journey of discernment after seminary, which led me to Hong Kong and an opportunity at North Point Alliance Church. Despite the allure of a prestigious position, I felt a lack of peace, reminiscent of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. This experience became a lens through which I explored the theme of temptation, drawing parallels between my own journey and Jesus' testing.
Temptation, as we commonly understand, is the desire to do something wrong or unwise. However, biblically, it also encompasses the concept of testing, which aims to strengthen and prove us. Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, as recorded in the Gospels, serves as a profound example of this dual nature. The enemy sought to tempt Jesus, but God used it as a test to affirm His mission and identity as the Messiah.
The temptations Jesus faced were not merely about physical needs or power but were deeply tied to His identity as the Son of God and His mission. The title "Son of God" was not just a divine affirmation but a reference to Israel and the Messiah, echoing Old Testament prophecies. Jesus' responses to Satan, all drawn from Deuteronomy, highlight His commitment to God's will and His role as the true servant of God, succeeding where Israel and Adam had failed.
The final temptation, where Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, underscored the kind of Messiah Jesus was to be. It wasn't just about achieving His mission but doing so through the path of the cross, embracing suffering and sacrifice. This path, though difficult, was essential for the redemption of humanity.
Reflecting on the historicity of Jesus' temptation, we recognize the spiritual reality it reveals. It challenges our secular worldview, reminding us of the spiritual battles we face. In our own lives, we are called to recognize the spiritual dimension of our temptations and to choose the path that strengthens and refines us, much like Jesus did.
Ultimately, embracing our own crosses, as Jesus did, leads to profound growth and blessing. My decision to return to Vancouver and serve at New Life Church, despite the challenges, became a transformative journey of faith and discipleship. It taught me the value of taking up our crosses, trusting in God's presence and purpose in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Temptation vs. Testing: Temptation seeks to lead us astray, while testing aims to strengthen us. Recognizing this distinction helps us understand that God uses trials to refine and prove our faith, encouraging us to grow stronger in Him. [07:01]
2. Identity and Mission: Jesus' temptations were deeply tied to His identity as the Son of God and His mission as the Messiah. Our identity in Christ calls us to live out our mission with integrity, resisting shortcuts and embracing God's path. [10:43]
3. The Path of the Cross: Jesus' refusal to bypass the cross for worldly power teaches us the importance of embracing sacrifice and suffering in our own lives. The cross-centered life, though challenging, leads to true transformation and fulfillment. [20:30]
4. Spiritual Reality: The reality of Jesus' temptation challenges our secular worldview, reminding us of the spiritual battles we face. Recognizing the spiritual dimension of our struggles helps us rely on God's strength and guidance. [27:16]
5. Embracing Our Crosses: Taking up our crosses, as Jesus did, leads to profound growth and blessing. Each of us is called to embrace the unique challenges in our lives, trusting in God's presence and purpose. [34:33]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:42] - Journey to Hong Kong
- [03:14] - Temptation and Discernment
- [04:49] - Defining Temptation
- [07:01] - Temptation vs. Testing
- [08:48] - Jesus' Testing in the Wilderness
- [10:43] - Identity as the Son of God
- [11:39] - Old Testament Echoes
- [12:58] - Setting of the Temptation
- [14:51] - Scripture Quotations
- [16:41] - The Bigger Picture
- [18:18] - The True Messiah
- [19:41] - The Final Temptation
- [22:39] - The Path of the Cross
- [24:14] - Historicity of the Temptation
- [27:16] - Spiritual Reality
- [29:08] - Applications and Reflections
- [32:12] - Returning to Vancouver
- [34:33] - Embracing Our Crosses
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus
2. Deuteronomy 8:3 - "Man does not live on bread alone..."
3. Psalm 2:7 - "You are my Son; today I have become your Father."
---
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the three temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness, and how did He respond to each one? [14:51]
2. How does the title "Son of God" relate to Jesus' identity and mission, as discussed in the sermon? [10:43]
3. What Old Testament events and scriptures are echoed in the account of Jesus' temptation? [12:58]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between temptation and testing? [07:01]
---
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' temptations were a test of His identity and mission as the Messiah? [18:18]
2. How does the concept of "testing" in the Bible differ from our common understanding of "temptation," and what implications does this have for our spiritual growth? [07:01]
3. What does the sermon imply about the spiritual reality of temptation and its impact on our secular worldview? [27:16]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of embracing the path of the cross in our own lives? [22:39]
---
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision that seemed appealing but did not bring peace. How did you discern God's will in that situation? [03:14]
2. How can you identify whether a challenge in your life is a temptation meant to lead you astray or a test meant to strengthen your faith? [07:01]
3. In what ways can you embrace your identity in Christ to resist shortcuts and remain committed to God's path for your life? [10:43]
4. What are some practical steps you can take to recognize and engage in the spiritual battles you face daily? [27:16]
5. Consider the unique challenges or "crosses" you are called to bear in your life. How can you embrace these challenges to experience growth and blessing? [34:33]
6. How can you cultivate a cross-centered life, embracing sacrifice and suffering as part of your spiritual journey? [22:39]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's presence and purpose. What steps can you take this week to deepen that trust? [33:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding Temptation and Testing
Temptation is often seen as a desire to do something wrong, but biblically, it also includes the concept of testing, which aims to strengthen and prove us. In the wilderness, Jesus faced temptations that were not just about physical needs or power but were deeply tied to His identity and mission. The enemy sought to lead Him astray, but God used these trials to affirm His mission and identity as the Messiah. Recognizing the distinction between temptation and testing helps us understand that God uses trials to refine and prove our faith, encouraging us to grow stronger in Him. [07:01]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What current challenge in your life might God be using to strengthen your faith? How can you approach it with a mindset of growth and refinement?
Day 2: Identity and Mission in Christ
Jesus' temptations were deeply tied to His identity as the Son of God and His mission as the Messiah. The title "Son of God" was not just a divine affirmation but a reference to Israel and the Messiah, echoing Old Testament prophecies. Jesus' responses to Satan, all drawn from Deuteronomy, highlight His commitment to God's will and His role as the true servant of God. Our identity in Christ calls us to live out our mission with integrity, resisting shortcuts and embracing God's path. [10:43]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to take shortcuts in your spiritual journey? How can you reaffirm your identity in Christ to stay true to your mission?
Day 3: Embracing the Path of the Cross
Jesus' refusal to bypass the cross for worldly power teaches us the importance of embracing sacrifice and suffering in our own lives. The final temptation, where Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, underscored the kind of Messiah Jesus was to be. It wasn't just about achieving His mission but doing so through the path of the cross, embracing suffering and sacrifice. This path, though difficult, was essential for the redemption of humanity. The cross-centered life, though challenging, leads to true transformation and fulfillment. [20:30]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are avoiding sacrifice? How can you begin to embrace this challenge as part of your spiritual growth?
Day 4: Recognizing Spiritual Reality
The reality of Jesus' temptation challenges our secular worldview, reminding us of the spiritual battles we face. Jesus' experience in the wilderness reveals the spiritual dimension of our struggles and the importance of relying on God's strength and guidance. In our own lives, we are called to recognize the spiritual dimension of our temptations and to choose the path that strengthens and refines us, much like Jesus did. [27:16]
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: How can you become more aware of the spiritual battles in your life? What practical steps can you take to rely more on God's strength in these struggles?
Day 5: Embracing Our Crosses for Growth
Taking up our crosses, as Jesus did, leads to profound growth and blessing. Each of us is called to embrace the unique challenges in our lives, trusting in God's presence and purpose. My decision to return to Vancouver and serve at New Life Church, despite the challenges, became a transformative journey of faith and discipleship. It taught me the value of taking up our crosses, trusting in God's presence and purpose in our lives. [34:33]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
Reflection: What is a specific challenge you are currently facing that feels like a cross to bear? How can you trust in God's purpose and presence as you navigate this challenge?
Quotes
Let me share a story with you. I had just completed all my seminary training at Regent College and Lutheran Seminary, and I was in this period of discernment in my life, thinking, where shall I go? What did God want me to do? Where is He going to send me now? Those are the kind of questions I was wrestling with, and I decided to go to Hong Kong to explore. [00:05:54] (28 seconds)
It was and is a megachurch. In Hong Kong, they have like 12 or 13 services every weekend, thousands of members, and 30, 40 staff. One of these big, big churches, and so I applied for this position at this church. They were starting a new English church or an English ministry within all of the Chinese services there, and then I was interviewed by a senior pastor. I was invited into the church, and I was interviewed by a senior pastor, and it was actually a really good discussion. Good conversation. I felt like we had a good connection together, and I felt like I really could work with him, and I could learn from him. Just being fresh out of seminary, I felt like one of the things I really was looking for and needing was wiser, older mentors. [00:53:02] (50 seconds)
And then this scene flashed in my mind of Jesus' temptation at the highest point, all the kingdoms of the world. And it just flashed in my mind for a moment. And I said, let me think. Give me some time to pray. And lo and behold, as I prayed, as I left that process, and then I left and I went home and I prayed, I didn't have peace about it. It was nothing to do with North Point Alliance and the church and the pastors and the deacons. They were all humble and godly people. And the process was, it was flawless. I mean, there was nothing about that process itself that gave me pause. But I didn't have peace because I felt that there was a process in Vancouver that was not finished. [00:194:46] (51 seconds)
But in the Bible, that's just one side of this word, temptation. Actually, the word temptation, perasmos in the Greek, can also mean testing. So on the one side, on the one hand, it can mean temptation as we've been talking about. On the other hand, it can refer to a testing, to prove something, to test something. And that concept is just as biblical, Old Testament and New Testament, as this other side, the temptation. So temptation comes from a motive of wanting us to stumble. But testing, on the other hand, comes from God or can come from God. And the intention is not for us to stumble, but to prove ourselves and to strengthen ourselves. And so thereby be encouraged and be strengthened through that testing, right? The goal of temptation is to cause us to fail. The goal of testing is to prove us and strengthen us. [00:409:42] (68 seconds)
So, on the one hand, there's this temptation, but on the other hand, there's this testing. And that's what I want to focus on a bit more today, this testing, Jesus' testing. And it's a vital part of Jesus' ministry. After the baptism is this testing after the testing is a ministry so it's this vital link between the declaration of who Jesus is and then the beginning of Jesus's ministry before that is this testing in the wilderness now there are some observations I would like to make about this text these three testings or temptations the first one is this title son of God this designation son of God so the enemy Satan twice in these temptations the first two temptations says if you are the son of God that's how he begins the temptations now that's significant because that phrase or that title son of God what does it refer to what does it mean now we think about it and we think about it and we think about it and we think about it we gloss over this title, Son of God, because it's so familiar to us. But in Jesus' day, this title, Son of God, had very specific reference. [00:528:92] (87 seconds)
The second text is Psalm chapter 2, I've set my king on Zion. You are my son. Today, I've begotten you. And that phrase you are my son, exactly, is the same phrase that is in Gospel of Mark. You are my son with whom I'm well pleased. So these two texts, they're in brackets. Thanks. would have been echoing in the minds of people who heard this phrase, you are my son with whom I am well pleased. What it's referring to is Israel, the chosen people of God, Israel, the son of God. And second of all, the Messiah, the anointed one, as in Psalm 2, the Messiah of Israel, the chosen one of God, the king of Israel. This is what you are my son with whom I am well pleased. These are the passages that would have been brought up in people's minds as they heard this phrase. That's the first observation. The second observation is the setting of this temptation account that we have had read to us. Jesus is baptized. He is baptized in the Jordan River. And the Jordan River is just east of the land of Israel, the promised land. And then immediately sent by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tested. [00:745:58] (91 seconds)
Jesus not giving in to the temptations of Satan in these three instances. There's something bigger going on here. The real test is, will Jesus succeed where Israel failed? Will Jesus succeed where Adam failed? Will Jesus be the true servant of God? Will Jesus be the true servant of God whom the Old Testament scriptures point to and has been promised by the prophets and by Yahweh himself? Will Jesus be the Messiah? Now, we often read these temptations as simply, will Jesus feed himself because he's hungry? Or will Jesus save himself from being harmed from the top of the temple? Or will Jesus give in to human political power as he sees all these kingdoms? But they're actually not the primary point, the main point of this whole passage. The main point is, will Jesus succeed as Messiah, where every other person or point or people in history, people have failed? Can he be the one? And the answer, as we read through that text, is yes, yes, and yes. [00:1041:63] (96 seconds)
It's not just what he's come to do, but it's how he has come to do it. It's not just that he is Messiah, but the question also is, the test also is, what kind of Messiah is he going to be? And so Jesus quotes Scripture. One more time. And then he says, be gone, Satan. And actually this phrase, be gone, Satan, it should remind us of another time in the Gospels. The only other time where Jesus uses such harsh language of Satan. Such compelling language. language of Satan, but it's directed towards somebody else. Actually, one of his disciples, you might remember this story. They're taken to the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John, and then they come down, and Peter, and Jesus is explaining to his disciples, saying that the Messiah must suffer and die, and Peter will have none of it. He rebukes Jesus, he says, as the scriptures say. So he's trying to convince Jesus that this is not the path. And what does Jesus say to him? Get behind me, Satan. Get behind me, Satan. Same thing here. Satan is trying to tempt him to this path, a suffering -less messiahship, a messiahship without the cross. [00:1258:64] (101 seconds)
So we don't know exactly how that happened. But we do know that there was a time when Jesus was on the cross. And we don't know exactly what that temptation was like. But we do know that Jesus had some kind of experience in which he could have chosen a different path, an easier path, a path that did not look like a path towards the cross. And instead, he chose that path towards the cross. the cross. Okay. So helping us anchor, I think, that experience of Jesus in history and in time. Okay, I want to close with a few applications now that flow directly out of this testing, the story of Jesus testing. The first one flows out of it just being a historical event. And that is to challenge our secular worldview. Because if this really happened, that means Satan really exists. That means there really is a spiritual world. And we don't quite understand how it works in terms of the physics of it and the reality of the physical world. [00:1612:32] (67 seconds)
When we're in that moment of temptation, think about, this is not just me, not just my mind, not just my body, and not just my response, but there's a spiritual reality that wants you to respond in one of two ways. The tempter wants to discourage you, he wants to destroy you, he wants you to fail. But God, the Holy Spirit, is perhaps sending you into that situation. situation to test you, to strengthen you, to encourage you, to strengthen your faith. There is a spiritual reality beyond just what we see. So that's the first application to be mindful of these spiritual realities around us. And the second application is related to that. It's just to be aware that there are these two options before us. One can lead to our discouragement. One can lead to our failure. But the other one can lead to our strengthening. The testing is not meant to destroy us. The testing is meant to encourage us and strengthen us. [00:1719:59] (75 seconds)
The non -cross life is always easier. But Jesus' cross -centered life is always harder, because it requires sacrifice. It requires perhaps pain. and suffering. I don't know if it requires any of our death here, our physical deaths, but it requires more of us. It's the harder road. So I promised that I would finish that story earlier, so I'll do that now. I turned down that call to North Point Alliance Church because I realized that there was this process I had to finish in Vancouver. And that's because I grew up in Vancouver. I grew up in this church in Vancouver at New Life Church. And for the longest time, they didn't have an English pastor. This is a Chinese church. And I went into seminary. And eventually, the church said, why don't you, Sam, become the English pastor here? But I wasn't quite ready because I was still going through my training. And I said, please don't wait for me. Just keep your search going. And they did. But they still couldn't find anyone. I finished all my training now. This is seven years later from the time that they last had an English pastor. And they still said, will you consider being the English pastor here? And I said, just wait. And then I went to Hong Kong. [00:1845:07]
And so while I was going through that process in Hong Kong, I did not have peace. The Lord reminded me of that process that had begun with New Life here in Vancouver. So I told the Lord, I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this. And I told them, I can't finish this. I withdrew my application. I flew back to Vancouver. I finished that process. And that process looked very different than the one in Hong Kong. There was no wining and dining at the top of China Club. I was sitting in the backyard of someone's house. And they're just two of my old old fellowship mentors. And one of the things I shared with them, I said, I'm not sure I can pastor here successfully because I don't feel like I have enough support here because I'm just a new pastor. And then one of the fellows said to me, he said, Sam, I support you. We support you. And for me, that was the voice of God. That's exactly what I was needing to hear. He said, we support you, Sam. We have your back. [00:1932:00] (65 seconds)
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