{"id":2702,"date":"2024-05-05T17:53:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-05T21:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/?p=2702"},"modified":"2024-06-04T18:06:08","modified_gmt":"2024-06-04T22:06:08","slug":"the-gospel-observer-456","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/2024\/05\/05\/the-gospel-observer-456\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gospel Observer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
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Contents

1) Learning From the Temptations of Jesus (Al Diestelkamp)
2) “Commits a Trespass Against the Lord” (Heath Rogers)
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-1-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning From the Temptations of Jesus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Al Diestelkamp

Three of the four gospel accounts refer to Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Mark\u2019s gospel gives a very brief summary of this event, making it clear that this took place immediately after Jesus\u2019 baptism when the voice from heaven declared, \u201cYou are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased\u201d (Mk. 1:11-12). Mark makes no mention of Jesus\u2019 forty-day fast or any of the specific temptations\u2014only that He \u201cwas tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him\u201d (vs.13). The accounts by Matthew (4:1-11) and Luke (4:1-13) reveal three of Satan\u2019s enticements near the end of this ordeal, as well as Jesus\u2019 responses to His adversary.

We should not think that the three specific temptations recorded constituted the totality of Satan\u2019s attacks during those forty days, nor should we think that Jesus was free from temptations after this. Satan merely left Him \u201cuntil an opportune time\u201d (Lk. 4:13). From the book of Hebrews we learn that, as a man, He \u201cwas in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin\u201d (Heb. 4:15).\u00a0

Though the apostle John did not include this event in his account of the life of Jesus, many sermons have been preached noting that the three temptations in the wilderness seem to correspond well with John\u2019s descriptions of \u201call that is of the world.\u201d He identifies three worldly desires we all face: \u201cThe lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life\u201d (1 Jn. 2:15-17). The thought is that every sin begins as a temptation to yield to one or more of these three human desires in a way not authorized by God.

It\u2019s understandable, that at the end of a forty-day fast, using one\u2019s ability to turn stones into bread would be tempting. Under other circumstances this might not have been sinful, but performing this miracle was not how Jesus was to prove that He was the Son of God. In response, Jesus quoted Moses who reminded Israel how God had humbled them by allowing them to hunger in order to teach them that \u201cman shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God\u201d (Deut. 8:3).

One thing we can learn from this temptation is that Satan is devious enough to use a natural human desire to tempt us to do evil. He will try to convince us that because the desire is legitimate, we have a right to satisfy it anyway we can. We learn from Jesus\u2019 response that we should listen to the word of God instead of being directed solely by our fleshly desires. In the event of hunger, God\u2019s word teaches us to work in order to satisfy this lust (Eph. 4:28).

Hunger is not the only natural fleshly desire that Satan will tempt us to satisfy illegitimately. Sexual desire is one of his most powerful enticements, and he has convinced much of humanity that they have \u201ca right\u201d to satisfy it as they please. God\u2019s word teaches us that \u201cMarriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge\u201d (Heb. 13:4).

Luke\u2019s account then has Satan taking Jesus upon a high mountain to see \u201call the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time\u201d (4:5). Matthew described this mountain as \u201cexceedingly high\u201d (4:8). There Satan offers Jesus what Satan thought would be irresistible: \u201cIf You will worship before me, all will be Yours\u201d (Lk. 4:7). It had to be a glorious sight; but, resisting the lust of the eyes, Jesus preached God\u2019s word to Satan: \u201cIt is written, \u2018You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve\u2019\u201d (Deut. 6:13; 10:13).

Satan isn\u2019t likely to use the lust of our eyes to promise world domination, but he will put before our eyes whatever appeals to us if only we will bow to him. We would do well to remember that when Achan \u201csaw a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold,\u201d he was led to coveting and taking what was accursed (Josh. 7:21).

Following the order of temptations given in Luke\u2019s account, Satan\u2019s final effort to trip Jesus up involved taking Him to a high place of the temple and challenging Him, \u201cIf You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here\u201d (4:9). Satan even resorted to quoting Scripture promising God\u2019s protection (Psa. 91:11-12). But Jesus recognized that Satan was trying to entice Him to test whether God would acknowledge His Son by saving Him from such a fall. Jesus\u2019 response: \u201cIt has been said, \u2018You shall not tempt the Lord your God\u2019\u201d (Deut. 6:16).

We need to be aware that Satan has \u201chis ministers\u201d who portray themselves \u201cas ministers of righteousness\u201d (2 Cor. 11:15) who will even quote from the Bible in order to teach what the Scriptures do not teach. They may be in pulpits or theological seminaries, twisting not only the apostle Paul\u2019s epistles, \u201cin which are some things hard to understand,\u201d but also \u201cthe rest of the Scriptures\u201d (2 Pet 3:16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Perhaps the most significant thing we should understand from Satan\u2019s attempt to entice Jesus to sin is that the Son of God was not Satan\u2019s ultimate target. Had he succeeded, Satan would have accomplished his main mission\u2014the inescapable bondage to sin of all mankind, resulting in our \u201ceverlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord\u201d<\/em> (2 Thess.1:9).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u2014 Via Think on\u00a0 These Things,<\/em> April-May-June, 2024, Volume 55, No. 2
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-2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCommits a Trespass Against the Lord\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heath Rogers

In a sermon two weeks ago, we studied David\u2019s statement from Psalm 51:4 – \u201cAgainst You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight\u2026\u201d I made the comment that David was aware that he had sinned against Uriah, Bathsheba, his servants, and the entire nation. However, all this vanished away as he considered the enormity of his guilt before God. A good lesson needs to be learned from the man after God\u2019s own heart.

All our sin, regardless of who is hurt by our actions, is ultimately committed against God Himself.

Joseph responded correctly to the sexual advances of his master\u2019s wife: \u201cThere is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?\u201d (Gen. 39:9). Young Joseph understood the sin of adultery is ultimately a sin against God because it violates His law.

These two men believed that any sin was ultimately a sin against God. What does God say about this?

Monday night, brother McKibben led us in a study of Abraham lying to Abimelech in Genesis 20:1-14. I noticed something God told Abimelech in verse 6. \u201cYes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me<\/strong>; therefore I did not let you touch her\u201d (emphasis mine \u2013 HR). Long before Joseph or David lived, God had established that the sin of adultery is a sin against the Lord Himself.

Leviticus chapter 6 offers more light on this subject. In giving instructions regarding offerings and restitution, the Lord said: \u201cIf a person sins and commits a trespass against the Lord <\/strong>by lying to his neighbor about what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or about a pledge, or about a robbery, or if he has extorted from his neighbor, or if he has found what was lost and lies concerning it, and swears falsely – in any one of these things that a man may do in which he sins\u201d <\/strong>(Lev. 6:2-3, emphasis mine \u2013 HR). All sins we commit against others are first and foremost sins against God.

Denominational writer R.C. Sproul is noted for these excellent comments regarding sin:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sin is cosmic treason. Sin is treason against a perfectly pure Sovereign. It is an act of supreme ingratitude toward One to whom we owe everything, to the One who has given us life itself. Have you ever considered the deeper implications of the slightest sin, of the most minute peccadillo? What are we saying to our Creator when we disobey Him at the slightest point? We are saying no to the righteousness of God. We are saying, \u201cGod, Your law is not good. My judgment is better than Yours. Your authority does not apply to me. I am above and beyond Your jurisdiction. I have the right to do what I want to do, not what You command me to do.\u201d

The slightest sin is an act of defiance against cosmic authority. It is a revolutionary act, a rebellious act where we are setting ourselves in opposition to the One to whom we owe everything. It is an insult to His holiness\u2026(R.C. Sproul, The Holiness of God, <\/em>151-152).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

— via Articles <\/em>from the Knollwood church or Christ, October 2023

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1) Hear\u00a0<\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).
\u00a0
2) Believe\u00a0<\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent\u00a0<\/strong>of sins.\u00a0 For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).\u00a0 For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

4) Confess faith\u00a0<\/strong>in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).

5) Be baptized\u00a0<\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).\u00a0 This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).\u00a0 For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026

6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by <\/strong>living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST<\/strong><\/strong>
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday: 9 a.m. <\/strong>Bible Classes and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service.\u00a0\u00a0 Congregational Song Service<\/strong>: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday: 7 p.m. <\/strong>Bible Classes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

evangelist\/editor:\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
<\/strong><\/strong>Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

<\/a>https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> <\/strong><\/strong>(This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).——————– Contents 1) Learning From the Temptations of Jesus (Al Diestelkamp)2) “Commits a Trespass Against the Lord” (Heath Rogers)——————– -1- Learning From […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2702"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2702\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2705,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2702\/revisions\/2705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}