God's Sinless Son Matt. 3:13-4:11
Sept. 09-07
Introduction
I like the story about
the three theologians who debated; "could Jesus sin." One
wrote; Jesus was not able to sin. The second wrote; Jesus was able to
sin. The third
wrote; Jesus was able not to sin. I agree with the third observation,
and the fact of Jesus
being, God's Sinless Son.
1. God's Sinless Son
Gave . . Approval. 3:13-15
A. Jesus Gave Approval
Through His . . Immersion By John. 3:13-14
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be
baptized by
him. 14 But John tried to stop Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by
You, and yet You
come to me?"
B. Jesus Gave
Approval Through His . . Identification With John. 3:15
15 Jesus answered him, "Allow it for now, because this is the way for
us to fulfill all
righteousness." Then he allowed Him to be baptized.
Jesus approved
of, and submitted to baptism by immersion. Some today say.
"what difference does it make," and I ask, "where do you stop watering
down (no pun
intended) what Jesus did and taught." Jesus being immersed teaches much
about the
method of one being baptized. Did you know He walked about 70 miles to
be baptized
by John? It was very important to identify with the baptism, and
ministry of John. John
ministered as the forerunner, and Jesus wanted everyone to know of His
approval.
2. God's Sinless Son
Given . . Affirmation. 3:16-17
A. Affirmation As The
Heavens . . Divided. 3:16a
16 After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The
heavens suddenly opened for Him,
B. Affirmation As The Spirit . .
Descended. 3:16b
". . . and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
and coming
down on Him.
C. Affirmation As The Heavens . .
Declared. 3:17
17 And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take
delight in Him!
Jesus went down
into the water and came up out of the water (not necessary for a
sprinkling). When He did the heavens were divided, the Spirit
descended, and the Father
declared His approval. Did you ever think of the emotions Jesus must
have experienced
as the Father gave His approval. As a father I love to tell my children
and grandchildren
how proud I am of them. In fact not much pleases me more than being
able to affirm my
children, and grandchildren. I am pleased to say, "this is my daughter,
or this is my
grandson, or, this is my granddaughter. It gave God pleasure to affirm
Jesus, His sinless
Son.
3. God's Sinless Son
Gained . . Authority. 4:1-2
A. Gained Authority
Through . . Submission To The Spirit. 4:1
4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the
Devil.
B. Gained Authority
Through . . Sustained Prayer. 4:2
2 After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry.
In my opinion
many times we fail to recognize Jesus was just as human as any of
us. In order to prove His sinless humanity He had to gain victory over
temptation, and He
did that through submission to the leading of the Spirit and sustained
times of prayer in
His life. Jesus certainly gave us an illustration of how to spend time
in prayer.
4. God's Sinless Son
Gained . . Authentication. 4:3-11
A. Authentication Over Temptation In The . . Lust Of The Flesh. 4:3-4
3 Then the tempter
approached Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4 But He answered, "It
is written: Man must not live on bread
alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
B. Authentication Over
Temptation In The . . Lust Of The Eyes. 4:5-7
5 Then the Devil took Him to the holy city, had Him stand on
the pinnacle
of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw
Yourself down. For it
is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you and, they
will support you with
their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." 7
Jesus told him, "It is
also written: Do not test the Lord your God."
C. Authentication
Over Temptation In The . . Pride Of Life. 4:8-11
8 Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all
the kingdoms of the world and
their splendor. 9 And he said to Him, "I will give You all
these things if You will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus told
him, "Go away,
Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only
Him." 11 Then the
Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him. HCSB
In the Book of
1 John we are given three categories of sin. The three temptations
of Jesus can be likened to the list in 1 John; 2:16) The need for bread
might be likened
to the lust of the flesh, 2) the desire to establish His being the Son
of God by thrill and
excitement might appeal to the lust of the eyes, 3) Satan's offer to
give Jesus the
kingdoms of the world might appeal to the pride of life. He gained
victory in ever area of
this temptation, and then said, "Go away, Satan!" If these suggestions
are correct they
will further emphasize the fact of God's Sinless Son, Amen? Amen!
