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Three Tests of Leadership
Sermon Outline
by Pastor Gordon Brubaker
Matthew 4:1-11
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,
and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "
Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'"
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."
(NKJ)
FIRST TEST:
WHERE DOES YOUR STRENGTH COME FROM?
1. Matthew 4:1-4
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
(NKJ)
A. "Man shall not live by bread alone (natural things), but BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD!"
SECOND TEST:
ARE YOU GOD'S SERVANT OR DOES GOD SERVE YOU?
2. Matthew 4:5-7
"Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,
and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "
Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'"
A. "You shall not tempt the Lord your God!"
B. Temptation is to do what you want to do and ask God to bless it! To get healed at YOUR TIME AND CHOICE! THIS COMES FROM AN UNDERSTANDING THAT GOD WILL WHAT I WANT, WHEN I WANT! GOD HAS BECOME YOUR SERVANT! YOUR "GENIE."
C. You where bought at a price, you are no longer your own! We are to hear and obey! KEEP A RIGHT PERSPECTIVE: WE ARE GOD'S SERVANTS, WE ARE TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL IN THE EARTH!
D. We are vessels of honor that God pours through!
THIRD TEST:
ARE YOU SEEKING YOUR OWN GLORY OR WILL YOU WORSHIP GOD?
3. Matthew 4:8-11
"Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."
(NKJ)
A. So much of what we do is seeking a following, recognition, fame, and fortune, building a reputation for ourselves!
B. "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve!"
4. TO PASS THESE THREE TESTS ALLOWS YOU TO WALK IN THE AUTHORITY THAT COMES FROM GOD!
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