1. Testing Christ

2. By Satan, Matthew 4:1By Satan, Matthew 4:1 By men, Matthew 16:1By men, Matthew 16:1 –Test (peirazo): “to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline: -assay, examine, go about, tempt (-er), try” (Thayer) –Motives: Driven by faithlessness; designed to entangle, catch, accuse and destroy, Matt. 22:15; Lk. 11:53-54 2 Jesus was Tested

3. Jesus withstood every test, always answering well, Matthew 22:46; Mark 12:34Jesus withstood every test, always answering well, Matthew 22:46; Mark 12:34 It is possible that we are testing Jesus with our attitudes, words and lives, 1 Cor. 10:9It is possible that we are testing Jesus with our attitudes, words and lives, 1 Cor. 10:9 3

4. Satan Tested Jesus to Sin Matt. 4:1; Luke 22:28 Jesus was not deceived by Satan’s temptations, Matt. 4:3-10Jesus was not deceived by Satan’s temptations, Matt. 4:3-10 We cannot deceive Christ with our sins, Matt. 15:7-9; Acts 5:9We cannot deceive Christ with our sins, Matt. 15:7-9; Acts 5:9 4

5. Men Tested Jesus Matt. 16:1-4 By refusing the evidence He gave that He is the ChristBy refusing the evidence He gave that He is the Christ –His works and words testify who He is, Jno. 5:36; Matt. 16:16-17; Jno. 20:30-31 –When we willfully refuse the evidence we join the camp of faithless evil, Matt. 16:1-4; Jno. 12:48 5

6. Testing Jesus by Rejecting His Truth By seeking contradictions rather than harmony and conformity to truthBy seeking contradictions rather than harmony and conformity to truth –Marriage and divorce, Matt. 19:3 –Paying taxes, Luke 20:20-26 –Sinner and punishment, Jno. 8:4-7 By doubting His way of salvation, Num. 21:4-6 (1 Cor. 10:9); 1 Cor. 1:18-19By doubting His way of salvation, Num. 21:4-6 (1 Cor. 10:9); 1 Cor. 1:18-19 By teaching error, Acts 15:10By teaching error, Acts 15:10 6

7. We Must Test Test ourselves, 2 Cor. 13:5Test ourselves, 2 Cor. 13:5 Try those who claim authority from Christ, Rev. 2:2Try those who claim authority from Christ, Rev. 2:2 Accept Christ’s help when we are tempted, Heb. 4:15-16Accept Christ’s help when we are tempted, Heb. 4:15-16 –Do not harden your heart in rebellion, Heb. 3:7-11 Endure trials (test our faith), Jas. 1:12 (2-3); 1 Pet. 1:6; 4:12Endure trials (test our faith), Jas. 1:12 (2-3); 1 Pet. 1:6; 4:12 7

8. The Lord Knows Knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations (testing, trial), 2 Pet. 2:9; 1 Cor. 10:12-13Knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations (testing, trial), 2 Pet. 2:9; 1 Cor. 10:12-13 When the Lord returns, will He really find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8When the Lord returns, will He really find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8 Or, will the Lord find us faithlessly testing His love, mercy, truth and longsuffering? Rom. 2:1-6Or, will the Lord find us faithlessly testing His love, mercy, truth and longsuffering? Rom. 2:1-6 8