Temptations of Jesus: Dealing with doubt & despair

There is an enduring caricature that the successful Christian life is always happy: that if we diligently follow Jesus, then we will have a stellar career, a happy marriage with 2.5 perfect children and everything we need when we need it.  Eventually we learn that caricature is a myth, and understand why Scripture describes the Christian life with terms like waiting, suffering and trials.

This series examines the Temptations of Jesus with the goal of learning how to face waiting and affliction with hope, trust and endurance.

Resources: Gospel of Matthew

Genre: Understanding Gospels

For each temptation, we’ll consider

• why is the choice wrong,
• why the choice is attractive to Jesus
• how does Jesus respond

1st Temptation: When God says no

Teacher: Krisan Marotta on January 11, 2009.

For a more complete discussion: 10 Matthew 4:1-4 1st Temptation: Stones to bread

2nd Temptation: When God seems Distant

Teacher: Krisan Marotta on January 18, 2009.

For a more complete discussion: 11 Matthew 4:5-7 2nd Temptation: Jump from the pinnacle

3rd Temptation: When life is hard

Teacher: Krisan Marotta on January 25, 2009

For a more complete discussion: 12 Matthew 4:8-11 3rd Temptation: Bow down

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