Preaching Outline – The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness – Matthew 4:1-11

Biblical Text Used: Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV) – “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter approached him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.’ But Jesus replied, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’.’ Then the Devil took him to the holy city, placed him on the highest part of the temple and said to him: ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and with their hands they will support you, so that you do not strike your foot against a stone’.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Again the devil took him to a very high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and said: ‘All this I will give you, if you fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and him only serve’.’ Then the Devil left him, and angels came to assist him.”

Purpose of Outline: The purpose of this outline is to explore the narrative of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness and draw spiritual lessons on how to resist temptation and remain faithful to God in times of trial.

Introduction: Temptation is an experience we all face in our lives. It is not exclusive to any individual. Even Jesus, the Son of God, was tempted. Let’s explore the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness and learn how we can apply these lessons to our spiritual journey.

Central Theme: Resisting Temptation with God’s Word The central theme of this outline is to show how Jesus resisted temptation using God’s Word as his main weapon, and how we can follow his example to resist temptation in our own lives.

Topics:

1. The Purpose of the Desert
   • Subtopics:
     • The leading of the Holy Spirit.
     • Preparation for the ministry.
     • The Purpose of Trials.
   Additional Verse: James 1:2-3 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
2. The First Temptation: Physical Satisfaction
   • Subtopics:
     • The hunger of Jesus.
     • The power of God’s Word.
     • The spiritual priority over the material.
   Additional Verse: Deuteronomy 8:3 – “He humbled you by making you hungry and then fed you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors knew, to teach you that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”
3. The Second Temptation: Spiritual Presumption
   • Subtopics:
     • Put God to the test.
     • Confidence in divine protection.
     • The danger of spiritual arrogance.
   Additional Verse: Deuteronomy 6:16 – “Do not put the Lord your God to the test, as you did at Massah.”
4. The Third Temptation: The Worldly Offering
   • Subtopics:
     • The desire for power and wealth.
     • The worship of God in spirit and truth.
     • The rejection of worldly temptations.
   Additional Verse: Mark 8:36 – “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

Conclusion: The story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert teaches us that, even in the most difficult situations, we can resist temptations by following the example of Jesus and trusting in the Word of God. It is the Word of God that strengthens us and guides us through the adversities of life.

Type of Service or Best Time to Use This Outline: This outline is appropriate for Bible teaching services, small group studies, spiritual retreats, and pastoral counseling times. It is especially helpful when you want to address the topic of temptation, spiritual resistance, and using God’s Word as a weapon against life’s temptations.