Sat Sep 26

Listen up, little ones

Especially for the littles in your household.

Listen for the words said and answered.

Reading

Luke 4:1-13—Tempted by the Devil

Optional Reading

Genesis 3:1–7

Keys for kids

Also for the littles. Young households might choose, after Keys for Kids, to go directly to praise and prayer.

The devil tempted Jesus three times.
Each time Jesus quoted and applied God’s word correctly.
Had Jesus failed, we could not be saved.

Questions

(Some read the ?s before the notes/ ask them after.)

How did Jesus reply to the first temptation? And why?
How did Jesus reply to the second temptation? And why?
How did Jesus reply to the third temptation? And why?

Catechism

(1 Q&A each week related to the preaching text)

WSC #31

What is effectual calling?

Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

(2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Acts 2:37; Acts 26:18; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 6:44-45; Philippians 2:13)

Notes

(See below for all authors.)

The devil comes to Jesus while He is hungry from a 40-day fast. He tempts Him with bread, not forbidden fruit, saying that if Jesus is really God’s Son, he could make bread from stones.

Eating bread after a fast is not, by itself, sinful. But how can God’s own Son be hungry? Is God not providing for Him? But Jesus will have none of Satan’s deception. He knows the Bible and quotes it to Satan. God’s word—His creative, energizing, and sustaining power, not bread, is ultimately what man needs.

The devil takes Jesus to a high mountain. There, he shows Him the glory of all the kingdoms of this world. All yours, promises the devil, if you’ll just worship me. All for the price of one bow. What a bargain! No need for a painful death on a cross in order to be given all authority. Just a bow. But Jesus answers that God alone is the right object of worship.

Now the devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem. Jump! the tempter tempts. After all, God says in His Word that His angels will keep safe those who are His. Again, Jesus says, “No.” Although Satan quotes the Bible accurately, he does not apply it correctly. To foolishly presume on God’s care in reckless action is to sinfully test God. Jesus did not give in. Ever.

Swedish Method questions

See the Sunday notes for meaning of the symbols.

Praise

Psalm 91a, 119v

Prayer

Rejoice that Jesus’s perfection lets you stand perfect before God.
Pray for the reading and preaching of God’s word tomorrow.
Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.

Notes this week are drawn in part from writings by John Calvin, William Hendriksen, Kent Hughes, the Theological Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments (TDOT, TDNT) and notes from the CSB Study Bible, and the Reformation Study Bible (RSB).