Encounter with the Enemy

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Mark 1:12-13

The Context of the Battle – A Cosmic Reversal

• Jesus succeeds where Adam failed
  • For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
• Jesus succeeds where Israel failed
  • …Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son… Exodus 4:22

The Content of the Battle – Redefining the Kingdom

• The temptation of provision
  • And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
• The temptation of presumption
  • You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. Deuteronomy 6:16
• The temptation of power
  • It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. Deuteronomy 6:13

The Conquest in the Battle – Our Pattern for Victory

• Victory Through the Spirit’s Power
  • If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13
• Victory Through the Spirit’s Authority
  • …and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God… Ephesians 6:17