Gospel Light Church The Gospel of Matthew April 12, 2026
Battle Plans
Matthew 4:1-17
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is
written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not [a]tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, [b]“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to
Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:
16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven [c]is at hand.”
Heaven was opened and NOW Hell is opened.
The more business you do with God the more business you will do with the devil.
C. S Lewis – the Screwtape Letters
THE BATTLE BEFORE THE BREAKTHROUGH
Before Jesus launches His public ministry, He is led into a wilderness battle.
Matthew 4:1
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” This is critical:
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- Jesus is not led into comfort, but into conflict.
- Not into applause, but into testing.
“The Spirit led Him into the wilderness, not to make Him fall, but to prove that He could not fall.” — Matthew Henry
Before God uses you publicly, He forms you privately.
FASTING BEFORE THE FIGHT
Matthew 4:2
“And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.” Jesus prepares through fasting.
Fasting Weakens the Flesh but Strengthens the Spirit
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- Jesus was physically weak—but spiritually sharp.
- Fasting is not about punishment—it is about positioning.
“Fasting detaches us from this world and anchors us in the next.” — John Piper
Fasting Reveals What Controls You
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- Hunger exposed physical need
- Temptation exposed spiritual strength
You don’t know what controls you until it is removed.
Take away food, comfort, or distraction—and what surfaces reveals your true dependence. “The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie.” — John Piper
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- If Jesus fasted before ministry… how much more do, we need it?
- Breakthrough often follows intentional spiritual discipline
THREE STRATEGIES OF THE ENEMY
Satan comes at Jesus in three waves—each revealing how temptation works.
TEMPTATION #1: PROVISION WITHOUT TRUST (vv. 3–4)
“Command that these stones become bread.”
This is the temptation of physical appetite and immediate gratification. Satan’s message:
“Meet your needs your own way.” Jesus responds:
Matthew 4:4
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
- The greatest need is not physical—it is spiritual.
- Hunger is real—but God’s Word is greater.
“The devil tempts us not by forcing evil upon us, but by suggesting good things in the wrong way.” — C. S. Lewis
- Where are you trying to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way?
TEMPTATION #2: PRESUMPTION WITHOUT TRUST (vv. 5–7)
“Throw Yourself down…”
Satan uses Scripture—but twists it.
This is the temptation to force God’s hand. Jesus responds:
Matthew 4:7
“You shall not tempt the Lord your God.”
Truth:
- Faith trusts God.
- Presumption tests God.
“It is possible to quote Scripture and yet be led by the devil.” — D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
- Are you trusting God—or trying to manipulate outcomes?
TEMPTATION #3: POWER WITHOUT THE CROSS (vv. 8–10)
“All these things I will give You…”
Satan offers a shortcut to glory.
No suffering. No cross. Just success. Jesus responds:
Matthew 4:10
“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
Truth:
- Satan always offers shortcuts that sabotage calling.
- God’s way may be harder—but it is always right.
“The devil’s method is always to offer a crown without a cross.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Where are you tempted to bypass obedience for quick success?
THE WORD IS THE WEAPON
Every time Satan attacks, Jesus responds the same way:
“It is written…”
Jesus Didn’t Debate—He Declared
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- No argument
- No negotiation
- Just truth
The Word Defeats the Enemy
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- Not feelings
- Not logic
- Not willpower
“Scripture is the sword of the Spirit—when we wield it, we fight with heaven’s authority.”
- Charles Spurgeon
- You cannot defeat temptation if you don’t know the Word.
- What you memorize today becomes your weapon tomorrow.
MINISTRY AFTER THE WILDERNESS
Matthew 4:11
“Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” Victory leads to:
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- Strength
- Clarity
- Launch into purpose Then Jesus begins preaching:
Matthew 4:17 – “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
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- The wilderness was not a detour—it was preparation.
“The testing of your faith produces endurance—and endurance prepares you for assignment.”
— James Montgomery Boice
Fasting prepares you, temptation tests you, and the Word empowers you to walk in victory.
Establish a Rhythm of Fasting
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- Start with one meal, one day, or a partial fast
- Replace food with Scripture and prayer
Identify Your Primary Temptation
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- Appetite?
- Approval?
- Ambition?
Arm Yourself with Scripture
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- Memorize verses tied to your struggle
- Speak them when temptation comes
Expect Wilderness Seasons
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- Don’t fear them—God is forming you in them
A soldier doesn’t learn to use his weapon in the middle of battle—he trains beforehand. Jesus didn’t reach for Scripture in panic—He already had it hidden in His heart.
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- Where is the enemy tempting you right now?
- What are you feeding—your flesh or your spirit?
- Will you step into fasting and let God strengthen you?
Your wilderness is not where you lose—it’s where you learn to win.