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Luke Chapter 4
 
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Luke 4 Outline:

4:1-13    Satan tests Jesus in the wilderness.
4:14-15  Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee.
4:16-30  Jesus preaches in His hometown of Nazareth and they try to kill Him.
4:31-32  Jesus settles in Capernaum.
4:33-37  Jesus casts out a demon in Capernaum.
4:38-41  Jesus heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law.
4:42-44  Jesus preaches in other cities, and in Judea.

Fun Facts:
— The Apostle Peter was married, Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39, 1 Cor 9:5).
— The writer of Hebrews mentions twice that Jesus was subject to temptation like any other man, but did not yield to it (Hebrews 2:18, 4:15).


Study Notes:

— Immediately after Jesus was baptized in the Holy Spirit, the enemy came to wreck His life. Even today, after something great happens, the enemy will come to take it away by getting you to compromise. 

— Temptation means “To try the nature of a thing to see if it will endure.”

— The devil tried the same strategy for Jesus that he used on Eve in the garden of Eden and targeted three specific areas of human nature: 
- The lust of the flesh:  Eve “The tree was good for food” (Gen 3:6). Jesus had not eaten in 40 days and He was hungry (Luke 4:2) when the devil asked Him to turn the stones into bread. 

- The lust of the eyes: Eve saw that “It was pleasant to the eyes” (Gen 3:6). The devil took Jesus to a high place and showed Him “all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time” (Luke 4:5), and said all this can be yours if you bow down and worship me. To worship the devil is simply to obey him. 

- The pride of life: Eve believed that it was a “a tree to be desired in order to make one wise” (Gen 3:6). The devil asked Jesus to jump and prove that He was the Son of God. One quick jump would prove to all that He was the “Anointed One.”

— It is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus was tempted without sinning. The enemy will plant a thought in your mind and then accuse you of being bad. We need to understand the tactics of the enemy. The devil is a liar, and that is what He does (John 8:44).

— Temptation is bait and always looks good or it would not be tempting, but there is a hook hidden inside of it. 

— Temptation is designed to destroy your life mission. Jesus had been “anointed” and “sent” (Luke 4:18). The devil was trying to end this ministry before it even began. You are tempted the worst when the devil sees something beautiful and powerful in your future. The goal is to end it now before it even begins. A cheap thrill can take away your life’s mission. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup (Gen 25:32, Heb 12:16). How many times is he successful in our lives?

— We are to flee from temptation ( 2 Tim 2:22) much like Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife leaving his coat behind him (Gen 39:12). God will always provide a way out to escape temptation (1 Cor 10:13). The bait is whatever appeals to us and we are baited and drawn away by our own desires, lusts and passions (James 1:14).

—  The enemy wants you so bound by your past that you are of no use, or so caught up in the drama and busyness of your life that you have no time to spend with God. We need a healthy balance. 

— Even if you have messed up many times in the past, it is never too late to get started:  “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29 ESV). The same destiny awaits you, though the time that you spend enjoying cheap thrills subtract from the time of enjoying your true destiny. 

— Jesus was not understood by those that knew Him in His hometown, it is highly doubtful that you will be. Your geographical location can determine your effectiveness. 

— Jesus cast out demons and the people all marveled and said “what new teaching is this?” (Mark 1:27). Fast forward 2,000 years till today and when God delivers someone, people still say “what new teaching is this?” They like to stay hidden. 

— Jesus often withdrew to solitary places where He could spend time alone with the Father (Luke 4:42). 

Map of where Luke chapter 4 took place:

 
Discussion Questions:
1. Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for forty days. What are your thoughts on God’s purpose(s) for this time? 
2. During His time in the wilderness, Jesus fasted. Why do you believe He did this?
3. At the end of the forty days, the devil tempted Jesus with three questions. Why do you think those particular questions were asked? What can we learn from the answers Jesus provided?
4. Before His time in the wilderness, Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit”. After the forty days, He returned in “the power of the Spirit”. What does this mean to you? 
5. Why do you think Jesus could not do anything for the people of Nazareth? 
6. Why do you think the Nazarenes become so angry?
7. When the demons He drove out acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God, He would rebuke them and cause them to be silent. Why do you think He did this?

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Take the Quiz on Luke chapter 4