Sunday, February 22, 2026

Scriptures: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon Title: “Know the Word to pass the test”

1. Introduction

Two days ago we observed Ash Wednesday, beginning a season of prayer, fasting, reflection, and repentance. Lent starts in the wilderness, just after Jesus is baptized. The heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and a voice declares: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” At this point, nothing public has happened yet, no sermons, healings, or disciples.

2. Jesus Led by the Spirit in the wilderness

The Spirit that descended on Jesus now leads Him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. To tempt means to lure someone into doing wrong, while to test means to give a chance to choose what is right. It may seem strange for the Spirit to lead Jesus into hardship, since we often expect guidance away from danger.

God tested Israel in the wilderness, as Deuteronomy 8:2 shows: the forty years were meant to humble them and reveal what was in their hearts. The wilderness was not an accident; it was a divine assignment. As God’s children, we often struggle when faced with life’s tests and we often turn away from Him.

Beloved, God’s tests are not meant to harm us but to refine our faith, strengthen our character, and deepen our relationship with Him. They reveal areas of weakness or sin so we can confront them and grow spiritually.

3. First temptation of Jesus

After forty days of fasting, the devil tempted Jesus, saying, “If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread.” Fully God and fully human, Jesus naturally felt hunger, and Satan targeted this weakness. This was the first of many temptations. Throughout His ministry, Jesus faced challenges from religious leaders, and even Peter later tried to stop Him from going to the cross.

Going a single day without food is already hard, so fasting for forty days, as Jesus did, seems almost impossible. Many of us would make excuses, especially if health issues require taking medicine with food.

What is the idea behind this first temptation? The devil tempted Jesus to use His power for Himself rather than to serve God and others. If Jesus focused on Himself, He would not go to the cross. We face the same danger: when we start living for ourselves, even a little, we drift from our faith and lose the willingness to sacrifice for God or others. Sometimes, others may challenge our faith, expecting us to handle things easily just because we say we are Christians. Jesus replied with Deuteronomy 8:3: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” He teaches us that real life doesn’t come from food or possessions, but from trusting and obeying God’s Word, which sustains, restores, and gives eternal life.

4. The second temptation of Jesus

The devil took Jesus to the highest point of the temple and tempted Him to throw Himself down, quoting Scripture to give false assurance. Satan was twisting God’s Word to make Jesus test God rather than trust Him. But Jesus knew that faith based on spectacle is not true faith.

Jesus rebuked Satan, saying, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Deuteronomy 6:16). We often want God to prove Himself, asking for signs or solutions, but no one, even Jesus, has the right to test God. Testing God shows a lack of faith. The devil tried to get Jesus to force God’s hand, but He refused to fall into the devil’s trap. We are called to trust God’s Word by faith, without demanding signs.

5. The third temptation of Jesus

The devil took Jesus to a high mountain, offering Him all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship him. He was tempting Jesus to take an easy way to the cross in exchange for power. We are often tempted by power, status, and success, and may compromise our values to gain influence. But trying to control everything instead of trusting God leads to failure, because His way is always best. Jesus responded, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him” (Deuteronomy 6:13). Jesus shows us that trust in God is the key. True authority comes from serving God faithfully, not from shortcuts or compromising our worship. Our role is to worship, serve, and trust that God is in control.

6. Know the Word to pass the test

 In 2010, I began my undergraduate studies at Africa University, but I didn’t know any English. I had to start with an intensive English course before joining the full program. My professor, Mrs. Janette Kies from Iowa, required us to learn at least five verbs in all 12 English tenses every day.

Which makes it 60 verbs or phrases every day and I had understood their meaning in my own language. Every day there was a test, and this routine continued throughout the intensive English year, helping me master the basics. Jesus, our role model, faced temptations before His ministry, and the devil knew exactly how to attack Him. Like Jesus, we also face temptations and tests in our lives today.

Just as I couldn’t succeed in my English studies without daily discipline and God’s help, we cannot overcome temptation by our own strength. The good news is that Jesus shows us the way, He overcame the devil by relying on God’s Word. When we follow His example and read, understand, and trust Scripture, we gain the strength to resist the enemy, even in our weakest moments.

7. Conclusion

This week, identify one temptation that often trips you up, such as gossip, greed, or anger. Find a Bible verse that addresses it, memorize it, and recite it whenever you are tempted. May God’s grace help us apply His Word to overcome the devil’s temptations. Amen.