1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and 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 will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. 12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles– 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. —Matthew 4

Intro: Contentment is one of the most elusive qualities in our modern world. The endless pursuit of more— more success, more possessions, more recognition—often leaves us restless and dissatisfied. But in Matthew 4, we see Jesus demonstrate a life of perfect contentment: He models it, offers it through His Kingdom, and enables us to experience it through His presence. Contentment is not a fleeting feeling; it is a secure state of being found in Christ. The question for us today is this: Will we seek contentment in the world, or will we find it in the Savior who alone can satisfy our souls?

Big Idea: Jesus is our

1. Jesus is our example of contentment (4:1-11)

• a. Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (v.1)
• b. Jesus models contentment even in the harshest circumstances. (v.2)
• c. Jesus battles three temptations
  
  1. Content in His Physical needs (v.3-4)
  2. Content in His identity (v.5-8)
     As a child of God, our
     Reveal Answer
     are
     Reveal Answer
     in God.
  3. Content in His calling (v.9-11)
• d. Jesus did not value worldly power. Neither should we.

Worshiping God

2. Jesus’ Kingdom offers us contentment (4:12-17)

• a. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” introduces a new way of life that brings spiritual fulfillment and peace.
• b. Light in Darkness: Matthew notes that Jesus’ ministry fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy that the Kingdom of Heaven brings hope and clarity to those lost in the shadow of sin and despair. (v.16)

The Kingdom of Heaven replaces the

• c. Jesus’ call to repent is an invitation to turn away from the empty pursuits of this world and embrace the richness of God’s reign. (v.17)

True spiritual contentment includes

• d. Seek contentment in God’s eternal promises rather than in fleeting worldly pursuits.
  

3. Jesus is our means for Contentment (4:18-25)

• a. Jesus’ call of the first disciples and His early ministry illustrate that He is both the source of contentment and the way we experience it.
• b. Be content to follow (v. 19)
• c. Be content to embrace God’s heart for the broken and downtrodden. (v.23-25)
• d. Be content to obey (v.20-22)

Will we seek contentment in

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and message? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. What temptations in your life challenge your contentment in Christ?

4. How can worshiping God alone help you combat the lure of worldly significance or pleasure?

5. How does participating in Christ’s ministry bring contentment to your life?

6. How can you encourage others to find contentment in Christ alone?