RAP SHEET LUKE 4:5-8

REVIEW

This week, we continued in Luke 4 and watched Jesus face the second temptation in the wilderness — the temptation of Power.

“So he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to him, ‘I will give you their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. If you, then, will worship me, all will be yours.’And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Luke 4:5–8 CSB)

In the first temptation, Satan leveraged Jesus’ hunger and tested His dependence on God for provision. In this second test, he goes after ambition — offering Jesus authority and glory without suffering, sacrifice, or the cross.

In other words, he offers Cheap Power — power that costs nothing up front but ultimately destroys everything.

The enemy tempts us the same way. He whispers shortcuts into our lives:

• “You can get what you want without the work.”

• “You can have intimacy without commitment.”

• “You can have success without surrender.”

• “You can get the crown without the cross.”

But Jesus refuses to take the shortcut. He knows that true power comes through self-sacrifice, not self-satisfaction.

When Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 6, He recalls the exact moment Israel faced this temptation. As God prepared to bring them into the Promised Land, He warned them not to exchange godly ambition for worldly ambition — not to trade worship for convenience.

“Fear the Lord your God, worship him, and take your oaths in his name.” (Deuteronomy 6:13)

The surrounding nations worshipped false gods because those gods reflected their desires — offering pleasure, control, and prosperity without requiring submission. But the one true God calls His people to something higher: obedience, humility, and worship that costs something.

Jesus demonstrates what Israel could not: that the way to glory is not through compromise but through the cross.

“We see Jesus… crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death.” (Hebrews 2:9)

The way up is down. The way to victory is through surrender. The path to true power lies in the humility of serving God alone.

APPLY

This week’s conversation is about ambition, worship, and patience.

Use these questions to help your group reflect and connect personally:

1. Where do you see the temptation of “Cheap Power” in your life?

• Are there places you’ve been tempted to take shortcuts — in your marriage, career, finances, or faith?

• What does the voice of the enemy sound like when he offers you an easier path?

2. How do you define success?

• What kind of “kingdoms” are you trying to build?

• Are your ambitions aimed at building God’s Kingdom or your own?

3. Why do you think we’re drawn to shortcuts?

• How do impatience and entitlement fuel temptation?

• Where might God be calling you to slow down, trust Him, and take the long, faithful road instead?

4. How does Jesus’ response shape your own?

• What would it look like to respond to temptation with worship instead of compromise?

• How can you train yourself to turn first to Scripture and the Spirit when you’re tested?

Remember: Ambition + Impatience = Temptation. Godly ambition requires surrender and perseverance. Worldly ambition demands compromise.

What is ONE AREA this week where you will choose surrender over shortcut?

PRAY

• Thank God for sending Jesus to model perfect obedience and to redeem us when we fall short of it.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you’ve been chasing Cheap Power — success, control, influence, or affirmation apart from Him.

• Pray for humility and strength to take the long road of obedience, even when it’s costly.

• Thank God that Jesus chose the cross over the shortcut — and because of that, we now share in His victory and His power.