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Sermon Title: "Give Up the Game"

Text: Matthew 4:5–7 & 22:15–22
Preacher: Alex Hogendoorn
Date: March 30, 2025

Summary Tagline: "We don't test God, we trust him."

Message Summary:

Alex began with a story from his boys’ childhood—how one child’s manipulative play revealed something deeply human: the instinct to control, to manipulate outcomes, to keep ourselves in power. This set the stage for the second temptation of Jesus in the wilderness from Matthew 4:5–7. Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and told him to throw himself down, quoting Scripture to try and force God’s hand. But Jesus replied, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test,” referencing Israel’s constant testing of God in the wilderness—especially at Massah, where they questioned, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Alex unpacked how this temptation isn’t about spectacle but about control—an attempt to make God prove himself to us, to act only when we demand it, to twist his promises into guarantees for our expectations. Jesus resisted, trusting instead in the Father’s goodness and faithfulness without needing to manipulate or test him. Alex then connected this theme to the religious testing Jesus faced throughout his ministry—by Pharisees, Sadducees, political factions, and even his own disciples—all trying to box Jesus in or make him serve their agenda. But Jesus refused to play the game. He had already surrendered fully to the Father. That surrender, not control, is the path to real power and freedom.

Group Discussion Guide

Icebreaker Questions: (Pick one)

  1. When have you found yourself trying to control a situation through manipulation (even subtly)? How did it go?
  2. What’s a “game” you’ve seen people play at work, school, or even church to try and get their way or stay in control?
  3. What’s the most freeing moment you’ve ever experienced when you let go of control and trusted someone else?

Read Matthew 4:5–7 and 22:15–22 together and discuss any questions that arise from the passage. Then use a few of these questions for further reflection.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Jesus was tempted to throw himself down from the temple and “force” God to act. "Control is the root of every temptation." Why is this kind of testing such a common human instinct?
  2. Religious leaders tested Jesus repeatedly—not out of curiosity, but to protect power and avoid submission. What are some modern forms of this kind of religious control?
  3. Jesus didn’t try to force God’s hand—he surrendered completely. That surrender led to real power and freedom. Where in your life might God be inviting you to that kind of trust and release?
  4. When we try to manipulate God, we often end up trying to manipulate others too. How have you seen this play out in relationships—either in yourself or in others?
  5. The Lord’s Prayer says, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” How does surrendering control lead to freedom from resentment and striving?

For Further Study:

  1. Matthew 4:5–7 – The second temptation in the wilderness.
  2. Exodus 17:1–7 – The testing of God at Massah and Meribah.
  3. Deuteronomy 6:16 – "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
  4. Matthew 22:15–22 – Testing Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar.
  5. Psalm 95:7–9 – “Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah.”
  6. Luke 4:9–12 – Parallel account of the second temptation.
  7. Hebrews 3:7–12 – Warning against the rebellion of those who tested God.
  8. Romans 12:1–2 – A call to surrender instead of conforming or controlling.
  9. Philippians 2:5–11 – Christ’s humility and obedience to the Father.
  10. 1 Samuel 15:22–23 – “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.”

Gospel Connections

Let’s discuss how we can apply this message to our lives as we seek to make the following connections as we follow Jesus:

  1. How does letting go of control deepen your trust in God?
  2. How can our church resist the pull toward religious performance and instead reflect a posture of trust and surrender?
  3. How can our group help one another release the burdens of control and rest in God's grace together?
  4. In what ways can we model to our city a better way—one that’s not rooted in power, pressure, or control, but in peace, faith, and trust in the One who gave himself for us?

 

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