The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Matthew 4:1-22, Mark 1:12-20, Luke 4:1-30 – 5:1-11, John 1:35 – 2:12, Matthew 13:54-58, Mark 6:1-6, Luke 5: 1-11
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 2: Christ’s Ministry; God’s True King Manifests His Kingdom
Background Information:
Israel wandered in defeat in the wilderness for forty years as God’s unfaithful son. Jesus, the faithful son, defeated Satan’s attacks in his forty days in the wilderness. God’s word is clear that Jesus was “in the Old Testament concealed and in the New Testament revealed.” Israel failed to remember God’s daily provision of grace and bread. Rather than living with a trusting gratitude, they offered up grumbling complaints. Jesus refused to break his fast to serve his own flesh. He understood that, though we need to eat food for physical survival, we need the Word of God in order to truly thrive in this life. In the second temptation, Satan twists Scripture and misapplies it. Jesus rightly applies Scripture and resists Satan’s attempt to get him to question and test God’s love and protection. Israel failed the same test and questioned whether God was truly with them in the wilderness. Finally, unlike Israel, who made idols and worshipped them, Jesus refused to become an idolator. Jesus did not fail. He was tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. He then went about the task that was originally given to Israel, but was never completed by them. This was the task of making the one true God known among the nations. Having refused the devil’s temptation to a become a superstar, his grand strategy was as surprising as it was effective. He went to men and women where they were and called them to follow him. That is his strategy still today.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Last weekend was Fall Conference for Wichita State Christian Challenge. Pray that God would continue to work in students hearts as they apply what they were challenged with last weekend.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.