Bread Alone Won't Do It

Matthew 4:1–11 NRSV

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 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, ‘One does 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 placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying 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, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do 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 splendor; 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Bread Alone Won’t Do It

THERE IS NO WAY TO OVERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD. IT IS A BLESSING JUST TO READ IT. I BELIEVE THAT THE WORD OF GOD GIVES US THE STRENGTH TO BATTLE ALL LIFE’S SITUATIONS.

THE BIBLE TELLS US AND SHOWS US HOW TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S WILL IN OUR LIVES.

THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD WE BECOME NEW CREATURES IN CHRIST.

THE BIBLE SAYS, KNOW THAT OUR OLD MAN WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DONE AWAY WITH, THAT WE SHOULD NO LONGER BE SLAVES OF SIN.

I NEED TO LET SOMEBODY KNOW THIS MORNING THAT THE OLD NATURE IS NOT FAR AND IF YOU FEED HIM ENOUGH HE WILL SHOW UP AT YOUR DOOR.

IF YOU DON’T FEED YOUR SPIRIT MAN ON A DAILY BASIS, THROUGH THE THE WORD OF GOD, THE OLD MAN NATURE WILL START RISING UP AGAIN.

YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF CURSING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO CURSE ABOUT.

WORRYING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. FIGHTING, WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO FIGHT ABOUT.

YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF COMPLAINING WHEN GOD HAS ALREADY SUPPLIED ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY, JUST LIKE HE SAID HE WOULD.

AND THE REASON THESE THINGS HAPPEN IS BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT FEEDING THE SPIRITUAL MAN WITH THE WORD OF GOD.

NOT ONLY DOES FEEDING OUR SPIRITUAL MAN WITH THE WORD OF GOD GIVE US STRENGTH….IT HELPS US WHEN THE ENEMY TRIES TO CAUSE CONFUSION.

THE ENEMY’S ASSAULT AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD IS CONSTANT. HE’S ALWAYS TWISTING AND MANIPULATING, TRYING TO GET US TO DOUBT WHAT THE LORD’S SAID; FOR HE KNOWS THAT IF WE LOSE OUR FAITH IN THE WORD THEN WE’LL MORE EASILY STOP FOLLOWING THE WORD OF GOD.

IN ADDITION TO ATTACKING THE WORD OF GOD, THE DEVIL WILL BOMBARD US WITH TESTING AND TRIALS, TRYING TO CRUSH US WITH THE WEIGHT OF MOUNTING OPPOSITION. IN LUKE 22:31, JESUS WARNED PETER, “SIMON, SIMON! INDEED, SATAN HAS ASKED FOR YOU, THAT HE MAY SIFT YOU AS WHEAT;” AND THE DEVIL IS STILL IN THE BUSINESS OF SIFTING PEOPLE!

YOU SEE, THE DEVIL WANTS TO BEAT US AND WEAR EACH OF US OUT SO WE NEED TO CONTINUE LEARNING AND BECOMING AWARE OF THE NUMEROUS WAYS IN WHICH HE TRIES TO CORRUPT THE WORD OF GOD; AND WE MUST BECOME AWARE OF HIS DIFFERENT METHODS OF TESTING….BUT IT IS ALSO IN KNOWING WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS THAT WE CAN COMBAT THE TRICKS OF THE ENEMY. YOU SEE BREAD ALONE WON’T DO IT. YOU NEED THE WORD.

-- I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I NEED THE WORD TODAY

-- SINGING IN THE CHOIR IS ALRIGHT, BUT YOU NEED SOME WORD

-- BEING ON THE DEACON BOARD IS A NOBLE SERVICE, BUT YOU NEED THE WORD

-- PRAISE TEAM CAN HARMONIZE SO SWEETLY BUT YOU STILL NEED SOME WORD

-- I CAN'T SLACK ON THE WORD – I CAN'T HALF STEP ON THE WORD, I CAN’T COME TO CHURCH SUNDAY AFTER SUNDAY AND NOT LISTEN TO THE WORD.

THE BIBLE IS NOT JUST A TEXTBOOK TO BE STUDIED; IT IS WHAT GOD USES TO CHANGE HEARTS AND LIVES.

IT CONTAINS LIGHT TO DIRECT YOU, FOOD TO SUPPORT YOU, AND COMFORT TO CHEER YOU. READ IT TO BE WISE, BELIEVE IT TO BE SAFE, PRACTICE IT TO BE HOLY.

THE BIBLE SAYS, THAT THE WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATHWAY.

THE WORD OF GOD IS A JUDGE A DISCERNER OF THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS .... OF THE HEART.

THE WORD OF GOD IS NO DEAD LETTER, IT IS LIVING, IT IS ALIVE.... AND IT WILL PENETRATE YOUR VERY SOUL.

THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT ONLY A LIVING WORD BUT

SECONDLY,..... IS AN ACTIVE POWERFUL WORD

"FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND ACTIVE."

"NEWS ARTICLES MAY INFORM US. NOVELS MAY INSPIRE US. POETRY MAY ENRAPTURE US. BUT ONLY THE LIVING, ACTIVE WORD OF GOD CAN .... TRANSFORM US." IT IS ALIVE!

WE NEED TO FIRST GET THE WORD INTO OUR HEAD. THEN WE NEED TO GET IT INTO OUR HEARTS. FINALLY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT GETS LIVED IN OUR LIVES.

JUST LIKE YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR VITAMINS EVERYDAY, YOU NEED TO TAKE THE VITAMIN OF THE WORD OF GOD EVERY DAY.

WHEN YOUR SPIRIT MAN IS FED, YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THE LIES OF THE CARNAL MAN. YOU WON’T LET THE CARNAL MAN TAKE CONTROL OF YOU. HE IS NO LONGER IN CONTROL; YOU NOW HAVE A NEW MASTER.

I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THIS MORNING THAT IT IS NOT EASY TO LIVE A CONCECRATED LIFE THAT FULLY MIRRORS THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST.

SOMETIME IT’S HARD TO DO, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO.

SOMETIMES WE WALK AFTER THE FLESH AND NOT AFTER THE SPIRIT.

THERE IS NO QUESTION IN MY MIND THAT ONCE YOU AND I ARE SAVED, THAT GOD EXPECTS IS TO LIVE A LIFE THAT BRINGS FORTH FRUITS OF RIGHTESOUSNESS.

YOU AND I ARE CALLED TO BE HOLY.

IN OTHER WORDS WHEREVER WE ARE AND WHATSOEVER THE SITUATION MAY BE WE OUGHT TO DISPLAY TO THE WORLD AN ATTITUDE THAT WE HAVE BEEN CHANGED.

SOMEBODY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO TELL THAT WE MET THE MASTER.

SOMEBODY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING ON THE INSIDE THAT IS WORKING ON THE OUTSIDE.

WE OUGHT NOT TO SING “JESUS ON THE INSIDE, WORKING ON THE OUTSIDE” AND LEAVE OUT “OH WHAT A CHANGE IN MY LIFE.”

WE OUGHT NOT TO SING “AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME.” AND LEAVE OUT “I ONCE WAS LOST BUT NOW I’M FOUND, WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE.”

WHAT GOOD IS IT TO SING, “I’M ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOR THE LORD… AND LEAVE OUT “I PROMISED HIM THAT I, I WOULD SERVE HIM TILL I DIE.” OUR LIVES OUGHT TO REFLECT THE WHOLE SONG.

I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THIS MORNING THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LIVE LIKE A SAINT ALL BY YOURSELF.

NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU ARE TRYING, YOU JUST CAN’T LIVE A LIFE THAT IS PLEASING TO OUR KING, ALL BY YOURSELF. THAT IS WHY WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS

THE WORD OF GOD THAT KEEPS US AND SUSTAINS US.

BREAD ALONE WON’T DO IT.

IF WE CAN FOCUS ON THE TEXT THIS MORNING, WE WILL FIND OUT THAT WE HAVE BEEN EMPOWERED TO LIVE HOLY LIVES.

WE WILL UNDERSTAND, THAT WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH MAN IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD.

WE WILL FIND OUT THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO LIVE LIKE WE HAVE REALLY BEEN CHANGED.

Matthew 4:1 NRSV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

IN V1. “THEN JESUS WAS LED UP BY THE “SPIRIT” INTO THE WILDERNESS TO BE TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL.” NOTE THIS VERSE SAYS JESUS WAS “LED” BY THE SPIRIT TO BE TEMPTED.

JESUS WAS NOT TEMPTED SO THAT THE FATHER COULD LEARN ANYTHING ABOUT HIS SON.

GOD HAS ALREADY OPENED UP THE WINDOW OF HEAVEN AND LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT THIS IS HIS BELOVED SON IN WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED.

JESUS WAS NOT TEMPTED TO PROVE THAT HE COULD CONQUER. JESUS WAS TEMPTED SO THAT HE MIGHT LET YOU AND I KNOW THAT HE IS A CONQUEROR, AND BECAUSE JESUS IS A CONQUERED, THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS.

IN THIS WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE YOU AND I ARE BEING GIVEN A GLIMPSE INTO THE HUMAN SIDE OF JESUS.

WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT JESUS WAS BOTH HUMAN AND DIVINE. AND BECAUSE JESUS WAS PART HUMAN HE WAS JUST LIKE US.

HE HAD HUMAN PARENTS… HE HAD A HUMAN BODY…. HE LOOKED LIKE A MAN…. HE POSSESSED FLESH AND BLOOD….. HE GREW….. HE ASKED QUESTIONS….. HE INCREASED IN WISDOM…HE PRAYED…. HE WAS TEMPTED…. HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE…. HE HUNGERED…. HE THIRSTED….. HE WAS WEARY…. HE SLEPT… HE LOVED… AND JESUS WEPT.

THE WORD SAYS, JESUS WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT…. I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW FBC, IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ANY SUCCESS IN THIS CHRISTIAN WALK WE GOT TO REMEMBER TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT.

1ST OF ALL, WE GOT TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE INDWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. INDWELT MEANS TO EXIST AS AN ENERGIZING INNER SPIRIT. WHEN WE BECOME SAVED, WE RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

JESUS WAS LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO TEACH US HOW TO LIVE IN A WORLD FULL OF WILDERNESS EXPERIENCES.

WHEN PEOPLE LIE ON YOU, THAT’S A WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE. WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO SLANDER YOUR NAME, THAT’S A WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE. WHEN PEOPLE SMILE IN YOUR FACE AND STAB YOU IN YOUR BACK, THAT’S A WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE.

I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I’VE HAD SOME WILDERNESS EXPERIENCES IN MY LIFE.

I’VE HAD SOME GOOD DAYS AND I ‘VE HAD SOME BAD DAY. I’VE HAD SOME LONELY DAYS AND SOME SLEEPLESS NIGHTS. AND IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE LORD… SOMEBODY DON’T HEAR ME.

JESUS WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT AND IF YOU AND I WILL WALK WHERE HE LEADS US, WE WILL END UP WHERE HE WANTS US TO GO.

IF WE WILL BE LED BY THE SPIRIT, WE WILL BE WHAT GOD WANTS US TO BE. IF WE ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT, WE WILL END UP DOING WHAT GOD WANTS DONE.

IF WE SUBMIT TO THE TEACHING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE WILL LEARN WHAT GOD WANTS US TO LEARN.

THE NEXT THING WE SEE IS SATAN TELLS JESUS TO USE YOUR DIVINE POWERS TO MEET YOUR OWN NEEDS.

I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THIS AFTERNOON IT’S NOT ABOUT YOUR NEEDS, BUT IT’S ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE FATHER.

IT’S NOT ABOUT YOUR WILL, BUT IT’S THE LORD’S WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

IT’S NOT THAT YOU BE GLORIFIED, BUT THAT THE FATHER BE GLORIFIED.

WHEN WE PUT OUR PHYSICAL NEEDS BEFORE OUR SPIRITUAL NEEDS, WE SIN.

IN OTHER WORDS WHEN YOU AND I ALLOW CIRCUMSTANCES TO DICTATE OUR ACTIONS, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THE WILL OF GOD, WE SIN.

JESUS COULD HAVE TURNED THE STONES INTO BREAD, BUT IT WAS NOT THE FATHER’S WILL.

JESUS COULD HAVE CAST HIMSELF DOWN, BUT IT WAS NOT THE FATHER’S WILL.

JESUS COULD HAVE BOWED DOWN TO SATAN, BUT IT WAS NOT THE FATHER’S WILL.

Matthew 4:3 NRSV

The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

LOOK AT WHAT SATAN SAYS IN VS. 3; IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD.

SATAN IS ALWAYS CASTING DOUBT. HE WANTS YOU TO WONDER ARE YOU REALLY A CHILD OF GOD?

ARE YOU ONE OF THE PREDESTINED.

ARE YOU A PART OF THE CHOSEN GENERATION?

ARE YOU A PART OF THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD.

HE TRIES TO CAUSE DOUBT WHEN GOD WANTS US TO MINISTER TO SOMEONE….

YOU ARE BEING LED TO ENCOURAGE SOMEBODY, BUT SATAN USES YOU TO TRY TO DESTROY SOMEBODY.

YOU ARE BEING LED TO BUILD UP SOMEBODY, BUT YOU LET SATAN USE YOU TO TEAR THEM DOWN.

SATAN WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO.

GOD WANTS TO SEE THIS CHURCH GROW, BUT SATAN WANTS TO SEE IT TORN DOWN.

GOD WANT TO SEE THE CHOIR UNITED, BUT SATAN WANTS TO SPLIT IT UP.

GOD WANTS TO SEE YOUR PASTOR STRENGTHENED, BUT SATAN WANTS TO SEE HIM WEAKENED.

IF WE ARE GOING TO LIVE THIS LIFE THAT GOD IS CALLED US TO LIVE, WE GOT TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE INDWELT WITH THE HOLY SPIRI…..BREAD ALONE WONT DO IT.

#2 WE ARE GOING TO BE ENCOUNTERED BY SATAN AND THIRDLY WE MUST BE ENCOURAGED BY THE WORD.

JESUS REBUKED SATAN WITH THE WORD. HE SAID “IT IS WRITTEN… EVERYTHING WE NEED TO FIGHT SATAN WITH IS IN THE WORD. THE WHOLE BIBLE IS GOD INSPIRED.

THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR MEASURING ROD.

THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR PLUMB LINE.

THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR STANDARD FOR TESTING EVERYTHING ELSE WHAT CLAIMS TO BE TRUE.

THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR WEAPON AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL.

FEEDING ON AND OBEYING GOD’S WORD IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONSUMING PHYSICAL FOOD.

I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE WORD OF GOD IS FOOD FOR A DYING SOUL.

IT WILL BUILD UP YOUR SPIRITUAL BODY.

WE ARE BUILDING UP STRONG SPIRITUAL BODIES WHEN WE FEAST ON THE WORD THAT SAYS…

…. “LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES UPON EARTH, WHERE MOTH AND RUST DOETH CORRUPT… BUT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN, WHERE NEITHER MOTH OR RUST DOEHT CORRUPT, AND WHERE THIEVES DO NOT BREAK THROUGH TO STEAL; FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURES IS, THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO.

YOU CAN TAKE MY CAR, BUT YOU CAN’T TAKE THE WORD.

YOU CAN TAKE MY HOUSE, BUT YOU CAN’T TAKE THE WORD.

YOU CAN TAKE MY JOB, BUT YOU CAN’T TAKE THE WORD.

WE ARE BUILDING UP STRONG SPIRITUAL BODIES, WHEN WE FEAST ON THE WORD THAT SAYS

… “AND LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING FOR IN DUE SEASON, WE SHALL REAP, IF WE FAINT NOT… DO GOOD TO ALL MEN, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH….

I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE IN THE WILDERNESS, BUT THE WILDERNESS DOESN’T HAVE TO BE IN US.

AS LONG AS WE GOT JESUS ON THE INSIDE, WORKING ON THE OUTSIDE, OH WHAT A CHANGE IN MY LIFE.

SOMEBODY HERE THIS MORNING, KNOWS WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MAKES DAY BY DAY, WHEN JESUS IN ON THE INSIDE.

PLACES YOU USED TO GO, YOU DON’T GO THERE NO MORE.

THINGS YOU USED TO DO, YOU DON’T DO THEM ANYMORE.

PEOPLE YOU USED TO HANG OUT WITH, YOU DON’T HAVNG OUT WITH THEM ANYMORE.

WHEN JESUS IN ON THE INSIDE, YOU WILL NOT RUN FROM THE WORD, YOU WILL RUN TO THE WORD.

JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE GO THROUGH… HE WILL HEAR OUR HUMBLE CRY AND HE WILL ANSWER BY AND BY.

I HEARD HIM SAY THE OTHER DAY, THAT HE IS ABLE TO KEEP US FROM FALLING.. HE IS ABLE TO PRESENT US BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WITH EXCEEDINGLY JOY.

I WOULDN’T BE HERE TODAY IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD.

*THE ENEMY TRIED TO TAKE ME OUT, BUT I HAD THE WORD.

*DEBT WOULD HAVE SUNK ME, BUT I HAD A WORD.

*FAMILY TURMOIL AND STRIFE WOULD HAVE MADE ME SINK, BUT I HAD THE WORD.

*ATTACKS ON MY INTEGRITY AND MY CHARACTER WOULD HAVE DROWNED ME IN A SEA OF DESPAIR, BUT I HAD THE WORD.

I WOULD HAVE LOST MY MIND, BUT I HAD THE WORD.

WHEN I AM DOWN AND OUT … GIVE ME SOME WORD…

WHEN MY HEAD IS HUNG LOW… GIVE ME SOME WORD…

WHEN I CAN’T SEE MY WAY THROUGH…. GIVE ME SOME WORD…

WHEN MY ENEMIES WON’T LEAVE ME ALONE… GIVE ME SOME WORD…

WHEN I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO…. GIVE ME SOME WORD.

I NEED TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT THE WORD IS MY BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER…

WHEN I FALL DOWN, THE WORD WILL PICK ME UP.

WHAT GOD SAID TO MAN IN THE BEGINNING IS STILL WHAT HE SAYS TODAY.

I’M GLAD THIS MORNING TO KNOW THAT THE WARRANTY ON GOD’S WORDS NEVER EXPIRES.

SOME PEOPLE MAKE PROMISES THAT THEY DON'T INTEND TO KEEP

SOME PEOPLE MAKE PROMISES THAT ARE UNABLE TO KEEP

SOME PEOPLE MAKE PROMISES THAT THEY FORGOT TO KEEP

SOME PEOPLE MAKE PROMISES THAT THEY HAVE CHANGED THEIR MINDS ABOUT KEEPING

I CAME BY 201 WAYNE STREET THIS MORNING.....TO GIVE YOU A REMINDER TO SOME AND A NEW REVELATION TO THE OTHERS THAT THE WARRANTY ON GOD'S PROMISES

NEVER EXPIRE!

THERE IS A WORD FROM THE LORD!

I’M GLAD THAT IT’S A POWERFUL WORD.

I’M GLAD THAT IT’S A SAVING WORD.

I’M GLAD THAT IT’S AN DELIVERING WORD.

YES, AND I’M GLAD IT’S AN ETERNAL WORD.

I’M GLAD THAT IT’S AN EVERLASTING WORD.

I’M GLAD THAT IT’S AN UNCHANGING WORD.