Untitled Sermon (2)

For the Chapter 4 of Matthew

Chapter 4:1-2

You would imagine Jesus would take this proclamation and ride it like a wave so he can secure the authority and power of the land. And usher the Kingdom through war and violence. This is typically what most kings would do. But Jesus is a different type of King. This proclamation Father could have easily been used for that. But its purpose was to sustain Jesus and ground him. So He would be able to withstand the temptation that He would face.

It seems before Jesus can begin his earthly ministry, He first must ground himself in the identity that the Father placed on him and be put to the test. For throughout the rest of his life, His identity would be questioned, the method in which to spread the gospel would be tried, and the feeling of the presence of the Father would dissipate. The Spirit then Leads Jesus into the wilderness to make the Fathers words and mission like deep roots in Jesus Heart.

The time of prayer and fasting is at times look upon as what made Jesus weak. But it was within those 40 days of silence and solitude, fasting, and prayer that prepared him to meet the enemy and stand his ground.

4:3-11

The tempter comes and tries to get Jesus to doubt his identity.

To remain grounded in the Love of God is a battle. To walk according to the Spirit and in step with him is challenging. When we squeeze an orange what comes out? Orange juice. When life begins to squeeze us with trails, health complications, marriage issues, and etc. what will come out of us? Will our character be that of our Father in heaven? We see that when our Savior was put to the test He remained faithful to his identity. He did not waiver for one second. Because of his faithfulness we too can be picked up from the floor and be given a new opportunity to try again. For we live by grace and because of his faithfulness we have the ability to be formed into his likeness. Formation takes time. And there will be highs and lows but because of his faithfulness we can continue to keep trying and his Spirit will change us into the same faithfulness of Jesus.

The Tempter comes a second time to get Jesus to doubt the presence of God

Jesus would face seasons of life where God would feel distant to him. There would be moments to doubt, “Is God really with me? Does He really see me? Has He forgotten me?” And Satan understands that if we start living according to our own strength because we begin to doubt the strength that the Father bestows on us He can entrap us. But once again Jesus experiences moments in life where it seems God is distant but He puts his hope in the promises of God. That He will never leave us or forsake us. Just how the Father did not forsake Jesus, He will not forsake you. Even in moments when it seems all of Heaven and Earth are against you, God is right beside you fighting and crying along side with you.

The Tempter comes a third time to get Jesus to doubt the will of the Father.

The goal is to win back the kingdom. Jesus has come to redeem his children like God did with the Israelites back in the time of Egypt. The challenge is, will Jesus win back the kingdom through the will of God or through a different will. The will of God or the Spirit of God is leading Jesus to a very dark and scary place. He is leading Jesus to the cross. The cross is the way the Spirit has said He can will back his beloved. Satan is offering him an alternative path. Bow down to him and give him allegiance like so many other kings or Son’s of Adam have done and He will give it for a time. But though the path of the Spirit leads to such a place and it will bring Jesus more pain than any human has ever experienced, Jesus trust in the Father. That if He is leading to a tomb there will be resurrection. If there is pain at night, dawn is quickly coming.

4:12-25

After Jesus has stood firm in the identity the Father spoke over him, Matthew wants to explain what this Son of God is all about. The very two places Jesus begins his earthly ministry is not just by accident. The region of Zebulun and Naphtali where the first two places which were sent into exile because of the disobedience to God. Those who seem furthest from God by the way they live, speak, and treat one another. They get to first encounter Immanuel “God with us.” Those who we think of as too far gone and broken beyond repair God comes to them first. If the gospel can restore people like this, who is to say that the Gospel doesn’t have the power for you? “The light has dawned” with these words from God himself, “Repent for the Kingdom is at hand.” We begin to notice that the Kingdom of Heaven is all about the restoration not of the righteous but those longest in darkness. Let the dawn break forth. Meditate on this.

The Kingdom of Heaven needs warriors. It needs captains to spread this gospel. Not through violence but through sacrifice. And Jesus doesn’t choose the rabbis or leaders of the Israel. But fisherman. Why? Why do they get the honor of being spokes persons for such a good God. What gives them the right? There is no other explanation other than God is Love. Period.

Finally, notice what this message brings about. Healing, freedom, restoration, and knowledge. The pillars of the kingdom of darkness is beginning to shake. Here He comes, a king with an army. He rides on a donkey dressed as a commoner with fisherman and broken people as his army .