God’s Men
Notes
Transcript
Announcements:
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Worship:
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Introduction:
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.
14 But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”
15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.
16 When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.
17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
7 Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”
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, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him.
Transition:
Body:
I. Identity (3:16-17)
16 When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.
17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”
Just as Jesus began His public ministry with baptism, a godly man's journey often begins with a spiritual awakening or baptism, symbolizing purification and commitment to God.
A. God the Father identifies who Jesus is
B. God identifies us as His kids (Romans 8:14-16; 1 John 3:1
Romans 8:14–16 (CSB)
14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.
15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”
16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,
1 John 3:1 (CSB)
1 See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him.
C. Just as God affirmed Jesus' identity, a godly man receives affirmation of his identity as a child of God through the Holy Spirit. This assurance empowers believers to walk confidently in their faith.
- **Sermon Illustration**:
- Think of baptism as a new beginning, much like a marriage ceremony. It's not just about the event itself, but about the lifetime of commitment and growth that follows. Just as a couple grows together, a believer grows in faith and love with God.
Transition:
II. Temptation (4:1-11)
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
7 Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”
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, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him.
Parallel**: After baptism, Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness. Similarly, a godly man faces trials and temptations that test and strengthen his faith.
A. Lust of the flesh
B. Lust of the Eyes
C. Pride of Life
D. Men: James 1:2-4; 1 Cor 10:13
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.
E. Just as Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, a godly man will face trials and temptations. These are opportunities to demonstrate faith and reliance on God's Word. Overcoming these tests strengthens character and deepens faith.
**Sermon Illustration:**
- Consider a firefighter undergoing rigorous training. They face extreme conditions to prepare them for real emergencies. Likewise, believers undergo trials to strengthen their faith and dependence on God, preparing them for greater challenges and responsibilities.
- **Sermon Illustration**:
- Consider the refining process of gold. Just as gold is purified through intense heat, our faith is refined through trials. The impurities are removed, and the true strength and beauty of our faith are revealed.
**Sermon Illustration:**
- Picture an athlete training for a marathon. The intense training sessions, dietary restrictions, and mental fortitude required are all tests to build endurance and resilience. Similarly, a godly person faces spiritual trials that build their faith and reliance on God, preparing them for greater works in His service.
Transition:
III. Reliance on the Word (4:4, 7, 10)
4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
7 Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”
10 Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”
A. Jesus fought Satan with the Word
B. We need to fight temptation and our flesh with the Word too! (2 Tim 3:16-17)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
C. Just as Jesus relied on Scripture to counteract temptation, a godly man must also immerse himself in God's Word to navigate life's challenges and to stand firm against spiritual attacks.
Conclusion:
Fulfillment of Purpose
**Jesus' Fulfillment:**
- **Scripture Reference:** John 4:34
34 “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work,” Jesus told them.
**Parallel to a Godly Man:**
- **Scripture Reference:** Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
- **Illustration:** Jesus was focused on fulfilling His divine mission. Similarly, a godly man recognizes that he is created for good works and strives to fulfill the purpose God has set before him.