Memorization in Matthew:

RTL: Jesus memorized Scripture.

Matthew tells us of three temptations of Jesus in the wilderness and His response was Scripture.

We spend an awful lot of time talking about being like Christ, and this is one of the ways we do it.

1. The Bible gives life (vv. 1-4)

Now, Jesus is not saying that you should not eat, nor that if you are without food, the word will fill your stomach.

He is, however, stating that He is placing obedience to the Lord over fulfilling physical needs.

He has been whisked out to the wilderness by the Spirit for the purpose of being tempted; a trial and proving ground for Jesus as the Christ.

This is His obedience: to fast (go without food) and endure the temptation of Satan.

The tool by which Jesus fought this temptation was the Word and He says something important:

Man shall live by every word which comes form the mouth of God - food shouldn’t rule you, desire shouldn’t rule you, fun shouldn’t rule you, the Word should.

a. The Bible should rule our lives.

But the Bible can’t rule our lives if we don’t steep ourselves in it.

Memorization, the time spent memorizing steeps our hearts and minds in the Word of God.

Tea Steep

The rules at LCS

We must be steeped in God’s Word in order for it to be the guiding rule of our lives.

Jesus knew the Scriptures and memorized the Law.

2. The Bible strengthens believers against temptation (vv. 5-7)

The Bible and its commands tell us the Law of God and empowers believers to fight sin.

We are reminded of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and love.

His love for us softens our hearts and reigns them in.

We are reminded of God’s righteousness, justice, and wrath.

His justice and judgment of sin strikes us with sobriety, seriousness.

These things are most near to us when they are hidden in our heart, when we know them so well that they are part of our lives.

3. The Bible calls us to worship God (vv. 8-11)

We’ve talked last year about worship. It is not simply during music.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

We do this by obeying, singing, serving, etc.

Our lives must be steeped in worship, but in order to do that, we must be steeped in the Word.

When the Word of God is close to our hearts, our hearts become closer to Christ.

Wallet Photos, Song Lyrics, Love Poems & Letters.

Application:

1. Commit to memorizing a small portion your reading in small group.

2. Allow others to keep you accountable.