Passing the Test

Through the Wilderness: Finding Identity in Christ

Bible Passage: Luke 4:1–15, Romans 10:8–17

Summary: In Luke 4:1-15, Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness, solidifying His identity as the Son of God. Romans 10:8-17 emphasizes the importance of faith in Christ as the basis for salvation and the proclamation of His word.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to recognize their identity in Christ during their wilderness experiences, reinforcing that faith and reliance on God's word are crucial for overcoming trials.

Teaching: We learn how Jesus overcame temptation through His understanding of Scripture and His identity as God's Son, providing a model for how we can withstand our own tests.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus, as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, embodies the ultimate answer to our struggles, showing that through Him we find our identity and strength in the face of temptation.

Big Idea: We can endure our wilderness experiences by holding firmly to our identity in Christ, just as He did during His time of testing.

Recommended Study: Explore the interplay between the temptations of Christ in Luke 4 and the teachings on faith in Romans 10. How the original Greek text of Romans provides nuances on the nature of faith and confession. The historical context of temptation and identity, and how early church fathers interpreted these passages.

Intro Story

Traveling through the wilderness takes some planning.

But, Jesus didn’t really have time to pack. He just had himself.

Jesus walked right out into the wilderness without a plan, and he didn’t have a friend traveling with him.

1. Scripture Sustains Our Souls

Luke 4:1-4

Jesus' relied on Scripture during His forty days of temptation to satisfy His hunger.

Relying on the power of God's word in defining our identity beyond our immediate needs.

Walking through the wilderness can certainly be a lonely walk.

So, when we hear promises of an easier path, a shorter journey we might be tempted to take it.

The Story

The wilderness moment challenges us to trust in God's provision over the extremely temporary satisfaction of worldly desires.

Our strength and identity come not from what we consume physically, but from the spiritual refreshing found in the life of the Spirit as accounted in the Scriptures.

2. Sovereignty Through Submission

Luke 4:5-8

The devil’s offer didn’t even seem to be genuine, because any power that he could give comes solely by God’s permission.

Jesus' response to the devil's offer of dominion without the cross, showed that true authority and identity are grounded in worshiping and serving God alone.

And, knowing the true values of the kingdom of God.

The only one that Jesus could rely on in the wilderness was the Spirit that led him there in the first place.

How did he know of the Spirit?

He was taught of the Spirit of God from his birth.

The Scriptures taught Jesus and his people

The Spirit had been with him before his birth.

Reject shortcuts and temptations that compromise their faith.

The faithful commitment to God's kingdom, firmly rooted in Christ, reflects our true identity as His followers.

3. Standing Firm in Trust

Luke 4:9-12

Jesus' firm grasp of His identity prevented Him from testing God for further validation.

His refusal to leap from the temple teaches us to trust God's promises without resorting to testing Him.

Have confidence in your identity through God's covenantal promises can strengthen them against the lies of needing external validation.

4. Spirit's Strength After Struggle

Luke 4:13-15

The next opportune time to tempt Christ would be in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus returned from the wilderness filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and his fame spread abroad.

Enduring trials through reliance/trust on God and His Word produces spiritual fortitude.

We can emerge from our wilderness experiences empowered for greater ministry and mission just as Jesus did.

Identity in Christ propels us forward with purpose.

5. Confession Confirms Calling

Romans 10:8-10

Two forms of confession are required in the life of the Spirit, Confession of Sin and Confession of Christ’s power to save us, that He is our Lord.

We confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our heart God's very real and effective power over sin confirms our identity as a child of God.

Heartfelt confession and active belief go hand-in-hand and are foundational in understanding who we are in Christ.

It is pivotal that we internalize this process in order to overcome our daily trials and receive assurance of God's promises.

6. Proclaiming Faith's Promise

Romans 10:11-17

By focusing on the promise that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved," we are reminded that our identity in Christ is secure regardless of our daily trials.

It is important that we actively hear and proclaim the gospel. This compels our hearts to engage in faith by receive the Word of God and acting upon it.

This active engagement then reinforces our identity, focusing us our mission through spiritual vision.

Active proclamation of faith is integral to living out our identity in Christ.

Passing the Test:

What is the Test?

The trials of this life.

How do we pass the Test?

By holding firm to our faith in Christ as we are reminded by the Scriptures, confessing our sin, and confessing in the power of Christ alone to save us.

By this we receive life by the empowerment of the Spirit that engages us in the transformation of the world.