Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

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(Thank you for celebrating 10th ministry anniversary at Open Door!)

Looking at Luke, he presents Jesus the Son of God as “The Son of Man.”

He emphasizes the humanity of Christ as well as the humanity of mankind.

I believe this was intentional.

“The Son of God became the Son of Man, so the sons of men could become the sons of God.”

I believe that Jesus’ earthly life was a model for us to live by.

The victory, the relationships, the holiness, the joy…all reveal what is also ours in Him, IF we follow Him.

Is that not the call of every believer, as Jesus said to “Follow me...”?

And now, we are going to get introduced to our theme for this year, “Proclaim!” and then we will see how God prepared Him, in part, for this task.

Stand and read text, at .

Pray.

Jesus was beginning His ministry, which we will look at more fully next time we look at this text, but God allowed some things to happen in Jesus’ life, as He does in ours, to prepare us, so we can proclaim His Good News!

What led to Jesus’ ability to be claim that He had the Spirit of the Lord upon Him to proclaim the Gospel, that the broken hearts could be mended, that the blind would soon see, that release was coming to those in bondage, and that the time of God’s work was come?

Is there a connection that we can claim that brings us victory over temptation, as Christ was victorious?

We see that follows the triumphant baptism of Jesus a chapter earlier, but all a part of the same story.

Note the words of God at Jesus’ baptism.

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

, “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”

22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

The Holy Bible: King James Version.

(1995).

(electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version., ).

Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.”

As we move from Jesus’ baptism to get ready for His ministry, do you know what got stuck in the middle?

Problems.

Temptations, to be exact.

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If Jesus was the Son of God, He was going to have to prove it!

By the way, if you are saved, you are also a child of God.

Understandably, you are not perfect like Jesus, but you have His nature in you.

As such, if you CLAIM to be a child of God, you are going to be tested, and the Devil is going to tempt you.

May it be that the one thing we do not want is the biggest thing we need to confirm the message we hope to proclaim?

May it be that the one thing we do not want is the biggest thing we need to confirm the message we hope to proclaim?

The health & wealth/prosperity Gospel reduces the effectiveness of the True Gospel by reducing it to temporary things found in this life.

If we are to “seek ye first the kingdom of God,” then we must know our place in this world includes trials, temptation—adversity and suffering!

As Satan spoke to Jesus at the beginning of the temptations saying, “If thou be the Son of God…,” he also looks at us and says, “If you be a child of God...” then he tempts us!

Why?

Because he is battling God, not us!

Which is why he comes back at God accusing us as His children:

, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

The Holy Bible: King James Version.

(1995).

(electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version., ).

Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.”

Oh, if only we had the faith to believe and stand as God’s children!

Proposition: Stand in temptation as God’s child.

1.

Introduction: 6 Realizations

6 Realizations

Realization 1: The Spiritual War Is Real

Satan is more than a force or a concept, he is real.

Realization 2: We Are in a Spiritual War

Recent surveys indicate that as much as 57% of Americans believe in the Devil—but whether he is believed in or not, the spiritual war is real!

Realization 2: The Battle Is Between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan

It’s more than a Yin-Yang balance of forces.

Christ won on the cross, and the Devil is biding his time, but he is going kicking and screaming!

Realization 3: Our Enemy Is Powerful

Satan is more than a force or a concept, he is real, and he is deadly.

, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

The Holy Bible: King James Version.

(1995).

(electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version., ).

Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.”

Realization 4: The Results of the Spiritual War Are Eternal (Heaven and Hell)

, “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

The Holy Bible: King James Version.

(1995).

(electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version., ).

Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.”

Realization 5: The War Is Universal

Every planet, nation and person has been touched by sin, and the Devil seeks to destroy while God seeks to save!

, “For God so loved the world...”

, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”

The Holy Bible: King James Version.

(1995).

(electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version., ).

Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.”

Realization 6: Our Involvement Matters

Our involvement means proclaiming the Gospel and helping people follow Christ.

Transition: What can stop us are the obstacles if we let them.

The new life in Christ is supposed to be powerful, joyful, peaceful, holy, but how well we know that our faith will be tested!

We’ve all had “bad days”!

If we are not living in a way that will overcome in the battles, we will succumb to the battle!

“You are on the verge of wrecking your life, especially if you don’t know it.”

(Dr.

Russ Moore)

The adversities of life in the spiritual war can make you or break you.

They can prove you or punish you.

And many times we are asleep and ignorant of the Devil’s devices.

The adversities of life in the spiritual war can make you or break you.

They can prove you or punish you.

And many times we are asleep and ignorant of the Devil’s devices.

Jesus demonstrates to both what the temptations are, and then how we may stand in His strength, the power of the Gospel.

1. 3 Temptations

As one preacher wrote (David Platt): “I feel this at every moment in my life.

I’m prone to sin at every point of my life.

My mind is susceptible to wandering and I’m tempted to think unimaginable thoughts when I see an attractive woman who is not my wife.

My heart is bent toward pride and I am tempted to compete with other pastors over who is more spiritual and more successful.

I am tempted to cut moral corners in order to gain personal advantage over others.

I’m prone to pretense and hypocrisy.

I’m tempted to lie to make myself look better and to call people to do what I’m not willing to do myself.

I’m prone to value appearance over authenticity; my wants over other people’s needs.

And I am prone to desire the glory that is due God alone.