Power to Turn

Power is in the Word

Intro: Power can be defined in the authority one has to perform certain duties. Power also can be defined as the ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way.

First think of the authority in words. We are governed by words. Words written are show authority as well. How much more the Word of God to be used in your life. God’s word is power for your life. The word God God shows you your power as well. The Word of God reveals your ability and capacity to do the will of God!

In today’s text we will look at the power of God’s word that will give us the power to turn to serve the Lord with our life.

Lead into text: Our text leads us into the wilderness after the theophany from Jesus’ baptism.

Matthew 3:16-17

Matthew 3:16–17 NLT

16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

God’s Word here places authority on Jesus and acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God. This event also shows us God the Father, speaking, God the the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in the form of a Dove descending on Jesus. That is power being displayed.

This power moves Jesus in to the Wilderness!

Power to stand against the enemy.

Matthew 4:1-

Matthew 4:1–2 NLT

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

Jesus is put to the test by the devil.

The devil is also know as the tempter and accuser.

The devil falsely accuses to cause damage.

Jesus is holy and shows us the devil will always seek to tempt us.

The word here used being translated to temptation is also understood to mean to test as well. The contrast in understanding is being used in this text to express the tempter, the devil, is trying to tempt Jesus who was lead by the Spirit to be tested.

The enemy is trying to tempt Jesus, but Jesus can not be tempted to do evil. He is truly being tested to prove he is the Son of God holy in all his ways and the savior of the world.God can not be tempted.

James 1

James 1:13 NLT

13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

However, test are done to prove quality of subject. Jesus is being tested in this way.

The enemy will test your love for God.

Temptation comes from your own evil desire.

James 1:14 NLT

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

Stay focus on God and his word and make that your desire. Turn to God! God will lead you in the right direction. Surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit.

The enemy tests Jesus three times.

First Test: Teaches us to Turn to God’s word.

Matthew 4:3–4 NLT

3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:3-

Jesus has been fasting in the wilderness.

The enemy knows he has deprived himself of food and test Jesus to make food for himself.

Jesus responds using the word of God!

Matthew 4:4 NLT

4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

matthew

Deuteronomy 8:3 NLT

3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Know the Lord is your supplier and you can trust him to give you what you need. Learn to depend on the Lord.

Second Test: Teaches us not to test God.

Matthew 4:5

Matthew 4:5–6 NLT

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ”

Then enemy is deceitful.

He used scripture in the wrong context to test the trust in God’s protection.

Psalm 91:11–12 NLT

11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

The enemy test Jesus trust in God’s protection.

We are to trust God’s protection in our life.

Do not doubt that the Lord will protect you.

Do not test the Lord.

Jesus responds again with the word of God!

We too must know the Word of God for ourselves to stand agains the lies and miss applied biblical texts. Read the word for yourself.

Matthew 4:7 NLT

7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

Deuteronomy 6:16 NLT

16 You must not test the Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah.

Third Test: Teaches us to turn to worship God only!

Matthew 4:8-

Matthew 4:8–9 NLT

8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

The enemy tries to test Jesus for vanity and wealth.

The enemy looks to exchange this for submission to him.

The devil wants what belongs to God.

Worship belongs to God alone.

Jesus again responds with the word of God!

Matthew 4:10–11 NLT

10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” 11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Deuteronomy 6:13 NLT

13 You must fear the Lord your God and serve him. When you take an oath, you must use only his name.

Turnt To God and See God Take Care of you!

Matthew 4:

Matthew 4:11 NLT

11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

The Lord sent angel to take care of Jesus.

The angels ministered to Jesus.

He could have gaveJesus food and water.

They came to the aid of Jesus.

Learn to turn to God and see God is good and loves you. You have the power to resist the enemy and he will have to flee.

James 4:7 NLT

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Let us wait like Jesus as we turn to the Father.

We wait knowing the Lord will send help our way.