Connecting The Dots – Week 14
"First things first"
Key Verse: “Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” (Matthew 4:10)
As we take look at Jesus’ time on earth and his journey to the cross, it’s important first to look at how he began that journey. In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke there are three important events which took place in direct succession. All three were central in their relationship to every one of the events that followed, and to everything Jesus accomplished. All three are also imperative for us today as we consider what it means to be “Christian” (Christ-Like).
Jesus was baptized in water (Humility) and with the Holy Spirit (Power).
(Matthew 3:13-16), (Luke 3:21-22), ( Mark 1:9-11)
In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus says this about his baptism in verse 15: “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” How does it fulfil all righteousness? Jesus humbled himself to receive the baptism of repentance in water. God responded by anointing and appointing him, clothing Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power, to do the ministry set before him.
(Matthew 5:17-18), (John 3:17)
Jesus’ humility paved the way for God’s freedom to be released into the world through the Holy Spirit. In the same way, our repentance in accepting Jesus as Lord now enables us to receive from God and be sent by Him to accomplish everything He prepared in advance for us to do. All we have to do is ask.
(Luke 3:16), (Luke 11:13), (Acts 1:7-8), (John 14:12-14)
2. Jesus was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go into the desert for forty days and be tempted by the enemy. (His faith was tested) He spoke only the truth and promises of God in response and Satan was forced to leave him.
(Matthew 4:1-11), (Mark 1:12-13), (Luke 4:1-13)
In the first book of Corinthians, chapter ten, Paul reminds us in verse thirteen that God is still as faithful today. As with Jesus, He will also “provide a way of escape” for us (His truth and His promises) so that we are “able to endure it”.
3. Jesus went (Obedience) and immediately begin to teach, comfort, heal, and care for every broken soul God placed in His path, and equipped others (Discipleship) to do the same.
(Matthew 4:17), (Mark 1:14-15), (Luke 4:14-22)
Paul’s primary encouragement in the book of Philippians chapter two, verses one through eight is that we remember to be imitators of Jesus (Christ-like). Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to be obedient to God. Every moment we have a choice whether or not to go where He says we should go, to do what He says we should do and the ability to distinguish His voice and the voice of any other. (Make disciples)
(Matthew 28:19-20), (Romans 15:1-7), (John 10:27-30)
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:23-25)
Points to ponder
Jesus’ ministry on earth began only after the Holy Spirit came to rest on him and remained.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan used God’s own words to try and trip him up.
As soon as he was able, Jesus was went to work doing what God had purposed in his heart to accomplish.
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