Matthew 4.....
Jesus here is being tempted in the desert for 40 days and nights. Temptation is not a sin.....it's only sin once we give in to the temptation.
Verse 4....Jesus answers satan by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3.
Verse 6....satan says IF you are the son of God. He knew he was the son already. Satan also quotes the word in this verse from psalm 91:11-12.
Verse 7....Jesus answers again from Deuteronomy 6:16
Now verse 9....right here Jesus could have avoided the cross. Satan rules this earth and Jesus could have his kingdom here without the cross at all. However Jesus knew Gods plan wasn't for him to have the kingdom this way and we would have no forgiveness of sin if he gave into satans temptation. He could have bowed before satan and no one would have even seen it......but Jesus knew not to give in.
Verse 10...Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 6:13.
One thing to catch here is both Jesus and satan know Gods word. Remember this when you are tempted and being told lies.
After the Angels came to him Jesus began his ministry. It lasted 3 years. He is starting to choose his disciples.
Verse 15-16 is from Isaiah 9:1-2
Verse 17....Jesus preaches repentance. Repentance is when we acknowledge our sin....confess it to God and turn from it. You cannot be saved without repentance. This verse supports that.
Jesus starts his ministry healing people and choosing some of the disciples. Notice how the men he chooses drop their current lifestyle to follow Jesus anywhere he wants to take them?
Funny how satans tactics haven't changed in all these years. "If you are" he wants us to forget who we are "in Christ" for when we remember, he has no power over us. When we speak Gods word truth crushes his lies. He also tries to get us to focus on what we don't have instead of the great blessings we already have in Christ.
ReplyDeleteIt says immediately they left in verses 20 & 22. Can you imagine just fishing one day and this Man comes up to you and you leave everything to follow Him. They wouldn't have known of Him. He just started His ministry. Do you think God put it in their hearts like the Holy Spirit puts things in our hearts today?
ReplyDeleteHe would have had to put the desire in their hearts. Who would leave their own father and way of living to follow a stranger? Our God is awesome in His ways and how he uses people.
ReplyDeleteLook how God puts desires in our hearts. I know for myself they are usually things I would never imagine doing on my own....like going to school for EMT and working in an ER. That's all God. I believe he puts those desires in our heart at just the right time....His time.
What kind of things did God lead you to do? If you want to share?
ReplyDeleteI guess the biggest one that I would never have wanted to do on my own but can do now with His power is to continue to wait for God to save my husband and restore our marriage. God put it in my heart 10 Years ago and it has been there ever since. I can't take it out, it is sealed there and I have to just wait on God and His timing. He has given me the faith and the ability to wait and to love Barry. Barry's salvation is more important than anything I could gain on my own. If God had told me 10 years ago it was going to take this long, I am sure I would not have wanted to wait, but he gives us the grace each day we need to follow His will.
ReplyDeleteWow....God is amazing and I appreciate your story. waiting on God is hard because we want things yesterday. But he uses situations to build patience in Us. Keep the Faith and if God has this on your heart for 10 years he will see you through.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering I read he had gained his firat 4 disciples in this chapter will the other 8 come along as we read more into Matthew.?.?. If not can you tell me the other 8 so I can learn them all
ReplyDeleteI was wondering I read he had gained his firat 4 disciples in this chapter will the other 8 come along as we read more into Matthew.?.?. If not can you tell me the other 8 so I can learn them all
ReplyDeleteYes they will all come out soon. In fact chapter 10 will have them. That's the next one.
ReplyDelete