Victory in Jesus
Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Excuse: “I’m only human!” Is that a weakened condition? Living vulnerable, susceptible lives – “The devil made me do it.”
You can live as a victor instead of a victim - Amazing power in a weakened condition! You can beat back the attempts of the tempter! (He wants to take you out of your purpose and ministry.) You can live as a victor instead of a victim!! How do I live as a victor?
1) Live on God’s word
V3-4 - You will be challenged to satisfy yourself - live on your ability. You are in a weakened condition-vulnerable-gullible-susceptible to self-satisfaction
Gnawing stomach - be aware of the flesh’s needs and ability to drive you
Identify the challengers - 4 As: apathy, arrogance, adultery, avarice. Then you suffer as a victim!
Choose to live on God’s word! Feed on the word and live as a Victor! “Blessed are those who hunger..” Discover the blessed life!! Even in hunger I can be strong!!
Proves the importance of church! Living on God’s word makes me a victor!
Going through difficult time? Venting? Asking why God? Feel like pushing God?
How do we live as victors instead of victims?
2)Count on God’s guard
V6-7 - Tries to justify pushing God
The way scriptures have been used to compel people give - it’s the intention! To please, and obey God, or to get rich. Here is the intention of the enemy: Since God loves you, force his hand! This is a weakness we have! Instead, trust God!!
A) “God will guard you in all your ways,” but not stupid ways! B) “Cast your cares upon him..” C) If the Lord delights in a man’s ways ... God has you in the proving ground, not the other way around!!
Guard against pushing God! “This is my test, not God’s.” Satan wants to make news of you! “He jumped, and God didn’t catch him!!” Keep your guard up! God is with you! He is already proven! He has a plan, a way, and a path designed for you!! You will live as a victor instead a victim. Beating the attempts of the tempter for you to push God!
The world has a way of continually deceiving our ability to see clearly - living in the fog of the world
V8-11 - What’s our priority? Look out for number one! Family, job . . . I live as a victor instead of a victim when I:
3) Keep God number one!
The deceiver wants us to sell out to the world - To worship the god of this world - and what he offers – temporal, not eternal
Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
A) Most important commandment - make it number one! Love God - How?
Worship - “like a dog licking the hand of his master,” this is a devoted heart of love and gratitude!
Serve - “to work for as a hired hand.” In God’s employ! He’s my boss, not the lure of the world!!
B) Shepherd - you have one that is steady and sure. World shepherd-offers extreme makeover. But will still run down?
You will live as a victor and not a victim! You will move into the life God has for you!
Conclusion
Christian, you are tapped out! You will face ordeals - there are tests designed to make you a victim or a victor - ”Count it pure joy when you face various trials or tests because the testing of your faith produces perseverance!” Then you will move on in the will and way of God! Living a life of purpose! A Victor and not a victim! Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Designed to serve, worship, and love God - given power, purpose and passion! You will find Victory in Jesus!