Point of Grace Online Worship - January 16, 2022

 

Point of Grace Worship 1.16.22 Sermon Notes – “Jesus – Under Attack!”

The Devil is real - his attacks are dangerous - only One Way wins!

Luke 4

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Helpful Insights:

•                     This is a continuous narrative from the baptism account and the record of Jesus genealogy. The chapter break is unfortunate.

•                     There is a connection between Adam’s story, Israel’s story and Jesus’ journey. Adam and Israel failed to be faithful to their identity as God’s son – Will Jesus?

•                     Verses 1-2 creates the tension of war – battle – attack. Is Jesus in a position of weakness? Who took the bait? Jesus is a different kind of human being?

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

The Devil is real - his attacks are dangerous - only One Way wins!

1 Peter 5 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith,

Ephesians 6 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

The Devil is real - his attacks are dangerous - only One Way wins!

What was the first temptation and how did Jesus win?

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.”

What is the “false choice based on a false assumption”? (The devil is very good at this strategy.)

Jesus, being Son of God and truly human, uses his power within the boundaries of His Father’s will not to take matters and His future into His own hands.

How are we tempted like this? How does it look different when “Jesus in me” shows up to deal with the devil rather than “just me” showing up?

The Devil is real,

his attacks are dangerous

only One Way wins!

Daily Prayer

My Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You now to be restored in You to be renewed in You to receive your Life and Your Love and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I honor You as my sovereign Lord and I give over every aspect and dimension of my Life totally and completely to You. You are God – I am not and I love you and worship and trust You as my Lord and Savior.

I love you Jesus and receive by faith all the work and triumph of your cross, death, resurrection and ascension. Thank you Jesus for your complete victory over satan and his kingdom and all forces of evil. I now take my place in your victory over the devil. You are Truth and he is lies and the father of lies. You are the Way, the truth and the Life and You hold the everlasting victory over sin and evil. I take my place in You Jesus – I in You and You in me.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to you Jesus and You are worthy to receive all glory and honor and power and dominion now and forever more. I now take my place in You and in Your name Jesus I come against the devil and all forms of evil that are coming against me this day. (Mention as specifically as you can how you sense evil is coming against you – tempting you – today and bring the authority of the name of Jesus against it.) I bind and banish all away from me in Jesus name.

Jesus, fill me with Your Spirit that I might see and resist every deceitful temptation the devil will present me today – not in my own strength but in the strength power and complete victory of Jesus Christ. In the Life and Power of His name I pray and I live. Amen

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. We encourage you to use the “I Belong” devotional resource to assist you every day. You can sign up for this daily resource by going to the “I Belong Challenge” button on the main menu at www.pog.church. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Luke 4:1-13 Tue – Colossians 1:13-20 Wed – 1 Peter 5:5-11 Thu – John 8:39-47 Fri – Deuteronomy 8:1-5, 10-14 Sat - Ephesians 6:10-13 Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.