SPEAK THE WORD - Part I

(All scripture quotes are from the AMP Bible unless otherwise stated.)

When Tempted – Speak the Word

I was listening to a sermon online and as the pastor read from Matthew 4, regarding the temptation of Christ, part of the Word just popped out at me.  Jesus’ temptation was not mainly about commanding stones into bread because he was hungry or throwing Himself down from the highest point of the temple for God’s angels to save him.  The true temptation that satan threw at him was, “IF You are the Son of God…”:  1) “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread, 2) If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down…”  Satan challenged Jesus’ very identity!  What was Jesus response?  He responded quoting the Word.  Yes, Jesus responded with what the Word had to say about the physical temptation, but in so doing He was establishing He was God’s Son by remaining obedient to His Father.

Of course, remember that satan is very crafty, so he formed that second temptation using God’s Word himself, “for it is written, ‘He will command His angels Concerning You [to serve, care for, protect and watch over You]’; and ‘They will lift you up on their hands, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”  Did this change Jesus’ type of response?  No, for he said, “…it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.’”

Being so skilled in deceit satan tried another tactic in the third temptation by promising Jesus the world and all that was in it and then said, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”  Here, satan is still challenging Jesus as to His identity because He created the world and all within it (John 1:9-11).  Jesus responded with quoting the Word again, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left Him;” The only difference in this response from Jesus was that He told satan to “go away” and “then the devil left Him”.

So, when the devil comes and challenges you as to YOUR identity of being a child of God (John 1:12-13), respond with what the WORD says and tell him to get lost! 

A DIFFERENT SIDE OF FAITH

Matthew 9:2–8

“Give it all, give it all, give it all to Jesus,

Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys

Give it all, give it all, give it all to Jesus,

And He will turn your sorrows into joy.”

(Written by written by Phil Johnson and Bob Benson Sr. in 1975)

We usually define faith as “belief in God”.

We normally see it as something that helps us walk with God.

This morning I would like to share with you “A Different Side of Faith”.

In Matthew 9:2-8 we find a familiar story:

    “Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus’ hometown. They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, “Cheer up, son. I forgive your sins.”    Some religion scholars whispered, “Why, that’s blasphemy!”

    Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why this gossipy whispering? Which do you think is simpler: to say, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . .” At this he turned to the paraplegic and said, “Get up. Take your bed and go home.” And the man did it. The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way” (THE MESSAGE).

There is a third side of faith, the side that propels us to assist others in their walk with God.  Note that in this story Jesus did not act upon the paraplegic’s faith.  In fact the scripture says nothing about his faith.  When did Jesus act?  Upon see the faith of his friends.  The AMP Bible states, “Seeing their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him, Jesus said…’Do not be afraid, son; your sins are forgiven [the penalty is paid, the guilt removed, and you are declared to be in right standing with God].’”  When Jesus saw their faith, He acted upon it.

God calls us to have faith in Jesus so that we might have our sins forgiven and be put in “right standing” with Him, but He also calls us to be the ones who bring other people suffering under sin to Him.  He never intended that we just sit in church and wait for the suffering people of the world to come to us.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” – Mark 16:15-16 KJV

We need to bring them to Jesus.  It is not up to us to convince them.  All we have to do is bring them to Jesus just as the paraplegic’s friends did.  Jesus will take care of the rest.

Rev. Charles Stanley recently stated, “God has given us a precious gift, which is both irreplaceable and irreversible.  Because it’s always with us, we sometimes take it for granted, waste it, or use it foolishly.  But what we do with it determines the direction and fruitfulness of our entire life.  All of us have been given 24 hours a day…although the Lord has ordained the number of our days (Ps. 139:16), we generally have the freedom to choose how to use our time.”

This third side of faith is the part we need to start exercising.  The lack of exercising this faith lends to ineffectiveness not only in our own walk with God but also in the Church as well.  I once attended a little country church were there were only eight members including myself.  All but two members were 70 or 80 years old.  At one meeting we were discussing the need to do some kind of outreach into the community to get more people to come to the church and one of the ladies stated, “Let the younger ones do it.”  How that statement grieved my heart!  Not because I and my friend were the only “young” ones, but because these precious older believers were no longer active in their faith.  They were content to sit back and let others exercise their faith.  Let me share with you this, brothers and sisters – if you are still alive and kicking on this earth then you are still called upon by Jesus to bring other people to Him!

Rev. Leonard Ravinhill penned in his book, “Why Revival Tarries”:

“Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry?

Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patients die?

Could a fireman sit idle, let men burn and give no hand?

Can you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you DAMNED?”

The ministry of Jesus started with Him coming as a man to bring us to God the Father.  In a very similar manner we must leave our comfort zones and bring others to Him.  This side of faith says that we believe God is powerful and loving enough to work in the lives of others just as He has worked in our lives.  All we have to do is bring them to Him.

Rev. Rick Warren said, “The more you become God’s friend, the more you will care about the things he cares about, grieve over the things he grieves over, and rejoice over the things that bring pleasure to him.”  What is it that is most important to God?  What is His greatest desire?

To help us understand God’s greatest desire let me share with you what Evangelist Robert Morris said:

“What if Adam was on the other end of the garden and did not sin when Eve sinned?  God would have said to Adam, ‘Son, I’m so sorry to tell you this…but your bride has sinned – and because she sinned – she’s going to die.’  God’s conversation did take place, but not with Adam…but with Jesus.  What did Jesus do?  Jesus said, ‘I’ll die for her.  I will die so that she can live!’  Why did Jesus do that?  Because you’re His greatest desire.”

Let me ask you, brothers and sisters, what are you doing to demonstrate your love and faith in Him?

“Bring them all, bring them all, bring them all to Jesus,

Shattered lives, wounded hearts, unemployed

Bring them all, bring them all, bring them all to Jesus,

And He will turn their sorrows into joy.”