09.21.14
Luke 4.4,8,12 4 And
Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”
8 And Jesus
answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him
only shall you serve.’”
12 And Jesus
answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
– Jesus (ESV)
As a part of our Sunday morning routine my wife and I
watch the program on CBS called (go figure), Sunday
Morning. We like the format and for the most part the content. It’s a news magazine and though some of the articles are not our cup of tea, we
enjoy watching it. Sometimes, I object to the content and my wife has to suffer
through my early Sunday morning tirades… sorry, dear.
Jesus, early in His ministry was subjected to content
that He objected to but rather than rant, He merely – and powerfully, I might
add – objected to the content with truth.
When the devil (in Luke 4) baited Jesus, at the end of a
40-day fast, to turn the stones in bread, that was powerful content directed at
one of our most vulnerable places: the body. To be sure, Jesus was hungry and
when faced with this ‘solution’ Jesus objected by speaking a word of truth: It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread
alone.’ The implication: there is more to life than the pursuit of fleshly
desires, no matter how legitimate they may seem or sound.
The devil then baited Jesus with a gift of all of the
power in the world if He would worship him. Jesus came not to save the
world, but to save those trapped in the world. The power of the offer was: you can do have your way with this if you
will only worship me. Jesus objected: ‘You
shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ There are
many things in this world I’d like to change, but I am here only to do what God
calls me to do. Period. There is power in worship.
Lastly, the devilish bait was: ‘Well, if you’re so focused on God, then throw yourself off the top of
the Temple to prove that God will catch you.’ A powerful bait to prove to
those who don’t believe that they should. And Jesus responded: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the
test.’
This Sunday morning we are all subjected to the same
bait. On Sunday Morning, when confronted with the content, there is part of me
that wants to rise up and make changes in my own will and strength. On Sunday Morning
the bait to live selfishly and flesh-ishly, is right there. And on Sunday Morning
there is a part of me that wants to prove to the world there is a God. God
doesn’t ask me to do any of this. I am simply to live according to His word, to
worship Him only, and to serve Him faithfully; allowing the Holy Spirit to do all
the convicting and convincing in people’s lives. Just like Jesus did.
Father, there are so many temptations but only three
solutions. And the solutions are always the same and work in every instance and
incident in life: Live by Your word, worship only You; and take care not to
make a stunt to the world, expecting You to defy gravity. Help me to live
courageously today. Help me to live faithfully today. And help me to remember
the objections when confronted with the bait to do otherwise – Amen.
1 comment:
WHY WERE DENOMINATIONS CREATED? BY STEVE FINNELL
Were denominations created so they could teach the apostles doctrine? No they were not.
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.(NKJV)
The Roman Catholic denomination was established so it could teach the doctrine of popes, cardinals, the doctrine of the Roman Catholic denomination.
The Lutheran denomination was formed so they could teach the doctrine of Martin Luther.
The Baptist denominations were brought into existence so they could teach the doctrine of John Calvin and that of Baptist preachers.
Denominations were formed so they could teach doctrines contrary the doctrine of the apostles.
Can you name one denomination that teaches the terms for pardon that the apostle Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost?(Acts 2:22-41 ......40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them,)(NKJV)
Peter did not preach. .1 Salvation by good works. 2. Salvation by Law keeping. 3. Salvation by grace alone. Salvation by faith only. 5. Salvation by saying the Sinner's Prayer.
Peter preached. 1. Faith; John 3:16. 2. Confession; Romans 10:9. 3. Repentance; Acts 2:38. 4. Water Baptism; Acts 2:38.
Peter preached the apostles doctrine.
Denominations were created to teach and preach the doctrines of men.
Mark 7:5-13......"making the word of God of no effect through your traditions which you have handed down. And many such things you do."(NKJV)
Denominations were created to teach the traditions of men.
If all believers in Christ taught the apostles doctrine, found in the New Testament Scriptures, there would be no denominations.
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com
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