Victorious Foundation Series

Turn your Bibles to Matthew 4:1-11

Title: Victorious Foundation

Theme: Walking on the Winning Side

Series: Easter Season Messages

Introduction: This is the day that I like to refer to as “Resurrection Sunday Celebration.” It was on the first day of the week, very early in the morning that women took spices to the tomb where Jesus’ Body was laid. It was on that morning they discovered that the tomb was empty, it was on that day two men dressed in clothes that gleamed like lighting stood beside them and asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!”

(Luke 24:1-6)

It was on that same day two of the followers of Jesus were on their way back to Emmaus, a town about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked they talked about everything that had happened. As they walked and talked, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them, however, they were kept from recognizing Him. Jesus wanted to know what they were talking about so they took time to tell Him everything. They told about how the chief priest and the rulers handed Christ over to be sentenced to death by crucifixion. They told Jesus that it was now the third day since all this took place and they said, “In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning, but did not find His body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said, ‘He was alive!’ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said…” (Luke 24:13-24)

After listening, Jesus Christ sets the example for us all. He exercises His Holy Spirit anointing of prophet and responds to their statements. In His introduction to their statements He does not present a joke or emotional story. He says, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?" (Luke 24:25-26)

After showing true love by pointing out a major spiritual heart problem, Jesus goes on with the charge to the soldier of Christ, “Preach the Word.” (2 Timothy 4:2) Luke 24:27 says, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.”

After reaching the village Jesus took bread with them and gave thanks. As the two were taking the bread their eyes were open and they recognized Him, then He disappeared from their sight. I love their response, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)

Naturally, these two disciples were very excited, they made their way back to Jerusalem, found the eleven and those with them. Upon their arrival they were told the Lord had appeared to Simon. The two told their story about seeing Jesus. The Bible says, “While they were still talking about this, Jesus Himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’" (Luke 24:36)

During this meeting some powerful truths were presented. These truths are, Jesus proving He was physically alive, the giving of the Great Commission and Jesus giving the promise of the Holy Spirit for empowerment of the New Testament Church.

The truth the Holy Spirit wants you to grasp today from this meeting that was held on Resurrection Sunday lays the foundation for Christians to enjoy the abundant life in Christ and live a victorious life over the flesh, the world and the lies of the devil. During that meeting the Bible says, “[Jesus] opened their mind so they could understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)

Proposition: I would propose to you that the foundation to living a victorious life in Christ is to have the risen Savior open your mind so you can understand the Holy Scriptures. The beloved John tells us Jesus breathed on the disciples in that meeting and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)

Interrogative Sentence: Just what does the Holy Spirit, who raised Christ from the dead and now lives in you (Romans 8:10) have to enable you to live a victorious life in this sin-stricken world?

The Christ who never sinned and got victory over sin and death sets the example for beating temptation. Satan lies to people, and he has the amazing ability to use the sinful nature and the lures of the world to cause people to walk outside of God’s will.

Listen closely as I read Jesus’ example in Matthew 4:1-11, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’