Go! And Feed On Every Word - Matthew 4:4 Series

Go! And Feed on Every Word

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your Word that is alive and powerful. Thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. As we open the Scriptures, feed our spirits. Speak into our hearts and minds, and help us not only to hear, but to respond in faith and obedience. May Christ be exalted in all we do and say. In His mighty name, Amen.

Introduction: A Battle in the Wilderness

Imagine standing in the dry, scorching heat of the Judean wilderness. The desert wind cuts across your face. You’ve been fasting for forty days. Your body is weak, but your spirit is focused. Then, Satan—the deceiver, the accuser—appears and tempts you.

This is not fiction. This is the very real moment described in Matthew 4:4 (NLT): But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

This isn’t just a lesson in resisting temptation. This is a declaration of where true life is found.

Let’s dive deep into this verse and the surrounding context to hear what God wants to say to us today.

Point 1: The Power and Priority of the Word of God

Matthew 4:4 in Context:

Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, where Moses reminds Israel how God humbled them in the wilderness, allowing them to hunger so they would understand their dependence on Him—not just for food, but for His Word.

Deuteronomy 8:3 (NLT): "Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna... to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

The Greek word for “word” here is ??µa (rhema)—not just written Scripture (logos), but the spoken or declared word of God. This is the Word that brings life, direction, and sustenance.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT): "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."

Paul affirms that every word in Scripture is God-breathed—a phrase that implies divine origin and life-giving power.

Charles Stanley once said: "The Bible is not just a book. It is God’s voice in print. Open it with reverence. Read it with expectancy."

I love how Stanley draws us to the awe-inspiring truth: when we read Scripture, we’re not just studying ink on paper—we’re listening to the voice of God Himself!

Point 2: Spiritual Hunger Is Real—Feed on What Truly Satisfies

In the wilderness, Satan tempted Jesus with physical food. But Jesus pointed to a deeper truth: spiritual hunger is more dangerous than physical hunger.

Isaiah 55:1–2 (NLT): "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?... Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food."

“Listen” in Hebrew here is ?????? (shama)—meaning more than hearing; it means to hear and obey.

God invites us to feast on what truly satisfies: His presence, His truth, His Word.

The Empty Banquet Table

A man was invited to a royal banquet but filled up on junk food on the way there. When he arrived, he was too full to eat the gourmet feast prepared for him.

How often do we fill our lives with spiritual junk food—entertainment, distractions, worldly philosophies—only to realise we’ve lost our appetite for God?

Tim Keller once observed: "The Bible is not about us. It’s about Him. And it feeds our souls not by boosting our ego, but by pointing us to Jesus."

That’s the feast that satisfies—the Word that points us to Christ, our true Bread of Life.

Point 3: The Word Reveals the Saviour Who Brings Life

John 6:35 (NLT): "Jesus replied, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"

Jesus is more than a teacher of the Word—He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). He doesn’t just feed us; He is the food!

Gospel Presentation:

Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn’t live. He was tempted in every way, yet never sinned. Then He willingly went to the cross—not because He had to, but because He loved us.

On the cross, He bore our sins.

He died the death we deserved.

He was buried, and on the third day, He rose again—defeating sin, death, and the grave.

Romans 10:17 (NLT) tells us: "So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ."