He Is Able To Deliver You

He is Able to Deliver You (Matt 4:1-12)

Why do you suppose so many people are unwilling to engage in new ministries? Could it be that they somehow have not grown in their knowledge, faith and intimacy with a God who promises to deliver those who trust in Him?

Even Jesus was willing to be led into the desert to be tempted by the devil in order to complete His Father’s will. During this period of forty days and forty nights of fasting, he was tempted by devil but always came out victoriously. Let us examine some of the factors of faith that allowed Jesus experience God’s deliverance from temptation. Note that Jesus Christ had total faith in a delivering God who was a:

1. PROMISER - When the devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." (Matt 4:2) Jesus replied, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Begin by memorizing, meditating and applying the promises that God has given us in the scriptures. When you gain a greater facility with His promises you will begin to develop a deeper faith in the promising God who never fails those who trust and obey.

Illustrative Song: No other song better encourages you when you are growing weary and burdened by troubles than Tell It To Jesus:

Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Are you grieving over joys departed?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Refrain

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,

He is a Friend that’s well known.

You’ve no other such a friend or brother,

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Refrain

Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Refrain

Are you troubled at the thought of dying?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

For Christ’s coming kingdom are you sighing?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

2. PROTECTING - When the devil said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, ’He will command his angels concerning you and they will lift you up in their hands." Jesus replied, "It is written: ’Do not put the Lord your God to the test." As long as we are in the will of God we can be assured that He takes complete care of us. However, we do not want to presume upon the Lord and make him into our personal magician who performs miracles upon our command. Many people need to know they are completely secure in God’s protection.

Illustration: John Hall, wrote "From Cannibals To Christ" after spending 47 years ministering to the Tangale people in Northeast Nigeria from 1916 to 1965. His theme song was, "Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go. Anywhere He leads me in this world below. Anywhere without Him dearest joys would fade. Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise. Anywhere, anywhere, fear I cannot know. Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go." Oh that we could have this same Caleb like faith to know that the Lord protects those who are launching out into areas of ministry where people need the Lord. The safest place to be is in the center of His will.

3. PERSPECTIVE GIVER - The devil tried to tempt Jesus in the area of physical need, emotional need for security, and for psychological need for a sense of significance power and achievement, but in each case Jesus focused on God’s person to give Him clear eternal perspective on each temptation. Let us allow the Lord to give us the proper lense to see ministries from His point of view so we will see them as opportunities rather than for all their problems.

4. PLANNER - The devil tried to tempt Jesus in to following His own plan instead of the heavenly Father’s. Instead, the Lord Jesus said, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Allow the Lord to guide, direct and navigate your pathways. He always know what is best for every moment and every decision of the day. Proverbs 3:5-7 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from evil." Allow the Lord to be your pioneer and perfecter of your faith. Do not take more burdens upon yourself but relinquish all plans to the Lord’s piloting.