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."
We don’t just believe in a philosophy—we believe in a Risen Saviour! His Word leads us to repentance and new life.
John Piper wrote: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
Friends, nothing satisfies the soul like Jesus Christ. Not bread. Not wealth. Not power. Only Jesus.
Point 4: Respond to the Word with Faith and Obedience
James 1:22 (NLT): "But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves."
Hearing the Word must lead to action. We are called to respond—to trust, to obey, to proclaim.
The GPS Analogy
Imagine having the most advanced GPS device in your car. It gives you clear directions, but you decide to ignore it and go your own way. That’s what it’s like to hear God’s Word but refuse to follow it.
Max Lucado said: "God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus."
That transformation begins when we not only feed on God’s Word, but live by it—letting it shape every area of our lives.
Conclusion: A Call to Live by the Word
Jesus overcame the tempter by standing on the authority of God’s Word. He didn’t argue. He didn’t negotiate. He declared: “It is written.”
As His followers, we are called to do the same. Let us go—and feed on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Call to Action:
To the believer: Are you feeding daily on God’s Word? Are you building your life on it? Go deeper. Trust it. Obey it.
To the seeker: Are you spiritually hungry? Jesus is the Bread of Life. Repent of your sin, turn to Him in faith, and receive the gift of eternal life today.
Invitation to Salvation:
Friend, if you’ve never truly placed your trust in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, now is the time. You were created to know Him, love Him, and live for Him. Sin has separated you from God, but Christ has made a way back. Will you turn to Him today?
Pray something like this:
Lord Jesus, I admit I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sin and rose again. I turn from my old life and trust in You as my Saviour and Lord. Come into my life and help me live for You. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, tell someone today! Begin feeding on the Word and growing in your new life in Christ.
Benediction:
May you go from this place nourished by the Word of God.
May your heart be filled with the presence of Christ, the Living Word.
May you hunger no more for the things of the world,
but be satisfied fully in Him who is able to keep you and guide you.
In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
