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.
5. PERSEVERER - Some people are afraid they will not have the endurance to stand up to the tests of a new ministry. Jesus found that by using God’s word He was able to gain the encouragement and endurance that scripture invigorates one with. Just as a jet gets refueled in mid-air with a tanker, so we need constant refilling by the HOly Spirit. Ask the Spirit to infuse you with new energy, enlightenment and enabling power to finish the work He calls you to do.
6. PRODIGIOUS - Too many people forget that the God who lives within us is greater than he who is in the world. (I John 4:4) Our God is enormous, marvelous and greater in influence than any other. When we praise God for His enormous capacity then He infuses us with a greater confidence to launch out to new areas of ministry that we might have thought beyond our capacity. Caleb said, "Give me this mountain. I’ll be able to drive out the enemies as the Lord is with me." (Josh. 14:5-14) Let us remember that we serve a biggy, biggy God who is greater than all our problems, predicaments or perceptions.
7. PRAISE-WORTHY - Every moment of the day, let it be said of our conversation, "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord. The humble will hear it and be glad. Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all of my fears." (Psa 34:1-4) Oh that people would praise God for His attributes. I have written books containing prayers of praise for over 1000 attributes of God. This, more than any other spiritual discipline has helped me gain greater confidence to be willing to engage in new conquests for Christ’s kingdom and righteousness. The more we praise the more complete we will be regarding God’s ability to carry us through to His proper conclusion.
8. PREPARER FOR THE BATTLE - The Lord wants prepare us for greater battles as we are faithful in little things. (Luke 16:10) Jesus said, "He who is faithful in little things will be faithful also in much. But if you are not faithful in little things who will give you what is your own." Some of the reasons why people are not willing to engage in greater ministries is that they are yet to engage in smaller battles that perhaps they have shyed away from in the past. Allow the Lord to let you pass through your adversities so you can be promoted to higher levels of usefulness.
MESSIAH IN THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
Genesis: The Seed of the Woman
Exodus: The Passover Lamb
Leviticus: The Sanctifier
Numbers: The Guide & The Rock
Deuteronomy: The Prophet
Joshua: The Commander of the Army of the Lord
Judges: The Righteous Ruler
Ruth: The Kinsman-Redeemer
1 Samuel: The Anointed King
2 Samuel: The Son of David
1 Kings: The Wisdom
2 Kings: The Covenant of God
1 Chronicles: The Coming Messiah
2 Chronicles: The Temple
Ezra: The Remnant
Nehemiah: The Mighty Wall
Esther: The Advocate
Job: The Mediator
Psalms: The Lord of David & the Praiseworthy
Proverbs: The Treasury of Wisdom and Knowledge
Ecclesiastes: The provider of Ultimate Satisfaction
Song of Solomon: The Bridegroom
Isaiah: The Arm of the Lord that wounded and Bruised for our Sins
Jeremiah: The Lord our Righteousness and the Balm of Gilead
Lamentations: The Man of Sorrow Who Was Acquainted With Grief
Ezekiel: The True Shepherd
Daniel: The Great Stone
Hosea: The Faithful Lover
Joel: The Judge of the Gentiles
Amos: The One who has all Authority to Judge
Obadiah: The Judge, the Saviour and the Possessor
Jonah: The Sign (for the death, burial and the resurrection)
Micah: The Ruler in Israel
Nahum: The Way of Yahweh
Habakkuk: The Salvation
Zephaniah: The King of Israel
Haggai: The Glory of God
Zechariah: The Pierced One
Malachi: The Sun of Righteousness
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Matthew: The Promised Messianic King of Israel
Mark: The Obedient Servant
Luke: The Son of Man
John: The Son of the Living God
Acts of the Aopostles: The Resurrected Saviour
Romans: Second Adam, whose substitutionary death justified all who place their faith in HIM.
1 Corinthians: The Righteousness, the Sanctification and the Redemption
2 Corinthians: The Believer’s Comfort and the Triumphant Lord
Galatians: The Liberty
Ephesians: The Head of the Church
Philippians: The Model of True Humility
Colossians: The Head of all Principality and Power
1Thessalonians: Joyful Hope of Salvation
2 Thessalonians: The Faithful
1 Timothy: The Mediator Between God and men
2 Timothy: The One who abolished death and brought life
Titus: The Blessed Hope
Philemon: The Benefactor
Hebrews: The High Priest according the order of Melchizedek
James: Lord Jesus Christ
1 Peter: The Believer’s Example
2 Peter: The Source of Full Knowledge
1 John: The Righteous Advocate Before the Father
2 John: The Pattern
3 John: The Motivation
Jude: One who is able to keep us from stumbling
Revelation: The First and the Last; the Amen.
