The Cutting Edge.

The Cutting Edge.

Matthew 3:14-17, 4:1-4NIV

When we purchased our house 16 years ago. (It’s the longest we’ve ever lived in one house). We inherited some Bradford Pear Trees in the front yard. After a few years of living there, these trees begin to split, they looked really bad. Therefore I decided to chop them down. I used an old dull ax. I chopped all the trunk and branches into five feet pieces. After I finished chopping down that first tree, I got smart and called Justin Hawkins.

He and his crew brought a powerful chain saw. He did in 40 mins what it would have taken me at least two days to finish by myself.

Spiritually speaking, The question I want to ask you tonight is, Are you using a dull ax blade?

An experienced Woodsmen would tell you, “It’s better to sharpen your ax-head for an hour or two, before you go cutting in the woods.”

A sharpen ax blade means everything.

“If you’re dull, cold, lost momentum it could be time to pray and fast.” P.H

Before I go any farther, Remember, Jesus prepared for 30 years for a 3 year ministry. We can read about the beginning of His ministry:

Matthew 3:14-17NIV Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

The ministry of Jesus begins in this fashion: His Obedience, to fulfill all righteousness. Remember, Obedience and passion work together. Baptism produced an open heaven. Jesus watched as the Holy Spirit came upon Him— Alighting on Him. A voice from heaven said, The Father speaks up—“This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased.”

Now let’s go to the second part of this evenings text, but before we do, “If Jesus fasted before his ministry began how much more should we fast.”

Matthew 4:1-4NIV Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God…

Jesus answered the devil with the word. His created Word. The Word became flesh Jh.1.

Jesus was tempted in 3 areas, which represents every area of temptation possible.

The lust of the flesh. (Physical pleasure).

The lust of the eyes. (Craving for what we see).

The pride of life. (Proud of achievements and possessions).

1 John 2:16NLT For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

Many times we fall into temptation, because we’ve lost our edge.

Abraham Lincoln is known for making the statement, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.”

Ecclesiastes 10:10NLT Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.

The works of the flesh dull the blade, 1

The only way to keep our unruly members down, meaning the works of the flesh, is for our life to be well submitted to the Holy Spirit. Be in tune with Him. P.H

Luke's gospel tells us that after the fast, Luke 4:14NIV Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

The victory that Jesus won against the devil when he fasted 40 days established a pattern for you and me to follow.

A great scriptural reference—Daniel chapter 1, King Nebuchadnezzar was more impressed by Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah than any of other.

Daniel 1:8, Daniel and the other 3 Hebrews determined in their hearts not to partake of the Kings delicacies.

Daniel 1:12-15NLT “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. 13 “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” 14 The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.