02-23-20 “Just fill the jars”

Scripture: John 2:1-11

John 2:1-11

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."

4 "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."

(It begs the question…how did Mary know he could do something about it?)

5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. (At least 25x6 = 150 gallons)

7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

WEDDING FEAST LOCATION

SLIDE Cana - Cana was a village west of the sea of Galilee and 5 miles North of Nazareth. The location makes it likely that the person getting married was a friend or relative of Mary. That is important information as to why they were there and why she felt a responsibility to make sure the wedding feast went off without a hitch.

Andrew found Peter. Phillip (also from Bethsaida) was told “follow me”. Phillip found Nathanael (Jesus knew he had been sitting under a fig tree). So, we know for sure that at least Andrew, John, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael were at the Wedding feast. The first time they were collectively called disciples – so they would not have been invited until Jesus showed up with them – extras not planned for – need more wine.

          This could have been the wedding of a brother or sister of Jesus; or very likely one of his relatives. His mother and brothers were in attendance. John 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples.  Add to his family being on the guest list, Mary is concerned that everything goes off well and suggests Jesus do something about the shortage of wine. Also the fact that the servants responded to Mary without question would suggest they know who she is.

Jesus did not call Mary, Mom. He called her dear woman – a term of respect but one that suggests a reminder that the divine has authority above the human. However, Jesus does what she says which suggests that God the Father then said, “now is the time.”

WHY DID JESUS PERFORM THIS FIRST MIRACLE?

Jesus turned water into wine to prove that He's the source of life. Changing the water to wine offered a symbol of the new spiritual life Jesus offers. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

Jesus turned water into wine because changing one element into another symbolized marriage. It brings new life out of old.

Jesus turned water into wine to prove that the old covenant lacked the resources to meet Israel's spiritual needs. Jesus didn't have to reference the stone pots to perform the miracle. Since they were used for ceremonial washing of people and utensils, Jesus had them filled to prove that He fulfilled and overfilled ceremonial cleansing; then had the servants draw water turned into wine from the well to illustrate that God's new life came from a different source - Christ Himself.

Jesus turned water into wine to illustrate the inimitable nature of God's revelation through Christ. Everything God had said through Law, Prophets, proved magnificent. But as great as things were for Israel with God in under the old covenant, God saved the best for Israel till the last revelation of himself in Christ.

Jesus turned water into wine to prove His real nature to the disciples. The ultimate purpose of the miracle was to reveal His Glory, with the result being faith in Him.

Jesus turned water into wine for one reason more. To show us that we can participate in a miracle with him if we will just fill the jars. Who participated in this miracle and who saw it close up? The servants who filled the stone jars. The ones who put the water in are the ones who took the wine out. They got to experience it first-hand. Why? Because God almost always uses the least of these, the outcast, the sinner, the down and outer, the average person AND because they simply DID what he said to do – they filled the jars.

First, we are to see that Jesus performed miracles and this should create in us faith that is the son of God. Secondly, we are called to “Just Fill the Jars.”

Not only did Jesus produce a large quantity of wine, but the quality of it astonished the banquet master. In the same way, Jesus pours his Spirit into us in abundance, giving us God's best.

While it may seem insignificant, there is crucial symbolism in this first miracle of Jesus. It was not a coincidence that the water Jesus transformed came from jars used for ceremonial washing. The water signified the Jewish system of purification, and Jesus replaced it with pure wine, representing his spotless blood that would wash away our sins.

Two Words for Life

The Greek language, in which the New Testament was written, has two words for life. One (bios) means “mere biological existence”; the other (zoe) means “life in all its fullness.” What we are being offered is fullness of life, which not even death itself can destroy. We are not being offered an endless extension of our biological existence but rather a transformation of that existence.

Freeing us from our Self-Centeredness

‘Salvation’ is a wonderfully wide-ranging word and it would be a great mistake to think that it refers only to the forgiveness of our sins. God is as much concerned with our present and future as with our past. His plan is first to put right our relationship with him, and then progressively to set us free from our self-centeredness and bring us into harmony with other people. We owe our forgiveness and reconciliation chiefly to the death of Christ, but it is by his Spirit that we can be set free from ourselves; and in his church that we can be united in a fellowship of love.

THE LAST REASON – JUST FILL THE JARS

How important is one person to the success of a local church? It’s been said almost all the greatest successes in life are achieved by miniscule margins. For example, the fastest runner in the world is no more than a few fractions of a second ahead of the other competitors. According to George McMillan, a university swimming coach, the fastest swimmer is only separated from the others by a few short inches.

A “drop in the bucket” may not sound like much. However, it may be very great in the result it produces. Small pieces of adhesive tape, which somehow disappeared from their proper position, caused a delay in the orbiting of a very expensive satellite. Every single piece of stone in a mosaic is indispensable. One little wire doesn’t appear important. But when it’s disconnected, your car can’t go anywhere. Look at the peacock’s tail and remember the tiny bit of matter within the egg from which that peacock grew. A tiny screw on the wing of an airplane may save a crash. A faulty switch repaired may prevent a fire.

Little things are extremely important. Not because of what they are in and of themselves. Rather, because they are a part of something that depends heavily upon them for success. We may occasionally feel we are but one small speck on this planet, without worth or value. We may falsely suppose we can make little or no contribution to the world, others and God. BUT THAT’S WRONG. Every person, whether single or married, young or old, rich or poor, weak or strong, is absolutely and extremely important.

Every single person is important to God, to Jesus, to the world and to your church. Please don’t ever underestimate your importance to those around you or the God above you. God placed you on this earth for a purpose, led you to your church for a purpose, and that purpose is extremely important.

If the church is to accomplish all God has called her to do, it will take your help. You are extremely important. Your prayers are important. Your participation is important. Your gifts and abilities are important. Your faithfulness is important. Everything you are and everything you do is extremely important.

So next time you’re thinking about skipping a service or bowing out from helping in some ministry or activity, think again. Next time the devil tries to convince you what you have to offer, or what you do, is no big deal … next time you start to believe what you can contribute is only some insignificant, small thing … remember: SMALL THINGS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE!

          Only, when you fill the jar – fill it with your best:

Turning Wine into Water for the king

There is a legend about an ancient village in Spain. The villagers learned that the king would pay a visit! In a thousand years, a king had never come to that village. Excitement grew! “We must throw a big celebration,” the villagers all agreed. But, it was a poor village, and there weren’t many resources. Someone came up with a classic idea. Since many of the villagers made their own wines, the idea was for everyone in the village to bring a large cup of their choice wine to the town square, “We’ll pour it into a large vat and offer it to the king for his pleasure! When the king draws wine to drink, it will be the very best he’s ever tasted!”

The day before the king’s arrival, hundreds of people lined up to make their offering to the honored guest. They climbed a small stairway and poured their gift through a small opening at the top. Finally, the vat was full! The king arrived, was escorted to the square, given a silver cup and was told to draw some wine, which represented the best the villagers had.

He placed the cup under the spigot, turned the handle, and then drank the wine, but it was nothing more than water. You see every villager had reasoned, “I’ll withhold my best wine and substitute water, what with so many cups of wine in the vat, the king will never know the difference!” The problem was, everyone thought the same thing, and the king was greatly dishonored!

          Jesus is pouring wine into you – fill the jars with what he has given you and he will perform the miracle.

7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

Optional at some point:

PASS IT ON

Verse 1

It only takes a spark, to get a fire going

And soon all those around, can warm up in its glowing

That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it

You spread His love to ev'ryone, you want to pass it on

Verse 3

I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found

You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound

I'll shout it from the mountain top, I want my world to know

The Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on

02-16-20 What does Jesus think about our 2020 theme? RED LETTER EDITION

Scripture    John 5:24-26

About 1830, a man named George Wilson killed a government employee who caught him in the act of stealing the mail – he was a thief and killed the one who caught him. Wilson was tried and sentenced to be hanged. The President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, sent Wilson a pardon. But, Wilson did a strange thing: he refused to accept the pardon.

No one seemed to know what to do because of this, so Wilson's case was sent to the U. S. Supreme Court. Chief Justice Marshall wrote the opinion: "A pardon is a slip of paper, the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged." And he was.

The death of Christ on the cross is the pardon God has sent. But before it becomes a pardon, we must accept it in faith and obedience. It is through the cross, and only through the cross that we can be saved from sin and its consequence of eternal separation from God in hell. It is the only way for us to receive eternal life.

Matthew 7:24-27

These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit — but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.

          The parable of the sower may be less about the parable and more about its meaning that Jesus explains to his disciples.

Mark 4:13-20

Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop — thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.

          Notice it said, “HEAR the word, ACCEPT it, and PRODUCE a crop!”

Luke 8:19-21

Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you." He replied, My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice.

Some people find it impossible that they must believe in Jesus (therefore that his words are true) to receive eternal life. Actually, if we look at it another way it is the only thing that does make sense. What should happen to me if I said, “I don’t believe in eating!” and I refused to ever eat again. Within a few weeks, I would die. The same is true of our spirit – we must feast on the one who gave us our life – our spirit.

Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

          Have you ever noticed, at an airport, the difference between those who have confirmed tickets, and those who are on standby? If you just learned that you must stand in judgement before God in 15 minutes, what would you be doing? Do you think he would say “Welcome home my child?” Or “depart from me you evil doer”?

Luke 9:23-26

Then he said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

John 15:5-8

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 14:10

Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

Author Kevin Huggins tells the true story of a church quiz team who had hit outstanding heights in the knowledge of the book of Romans. He tells of an unusual situation arising form the team’s actions. “The kids knew the book so well they could finish any verse, word for word, if the quiz master called out the chapter and verse numbers.

          After winning the district championships that year, the team traveled by van to the naitonals in Florida.  On the way there, the team stayed overnight at another church. After the adult leaders fell asleep, some of the team members snuck out of the church and vandalized the neighborhood, tearing down mailboxes, damaging cars, and spray painting some property.

          These were the same kids who had just spent a year memorizing and studying the book of Romans!  It isn’t enough to get the word of God in to you – it is also about getting the word of God out of you!...lived in your life!

John 14:23-26

Jesus replied, If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 12:47-50

As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.

Luke 11:27-28

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." He replied, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

John 8:51

I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.

          As we near the end with 3 more texts to read – let’s end where we began, with a story about a pardon. This time we will see that the pardon takes place because of the power of the word (in fact showing the difference of what a single comma can make. Maria Fedorovna, the empress of Russia and wife of Czar Alexander III, was known for her philanthropy. She once saved a prisoner from exile in Siberia by transposing a single comma in a warrant signed by Alexander. The czar had written: "Pardon impossible, to be sent to Siberia." After Maria's intervention, the note read: "Pardon, impossible to be sent to Siberia." The prisoner was eventually released.

John 5:24-26

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. 25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.

These verses tell a story when put in reverse order.

If a comma can make such a difference for one person, imagine what difference the words of Jesus can make for all people.

John 6:63-64

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Matthew 24:34-35

I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

A final pardon from the mouth of Jesus: Luke 23:41-43  One thief on the cross said to the other, “we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise!”

02-09-20 "2 or 3"

Scripture     Matthew 18:18-19

18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

v18 does v 18 sound familiar? (whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.) Matthew 16:16-19  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

When Jesus is recorded in Matthew 18 saying the exact same words he said in Matthew 16 – the circumstances are vastly difference but the principle is the same. Who is at the ‘top’ doesn’t matter – what matters is praying in agreement within God’s will which we are often taught.

  What does it say in the Lord’s prayer? “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

ON EARTH as it is IN HEAVEN?

          The context of this passage – Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? A child – meaning someone humble who simply believes (ie the church) then how is discipline carried out when there has been an offense? By the two people but ultimately, if needed by the one with authority (ie the church). Who is greatest, and who has authority? The church. Who is the church? When 2 or 3 come together in Jesus name. That doesn’t mean 2 or 3 people can act with authority for anything they want because they use the name Jesus. Matt 7:21  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

          Authority for something done on earth as it is in heaven comes from the church – that is 2 or more people agreeing, in the will of God and in the name of Jesus.

          What does it mean to pray in God’s will? How do we know? What is the best example? Jesus said Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Prayer is like a father and a son simply talking. The son does not always know what is best and so he asks the father for something but in the end trusts the father for what is best.  When you pray for someone’s salvation – that is 100% God’s will. There are general things we know are God’s will for all people – salvation. But specific situations are for individuals are different and we can know God’s will only by knowing Jesus more and even then, we can still be misguided by our earthly understanding where God sees everything form a heavenly perspective, so we pray for His will to be done.

v19 the word “agree” = The word used here in the original is “sum-pho-na-o,” from which comes our term symphony. It literally means “to agree in sound’ or “to be in harmony,” as may be heard in a symphony orchestra. Harmonic sound of two instruments is more beautiful than the sound of one, though more difficult to obtain. And the harmony, as well as the difficulty in achieving it, becomes greater as more instruments are added.

v20   For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

The oft quoted verse of promise. It is based on the conditions of the previous verses. 1) know that what you are doing on earth is finding its authority in heaven, 2) we must pray together 3) when praying we must agree in harmony like the instruments of an orchestra.

This flies smack in the face of “individual Christianity”. “I don’t need the church!, I can pray on my own?” True, but that assumes what you are praying for is in God’s will – you can be much more certain of praying in God’s will when you are finding agreement from others who have devoted themselves to Christ AND His church. Someone can play a cello solo and it has a certain beauty but put it with a violin, a bass, a piano and a flute and now the sound has taken on a richer, stronger quality – so too with our prayers.  This is why we offer prayer at the end of nearly every worship service.

Some people love being with other people. Some people would prefer to just be left alone. God created us to be in community. I am now part of a small group of pastors who meet monthly. I can say the best times of prayer in my life have been when I have been part of a small group of people who prayed – from self-led youth bible studies, to Wednesday evening prayer meetings, to various pastor’s groups, to times when I have prayed regularly with a single prayer partner. I can picture specific times of prayer with others at Hillcrest Baptist, at West High school, at Church camp, at Greenlake, at Judson College. There is something so special about praying with someone. It creates accountability to pray, it confirms your prayer, and God’s word has blessed prayer when people come together in Jesus name.  Let’s look at God’s desire for us to be together in unity.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Mark 6:6-13

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff — no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.”

Luke 10:1-3, 16-17

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 16 He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me. The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."

          If Jesus were sending you to someone you know whom either needs Jesus for salvation, and or needs to be in church (particularly this church) who would that be? What one ‘thing’ would you like prayer for right now that you hope is in God’s will? That you be healed? That you get clarity or wisdom? That you find your life partner? That you serve in a new way? That you become more generous? That you become a kinder person? That you become less anxious? That you speak only positive words to others? / What is one thing you could pray for in agreement with the church – with one or two other people?

CONCLUSION

Gather in groups of 2 or 3-5

Share what a praise from the past week. Share who the person for salvation/church is and something you would like prayed for. Out loud or quietly, pray for each member of your group. Pray for the spiritual and numeric growth of Ashland Church. Pray for what your part will be in the spiritual and numeric growth of Ashland Church. Make sure you pray, not our will but yours be done, in Jesus name.

2-02-20 IT is written! it IS written! it is WRITTEN!

Scripture    Matthew 4:1-11

As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West.  Wanting to test the bridge, the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to the middle of the bridge, where it stayed an entire day. One worker asked, "Are you trying to break this bridge?" "No," the builder replied, "I'm trying to prove that the bridge won't break." In the same way, the temptations Jesus faced weren't designed to see if He would sin, but to prove that He wouldn't. 

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert 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 does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Deuteronomy 8:2-3     Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"

          Psalm 91:11-12     For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

          7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

          Deuteronomy 6:16     Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah. Ex17:2 the people argued with Moses about no water and Moses called the place “Massah” meaning testing? “Why do you test the Lord?”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

          10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

          Deuteronomy 6:13-16      Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah.

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

          There was a PHYSICAL, MENTAL, & SPIRITUAL temptation. Jesus was tempted in every way that we are.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13     So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

How does God help us stand against temptation? The same way Jesus did. How did Jesus stand against Temptation? With God’s word.

Jesus responded to the Physical temptation with “It is written.”

Jesus responded to the Mental temptation with “It is written.”

Jesus responded to the Spiritual temptation with “It is written.”

How was Jesus able to do that? He read and studied God’s word and was able to recite the proper scripture to stand against the specific attacks of Satan. What does that mean for us? We need to read and study and memorize God’s word to use it as a sword to cut down Satan’s temptations.

Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Hebrews 4:12a For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.

          So we have this Temptation Weapon - but what if you were in a sword fight and you had never learned to use a sword before and you are in war with an expert swordsman? You would lose - Well let me tell you, even Satan known’s how to use God’s word as a weapon against us so we better be more practiced than he is.

          But there is an even greater principal at work here that is not immediately seen. Jesus didn’t resist these temptations, like each of us face simply by quoting the appropriate scripture. He resisted temptation by knowing God - and the fact that he knew these specific scriptures shows us that he knew God by spending time in His word. It was that relationship, even more than the word that gave him the ability to fight off temptation - the specific scriptures were the weapon, but that close relationship was the wisdom and the power to use that weapon.

          Notice, he did not go looking for a fight - the fight found him and he simply resisted. Stop picking a fight with the devil because you will lose. But when the Devil comes to you, and he will, stand up and resist. James 4:7  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

          Resisting is more than just having the temptation removed - you have to know Jesus to stand strong:

Toad baked some cookies. "These cookies smell very good," said Toad. He ate one. "And they taste even better," he said.  Toad ran to Frog's house. "Frog, Frog," cried Toad, "taste these cookies that I have made."

Frog ate one of the cookies, "These are the best cookies I have ever eaten!" said Frog.

Frog and Toad ate many cookies, one after another. "You know, Toad," said Frog, with his mouth full, "I think we should stop eating. We will soon be sick."

"You are right," said Toad. "Let us eat one last cookie, and then we will stop." Frog and Toad ate one last cookie.  There were many cookies left in the bowl.

"Frog," said Toad, "let us eat one very last cookie, and then we will stop." Frog and Toad ate one very last cookie.

"We must stop eating!" cried Toad as he ate another.

"Yes," said Frog, reaching for a cookie, "we need willpower."

"What is willpower?" asked Toad.

"Willpower is trying hard not to do something you really want to do," said Frog.

"You mean like trying hard not to eat all these cookies?" asked Toad.

"Right," said Frog.

Frog put the cookies in a box. "There," he said. "Now we will not eat any more cookies."

"But we can open the box," said Toad.

"That is true," said Frog.

Frog tied some string around the box. "There," he said. "Now we will not eat any more cookies."

"But we can cut the string and open the box." said Toad.

"That is true," said Frog. Frog got a ladder. He put the box up on a high shelf.

"There," said Frog. "Now we will not eat any more cookies."

"But we can climb the ladder and take the box down from the shelf and cut the string and open the box," said Toad.

"That is true," said Frog.

Frog climbed the ladder and took the box down from the shelf. He cut the string and opened the box. Frog took the box outside. He shouted in a loud voice. "Hey, birds, here are cookies!" Birds came from everywhere. They picked up all the cookies in their beaks and flew away.

"Now we have no more cookies to eat," said Toad sadly. "Not even one."

"Yes," said Frog, "but we have lots and lots of willpower."

"You may keep it all, Frog," said Toad. "I am going home now to bake a cake." 

          “IT IS WRITTEN IN RED” Man will not live by cookies and cake alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of Jesus/God!