The Wilderness

Matthew 3:16-17, When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I AM WELL PLEASED."

Matthew 4:1, Then Jesus was led up BY THE SPIRIT into the WILDERNESS... 

Deuteronomy 8:2, And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these FORTY YEARS in the wilderness.    

1.  He wants to get us out of our comfort zone.

“God cares more about the growth of our character than He does our comfort.”  

2.  He wants to show us that we are not as in control as we think we are.

The wilderness has the rare ability to…

1.  Reveal who we really are.

2.  Remove what stands between us and Him.

3.  Show us who He really is.

4.  Unveil our true identity.

5.  Bring clarity to our calling.

Psalm 97:5, The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord.

Job 23:8-10, Look, I go forward, but He [is] not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; when He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.  But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I SHALL COME FORTH AS GOLD."