Did Jesus Really Say That? part 4
“Did Jesus Really Say That?” Part 4
Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV) 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.’” 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.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 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.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him.
Job 23:12 (NIV) I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV) When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight…
Jesus wants us to know that life is more than what satisfies the body—it’s about what sustains the soul.
Voltaire said, “The Bible. That is what fools have written, what imbeciles commend, what rogues teach, and young children are made to learn by heart.”
“The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.” —Martin Luther
Facts about the Bible…
66 smaller books
Written over 1,600 years
3 languages
More than a dozen countries
3 continents.
40 different writers
3,200 prophecies have already been fulfilled
BUT there’s one unified message
2 Peter 1:20-21 (NLT) Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed…”
Matthew 22:31 (NASB) “…have you not read what was spoken to you by God…”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT) Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received His message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
Why does God want us to read the Bible?
1. So we can know HIM
Luke 24:25-27 (NLT) Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
2. So we can know WHO WE ARE
John 1:19-23 (NKJV) Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 He confessed and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 Then they said to him, "Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself? 23 He said: I am 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord."' as the prophet Isaiah said.
3. So we can know THE TRUTH
Matthew 14:26 (NKJV) They were troubled, saying, ‘It’s a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear.
Do I believe what I believe because the Bible says it’s true or because it fits my preference?
What does the Bible do for us?
When we read the Bible…
It shows the way of salvation (2 Tim. 3:15)
builds character (2 Tim. 3:16)
It imparts joy (Jer. 15:16)
It overcomes adversity (Mt. 7:24-25)
It heals hurt (Ps. 107:20)
It cleanses (Jn. 15:3)
It renews minds (Rom. 12:2)
It defeats temptation (Lk. 4)
It infuses hope (Rom. 15:4)
It releases power (Heb. 4:12)
It gives wisdom (Ps. 119:130)
It imparts purity (Ps. 119:11)
It brings freedom (Jn. 8:31-32)
It gives encouragement (Rom. 15:4)
It comforts (Ps. 119:50)
It strengthens (Ps. 119:28)
It provides guidance (Ps. 119:105)
It increases faith (Rom. 10:17)
It unlocks purpose (Rom. 12:2)
It releases life (Jn. 6:63)
Colossians 3:16 (AMP) “Let the word of Christ have its home within you [dwell in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being]…”
What do we actually do with it?
1. Abide in the Word
John 8:31-32 (ESV) If you abide in My word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
2. Meditate on the Word
Joshua 1:8 (NIV) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.
3. Confess the Word
4. Pray the Word
1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
5. Apply the Word
James 1:22 (NLT) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling [deceiving] yourself.
Is there a promise to claim?
Is there a command to obey?
Is there an example to follow?
Is there a sin to confess?
Is there a warning to avoid?
Matthew 7:24 (NIV) Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
"A Bible that's falling apart is being read by a life that isn't."