Our new identity in Christ!

Welcome!


Today: Our new identity in Christ!


Passage: Mat 4  (NIV ’84 & AMP)


 4 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.’” (Mat 4, NIV 1984)-emphasis added


Jesus was led by the spirit, to be tempted by the devil!

Jesus had to pass the test before entering into the ministry of delivering many people from the hands of the devil

Many people like to sit and learn, but not to take the test

God put Adam and Eve in the garden; they failed the test

The last Adam, Jesus, did not fail it; he had to survive and pass it, for our deliverance. When we fail the test, we loose big time

There is a “rippling” effect, which passes on to our family/others

Abraham, Joseph, David,….all survived and passed the test; Jacob passed it

The other day, we were in a national church conference and one of the preachers spoke on the scripture above-on the identity crisis

Jesus knew who He was. The Father declared “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”, as soon as He got ready for His public ministry

(There is a point in time when you and I will step into another level of ministry

When God wants us out, we better do it)

When satan came to test Jesus, Jesus knew who He was, and His connection with the father. Jesus also knew that His actions will affect heaven

When we deal with the secular world every day, we better not forget who we are, in the Lord and what God has done for us

Many people, especially younger generation, struggle in this area of identity

If they can find their place at home and in the church/spirituals circle, that helps a lot; if not, they could be drawn to other places, in search of identity, which might eventually hurt them and their home

Jesus was careful to recognize each one. When Peter tried to get away, Jesus was there to go after him, “I need you” (John 21). Peter could not reject it!

Sometimes, we will need to be humble enough to go after some people in the love of Christ, and to get them back; it is worth it!

It could be our own; it could be someone in church or other. But better let them know they are cared for!

Have a blessed day; have faith in God and have a good one!

BG


Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me the identity in you. I know that I can always find my place in you, in your heart because you love me so much. I have no problem working for you and with you; you deserve it. So help me God; Amen!


If you are looking for the best person in the world to work for, you got it; JESUS! He gives the most rewards, recognition and rest-guaranteed!