Second Night, 27 May 2006 1930
Tonight Dr. Ray spoke again, and this time he focused on the text Luke 3:21 through 4:32 dealing with the temptation of Jesus the Christ.
Dr. Pritchard focused on five words that illustrated what was happening. These words were Obedience, Assurance, Testing, Power, and Freedom. Specifically, Jesus demonstrated obedience in baptism, assurance from God, testing from the the devil, power from the spirit, and gave freedom to others.
In the middle of the passage, Luke gives us the readers a genealogy of Jesus. This seems out of place until we realize that this perfectly segues from the baptism of Jesus into the temptation. The baptism of Christ began the direct power of the Holy Spirit on His life, power which would sustain Him in the desert temptations. But we need the family tree to tell us why, partially, the temptation was necessary: Jesus was the second Adam. Just as Adam was tempted and sinned in the garden, Jesus was to be tempted, yet without sin, in the desert.
Temptation also came for other reasons, and these apply in the life of the believer. God uses trials and temptations to release His power in our lives. Indeed, when we are most filled with the Holy Spirit is the most likely time we will be tested. Jesus was led immediately into the desert. Immediately after what? the Holy Spirit descending upon Him in the form of a dove. (Luke 3:22)
James says this, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4) In our lives we are tested in order to produce growth. Jesus was tempted in the same way. (Hebrews 4:15)
Here a necessary deviation must be made. In the Greek (according to Dr. Pritchard, I am no scholar of Greek) the word translated “testing” and “tempting” is the same word. The difference comes in response. The Holy Spirit led Jesus to be tested, and Satan brought temptation. A right response to this makes it a test that grows, but a wrong response to this results in a temptation and sin. (James 1:12-16)
So stand strong, as Jesus did, in the Power of the Holy Spirit and the testing of God will make you stronger. Jesus was baptized into the Spirit of God, and left the desert full of the power of God. And this power brings freedom in our lives.
Sunday, 28 May 2006 0900
This morning began with Dr. Pritchard’s last message. Centering on Numbers 9:15-23, he spoke on the leading of God.
The children of Israel had a simple task. Follow either the cloud by day or the fire by night. God provided everything they needed, and only asked that they follow His lead. We must do the same. God leads us one step at a time. We must be willing to follow, even if the following does not make sense. Furthermore, God’s guidance is revealed as we are close to Him. We must stay in His word and in fellowship with other believers. Finally, rest assured that God’ guiding will be what you need. The children of Israel followed something easily seen, depending on the time of day. Cloud was more easily seen and followed in the brightness of day, and in the dark of night a blaze of fire was unmistakeable.
Be willing to follow, and God will lead.
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Psalm 48:14, “For such is God, our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death.”
God still leads.
More to come on the rest of the day and conference.
the StormRider
BTW, if any of these links sends you to the wrong passage of Scripture, be sure to email and let me know so that I can fix that immediately. Thanks.
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