sign in sign up
<<
Home , John the Baptist

“No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of ’” (v4).

Life Group Lesson The Power of Covenant ● Week of January 17 2. How can Scripture (God’s truth coupled with our faith) be a powerful weap- on for covenant people? In this message series, we are learning how God initiates covenant. The power of covenant is strong because it is ultimately demonstrated in the life of the Lord . The points to the starting-point of Jesus’ ministry being when preached the message of turning to God. Though b) Entitlement– In the very place Jesus would give His life (the holy city, Jeru- God’s Son never sinned, Christ humbled Himself in . The salem), tempts Jesus to bypass suffering and enjoy quick validation. identified Jesus as the – the One who will baptize not with water, Jesus responds: but with the Holy Spirit and with fire (see :11, :16, :32- 33). As people responded to John’s message and were baptized, Christ also “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God’” (v7). identified Himself with repentant hearts as He was physically baptized in water. 3. What can happen if we think, “I deserve to be noticed now!” – how does Read Matthew 3:1-3, 11-17 and 4:1-11 the enemy trip us up with this counter-Christ attitude?

Though Christ was in beginning with God (John 1:2) and enjoyed perfect fellow- ship with the Father in Heaven, God’s Spirit led Jesus into a difficult time of testing here on Earth. After being baptized, Jesus battled temptation for forty c) Instant Success – When man sinned in the Garden, the took interim days in the wilderness. Every temptation we face—every appetite, dark desire, control of this world system (value of materialism, worship of achieve- lustful lure of this world—the devil threw in Jesus’ face. ments, secularism, pride-filled philosophies). Satan promised ‘interim glo- ry’ to Jesus, but Jesus fired back: 1. Isn’t it interesting that as soon as Jesus obeyed the Father in baptism, evil was watching and waiting at the next turn? When we desire to draw close “Get out of here, Satan. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD to God, do the right thing, be spiritually-minded in our walk, the enemy also your God and serve only Him’” (v10). moves in close to tempt us. How does baptism (identity with God in Christ) prepare Christ-followers for the battles ahead? 4. How is worship of self actually idolatry?

How have times of testing made you stronger in your walk with Christ? (share briefly an example with your Life Group) Idolatry is disguised in many different ways. But at the end of the day, the wor- ship of idols is ultimately worship of Satan. We ultimately worship who (what) We are all on a journey. Along the way we learn that the power of covenant is we trust. Our plight goes back to the Garden of Eden. Will I trust the voice of strong. And a personal walk with Christ is absolutely necessary if we are going God or will I trust the voice of darkness? It is no wonder, John the Baptist to go-the-distance. Jesus faced everything we do, yet He did not sin. Learn preached an urgent message of . What John shouted to the crowds from Jesus. As Satan looked for Jesus’ vulnerable points and twisted what the in the Judean wilderness, John shouts to us: “Repent of your sins and turn to says, Jesus stands firm on the eternal truth of God’s Word. God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2) – the goes on to say, “And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Riv- a) Appetites– When Jesus was hungry and perhaps at His weakest physically er” (v6). in the desert, Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. But Jesus told him:

Read :27-30

John the Baptist gives witness to Christ, and accurately declares: “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but He has come from heaven and is greater than any- one else” (John 3:31). God sent His Son from heaven because God “wants - ryone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 1:2). Don’t waste time wondering if God loves you. God proved His love for you when God’s Son Text: Matthew 3:13-17, 4:1-11, John 3:27-30 gave His life for you! God continues to prove His love for you every day He gives you another chance to live a life of repentance. At the moment you ask Christ into your heart, you are given a gift– the Holy Spirit who will help you daily turn from sin. Plain Truth: Covenant ______, tests and 5. It has been said, ‘Disciples are not made in a day, but disciples are made daily.’ Over time, choosing to live for Christ on a daily basis transforms us. ______over time. How would you define: choosing to live for Christ? What does that look like? Three Principles:

God is faithful. How has living for Christ (being faithful on your part) proved to others (as well as, to yourself) that there is power in God’s cove- 1. ______nant love?

2. ______

3. ______over time.

One Year Bible Readings January 17: Genesis 35:1-36:43, :1-21, Psalm 15:1-5, Proverbs 3:21-26 January 18: Genesis 37:1-38:30, Matthew 12:22-45, Psalm 16:1-11, Proverbs 3:27-32 January 19: Genesis 39:1-41:16, Matthew 12:46-13:23, Psalm 17:1-15, Prov. 3:33-35 January 20: Genesis 41:17-42:17, :24-46, Psalm 18:1-15, Proverbs 4:1-6 January 21: Genesis 42:18-43:34, Matthew 13:47-14:12, Psalm 18:16-36, Prov. 4:7-10 January 22: Genesis 44:1-45:28, :13-36, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 4:11-13 January 23: Genesis 46:1-47:31, :1-28, Psalm 19:1-14, Proverbs 4:14-19 January 16 & 17, 2021