July 14, 2024
Temptation Pt. 2 | Matt. 4:1-11
Is God Testing Me?
We’re halfway through our study of Jesus’ three temptations. One aspect that often goes unnoticed about this event is His incredible restraint. Such humility! In a situation that might suggest a dramatic "clash of the Titans" with lightning bolts and grandiose speeches, Jesus' response to Satan’s second temptation is remarkably succinct—just one line. Talk about understated! How might humility influence the way you resist temptation?
Songs for this week: Spotify
- Recall a time when you felt like God failed you. Share that story.
- On a scale of 1-10, how important is it to you that people respect you? How do you handle disrespect from others?
- Satan quotes the Bible! What steps can Christians take to ensure they don’t misuse the truths of the Bible?
- Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6, which references a story in Exodus 17. Find that story. Explain how God experienced that as a test of His goodness and why that was a problem.
- Are you testing God in your life with conditional statements like, “God, if you do this, then I’ll do that”? What might be a better approach to the difficult situations you face?
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Recent Sermons
Like Our Rabbi Jesus has much to say about how life is intended to be lived. We’re always learning; that means, consciously or otherwise, we have teachers. Jesus warns that some teachers are dangerous! They are like the blind leading the blind. In the end, you will become like your teacher. Choose wisely.
Romans 12:1-2 - Jesus’ invitation is to follow him: to be with him, become like him, and do what he did. We surrender control to Jesus, resist the pattern of the world that shapes us, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit for transformation.
Mark 1:16-18 -We begin our series on Practicing the Way—exploring how Jesus’ rhythms of prayer, fasting, solitude, and Sabbath invite ordinary people to grow in grace and intimacy with God
Acts 17:16-34 -Paul shares the hope of Jesus in everyday language, guiding seekers toward truth and showing where their search for God had gone astray.
Acts 13:1-5 -The first Christians had small groups! They knew, because Jesus modelled it, that we’re much better in groups than we are as individuals. The group that gathered in Antioch was diverse, zoned in on Jesus and figuring out how to be outward-facing. Your own group will want all that and more!
Acts 8:9-25 - Simon put on a good show (literally!), but his heart was full of bitterness. He wasn’t healthy and wasn’t taking the steps to be healthy. What about us today?
