Turning Stones Into Bread

Luke 4:1-4
Scripture Reading: Luke 4:1-4 (NKJV)
"Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.' But Jesus answered him, saying, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'"
Introduction:
Scripture Reading: Romans 15:4 (NKJV)
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."
Bread symbolizes personal pleasure and satisfaction-basic human needs that God understands. In contrast, a stone represents hardship, inconvenience, and delay. Jesus had the right to eat, so what was wrong with the devil's suggestion?
Main Points:
The Problem of Unauthorized Actions
Not Forbidden, but Unauthorized: The issue wasn't that turning stones into bread was forbidden, but that God hadn't authorized it.
Temptation to Doubt God’s Provision: The devil tempted Jesus to doubt His Father's provision and purposes and to act outside of them.
Choosing Desire Over God's Will: This temptation was about prioritizing personal desires over God's will. Our goal is not to please ourselves but to honor God.
Galatians 1:10 (NKJV)
"For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ."
Facing Temptation in Real Life
Loneliness: Instead of dealing with loneliness constructively, we might rush into a relationship for quick relief.
Compromise for Gain: Seeking a job or promotion by compromising our integrity, such as being asked to sleep with someone for a job.
Desperation for Children: Facing childlessness by deciding to have a child outside God’s intended way.
Financial Manipulation: Using financial struggles to manipulate others for sympathy instead of trusting God.
Worshiping Our Desires Over God's Purpose
Seeking Quick Escapes: We often look for quick escapes from discomfort, prioritizing immediate relief over God's purpose.
Spiritual Weakness: This tendency keeps us spiritually weak and less impactful in the world.
Luke 4:4 (NKJV)
"But Jesus answered him, saying, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'"
Conclusion:
When faced with situations where we are tempted to turn stones into bread, we should ask ourselves: How can my situation bring glory to God? The goal is not just to escape difficult situations but to honor God with our lives. We don't worship our needs and desires but worship God alone.
Let us pray for the strength to resist the temptation to prioritize our desires over God's will and trust in His provision and purpose for our lives. Amen.
Turning Stones Into Bread, Spiritual Strength, Trust in God, Honor God, Resist Temptation, Faith Over Desires, Biblical Teaching, Christian Living, God's Provision, Spiritual Growth, Unauthorized Actions, Doubting God's Provision, Prioritizing God's Will, Real-Life Temptations, Worshiping Desires, Seeking Quick Escapes, Spiritual Weakness, Glorifying God, Christian Faith, Overcoming Hardship
#TurningStonesIntoBread #SpiritualStrength #TrustInGod #HonorGod #ResistTemptation #FaithOverDesires #BiblicalTeaching #ChristianLiving #GodsProvision #SpiritualGrowth

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Jesus was tempted with a need that was within his right and power to have. But His response was authorised by the word of God and not His right...
Endurance will help us develop the strength and stamina to sustain the success ahead of us.
When we choose to turn the stone into bread, we end up developing a pattern of self-sufficiency and self-reliance eve what God has called and anointed us for
We can and we will be led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. So even in the evil we face God is present with us and still holds all authority and He also trust that we will pursue His Will for us even when we are tempted.
These are most thoughts i leave with in this sermon. There is a lot to digest.
Thank you Ps Kelvin