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Into The Wilderness
Sunday 22nd February

Scripture - We believe this is God-breathed and inspired. Jesus had a high view of scripture, as we will see, for he quoted it in defence against evil. Secondly, both Peter and Paul had a high view of scripture and even in 2 Timothy 4:3 warns that some will abandon sound doctrine for teachings that suit their desires. 

Paul suspected that some churches appeared to teach their own ideas rather than the Gospel, disregarding its relevance.  Paul urges Timothy to teach the word, not popular or desired topics, emphasising that Scripture is eternally applicable (Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11). 

Additionally, he wrote to the church in Rome (chapter 1) and Thessalonica and he wrote to the church in Galatia. Asking “Why would we reject spiritual truths for a lie, reject God’s word in favour of the world’s point of view?” Of course, this won’t be popular with some. 

Paul writes  “As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Galatians 1:9-10 NRSV

Today we must hold firm to the knowledge that the Bible is sufficient for all spiritual needs, yet many substitute it with psychology, self-help books, prophecies, mysticism, or personal ideas. Such substitutes suggest the Bible isn't enough. We believe that it is sufficient for salvation and sanctification.

Paul states that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness—like a Father guiding us through growth in Christ. The goal? He highlights that the man of God, typically a pastor but true of all Christians, should be capable and fully equipped for every good work, showing Scripture's sufficiency. This means no other resource is needed; Scripture can build and give inheritance to believers. A high view of Scripture also includes believing in its authority—it's God's own word, and preaching should proclaim it with divine authority. Believers are urged to obey Scripture as the ultimate standard, reflecting a life of submission to God's Word. Our church affirms the Bible’s inspiration, relevance, sufficiency, and authority, trusting it to guide all aspects of faith and life.

Let’s open in Luke chapter 4

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ” Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ” Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.”

Luke 4:1-15 NRSV

My three points will conclude what we can we learn from Christ? How he was Full of and being led by the Spirit, understanding the Power of the word and finally the power of the Spirit.

Introduction 

After his baptism in the Jordan River, Jesus is driven by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days of testing. This mirrors the journey of ancient Israel, which crossed the Red Sea and then wandered in the desert for 40 years. Surrounded by arid rocks and dust, Jesus faces a series of temptations from a mysterious deceiver known as "the Devil" (Greek: diabolos, also called "the Satan" or "the adversary," Matt. 4:1). 

Just as God tested Israel in the wilderness to strengthen their faith, Satan aims to harm Jesus with three cunning tests designed to sow doubt and lead him away from the Father. 

This is the trick of Satan from the beginning.

First, Jesus, hungry after 40 days, is tempted to turn rocks into bread—an appeal to trust himself rather than God, echoing Israel's own struggles with trust in the wilderness (see Exod. 16:1-3). Jesus counters by depending solely on the Father. Then, Satan twists a biblical psalm (see Ps. 91:11-12) to tempt Jesus to leap from a high place, expecting the Father to save him—paralleling Israel’s testing of God (see Exod. 17:2; Num. 14:20-23). Jesus refuses to test God's faithfulness (Matt. 4:7). Lastly, Satan offers Jesus a shortcut to kingship in exchange for allegiance—an alluring deal Jesus rejects, choosing instead to serve only God the Father, contrasting sharply with his ancestors who worshipped a golden calf in the wilderness (see Exod. 32:1-6).

In each test, Jesus listens to God's voice speaking through the Scriptures, countering Satan by quoting words from Moses about faithfulness to God alone (see Deut. 6:13, 16; 8:3). So Jesus passes the tests, avoiding Satan's traps and showing himself to be a true Israelite-one who listens to God and follows his instruction.

The temptations Jesus faced echoed those met by Adam and Eve to eat the fruit when tempted by the serpent: the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. John recalls this as the things the world has to offer. But they are passing away and those who live this way do not know the love of the Father.

John writes.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.”

1 John 2:15-17 NRSV

Point 1 being filled and led by the Spirit.

Paul writes that the Spirit leading us is the answer to not fulfilling the works of the flesh. This happens by setting our mind on the things of the Spirit. Ultimately Paul concludes that those led by the Spirit are the true sons and daughters of God. The temptation to the hungry saviour was preceded by the question - “if you are the Son of God” Knowing that we are led by the Spirit and not the flesh, helps us not fall for the lie that we belong to the Father. 

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason, the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. 

Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. 

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.”

Romans 8:1-17 NRSV

2. The power of the word.

Jesus, first of all knows the scripture he knows what they say about him. This knowledge enables him to use it as his key defence against temptations. 

Paul wrote that faith comes from hearing the words of Christ, and we are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, and as Christ said what comes out of our mouths shows the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

Hebrews Chapter 4  

“Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.”

Hebrews 4:12-13 NRSV

The final point is the power of the Spirit.

After facing temptations Jesus returns from the wilderness and begins his mission. Luke comments that Jesus is full of the Power or the Spirit.

Paul knew that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God and linked this with the defence against the wiles of the devil.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.”

Ephesians 6:10-20 NRSV

Close

What challenges do we face today? Some may originate from within our own hearts—such as doubts, fears, or temptations—while others stem from external sources like societal pressures or spiritual opposition. How can we discern the source of these tests? The word of God, living and powerful, along with the Holy Spirit, helps us distinguish between what is spiritual and what are fleshly desires.

Let us put on the full armour of God, which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace as our footwear, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Have we been filled with the Holy Spirit? Are we being led by the Spirit in our daily decisions? Are we utilising all the spiritual tools available to us—such as prayer, scripture, and faith—to stand firm? Are we allowing the word of God to be our shield and defence? And are we continually seeking to be filled anew with the power of the Spirit?

What specific temptations confront us today—such as materialism, temptation to compromise, or 'quick fix' solutions? How can we rely on God's strength and the armour of faith to overcome these challenges and remain steadfast in our walk with Christ? 

Like Christ let us be filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit and walk in the power of the Spirit.