The recent revelation a prominent evangelical preacher had a relationship with a male prostitute brings out a dark parody of the depravation of our nation. The male prostitute came forward with his “story” to expose the hypocrisy of the preacher. Clearly, the Bible shows that hypocrisy is a sin. "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:8). There is nothing men will do that is not revealed to Jehovah. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). “For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

While hypocrisy is a sinful thing and the hidden actions of a man will not go without penalty from God, it should not be lost on anyone that homosexuality is a perverted act condemned before God as much as hypocrisy. Our depraved nation exalts a male prostitute as a spokesman and representative of a case of hypocrisy while failing to feel righteous indignation and shame of homosexuality. Be clear that neither Haggard nor Jones are innocent! “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). Without repentance and turning to Lord, all men will be cast into eternal damnation (Matthew 25:41,46; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Revelation 20:14,15; 21:8)

Homosexuality is the perversion of the marriage bond between a man and a woman. “The men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:27-32).

False religion, drugs, immorality, lying, hypocrisy, adultery, murder – “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Lawlessness is the breaking of the eternal law that will not change. Our nation may embrace homosexuality and lesbians but the Creator never has nor will He ever. The putridity of our moral conscience will destroy us one day. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, all the nations that forget God” (Psalms 9:17). The only hope our nation has is Jehovah God. “Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah; the people He has chosen for His inheritance” (Psalms 33:12). back to top

The Value of Taking a Drink

Alcohol has always been a demon that plagues man with its sparkle and alluring appeal to the desires of the flesh. Noah planted a vineyard and “drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent” (Genesis 9:21). The children of Israel did not take long to fall head-long into licentiousness at Mt. Sinai with their debauchery (Exodus 32). King David tried to cover his own sin with Bathsheba by bringing Uriah home from the war and getting him drunk; supposing Uriah would go home and sleep with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:12,13). David sinned when he got Uriah drunk (Habakkuk 2:15). King Elah was killed by Zimri because he was drunk (1 Kings 16:8,10). Countless lives have been destroyed because of alcohol.

The Lord said in Proverbs 20:1 – “Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Alcohol has an appeal that is only a veneer hiding pain and sorrow. The wise man suggested that those who linger at the wine are not wise. Drinking wine and intoxicating drink is stupid. The value of drinking means a person has become very dull in their minds, insensible, senseless and wanting in understanding. King Lemuel’s mother instructed him that drinking is not for kings nor princes “lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted (Proverbs 31:4,5). If you want to die – drink (Proverbs 31:6,7).

The value of drinking is found in the pleasure afterwards. “So says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel: Drink and be drunk, and vomit, and fall, and rise no more … Make him drunk … wallow in his vomit” (Jeremiah 25:27; 48:26). That is not a picture of a Christian seeking to let Christ shine in their lives. The character of a child of God does not fit with drinking. We are commanded to “not be drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Christians who drink grieve the Holy Spirit (and you really do not want to grieve the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 4:30).

Some Christians defend “social drinking” on the basis that the Lord condemns drunkenness and as long as they do not get drunk, they are pleasing God. Drunkenness is a sin and condemned by God (Galatians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 5:1; Romans 13:13). Taking a drink of alcohol is not sinful as it can be used for the “stomach’s sake” (1 Timothy 5:23). Social drinking is not medicinal; it’s social. The reasons given for social drinking will also apply to social fornication – better known as “petting.” As long as I do not commit the act of fornication, I can do whatever I want? God forbid! “For let fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness not be once named among you, as becomes saints … no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous one (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:3-5).

The value of drinking is rooted in the desires of the flesh and these desires make one an enemy of God (1 John 2:15-17). “They who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). Christians walk in such a manner to “please God” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). The soul that lingers long at the wine, going in search of mixed wine when it is red and sparkles in the cup will only find the bite of the serpent, the sting of the viper among many woes, sorrows, contentions, complaints and wounds without cause (Proverbs 23:29-35). It is hard enough to fight sin sober; why do you compromise your soul? back to top

COME TO OUR GOSPEL MEETING WITH DENNIS TUCKER

MARCH 19 – 25

7:30PM EACH NIGHT

You are invited to a GOSPEL MEETING beginning Sunday at the Trenton Church of Christ, 502 NE 7^th Street, Trenton. The church is located next to the Medic-Ayers Rehabilitation Center. We have invited Dennis Tucker to preach a series of lessons from the word of God. Many will remember Dennis & Regina Tucker as they worked with the Trenton Church of Christ a number of years ago. A GOSPEL MEETING is a time of REVIVAL for those who enjoy an honest study of the Bible. Nothing is presented but the simple truth of what can be found in the pages of God’s word.

Can we understand the Bible together? Many feel that the Bible is hard to understand and the reason for different beliefs is the Bible is too difficult to read and comprehend. We challenge that thought in believing that honest people can come to agreement on what the Bible says. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:3-4, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” The apostle shows the simple manner the word of God is revealed to man. He wrote down what was revealed and he then encouraged his listeners to read what he had written down. His conclusion was they could understand what he had written down.

Our aim during this meeting or revival is to ask two things of you: (1) Bring your Bible and your family; (2) Open your Bible and study with us as we unfold the mind of God from His word. When you visit you will find a warm welcome and encouragement to study the word of God. Many churches today spend a lot of time entertaining the audience with concerts, plays and such like with little or no emphasis upon learning what the Bible teaches. We offer no bands or play or feast but only an honest study of the word of God.

Have you hungered for the simple teaching of the Bible? Many people are finding the veneer of religion today unfulfilling as there is no Bible teaching. At every service of the Trenton Church of Christ, we open the Bible and study from it. We seek to learn more and more with each occasion of our gathering both public and private. You are hungering for the truth of God’s word! We do not suppose to know all the answers but only the answers as we can find them together in the word of God. The wonderful power of God’s message is that we study together and learn together and grow together in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18).

This GOSPEL MEETING is an opportunity for you to learn more about the Church of Christ at Trenton. We hold the truth of God as the foundation of what we do and why we do what we do. Bring your Bible, your family and your hunger to learn about God’s word. You will be happily surprised at how refreshing it is to study the Bible once again. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16). back to top

Our Purpose in Life

In October of 2005, C. D. Moore of Bell, Florida offered a prayer at a gathering of saints at the Cherry Sink Church of Christ. In the course of the prayer he offered, he made the following statement: “Lord, help us to remember what our purpose in life is – the privilege to serve the Lord.” Few thoughts sum up the total of man than the truth of how privileged we are to be considered worthy to approach the throne of God. Men in their pride and arrogance have slain those who would dare enter their courts without permission (Esther 4:11). People of God have a Father who entreats His children to come into His presence to lay their anxious hearts before Him (Philippians 4:6,7). Those who follow the Son of God have a single purpose in life: to serve the King!

What a imposing thought to consider in the mind of man. We stand before the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16) to serve Him and to obey His every command. As servants of the Most High God we have dedicated our lives to follow Him who rides upon a white horse whose name is Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11-16). Jesus Christ is our King and His Father is the Almighty whom we find the summation of our life filled within our breath. It is a privilege to serve Him. It is an awesome thing to consider Him we serve. Moses said, "Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11).

The mercy of God has allowed us to have this benefit - this blessing. Mortal man has been given the opportunity to serve the immortal Creator of this world who holds our breath in His hand (Daniel 5:23). We serve Him because He loved us enough to give His only begotten Son to die for our sins (John 3:16). Our allegiance is borne upon the blood given at Golgotha, the place of the skull (John 19:17). The servitude we offer to God is only dust on the debt of redemption. God has allowed in His infinite mercy to seek men to worship Him and by His grace we are allowed to enter into His holy court.

Our purpose in life is not about my needs and my wants. The reason behind our motives, our wants, our needs and our course of life is governed by the humble realization that we serve a risen Savior. We did not earn this right. There was nothing we could do that would offer this entrance before God. The Jews proved it could not be done by the written law and the Gentiles showed it could not be done as a law to themselves (Romans 2). Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:9 that God “has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” Glory to God for this rich blessing of being able to serve a loving Father.

Children of God serve the Lord through the blessing of the grace of God. When it enters the mind of men to forget this grace, lost is the blessing of God. All that we are and all that we can become will only be found in the knowledge that our purpose in life is a single thought: the privilege to serve the Lord. When our life ends and we are ushered before the great and holy presence of Jehovah, these words will ring in our hearts throughout the eternal ages: “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23). back to top

The Crown That Does Not Fade Away

These are great days in “Gator Nation.” The University of Florida won its first National Basketball championship and as a person of the “Orange & Blue”, pride (the good kind) runs deep. There will be speeches, awards, parades and a feeling of euphoria for many days to come in Gainesville, Florida. Vendors will sell wares touting the accomplishment, placards will be hung establishing the victory and the National Championship trophy will be placed in a monument of glass so that all may come and gaze upon its grand edifice. And then time will continue on.

These days remind me of another time. What was the year Florida won the National Championship in football? No doubt many will remember but not as many as used to. It seems to have faded into more and more obscurity in our minds. There are no more parades for that victory or speeches given. The trophy is also encased in a monument of glass and many walk by to note the date and the time and for some to remember they were in Elementary school at the time. Time does that to trophies. They have to be dusted, cleaned, polished and protected. Over time the euphoria fades into a distant memory shared only by old men and women who remember those days long ago.

Paul used sports as a point of lesson in his letter to Corinth. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). The prize in the Roman times was a garland or civic wreath “made of olive, pine, apple, laurel, or parsley that would soon lose its beauty and fade; of course, it could be of little value” (Albert Barnes). How fleeting these crowns became.

The crown of righteousness is given to those who eagerly wait for it and look for it (2 Timothy 4:8) and this crown will not fade away. Peter declares in 1 Peter 1:3,4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” Our hope is not in a crown that fades away but one that is eternal. It will not perish. It cannot be defiled.

The joy of our eternal reward is the euphoria received in death as we awaken to the face of God will never end. The crown of life bestows upon us the joy of salvation, “joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). “I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (John 16:22). “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

The rewards of men fade and collect dust. The trophy will be placed in a secure setting to keep it from thieves. Our hearts turn to the reward that never fades. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). back to top

Wal-Mart’s Broken Mountain

The world in which we live is a much changed world from years gone by. There was a time that homosexuality and sexual perversion was kept in the confines of its shameful conduct in the “red-light districts” of town. Immorality of this level was not spoken of in Godly societies but looked upon with disgraceHeHeatonHea. Children were protected from its vile curse. Now you can enter one of the most prolific retail stores in the world and there boldly displayed for all to see (and buy) is a movie depicting two cowboys who engage in homosexual relations. The movie “Brokeback Mountain” is not kept in the back room of the “adult only” video store or shameful part of town; it can be bought along side “Lady and The Tramp.” Of course, the Tramp in Disney’s movie is nothing more than a flirting dog.

This is not so much about Wal-Mart as it is about where our country and society have come. These matters do not surprise us nor should they. Retail stores are in the money business and Wal-Mart is cashing in on the popular venues of the day. Godly people should still be moved to resentment at the openness that homosexuality has gained in our world. It will become more difficult to reign in the thoughts and hearts of the world to the gospel of Christ when the world has become a haven of sexual perversion and immorality.

The Holy Spirit shows the kind of world we live in from Paul’s writing of 2 Timothy 3:1-4: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” Men no longer live for God and they no longer trust in God. When men become lovers of self, they disregard God’s law. It becomes a matter of money and material gain. Their boasting and arrogance raises their minds to revile against the Creator.

The moral decadence of our society has risen to destroy the family as children rebel against the parent figure, without gratitude of blessings given to them from God and live lives filled with unholy conduct. There is no control in the lives of kids who commit brutal acts upon others and despise those who stand for what is good and right. The world is filled with people who love pleasure rather than love God. Why should we be surprised when sexual immorality abounds with homosexuals, pedophiles, rapists and the like?

The Lord taught the principle of sowing and reaping in Galatians 6:7,8 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” We are reaping the rewards of a mountain once called a great nation that is crumbling under the broken promises of unrighteousness. “Brokeback Mountain” will be the axiom that describes the destruction of our nation.

“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). The only holy union that Jehovah recognizes is a man and woman joined in a holy marriage bed. back to top

What Are You Looking For In A Church?

The freedom of investigation is a powerful tool to find what we want in life. What do you look for when you are searching for a church home? Do you use the power of investigation to search out the different types of churches in the area and what makes them unique? How wonderful it is to live in a country that allows freedom of investigation in religion.

What do you look for in a church? Many people look for fun and recreation. Others look for acceptance within the roles of society. Some look for a church that will give answers to all the questions in life. There are those who look for deeper meaning within the framework of the church. Everyone comes looking for different things in a church. What do you find when you look for a church? The answers are legion because with the diversity of religions in America, you can find almost any group of worshippers that would give acceptance to any type of theology.

How do you answer, “What are you looking for in a church?” Is it possible to respond to that question from the perspective of the individual? Should this question be answered from the view of God or man? What is the type of church you are looking for? Who is to answer the inquiry? How can we determine the answer to such puzzling questions? The apostle Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16,17) The answer is within the pages of God’s word.

What you should look for in a church is what is found in God’s word. When we begin to measure our desires and wants with what we look for in a church, we will find what we are looking for. Did you hear that? It is not what God wants but we find what we are looking for. Jesus did not purchase the church with His blood (Acts 20:28) so that we could pattern the church anyway we choose. The church that is God’s church is the church patterned after His will and His will alone.

The church of the New Testament is not a church that draws people with recreation, fun and games. (Ephesians 3:9-11) It is not an organization that seeks to please the ears of men (2 Timothy 4:1-4) and to make them feel comfortable in their sin. (1 Corinthians 5) The bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33) is not given to men to spoil with their dogmas and doctrines of self-seeking wants.

Are you looking for a church that is based upon the teachings of the Bible and not men? Are you looking for a church that is patterned after the worship of the New Testament? Will you look for a group of people who want to speak where the Bible speaks in every thing they do? Would you be willing to find a church that is open to investigation and seeks those who want to ask questions and discuss the Bible together? Is it possible to find a church that cares about the souls of people more than their stomachs or pocket books? Can you find a church that will not allow sin to be excused nor condoned? Are you looking for a church that is founded on love and devotion to the cause of Jesus Christ? What are you looking for? We want to help! back to top

The Small Things

In April of 1990, the $1.6 billion Hubble Space telescope was launched into orbit with great anticipation. It was discovered upon deployment that something was very wrong. The problem was a few 25-cent washers that technicians used to fill in a gap in an optical testing device had shaken loose. The cost of the rescue mission to fix Hubble was $86 million. It is hard to believe how something so small can cause such damage and bring about such costly repairs. Small things matter.

James reminds us of the small fire kindled by a loose tongue. “Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also. Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth. So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire” (James 3:3-5). The tongue is a little member but how much damage can be done when not used properly. Careless words can be few but start a conflagration of hurt and destruction.

It must also be remembered that a few words can encourage and lift up the spirits of the downtrodden. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). Paul wrote the brethren at Thessalonica to “encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing … encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:11-14). This type of encouragement does not take many words. Words fitly spoken for those who need to be uplifted can be of such value to the work of the Lord.

Small things take on the importance of sharing the gospel of Christ. Jesus set the pattern in John 4 when He spoke to the woman at the well. From this discussion with one woman, “Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’ … many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world" (John 4:39-42). How many people can tell the story of their conversion from the small beginning of a tract, a radio program, a bulletin article, a caring heart that helped them find the truth?

Elijah became discouraged with the work of the Lord in 1 Kings 19 and desired the Lord to take his life. As he sat in his despair, Jehovah comes to him “and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12). The problem with Elijah was he thought the will of Jehovah had to be accomplished with great things (see 1 Kings 17 & 18 for examples of great deeds); he was reminded that the will of the Lord can be accomplished with one man if the Lord so desires.

Small things matter to God: A cup of water (Matthew 25:31-46); little children (Matthew 18:1-6); one soul (Luke 9:25); one sheep, one coin, one boy (Luke 15). You (John 3:16). back to top

Walking in Light

Man was not created to live in darkness. His makeup was created to dwell in the light. Many animals are adapted to live in the darkness. The Owl was created by God to hunt for food at night. Man can adapt to live in darkness but must rely on light to help him survive. As in the physical world, man was not created to live in the spiritual world of darkness. Through the power of Satan the world is cast into a veil of darkness called sin. Paul describes the battle in Ephesians 6:12 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

As children of God we must remember that we once were slaves of sin and darkness (Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9). By the grace of God and His mercy we have been set free from the bondage of sin to walk in light. Putting on the armor of light we walk in the light. “The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). Putting on the armor of light affords us the challenge to walk in the light. “Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:7-14).

Walking in light demands that darkness is put off. Children of God live for Him who said, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12; John 1:4,5). We once were in darkness but no more – walk in light. This shows the action of the Christian’s life as the fruit of the Spirit is borne in the hearts of God’s people (“goodness, righteousness and truth”). Those who walk in light seek to walk in such a manner to please the Lord. This includes having nothing to do with those things of the world that represent the darkness. All that is in the world is darkness (1 John 2:15-17). As children of light we follow in the light of God.

Walking in the light means we are walking in love and in wisdom. “Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma … Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:2; 15-16). Walking in love is to separate oneself from the lust of the flesh (Ephesians 5:3-5; 18) and to present our lives as a “sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2). We walk in wisdom through fellowship one with another (Ephesians 5:19-21).

John writes of the fellowship of walking in the light in 1 John 1:5-7. “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” What a glorious thing it is to walk in LIGHT! back to top

Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone

When Satan began his temptation against Christ, he challenged God’s Son with the enticement of the physical state of hunger. Jesus had been fasting and “He was hungry” (Luke 4:2). And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone'” (Luke 4:3-4). The answer of Jesus resonates from the book of Deuteronomy when Jehovah is declaring to the children of Israel their need to trust in the Almighty. In Deuteronomy 8, the Lord admonishes the people to be obedient to His commandments and to remember how He had brought them through the wilderness to humble them and test their hearts. "He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3).

The temptation of Jesus is critical to His willingness to be obedient to the Father. Phil Roberts pointed out that if Jesus could not endure the trials of Satan at the temptation, He could never endure the agony of the cross. The temptation tests the obedience of Jesus. The intense hunger following a fast of forty days was immense from the physical standpoint. How could Jesus endure such a desire to fill the flesh with nourishment? “He was hungry.” It was within His power to turn stones to bread and to prepare a great feast before Him to crush the raging hunger He felt. Jesus knew that while the power was there; the will of the Father was not.

The testing of the children of Israel was to show them the need of trusting in God. Jehovah had led them in the wilderness for forty years and fed them with manna (which they despised – Numbers 21:5). They had to trust in God for their sustenance which showed their willingness to follow His commands. Jesus was being tested by Satan to disregard the command of God and fill His belly with what He wanted. Jesus resisted to the obedience of the Father. “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

Jesus victory at the temptation was His belief that – in the midst of a fiery trial of physical hunger – He could not disobey the Father. He committed Himself to the word of God. He devoted Himself to “every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3). His refusal of the offer of Satan was the path to the cross – the course of final victory for Himself and for all mankind. In the garden He prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus accepted the will of the Father because He had already accepted the will of the Father in the beginning.

Our temptations are measured by the things of the world that would draw us away from trusting God. We love God so much and trust Him so little believing that we must make our own way in life. Jesus gives us the example of trusting in the word of God in every part of our lives. Through His faith in the word of God, Jesus defeated the devil at the temptation, the garden and the cross. Through the word of God we too can defeat the devil in every temptation brought against us (1 Corinthians 10:13); the lonely hours in the garden (Romans 8:31-39) and the burden of the cross we bear daily (Luke 14:27). back to top