Church of The Open Door

Fighting for Your Life

“Bleeding Knees and Planting Seeds”

Luke 4:14-22

The majority of mothering is behind the scenes.

Some of the greatest things mothers do are hidden in obscurity.

The pain of mothering is often unseen.

Some of the greatest pain in life happens in mothering.

The ministry of mothering is planting seeds.

Mothers create the habits of the home.

Moms, make it a habit of your home to go to church.

We plant seeds by what we say, what we do and what we pray.

Moms, your greatest ministry is to pray for your kids.

The battle of mothering is won on your knees.

Some of the greatest battles ever, happen in prayer.

Never forget: the battle belongs to God. Nothing can stand against the power of our God!

Fighting for Your Life

“Throwdown in the Desert”

Luke 4:9-13

Satan takes Jesus to a high point

A place Jesus had been before: Luke 2:49

Satan follows the “if” with a “what if”

Satan challenges Jesus to prove something to:

God: He acknowledges his sonship, He cares, He’s present

People: you are their Messiah

Prove it how?

Jump = “Throw yourself down from here” (ESV)

The invitation = “follow me”

The backstory = (Isaiah 14:12-15|Luke 10:18-20)

Satan quotes scripture to prove his point: Psalm 91:11-12

Jesus takes Satan to a low point

A place Satan had been before…Exodus 17

Jesus doesn’t debate, he debunks = “expose the sham”

What Jesus proves:

He is the Rock immovable & miraculous - 1 Corinthians 10

His complete trust is in the Father - Psalm 91:1-4

The “if” lived out means victory - Psalm 91:9-13

Ringside lessons regarding testing and temptation:

It will continue - Mark 1:13, Matt. 16:22-25: 27:40-43

It will divide us from or deepen us in - developing faith that can move mountains (Matt. 17:20-21)

It will expose the source for our

Hunger = the Word (Jesus)

Worship = the Father

Thirst = the Spirit

It will empower God’s indwelling Spirit anew for what lies ahead

 

Core CHRIST-like Characteristics:  Connected to God through the Word and prayer, Heart of Worship, Spirit-led servant.

Friday Focus:  Join us Sunday for the final round of 3: the Throwdown in the Desert! Jesus and Satan have been battling and in this last round, the Devil pulls some punches he has not thrown before.  Are you ready for the next unexpected swing the enemy has for you?  Are you trained up and ready to cover when it matters most?  Come ringside Sunday to watch and learn from the greatest Fighter who ever lived and still lives: Jesus Christ!

Fighting for Your Life

“What to Watch for When Tempted”

Luke 4:5-8

In every temptation there is a bigger picture and a greater danger than you can see.

That’s why Jesus repeatedly warned his disciples to watch…

Watch out for what Satan does:

Watch out for:

where Satan tries to take you

what Satan tries to show you

what Satan tries to say to you

what Satan tries to promise you

where Satan tries to attack you

Satan’s temptation is an attack on Jesus’ relationship with the Father.

what the greater danger is:

intimacy with God; ability to save

Watch what Jesus does:

Fights with the Sword of the Spirit: the Word of God

To use the Word we have to know the Word

Watch for the bigger picture:

Character of God

Will we trust God?

Jesus’ response is an affirmation of His relationship with the Father.

Worship deepens

Worship of God

Everyone worships something or someone.

Worshipping God is our response of love and loyalty to Him alone for who He is and what He’s done.

Worship is a choice.

Fighting for Your Life

“Stone into Bread ”

Luke 4:2b-4

● Jesus’ first temptation had everything to do with __________________________ God’s best.

○ The desire to _________________ comfort above God’s plan.

● God’s Word is how we do _________________.

○ What we put in _________________ how we live out.

● The ISRAEL → JESUS connection

○ 40 ____________ → 40 ________

○ Experienced _________________ → Experienced _________________

○ 12 ____________________ → 12 ____________________________

○ Israel __________________ → Jesus ______________________

● Israel was given manna to show that God is ____________ even in the wilderness.

● We have to trust God in the midst of our wilderness experience.

● Paradigm shift: Instead of thinking about how to __________________ of temptation, we need to think about how to __________________ through it.

● God is calling us to: Trust His lead and embrace the place

○ TRUST that God has a ____________ for your life.

○ EMBRACE the wilderness ________________ in your life.

● Our flesh may ____________ but our God, He never ____________.

Scripture References:

Deuteronomy 8:2-3; Luke 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:2-4; Matthew 6:25-34; 1 John 2:12-14

Fighting for Your Life

“Greatest Fight of All Time”

Luke 4:1-2a

The Reality of Temptation

Temptations were real for Jesus, so he knows how it feels and is able to help.

Temptation is not sin; giving in is.

Temptation is a fight for your life

You’re not fighting to get or keep eternal life

You’re fighting the attack on abundant life

The Purpose of Temptation

Satan’s purpose: He tempts us to defeat us, discourage us, destroy our walk with God

God’s purpose: He tests us to prepare us, deepen us, strengthen our walk with Him

Every temptation is a test of our trust in God.

Every temptation is an opportunity to grow stronger in God.

The Setting of Temptation

Wilderness times: Often when we are depleted or isolated

Exciting times: coming off an exhilarating

The Effects of Temptation

In every temptation you strengthen or weaken:

Your intimacy with God

Your trust in God

Your ability to fight

The Defeat of Temptation

The Word of God

The Spirit of God

Easter 2023

“Easter Questions”

John 20

Easter raises a lot of questions that need to be addressed.

Why should I believe that Jesus was resurrected?

The Empty Tomb

Even with huge stone securing it

Even with soldiers guarding it

The Body of Jesus

Dead®buried®missing®alive

Produce dead body=disprove resurrection

The Grave Clothes

Empty

Unmoved

 

The Eyewitnesses

Ten separate appearances

Over 500 people

The Changed Lives

From grief to joy

From cowering to courage

From despair to hope

From ________ to _________

What should I do because Jesus was resurrected?

Trust Jesus

Follow Jesus

Prep Time

A cosmic collision in the water

Luke 3:21-38

Heresies and the Heart: why would Jesus be baptized?

Two reasons a person might believe that Jesus sinned.

Irresponsible interpretation of scripture

A desire to keep distance from Jesus

_____________________________

Easter Eggs and other curiosities: the questions that Luke forces us to ask

Your question________________________________________________

 

Luke is trying to draw the reader’s attention to the Exodus story as the backdrop

Homeless birds and broke people: retracing the story of god’s people

As Jesus prepares for his ministry God is also preparing his people to hear his call.

Cake Batter: The genealogy that ties it all together.

The genealogy serves two purposes

Verifying the truth claim that Jesus is the Son of God

To ground his Title to all of humanity

The Bird King: a peculiar inauguration

 

The Baptism of Jesus was both the beginning of his ministry, and also served as a sign that the King was taking humanity by the hand and guiding us towards the Kingdom

Identity and identification: Fully God Fully Human

Jesus’ identity is the Son of God

Jesus identifies with the Children of God

Stirring the muddy water: the heart of baptism

 

Being baptized in Christ means being immersed in the depths of both human need and God's love.

Prep Time

“Born and raised”

Luke 3: 21-37

NOTES:

Christlike characteristics: Relates with other centered love.

Life group questions:

1: How was love and encouragement (or lack of) expressed from your parents?

2: How has love and encouragement (or lack of) been expressed to you by God?

3: Read Eph. 1:4-14. How many things can you find that God says about our identity/who we are? How do these things line up with your view of yourself/ others?

4: Read Jeremiah 31:3. How has God’s everlasting love for you (even when you sin) shaped your love for others (even when they sin)?

5: Who is someone who needs reminded that you love them?

6: Who is someone that needs reminded you are proud of them?

*End group by texting or calling those people and reminding them of your love or how they’ve made a difference in your life.

Prep Time

Identity Crisis

Luke 3:21-38

Jesus' baptism revealed truth about

Revealed his HUMANITY

Revealed his DEITY

Jesus' baptism reveals truth about us.

God is pleased with YOU because of who you are, not what you’ve

Jesus shows us that we can be fully human and fully loved at the same time.

Scripture References:

John 1:39; Matthew 3:14; Galatians 2:20; Romans 5:12; 15-17

Prep Time

“HE>i”

Luke 3:15-20

Prepping the way for Jesus is living a “HE>i” kind of life.

When you live a “HE>i” kind of life:

You point people to Jesus.

Deal with the seduction of success.

Live a Jesus-focused life.

Talk about Jesus.

You welcome the Holy Spirit poured out by Jesus.

The filling of the Spirit empowers us to witness.

The fire of the Spirit purifies our hearts.

The sword of the Spirit judges our motives.

The conviction of the Spirit invites our surrender.

You share the good news of Jesus.

Who Jesus is.

What Jesus says.

What Jesus did.

You are ready to suffer for Jesus.

Jesus is worthy.

Jesus is worth

You magnify