Developing Confidence in Christ part 4 When we rest in the finished works of Jesus Christ, it does not mean inactivity. It means you have confidence that everything is already done. As you rest, you remain in compliance with the Word of God no matter what the circumstances show you. In other words, you live life each day without worrying because you know you are resting because your FAITH in CHRIST is at work. Confidence: The state of feeling certain about the truth of something. The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust. Inactivity: Reluctance to take action; apathy: (lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern) Unwilling and hesitant; disinclined. Compliance: The act or process of complying to a desire, demand, proposal, or regimen or to coercion HEBREWS 4:11 Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell]. The temptation of Jesus: Matthew 4:1-11 Hunger: A weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food. 1. We all experience spiritual hunger (Matthew 5:6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness they will be filled. He tempted Jesus with three things. 1. The lust of the flesh (food) 2. The lust of the eyes (the world) 3. The pride of life, take your life God will give it back. Eve’s temptation 1. Lust of the flesh (food was good for consumption) 2. Lust of the eyes (Fruit was nice to look at) 3. Pride of life, it would make one wise. First challenge(FOOD) Each challenge, challenged Jesus’s identity. If the devil can get you to operate out of selfishness and deny who you are in Christ, he will rule you. 1. The first thing the devil said to Jesus if you are the “Son of God” a. He challenged Jesus identity to move him to performance instead of rest. b. Jesus continued to rest in the Word of God. JAMES 1:2-6 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no d” 5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. 7 For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, 8 [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. EPHESIANS 4: 22-24 Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; 23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], 24 And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.” Maximize your potential and seize every opportunity to excel in all that you do.
