The church of Christ on McDermott Road

In this lesson, we study Matthew 4, Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. We discuss how Jesus should be our example of endurance and perseverance.

When we think of the story of Job, we may not think of him as being “patient.” After all, he spent much of the story complaining about his situation and insisting he was being treated unfairly. But patience does not require us to remain silent about our situation. Rather, patience requires us to endure and persevere, to stick it out until the end. It’s okay to acknowledge that our situation feels unfair, but we must not give up. We must press on. In the end, like Job, our reward will be more than worth it. (Scripture: James 5:7-11)

Jesus did not spend all of his time teaching, preaching, healing, and helping. He had a regular practice of withdrawing to desolate places to pray. When we carry heavy burdens, we need to follow Jesus' example and carry them to God in prayer.

The Jewish Christians to whom the Hebrew letter was written were suffering persecution. The persecution was causing their faith to waver and many had already abandoned the church. The audience is encouraged to keep their eyes on Jesus, no matter what storms they face, because he is the “pioneer and perfecter” (NIV) of our faith. We must learn to do the same. (Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (Scripture: John 3:16-21)

Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the wicked rule, the people groan.” The world was groaning under the rule of wicked kings and kingdoms since the beginning of time…but then Jesus came to be king. All heaven and nature are invited now to receive their King and joyfully sing that he “rules the world with truth and grace.” When we use the word, “Gospel” this is the Good News we are referring to, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” (Scripture: Luke 2:8-14)

This song pictures the world as “weary,” pining away for ages in “sin and error.” Until finally, the long night is broken by a “new and glorious morn.” As the day begins to break, and shed light on the world, the weary world rejoices with a “thrill of hope.” When we consider the Gospel, is our heart filled with that “thrill of hope”? When we consider the words of Mary’s song of praise, does our soul “magnify the Lord” with hers? Does our spirit rejoice in God our Savior? (Scripture: Luke 1:46-55)

This song is so rich in biblical imagery. It is a song of Israel’s longing and anticipation, waiting for Emmanuel, the Rod of Jesse, the Day-Spring, the Key of David, and the Lord of might. The one who would ransom captive Israel, free them from Satan’s tyranny, disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and close the path to misery. When the angel announced to Joseph about the coming child, he confirmed that Jesus would be the One to do all of these things, that he would be “Immanuel…God with us.” (Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25)