Pause #2 - “Soul Provider” The BIG Idea: Temptation Is Always A Test Of Your Faith And Not Just Your Self Control The Question: Is God BIG Enough To Meet Your Needs? The Temptation: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’” Matt 4: 1-3 Jesus Makes The Connection Between The Temptation And His CONFIDENCE In God Jesus Was Tempted To Meet A Legitimate Need In An ILLEGITIMATE Way “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 When You Stop Trusting, You Will Stop Obeying, And When You Stop Obeying You Will Eventually Stop Believing Lessons From Ancient Israel “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:2-3 Simply Having Your Physical Needs Met Is Not ENOUGH As Important As It Is To Have Your Needs Met, It Is Even More Important To Stay Under The Canopy Of God’s Law “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” Deuteronomy 8:17-18 When God’s People TRUST Him, He Always Meets Their Needs
Life Group Discussion Questions At Waipuna Chapel we believe that Spiritual growth happens best in the context of small intimate groups where authentic Christian community can be experienced and faith can be explored in a safe, biblical way. Contact Pastor
[email protected] to connect with a Life Group and start growing today Read Matthew 4:1-4 •
Do you believe that God is concerned with the details of your life? If so, what Biblical evidence is there to support this? If so, describe an experience that affirmed this truth.
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Why do you think we so often fail to make the connection between our faith and the temptations we face?
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Why is this understanding helpful in our ability to overcome temptation?
Read Deuteronomy 8: 2-18 •
What lesson was God teaching the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness?
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Why would this lesson be so important in the future?
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Verse 17 says “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’” Are you ever tempted to think this? If so, describe a time when this thinking influenced your life.
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Discuss the statement; “God is the source not only of your provision but He is also the source of all of your needs.” How does understanding this truth help you deal with the physical needs in your life?
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This week we asked the question: What area of your life are you most tempted to meet a legitimate need in an irresponsible or illegitimate way? If you are willing, share this with your group and ask for accountability and prayer.
Sources Material: •
William Barclay – “The Gospel of Matthew – www.wjkbooks.com
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Andy Stanley – North Point Resource http://northpoint.org Send feedback, comments or questions to:
[email protected]