Subject – I NEED A WORD FROM THE WORD
Text – Matthew 4:1-11
Sermon delivered by:
Pastor Henry S. Cotton, Jr. of St.James Missionary Baptict Church in Philadelphia.
Introduction
When we refer to the “word” of God, it is important know which word we are talking about. When we see the word “word” stated in the bible, or when we are referring to the word of God, we need to understand that there are two meanings for “word” in the Bible:
Logos is used to refer to the constant, written word of God, which we have recorded in the Bible.
(John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.)
Rhema is the lesser-known Greek word used in the Bible for word, and refers to the instant, personal speaking of God to us.
When it comes to the word of God, it is like being at a buffet; there is plenty of food available, but you have the option of getting that which you want, need, or have a taste for. In the case of the word of God (Holy Bible), we get to look in the word and get that word which we need for the situation we find ourselves in. In order to get this word, Believers need to know when and how to apply the word of God.
There are so many scriptures that emphasize the importance for Believers to know the word of God; everything from “searching the scriptures,” to the Bible itself declaring that it is the word of God. This is so important because there are many times when Believers find themselves in situations when a word from God is needed and necessary, and the more knowledgeable the believer is in handling the word, the better equipped he/she will be able to apply the right word.
This is particularly necessary when the Believer finds him/herself in a tempting situation. Let us first understand that it is Satan who does the tempting. Secondly, we need to recognize that satan has been using the same formula to tempt man that he has been using since the time he tempted Eve in the garden. 1 John 2:16 reminds us:
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
In the case of Eve, we see where Satan temped her in these three areas:
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (LUST OF THE FLESH), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (LUST OF THE EYES), and a tree to be desired to make one wise (PRIDE OF LIFE), she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
We need to understand that Satan is still using this formula. Matter-of-fact, Satan even used this formula to tempt Jesus. In Matthew the fourth chapter (right after we see that Jesus had such a high point in His life in the third chapter), after Jesus had been fasting for forty days and nights, Satan figured Jesus was weak and thought that he had a golden opportunity to take advantage of a weak Jesus. Notice the formula:
- Lust of the flesh – Matthew 4: 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. 3. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
*Not only did Satan attack the Lord when he thought He was weak, but he also tried to get in His head and appeal to His pride by saying “IF.” However, the Lord shows us the importance of being able to use a “Rhema” word the situation calls for it: Jesus said to Satan: Matthew 4:4 “. . . It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (This is actually a “Rhema” word from Deuteronomy 8:3)
- Lust of the eyes – Matthew 4: 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, “He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
*Not only did Satan try to tempt the Lord with what He could see, Satan also had the audacity to add some scripture (Psalm 91:11-12) to make it sound more official. Believers need to know that if Satan will the kind of nerve to tempt Jesus in this manner, what will he try with them? However, once again the Lord shows us the importance of being able to use a “Rhema” word the situation calls for it: “Matthew 4: 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (This is actually a “Rhema” word from Deuteronomy 6:16)
- The Pride of Life – Matthew 4: 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
*Not only did Satan try his feeble attempt to get the Lord to worship him, but he tried to tempt Jesus by showing Him a way He could bypass going to the horrible ordeal of Calvary’s rugged cross!
Conclusion
The word (Logos) shows us that it is important for Believers to know their way around the word of God. It does not mean that we have to memorize every book, chapter, and verse (even though it would be very helpful), for the Psalmist says in Psalm 119: “11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” James 4:7 also reminds us that we are to: “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”