Bible Reading
Matthew 3:16–4:11 (NKJV) — > 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
> 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
> 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
> 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
> 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
> 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
> 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,
> 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”
> 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
> 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
> 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
> 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
> 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
2. 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)
> For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
3. Luke 2:41–50 (NKJV)
> 41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
> 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
> 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;
> 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
> 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
> 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
> 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
> 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
> 49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
> 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Observation Questions
- In Matthew 3 and 4, what does the devil repeatedly challenge Jesus about during the temptation in the wilderness? How does Jesus respond each time?
- According to 1 Corinthians 14:33, what is God’s relationship to confusion and peace? How does this relate to the sermon’s point about identity confusion in the church?
- In Luke 2, how does Jesus, even as a child, demonstrate an awareness of His identity and purpose?
- The sermon compared people waiting at the DMV for a “real ID” they already had, to Christians not realizing their true identity. What was the main point of this analogy?
Interpretation Questions
- Why is it significant that Jesus did not feel the need to “prove” His identity to the devil, and how does this set an example for believers facing doubts about their own identity?
- The sermon says, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace and order.” How might confusion about our spiritual identity weaken our ability to walk in the authority God has given us?
- The pastor shared that authority comes from knowing who you are in Christ, not from a title or position. How does this challenge common ideas about spiritual authority in the church?
- The enemy’s main tactic is to make us question our identity. What are some ways this happens in everyday life, and how can knowing Scripture help us resist these attacks?
Application Questions
- The sermon emphasized that God’s provision is not just financial, but covers every area—healing, deliverance, peace, and more. Is there an area in your life where you need to trust God’s provision more fully? What would it look like to declare His promises over that area this week?
- The pastor shared a study showing that daily Bible reading leads to real transformation, including freedom from depression and addiction. How consistent is your time in God’s Word? What practical step could you take to make Bible reading a daily habit?
- Parents are called to model a daily pursuit of God for their children, not by force but by example. If you’re a parent, what is one way you can let your children see your authentic relationship with God this week? If you’re not a parent, who is someone in your life you can influence by your example?
- The sermon challenged us to reject the lies of the enemy about our identity—such as “you’re not really saved” or “you’re too broken to be used by God.” What is one lie about your identity that you need to reject today? How can you replace it with truth from Scripture?
- The pastor said, “We don’t have to prove our identity; we simply walk in it.” Are there situations where you feel pressure to “prove” your faith or worth to others? How can you respond differently, following Jesus’ example?
- The message highlighted that spiritual authority is for every believer, not just pastors or “super-Christians.” What is one area of your life—family, work, community—where you need to walk more confidently in the authority God has given you?
- The sermon mentioned that confusion about identity leads to a powerless church. What is one step you can take this week to grow in clarity and confidence about your identity in Christ?
