Following Jesus: Identity, Trials, and Spiritual Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ

Our spiritual journey begins with embracing our identity in Christ, as symbolized by Jesus' baptism. This act was not just a ritual but a profound declaration of His identity, an anointing by the Holy Spirit, and a divine approval from God. For believers, baptism represents our rebirth, where we identify with Christ, receive the Holy Spirit, and gain God's approval as His children. This foundational step is crucial as it sets the tone for our spiritual journey, reminding us that we are not defined by our past but by our new identity in Christ. As we walk in this new identity, we are called to live out the reality of being God's beloved children, empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill His purposes. [55:08]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: How does your understanding of your identity in Christ influence the way you live your daily life? What steps can you take today to embrace this identity more fully?

Day 2: Strengthened Through Trials

Trials are an inevitable part of our spiritual journey, designed to refine and strengthen our faith. Jesus' testing in the wilderness serves as a powerful reminder that these challenges are not meant to break us but to build us up. By relying on God's Word and Spirit, Jesus overcame temptation, demonstrating the power of Scripture in overcoming the challenges we face. As believers, we are called to view our trials as opportunities for growth, trusting that God is using them to shape us into the image of Christ. Through these experiences, we learn to depend on God's strength rather than our own, growing in faith and resilience. [01:11:00]

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What is a current trial you are facing, and how can you see it as an opportunity for spiritual growth? How can you rely on God's Word to navigate this challenge?

Day 3: The Power of Scripture in Our Lives

Scripture is our weapon against temptation and the challenges we face in life. Jesus demonstrated this truth by using God's Word to counter the enemy's schemes during His time in the wilderness. By knowing, speaking, and obeying God's Word, we can stand firm against the enemy and live a victorious spiritual life. The Bible is not just a book of stories or teachings; it is a living and active tool that equips us for every good work. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we are empowered to discern truth from lies, make wise decisions, and live in alignment with God's will. [01:16:34]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more of God's Word into your daily routine? What specific Scripture can you memorize this week to help you in your current season of life?

Day 4: Being Led by the Holy Spirit

Our spiritual journey requires us to be led by the Holy Spirit, recognizing that testing is part of our growth, and staying close to God through prayer and obedience. The Holy Spirit is our guide, comforter, and source of strength, leading us into all truth and empowering us to live out our faith. As we yield to the Spirit's leading, we become more attuned to God's voice and direction, enabling us to navigate life's challenges with wisdom and grace. This journey of being Spirit-led is marked by a deepening relationship with God, characterized by prayer, obedience, and a willingness to follow wherever He leads. [01:13:29]

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." (John 16:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be more open to the Holy Spirit's leading? How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God through prayer and obedience today?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Provision

We are called to actively resist temptation, worship God alone, and wait for His provision, trusting that He will meet our needs according to His riches in glory. Jesus' life exemplifies this trust, as He resisted the enemy's temptations and relied on God's provision throughout His ministry. As believers, we are invited to place our trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that He is our provider and sustainer. This trust is not passive but involves actively seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, confident that He will provide for our needs in His perfect timing and way. [01:23:12]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's provision? How can you actively choose to trust Him today, even when circumstances seem uncertain?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey of following in the footsteps of Jesus, emphasizing the significance of His baptism and subsequent testing in the wilderness. This journey is not just a historical account but a blueprint for our spiritual lives. Jesus' baptism was a declaration of identity, an anointing by the Holy Spirit, and a divine approval from God. It symbolizes our own rebirth as believers, where we identify with Christ, receive the Holy Spirit, and gain God's approval as His children.

Following His baptism, Jesus faced testing in the wilderness, a reminder that trials are an inevitable part of our spiritual journey. These tests are not meant to break us but to refine and strengthen our faith. Jesus' response to temptation—using the Word of God as His weapon—teaches us the power of Scripture in overcoming the challenges we face. By knowing, speaking, and obeying God's Word, we can stand firm against the enemy's schemes.

Moreover, we are reminded that our spiritual growth involves being led by the Holy Spirit, recognizing that testing is part of our journey, and staying close to God through prayer and obedience. As we navigate life's trials, we must resist the enemy, worship God alone, and wait for His provision, trusting that He will meet our needs according to His riches in glory.

In essence, Jesus' life is a model for us to follow. By walking in His steps, we learn to live a life of obedience, faith, and reliance on God's Word and Spirit. This journey is not without its challenges, but with the Holy Spirit's guidance and the power of Scripture, we can overcome and experience victory in our spiritual walk.

Key Takeaways

1. Identity, Anointing, and Approval: Jesus' baptism signifies our spiritual rebirth, where we identify with Christ, receive the Holy Spirit, and gain God's approval as His children. This foundational step is crucial for our journey as believers. [55:08]
2. Testing and Spiritual Growth: Trials are a part of our spiritual journey, designed to refine and strengthen our faith. Jesus' testing in the wilderness teaches us to rely on God's Word and Spirit to overcome challenges. [71:00]
3. The Power of God's Word: Scripture is our weapon against temptation. By knowing, speaking, and obeying God's Word, we can stand firm against the enemy's schemes and live a victorious spiritual life. [76:34]
4. Being Led by the Holy Spirit: Our spiritual journey requires us to be led by the Holy Spirit, recognizing that testing is part of our growth, and staying close to God through prayer and obedience. [73:29]
5. Resisting the Enemy and Trusting God: We must actively resist temptation, worship God alone, and wait for His provision, trusting that He will meet our needs according to His riches in glory. [01:23:12]
** [83:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Announcements and Events
[05:30] - Call to Worship and Prayer
[10:15] - Worship and Praise
[15:00] - Offering and Scripture Reading
[20:45] - Introduction to the Message
[25:30] - Jesus' Baptism: Identity and Anointing
[30:00] - Approval from God
[35:00] - Trials and Testing in the Wilderness
[40:00] - The Role of Scripture in Overcoming Temptation
[45:00] - Being Led by the Holy Spirit
[50:00] - Resisting the Enemy
[55:00] - Trusting in God's Provision
[60:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[65:00] - Water Baptism Ceremony

Sermon Clips

Jesus' baptism and testing that we all go through is a powerful example for us to follow. His baptism teaches us obedience; we are to be baptized and things like that, and his testing reveals the power of God's word over temptation. If you desire to follow in his steps, if you desire to be a disciple of Christ, you must walk in obedience and stand firm in trials and rely on God's word to get you through this life. [00:46:28]

Jesus tells them, come follow me. So what is that? An invitation. They were invited to come follow him. They could have said no. God does not force you to serve him and follow him. It is your choice. It's an open invitation. He says, come follow me. Again, part of where we get in our footsteps. And then he says this, and I will send you out to fish for people. [00:46:28]

But our identity becomes when we lose this identity and become a child of God and be identified as a child of God. So let me just read where it says this is Matthew chapter 13, uh, three verses 13 through 15. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him saying, I need to be baptized by you and you come to me. [00:50:51]

And Jesus replied, let it be so. Now it, for it is proper for us to do this, to fulfill all righteousness. Then John consented and baptized Jesus. Now, why was Jesus beginning and baptized? Identity. He was coming to say, I am confirming that I am the one that John was calling. I am the Messiah. I am identifying as the Messiah who is going to, what does water baptism do? [00:50:51]

The anointing in our life is actually surrendering to the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. And that's what we talked about last week in first John chapter 2:20. It says this, but you have an anointing. He's talking about a born again person. You have an anointing from the Holy One and all of you know the truth. So we identify as a child of Christ. [00:53:06]

And then we have an anointing from God, which is the leading of the Holy Spirit to guide us through this life and help us through all this. Jesus says that we set to those disciples. When I leave, I'm not going to leave you orphans. I'm going to ask the father to send you another. The Holy Spirit will be your helper, your counselor, to help you in this world. [00:53:06]

So we see the approval. Jesus identified as the Messiah. We identify that we need a Messiah. Jesus was anointed by God's spirit, came upon him with new life. The same resurrection, the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead will resurrect us from the dead and lives in us. So there's that anointing. And then we see approval. That is approval. [00:53:06]

So as soon as Jesus came out of the water, the Holy Spirit landed. And then verse chapter three, verse 17, it says, and a voice from heaven said, this is my son identity whom I love. And I am well pleased that he's got his approval for God. So love the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes identifies with him and that Holy Spirit will come and resurrect them, give them a new life will now belong to God. [00:53:06]

And you are now approved. God looks upon you and says, you are my child. And we see in Psalms chapter two, verse seven, it says this, I will proclaim the Lord's decree. He said to me, you are my son. And today I have become your father. And that that's for us, that's the day we accept Christ as our savior. We, our relationship with the heavenly father is restored and we become the children of God. [00:54:51]

So what happens as soon as Jesus is, uh, baptized, which represents our, our, our being born again, he shows us how to overcome the trials of this world immediately. Again, the anointing Jesus is led by the spirit to be tested by the devil. And so we're going to talk about that here in a second. And I just want to read, uh, Matthew 28, 19 and 20. [00:55:08]

We will go through tests, but we can remain victorious. And I want to look at three key principles today from Jesus' testing that we're going to see that allows us to overcome temptation in this world. But I want you to understand, when God tests you, it's not the same as someone thinking, God gives me the temptation. Okay? And you all know I'm going to equate this to food so you understand. [00:59:32]

So, there's things in this world, like I said, desires that you have for something in your life. It might not be sin, but sin works the same way as this. And so, the thing that tempts us is what's already inside of us. And I'm not calling my wife the devil, okay? But let's say she comes to tempt me. Can I ask for prayer after service so I don't get beat up? [01:00:01]

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