✝️ Matthew 4:4 | From the Desert to the Cross

📧 In today’s email…

• ✝️ From the desert to the cross

• 🏃 Keep going

• 📊 Important Poll: More, less or the same?

• 🧐 In case you missed it..

 🧠 Memorize

_{see if you know what words go in the blanks}

___ __ ______, “__ __ ______,

“‘___ _____ ___ live  __ _____ _____, ___ __ _____ ____ that ______ ____ ___ _____ __ ___.’”

Matthew 4:4

A review of what we’ve learned 🤔 

When life’s most difficult moments squeezed Jesus, Scripture poured out:

• 🏜️ The desert: “It is written..” (Deut 6:13, Deut 6:16, Deut 8:3)

• ✝️ On the cross: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1)

In Matthew 4, the enemy tests Jesus 3 times.

⬇️

Jesus quotes Scripture 3 times.

The enemy quoted Scripture out of context (Matthew 4:6).

⬇️

Jesus quoted Scripture in context.

Jesus was beaten, brutalized and then hung on a cross.

⬇️

Jesus quotes Scripture, then submits to the will of the Father.

In the desert (when tested) and on the cross (when killed) —

— Jesus chose the Father’s will over his own physical good.

May that truth empower us to take up our crosses and live the Jesus Way. 🙏 

Pointing People to Jesus ✝️

Jesus quoted Scripture in the desert (before starting his ministry) and on the Cross itself (when his disciples thought his ministry ended).

As you memorize Scripture - in context - you are imitating Jesus and being slowly transformed by God.

Keep going 🏃‍♂️ 

Even if you don’t memorize every verse perfectly, keep depositing God’s Word in your heart.

It provides a spiritual nourishment that deeply satisfies and that sustains us in life’s most difficult circumstances.

Practice: Share 🗣️

The more you memorize God’s Word, the more you will be able to readily encourage friends and families with the truth of who God is, and who we are as image bearers.

Find one opportunity this weekend to share Scripture with a loved one - whether they’re a believer or an non-believer.

Recommended Resources 🎙️ 

In case you missed it, here’s this week’s round-up of recommended resources:

• 📚️ Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace by John Mark Comer (link)

• 📹️ Bible Project: Overview of Matthew - Part 1 (link)

• ☕️ The Culture Translator newsletter by Axis (non-profit) equips parents to help their kids resist the temptations of the surrounding culture and choose the live out the way of Jesus. (Subscribe here in one click)

• 💪 Add ‘Not Today Satan’ by KB and Andy Mineo to your workout playlist (link)

• 🎵 Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone by Michael Lining to help you memorize this verse (Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music | Watch on YouTube)

Poll: More, less or the same? 📊 

We’ve now been running this newsletter since November, sending emails Monday-Friday every other week.

As we look to continue to serve you all in 2024, we’d love to know your thoughts…

Answer key ✅ 

But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:4

How did you do? 💡