The Battle for Personal Power

The Battle of Personal Power

 MATTHEW 4:1-11

THEME: The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Jesus triumphs over Satan, then returns to Galilee to begin his ministry and calls his first four disciples.

RELEVANCE: Jesus was tempted so that every creature in heaven, on earth, or under the earth might know that Jesus Christ is the Conqueror. This temptation was necessary to demonstrate His moral fitness to do the work for which He had come into the world. He exposed Satan and his tactics, and He defeated Satan indisputably. Because of His victory, we can have victory over the tempter.

INTRODUCTION:

Our Lord’s experience of temptation prepared Him to be our sympathetic High Priest.

Hebrews 2:16-18, For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. [17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. [18] For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Hebrews 4:15-16, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

It is important to note that Jesus faced the enemy as man, not as the Son of God. His first word was, “Man shall not live by bread alone.” We must not think that Jesus used His divine powers to overcome the enemy, because that is just what the enemy wanted Him to do! Jesus used the spiritual resources that are available to us today: the power of the Holy Spirit of God (Matt. 4:1), and the power of the Word of God (“It is written”).

LESSON:

Jesus Defeats The Devil (Matt. 4:1-11):

Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.

THIRD ROUND OF ATTACK—LIVE FOR PERSONAL POWER (Matt. 4:8-10) 

The Temptation to Seek Worldly Power (Matt. 4:8-9): All the Power and Glory This World Has to Offer Is Yours If You’ll Only Kneel Down and Worship Me. 

1.    In The Third Temptation, the Devil Took Jesus Up on an Exceedingly High Mountain and Showed Him “All The Kingdoms Of The World.”

a.     He offered them to Jesus in exchange for His worship. Although this temptation had to do with worship, an exercise of the spirit, it was an effort to seduce our Lord to grasp imperial power over the world by worshiping Satan.

b.    The reward offered, all the kingdoms of the world with their glory-grandeur, appealed to “the lust of the eyes” (1 Jn. 2:16).

c.     In a sense, the kingdoms of the world do belong to the devil at present.

                                                   i.     He is spoken of as “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), and John tells us that “the whole world lieth in wickedness”(1 Jn. 5:19).

                                                 ii.     When Jesus appears at the Second Advent as King of kings (Rev. 19:16), then “the kingdoms of this world” become His (Rev. 11:15).

                                               iii.     Jesus would not violate the divine timetable, and certainly He would never worship Satan!

2.    For Us the Temptation Is Twofold:

1.    To Barter Our Spiritual Birthright for the Passing Glory of This World.

2.    To Worship and Serve the Creature Rather Than the Creator.  The devil offered the whole world to Jesus if Jesus would only bow down and worship him.

a.     Today Satan offers us the world by trying to entice us with materialism, sex, and power. The devil would like us to believe that "life is short, get all you can!"

b.    Even Christian leaders find themselves tempted to build empires here on earth.

c.     But Satan requires people to pay for such success by selling their souls to him. We must resist temptations in the same way that Jesus did.

d.    If you find yourself craving something that the world offers, quote Jesus' words to the devil: “Worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” Then follow that advice, with the support and prayers of Christian friends.

3.    The Devil Offered Jesus A Shortcut to His Kingdom.

a.    Jesus knew that He would suffer and die before He entered into His glory (Luke 24:26; 1 Peter 1:11; 5:1).

b.    If He bowed down and worshiped Satan just once (this is the force of the Greek verb), He could enjoy all the glory without enduring the suffering.

c.     Satan has always wanted worship, because Satan has always wanted to be God (Isa. 14:12–14).

d.    Worshiping the creature instead of the Creator is the lie that rules our world today (Rom. 1:24–25).

4.    There Are No Shortcuts to the Will of God.

a.    If we want to share in the glory, we must also share in the suffering (1 Peter 5:10). As the prince of this world, Satan could offer these kingdoms to Christ (John 12:31; 14:30). But Jesus did not need Satan’s offer.

b.    The Father had already promised Jesus the kingdom! “Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen [nations] for Thine inheritance” (Ps. 2:8).

c.     You find the same promise in Psalm 22:22–31, and this is the psalm of the cross. 

The Triumph Over the Desires of the Eyes. (Matt. 4:10): Get out of here Satan; Worship and Serve the Lord your God only!

1.    For The Third Time, Jesus Resisted Temptation by Using the Bible: “Thou shalt worship the LORD thy God, and Him only you shalt thou serve.” (Deut. 6:13).

a.     Worship and the service that flows from it are for God alone. To worship Satan would be tantamount to acknowledging him as God.

b.    Satan had said nothing about service, but Jesus knew that whatever we worship, we will serve. Worship and service must go together.

2.    The Order of The Temptations as Recorded by Matthew Varies from That in Luke (4:1–13). Some have suggested that Matthew’s order parallels the order of the temptations that Israel faced in the wilderness (Ex. 16; 17; 32). Jesus showed Himself in perfect contrast to Israel’s response to hardship.

3.    Also, The Word “Then” In Matt. 4:5 And the Word “Again” In Matt. 4:8, Seems to Indicate Sequence.

a.     Luke only uses the simple conjunction “and” and does not say he is following a sequence.

b.    Our Lord’s command at the end of the third temptation (“Get thee hence, Satan!”) is proof that Matthew followed the historical order. There is no contradiction since Luke did not claim to follow the actual sequence.

II. The Assistance of the Angels (Matt. 4:11): Afterward, Angels Come and Care for Jesus.

A.   SATAN LEAVING (Matt. 4:11).

1.    When Jesus Had Successfully Defeated Satan’s Temptations, The Devil Left Him.

2.    Temptations Come in Waves Rather Than in A Steady Flow. What an encouragement for God’s tested saints!

a.     Isaiah 59:19, So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.

b.    The metaphor of "lifting a standard" for making an armed resistance is common in Isaiah (Isa 5:26; 13:2; 18:3; 31:9).

c.     “That, whatever attempts the enemies of God's people may afterwards make upon them to disturb their peace, they shall be baffled and brought to nought: When the enemy shall come in like a flood, like a high spring-tide, or a land-flood, which threaten to bear down all before them without control, then the Spirit of the Lord by some secret undiscerned power shall lift up a standard against him, and so (as the margin reads it) put him to flight. He that has delivered will still deliver. When God's people are weak and helpless, and have no standard to lift up against the invading power, God will give a banner to those that fear him (Ps 60:4), will by his Spirit lift up a standard, which will draw multitudes together to appear on the church's behalf.” --- Matthew Henry

3.    Satan Slunk Away, A Defeated Foe; But He Did Not Cease to Tempt Jesus.

a.     We understand that Luke 4:13, carries the idea, “that the devil ended every possible kind of temptation, he stood off from Christ until a suitable time.”

b.    Through Peter, Satan again tempted Jesus to abandon the cross (Matt. 16:21–23); and through the crowd that had been fed, Satan tempted Jesus to an “easy kingdom” (John 6:15).

c.     One victory never guarantees freedom from further temptation. If anything, each victory we experience only makes Satan try harder.

B.   ANGELS ARRIVING (Matt. 4:11).

1.    We Are Told That Angels Came And Ministered Unto Him, But No Explanation Is Given for This Supernatural Assistance. It probably means that they provided the physical nourishment for Him which He had refused to provide at Satan’s suggestion.

2.    We Learn That the Devil Can Attack Those Who Are Controlled by the Holy Spirit, But That He Is Powerless Against Those Who Resist Him with the Word of God.

3.    After Jesus Christ Had Defeated Satan, He Was Ready to Begin His Ministry. No man has a right to call others to obey who has not obeyed himself. Our Lord proved Himself to be the perfect King whose sovereignty is worthy of our respect and obedience. But, true to his purpose, Matthew had one more witness to call to prove the kingship of Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION:

Jesus was tempted so that every creature in heaven, on earth, or under the earth might know that Jesus Christ is the Conqueror. This temptation was necessary to demonstrate His moral fitness to do the work for which He had come into the world. He exposed Satan and his tactics, and He defeated Satan indisputably. Because of His victory, we can have victory over the tempter.

 

Jesus Clears the Way for World Evangelization

Jesus Clears the Way for World Evangelization

 

John 16:7-16, Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. ⁸ And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

⁹ Of sin, because they believe not on me;

¹⁰ Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

¹¹ Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

¹² I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. ¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. ¹⁴ He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. ¹⁶ A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

A description of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus would be most beneficial especially when considering worldwide evangelization. The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Lord Jesus began when Joseph has a dream and discovers Mary has conceived a Son by the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:20; Luke 1:35).  Secondly Peter’s preaching in Acts 10:37-38, revealed that Christ was anointed by the Holy Ghost and that the Spirit descended on Him at His baptism (Luke 3:22).  Immediately afterwards the Spirit of God lead Christ into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matt 4:1).   Thirdly, the Lord Jesus was crucified in the power of the Holy Spirit as He offered Himself according to Hebrews 9:14, and Christ was raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit (Rom. 1:4).  Then finally the Lord Jesus commanded His apostles “through the Holy Ghost” (Acts 1:2). Again, the main work and function of the Holy Spirit is in connection with the application of the redemption that has been achieved and worked out by the Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The importance of John 16:7-16 must be carefully considered to see this invaluable truth. These verses suggest that the very coming and presence of the Spirit in the Church and in the world is a part of the work of applying redemption (making it available) in a general way to all people—the world.  The Lord Jesus in John 16:8-11, teaches the effect the actual coming of the Spirit has upon the world, and the very presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church convicts it of sin, and righteousness, and judgment (Acts 5:29-32). As Father and the Son before Him, the Spirit takes up the work of God’s leadership. This is just one way the Spirit of God will lead our evangelism efforts.  

First is the fact that people did not “believe” on the Lord Jesus— “sin”. Therefore, the Spirit’s coming “reproves” or convicted the world of its complete error when it had denied Jesus of Nazareth; it is proof positive and final that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, the Savior of the world.  The second element deals with “righteousness” because Jesus returns to His Father and is currently unseen. The Father has not only accepted Jesus, but His perfect work at Calvary and the empty tomb also.  In fact, the greatest proof of God’s acceptance of Christ as our “justification” is the sending of the Holy Spirit into this world. The third element deals with the fact that the “prince of this world is judged.” The Spirit’s descent on Pentecost was the final proof that Christ defeated Satan and of the “judgment” pronounced upon him.

This is significant because the Holy Spirit convicts people of God’s coming judgment on them. This judgment is guaranteed because Satan (the “prince of this world”) has now been legally condemned through Christ’s death and resurrection. Those who reject Jesus share the devil's fate, while believers are forgiven. Notice John 16:11,

• “Of judgment”: The Holy Spirit alerts people to God’s final justice and the reality of divine judgment. It does not matter what a person believes is or is not possible…whether they ascribe to absolutes or not. They must deal with conviction and judgment.
• “The prince of this world”: is Satan’s temporary influence and control over the rebellious, ungodly systems of the world. “Prince of this world” implies an evil worldwide kingdom. Satan once led this world’s kingdoms excluding Christ, but now we who have believed on the Lord are now subjects of Christ’s kingdom. Colossians 1:11, says, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: ¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: ¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” …. We can celebrate our spiritual transfer from the dominion of darkness (sin and evil) into the light-filled, loving rule of Jesus Christ. Our heavenly Father delivered us from the “power of darkness” and conveyed us into the kingdom of His beloved Son!  
• “Is judged”: The Greek verb is a past-tense, completed action pointing to Jesus ultimately defeating Satan and his condemnation as already settled and cannot be reversed. These are guaranteed realities because of the cross and resurrection of Christ. 

God comforts us believers by revealing that the ultimate enemy, Satan, has already been and is finally defeated. Because the ruler of this world stands condemned, his power over those who trust in Christ is broken. We are free from His control.

Again, the ultimate proof of God’s acceptance of Christ as believers’ justification is the sending of the Holy Spirit. This is why the events of Pentecost are included in a great sequence of historic events, that establish our salvation. The very coming of the Spirit pronounced that there is only one way to salvation, righteousness, and it is through Christ Jesus (1Cor. 1:30). Nothing proclaims this so powerfully as the descent of the Spirit sent by Christ upon the Church on Pentecost.

So, the connection between Satan’s defeat and the coming of the Holy Spirit is set before us in John 16:7-13. The death of Christ at Calvary, His resurrection, and ascension, and His sending of the Spirit soundly declared the defeat of Satan (John 16:11).  Satan is now cast out as the Lord Jesus predicted and no longer controls this world. Satan once held all nations except Israel in a form of spiritual bondage, but Christ has dethroned him and now Christ reigns supreme and is controlling the world. It is incumbent upon Christ’s churches to get the gospel out to the farthest reaches of the earth to “every creature” then (Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-49; Act 1:8).

We cannot pay this “spiritual debt” simply by giving money for missions and praying for missionaries, even though both of these ministries are important and essential. We must present ourselves to the Lord as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1-2), available to him for whatever work he wants us to do, starting at home. The first missionaries began their witness right at home in Jerusalem and then enlarged their circle of ministry to include “the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Dr. Oswald J. Smith often said, “The light that shines the farthest will shine the brightest at home.”

“Are people in today’s world lost?” is not an academic question for theologians to debate in some ivory tower. The question is at the heart of the church’s ministry, and the answer to the question is, “Yes, all men without Christ are lost.” And what are you doing about it? Are you paying your debt by sharing the gospel with others? (W. W. Wiersbe)

Certainly, our Lord Jesus cleared the way for worldwide evangelization, and we must recognize our opportunities to share the hope of Christ with others immediately before us and around the world. May we follow carefully the Spirit’s guidance as we steward the gospel to the world. Beloved, this is ‘kingdom’ work and our church’s mission.

 

Helmet of Salvation

Helmet of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17, says: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”. This is also an important part of the armor of God, emphasizing the spiritual protection of our minds through God-wroth salvation and the thoughtful use of the Bible as a spiritual weapon in battle. 

So, it is necessary to consider the “helmet of salvation” then (Eph. 6:17). The believer’s mind is subject to the attacks of Satan on a regular basis. We can know this because of the way he attacked and defeated Eve at the very beginning of human history (Gen. 3; 2 Cor. 11:1–3). The “helmet of salvation” is crucial to our minds having God’s protective/supervisory management. We really place ourselves at a great disadvantage in this war when we conclude (erroneously) the mind, intellect, is not important. Nothing could be further from the truth! Our God-given intellect really plays a vital role in our growth, service, and victory. When God oversees our minds, Satan may tempt us with false salvation, religious independence, and self-sufficiency, but he cannot lead us astray while wearing this protective head gear from the Lord.

The Christian who studies his Bible and learns the meaning of Bible doctrines is not going to be led astray too easily. We need to be “taught by Him as the truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:21). We are to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Wherever Paul ministered, he taught the new converts the truths of the Word of God, and this helmet protected them from Satan’s lies.^[1]

Thinking through this a bit we know a helmet was a soldier's most costly and ornate piece of armor. It was designed to protect the entire head. Dear child of God, the mind is where most of our battles are won or lost. In fact, this war largely rages in our minds, thoughts, perceptions, conceptions, and cogitation! Ultimately decisions about our behaviors are made in the head!

Again, a soldier’s most vulnerable body part is his head. We literally “decide” if we will obey or disobey in the mind. With God’s helmet to protect us, we are delivered from such temptations as we choose with our minds to be obedient to God’s will. Our salvation, deliverance through the blood of Christ, is what gives us the potential to say yes to God and no to Satan’s temptations to sin. In so doing, we are saved in that battle or episode, from those actions and consequences of sin.

Beloved, always bear the following facts in mind as you engage the enemy using the “helmet of salvation”:

• Your mind and thoughts are protected by faith in God’s armor
• You can be absolutely assurance of salvation through belief in Jesus Christ alone
• You must remain steadfast against all doubts and temptations from the enemy
• You forever have the hope of eternal life promised by the very Word of God
• You are prepared, spiritual readiness and defense in spiritual warfare, by God’s wise provision of the whole armor

“Salvation” is a protection that comes only from the Lord. We cannot ‘put it on;’ God puts salvation on us when we exercise faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4). However, we do need to dawn this “helmet of salvation” every day: and that is the helmet of the hope of salvation. 

In other words, Satan likes to plague us with doubts about our salvation, inject worldly ideas (Rom. 12:1-2), and have us focus (concentrate or highlight) on the minute (flaws, failures, or sins) instead of eternity. God’s “helmet of salvation” protects us from that. The helmet’s purpose is to assure us of final and eternal salvation—this is real protection. It helps us when we enter the battlefield of the mind, where Satan can dish out severe, sometimes deadly blows. 

The helmet God provides is salvation (Isa. 59:17). No matter how hot the battle, the Christian is not daunted, since he knows that ultimate victory is sure. Assurance of eventual deliverance preserves him from retreat or surrender. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).^[2]

So, then take this vital piece of God provided armor also! The Greek word “take” is an imperative, rather than another participle. This parallels the imperative “stand” in verse 14.^[3]

So, it is imperative (our obligation or our God-given command) that we “take” it, “take” it, “take” the “helmet of salvation”! Beloved, you have the spiritual protection of your mind through God-wroth salvation and the thoughtful use of the Bible as a spiritual weapon in every one of your mind-battles with Satan. 

---

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 58–59.

^[2] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1952.

^[3] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 644.

Freedom Through Christ (Jesus Understands Us) Part 3

 

Lesson Three

Jesus Understands Us

Hebrews 2:14-16

 

Theme: Jesus Christ is not inferior to angels because of his humanity.  Christ, through His humanity, secured our great salvation which involves the exaltation of believers, freed us from the fear of death, and affords us the help of a compassionate High Priest in Heaven during temptations.  Christ’s humanity enables Him to understand our needs and challenges fully. 

 Introduction:

Satan uses people’s fear of death to enslave them to his will. We who trust in Jesus Christ have once and for all been delivered from Satan’s authority and from the terrible fear of death.

Lesson:

What effect did Jesus’ victory over death have on Satan? (Heb. 2:14)

A.    Not Annihilation, but Annulment.

a.      Jesus’ victory over death enabled Him to disarm Satan and deliver us from death (2:14–16). Angels cannot die. Jesus did not come to save angels (note Heb. 2:16); He came to save humans. This meant that He had to take on Himself flesh and blood and become a Man (2:14). Only then could He die and through His death defeat Satan.

b.      The word “destroy” does not mean “annihilate,” for it is obvious that Satan is still alive and busy. The word means “render inoperative, make of none effect.” Satan is not completely destroyed, but he is disarmed.

B.     Not Authority, but Allowance.

a.      In what sense did Satan have the power of death? Because Satan is the author of sin (John 8:44), and sin brings death (Rom. 6:23), in this sense Satan exercises power in the realm of death. Jesus called him a murderer (John 8:44). Satan uses the fear of death as a terrible weapon to gain control over the lives of people. His kingdom is one of darkness and death (Col. 1:13).

b.      The final authority of death is in the hands of our God (Deut. 32:39; Matt. 10:28; Rev. 1:18). Satan can do only that which is permitted by God (Job 1:12; 2:6).

 

Question 5. Refer back to the prophecy in Genesis 3:14–15. Point out that this is what most people consider the first reference to the effect Christ would have on Satan.

6.  What can free people from their fear of death? (Heb. 2:16)

A.    Understanding the Problem (2:15).  What is the “fear of death”?

a.      People have always feared death. This fear has motivated folk to exercise, to eat right, to seek medical attention, and to try to look and feel younger. This preoccupation is so prevalent that people are described as being slaves to the fear of dying—“all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Eventually, however, death strikes everyone; it is unavoidable. 

b.      Satan uses people’s fear of death to enslave them to his will. Often people make wrong choices out of their intense desire for self-preservation. This is why there is religion all across the globe. Sinners are constantly living in bondage to the fear of death, because they have no real hope beyond the grave. It is true that all men naturally fear death!

c.      The people who know not God are in continual torment through the fear of death, and they fear death because they fear something beyond death. They are conscious to themselves that they are wicked, and they are afraid of God, and terrified at the thought of eternity. By these fears thousands of sinful, miserable creatures are prevented from hurrying themselves into the unknown world.  –Adam Clarke’s Commentary

B.     Understanding the Provision (2:15). We who trust in Jesus Christ have once and for all been delivered from Satan’s authority and from the terrible fear of death.

a.      The word “deliver” in verse 15, means to change. To transfer from one state to another, to remove from. Strictly to change by separating, therefore, to break up an existing connection and set the one part into a different state or relation, to set free, make loose. –The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament

b.      The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ have given us victory and freed us from the fear of death! (1 Cor. 15:55–58) Through Christ, we no longer need to fear dying and death.

                                                    i.     Christ died and rose again and only in this way could he deliver humanity. Because Jesus died and arose, we no longer need to be enslaved to the fear of dying. We know that because Jesus rose from the dead, we will also.

                                                  ii.     Jesus also promised eternal life in paradise with him, and we know we will receive it. We may die physically, but we are promised new bodies and a new life in eternity with God. Thus, death becomes the gateway to a new life. To be absent from the body will mean being present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8).

                                                 iii.     “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor. 15:55,57).

C.     Understanding the Power (2:13). We are reminded that we are no longer subject to such slavery and that we can face death with the same confidence in God our Captain had (Heb. 2:13).  The power of trust—faith is the key!

a.      We have the assurance of God’s love, thus the fear of death is removed; and by the purification of our hearts through faith, the sting of death is extracted.          

b.      Every person must die, but death is not the end; instead, it is the doorway to a new life. We have assurance that we will be resurrected from the dead. All who dread death should trust Christ to bring victory. Remember that Christ will not fail you. Live without fear. Trust the Savior.  –The Life Application Commentary Series 

D.    Understanding the Person (2:16).

a.      Jesus Christ did not take on Himself the nature of angels in order to save the fallen angels (2 Peter 2:4; Rev. 12:7–9).

b.      Instead, He stooped lower than the angels to become Man! And not just “man” in general; but He became a Jew, a part of the “seed of Abraham” (Heb. 2:16). The Jews were a despised and hated race, and yet our Lord became a Jew to free all believers from the fear of death.

Question 6. You might want to explore the fear of death before answering this question. Has anyone known someone who was terrified of dying? (Maybe someone present is.) What is he or she specifically afraid of? Then, when you start to discuss what frees us from that fear, you can relate it back to the specific fears mentioned.

 

Response

 

Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.

 

 

9.  How is Jesus' pain and temptation relevant to us?

 

 

 

10.  In times of trouble, why do we turn to other people rather than to Jesus?

 

 

 

11.  In what way does God equip us to reach out to others with compassion?

 

Prayer

 

Lord, we stand in awe of you for what you have done—you left your throne to live among us, you faced temptation, ridicule, and shame so that you could understand us, and then you died on a cross to save us from our sins. You gave up everything so that we could spend eternity with you. Help us to grasp the depth of your love. And as we experience your great love for us, help us to share it with others.

 

Journaling

 

Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.

 

 

How has Jesus shown his love for me? How can I thank him?