Epistle for August 21, 2009
Posted by: info <info@...>
E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation August 21, 2009
The Blessings of Baptism
(Matthew 3:1-17)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the events recorded in verses 15-17
1. Jesus told John the Baptist that He was determined to fulfill all
righteousness . . . to accomplish His divine vision of destiny . . .
to complete His mission on earth which was given to Him by the
Father.
2. When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened
to Him . . . He was enabled to see into the spiritual realm.
3. At that time, the Spirit of God descended upon Him . . . He was
anointed with power by the Holy Spirit.
4. A voice spoke from heaven, expressing divine relationship and
approval . . . He heard the voice of His heavenly Father.
II. Meditation: on the spiritual significance of these events
1. Jesus here came to fully perceive the Father's "business" (purpose) for
His life; He was completely awakened to His divine destiny, Luke 2:49.
2. Jesus received spiritual discernment, allowing Him to observe and
duplicate what the Father was doing, John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 8:29.
3. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit, receiving divine power for
service . . . He officially stepped into His Messianic role as Christ, "The
Anointed One," Luke 4:1, 12, 18-19.
4. Jesus was given "ears to hear" the voice of God the Father, giving Him
affirmation and direction, John 7:16-17; 8:28; 12:28; Matthew 17:5.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual truths illustrated in Jesus' baptism by John
1. Jesus provided a method for believers to identify with Him.
2. Jesus foreshadowed His resurrection from the dead.
3. Jesus portrayed his giving eternal life to believers.
4. Jesus prophesied His return to resurrect the dead bodies of believers.
But Jesus baptism also demonstrated . . .
The initial step of obedience and surrender by believers which, when
followed, would allow Him to baptize them with the Holy Spirit.
Connect this account with John's words in Matthew 3:11: "I indeed
baptize you with water unto repentance, but . . . He will baptize you
with the Holy Spirit and fire," and with the fulfillment of that prophecy
on the Day of Pentecost according to Peter's words in Acts 2:38: "Repent,
and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
IV. Applications: when Jesus baptizes a believer with the Holy Spirit . . .
1. That believer receives a vision of his divine destiny.
2. That believer receives the ability to perceive spiritual truth and reality.
3. That believer receives divine power for effective service.
4. That person receives the ability to hear God's voice speaking affirmation
and guidance.
Resisting and Overcoming Temptation
(Matthew 4:1-11)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Satan tempted Jesus to sin by avoiding the cross and establishing
His kingdom some other way, vv. 1-11.
2. Jesus began His ministry in Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah 9:1-2 and 42:7;
He preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," vv. 12-17.
3. Jesus called four fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) to become
"Fishers of men," vv. 18-22.
4. Jesus preached throughout Galilee and healed multitudes of diseased,
afflicted, and demon-possessed people, vv. 23-25.
II. Meditation: on Jesus' temptation experience
1. Jesus was in a physically weakened condition (from 40 days fasting)
when Satan attacked Him, vv. 1-2.
2. Jesus was tempted in all points, yet without sin, Hebrews 4:15.
3. His basic temptation was to avoid the cross . . . which was God's main
purpose for His life . . . His divine destiny.
4. Satan always attacks with these three types of temptation:
I John 2:16 Genesis 3:6 Matthew 4:1-11
a. Lust of the flesh Good for food Stones to bread
b. Lust of the eye Pleasant to eyes Showed all kingdoms
c. Pride of life Desired for wisdom Angels will protect you
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. Physically, Jesus may have been weakened, but His fasting for 40 days
strengthened Him spiritually. (Mark 9:29 . . . "only by fasting")
2. Jesus did not overcome temptation through His divine power, but through
His "always-right" human choices.
3. The days Jesus spent in solitude included meditation on Scripture.
4. Jesus saw beyond the "innocent" temptations to the basic issue . . . fulfilling
the Father's will or not.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to learn these truths and practice them
1. Fasting is a vital New Testament spiritual exercise; I need to enter into regular
periods of true fasting.
2. The spiritual battle is in the mind; Satan desires "thought-control"' I need to
think on true, noble, just . . . things (Philippians 4:8) which feed my soul.
3. True meditation is God-directed and Bible-based; I need to spend more time
listening to God speak to my heart.
4. Every temptation (yielded to or resisted) affects our God-given purpose in life;
(see James 1:2-4); I need to consider God's destiny for my life whenever temptations
arise . . . looking for God's promised way of escape, I Corinthians 10:13.
"The trouble with the world is not that people know too little,
but that they know so many things that ain't so."
- Mark Twain
-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: epistle2equip-unsubscribe@welovegod.org