Hi Church
In this week’s message, we took a giant step from Matthew 1 into Matthew 4 and stood with Jesus in the wilderness. There we saw not only the reality of His temptation, but the glory of His perfection.
Jesus was tested under pressure, in hunger, weakness, and isolation, yet He did not fail. He proved Himself to be the true and faithful Son, the victorious second Adam, and the perfect Saviour who is able to bring us safely all the way to glory.
We were reminded that temptation itself is not sin. It is the bait on the hook, seeking to draw us away from trust, obedience, and worship. Yet where Adam fell, Christ stood firm. With the Word of God on His lips, the Spirit of God upon Him, and a heart fully yielded to the Father, Jesus overcame every scheme of the enemy. And that gives real hope to us.
As we clothe ourselves in Christ, we are not left helpless before temptation. As we stay close to the Father, and fill our hearts with His Word, and depend on the Spirit, we too can learn to stand.
But if we do fall and trip over our sins, let's not stay down. Rather call on the name of the Lord, who is able to empathise with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, but if we confess our sins he will forgive us and cleans us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) . In Jesus, there is grace to resist, strength to endure, and mercy to rise again.
This Sunday we will again be in Matthew Chapter 4, with Kerry sharing the word. Amanda and I will be visiting family as we head to North QLD for two weeks.
Continue to pray for Alpha that the experience and truth of the Holy Spirit filled life will be outworked in everyone’s life who has been attending.
And remember to be generous with the bake sale as the youth raise funds for their Camp in School holidays. Our investment in them always results in great fruitfulness for His kingdom.
God bless you Church, see you in July.
Love Ps Greg and Amanda.