March 9, 2010, Luke 4

Key Verses:

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"

(Luke 4:1-4)


Central Truth

Jesus had the tools to "win" over Satan; so do we.


CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREPARATION

Teams & Players:

Satan, Hades College -vs- Jesus of Nazareth, Galilee University

Experience & Stats:

* Satan: Fallen angel, most talented of all angels. Multiple championships. Biggest victory, 'Serpent -vs- Adam & Eve' Tostitos Bowl. Satan in a 5,000 year Senior @ HC.

* Jesus of Nazareth: Son of God. Home Schooler. Good carpenter. Jesus is a true Freshman @ GU.

Game Plans:

Satan:

1.) Temp & beat Jesus at His own game . . . . Use God's word! "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, 'He will give His angels charge concerning you; and on their hands they will rear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.' " (Luke 4:9-11).

2.) I pick the "field" & I make the "rules"! My turf, the wilderness . . . home field advantage! 40 days without "timeouts" or "halftime," plus Jesus is not eating . . . . I will wear Him down. He will break.

3.) Superior Playbook! My "trick" plays have worked for 5,000 years. Jesus will "bite," and get burned!

Jesus of Nazareth:

1.) Spiritual Prep: Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. "And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness." (Luke 4:1) "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit . . . . " (Luke 4:14).

2.)Mental Prep: Know the Playbook! The best Defense is a good Offense. The sword of the Spirit, God's word! "It is written . . . " (Luke 4:4) " It is written . . . ." (Luke 4:8) "It is written . . . . " (Luke 4:12)

3.) Physical Prep: Fast! My body will be kept under submission in order to assist me in the execution of my Coach's (God's) Game Plan! "[F]or 40 days, being tempted by the devil . . . . And He ate nothing during those days . . . ." (Luke 4:2)


OK, Jesus the ultimate competitor and "gamer" approaches this huge competition against Satan with a very specific "Game Plan." His preparation & execution addresses and involves His entire being, Spirit, Mind & Body! He plays to WIN because there is so much at stake!

How well do we know the "Game Plan"? How prepared are we to compete in our own daily" competitions" against Satan, the world, and ourselves . . . ?!!

I love this Chapter, and this story! It resonates with my competitive nature as I read about Jesus going undefeated & unscored on against Satan! I love the fact that Jesus uses nothing more than what God has provided for His victory! We have access to the same "gear," the "playbook," "pads," and "weapons" to defeat Satan and WIN big!

This needs to be our mindset each day we "take the field." Remember, we have on our team: A Hall of Fame Coach - God the Father! An All -American Quarterback - God the Son! An All-SEC, Offensive & Defensive Line - God the Spirit! And the ultimate and time tested "playbook," God's Word!

By the way, Jesus of Nazareth of Galilee defeated Satan of Hades College 40 to "zip" in that Championship Game! Jesus earned "O" & "D" MVP Player of the Game and cinched the Heisman Trophy that year as a true Freshman!

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 1 Corinthians 9:24

"Play Like A Champion Today!"