| Some verses to revisit from Sunday’s Sermon on the “Power of Preparation.” Luke 2:52-And Jesus grew in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Matthew 3:16-17-As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 4:1-Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus lived a powerful life in part because He lived a prepared life. Jesus prepared by seeking wisdom. He grew in wisdom. He didn’t have a know-itall attitude. He embraced the value of learning. Proverbs 4:7 says: “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Jesus prepared by learning the Word of God. Jesus took seriously the Word of God. Learning it well prepared Him not just for His Messianic Rescue Mission, but it prepared Him for life as well. He memorized passages of Scripture, and when He was challenged as an adult about what certain things meant or why He did what He did, He was able to quote the Scripture, which He had hidden in his heart. The more we learn about God’s Word as young people, the better we will be prepared to handle every aspect of life. Jesus grew in favor with people. People liked Him. Jesus learned to work well with people. He was others-focused. He looked for ways to lift other people up. He certainly knew how to build a team. He was followed closely by 12. I mean, when 12 people sign up to leave everything they have worked for and known behind to follow You and for no pay, You must have favor with people. Jesus prepared well by knowing who He was and why He was on earth. At His baptism in Matthew 3, Jesus heard the Father repeat what He already knew. He was God’s Son. God was pleased with Him. He was so clear about His identity. He knew He belonged to His Heavenly Father who couldn’t make a mistake. He knew His life’s mission was directed by God, and that gave Him confidence to complete it. Jesus prepared well by learning how to fight for His future. Satan wanted to alter Jesus’ mission. He wanted Him to opt for plan B rather than the Father’s mission. What Satan must not have realized is that Jesus was already prepared to begin His earthly ministry. Verse 1 of Matthew 4 tells us the Spirit led Jesus into the desert. Jesus was already following the voice of the Holy Spirit. All of Jesus’ previous preparation led Him to be able to fight and defeat Satan in the desert. Let’s commit to preparing well in order to live well! As the Heavenly Father did in the desert of temptation for Jesus, God will empower us to be victorious in His name! Pastor Melissa
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