Message Recap
Pastor Dave Dummit closed out our series, "Overflow: the 9 traits of a Spirit-filled life," teaching about self-control through temptation. Pastor Dave began by asking us what would change in our lives if we had perfect self-control. To help us consider this question and how to exercise self-control, he took us to Luke 4, where we see that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit when he was led into the desert.
1. Say yes to Jesus and get the Holy Spirit.
We don't have what it takes on our own to resist temptation. If we want to have the self-control to resist temptation, the Holy Spirit must be in our lives.
2. Practice Spiritual Disciplines (the Rooted Rhythms).
In Luke 4, we see that Jesus fasted for forty days while He was in the desert, being tempted by Satan. Because of the fasting, He may have been physically weak, but He was spiritually strong—thus being able to resist everything the Devil was promising Him.
3. Remember who you are.
In Luke 4:3, we see the Devil question Jesus's identity when he says, "If you are the Son of God..." Jesus knew He was, in fact, the Son of God. The enemy couldn't get a foothold here—our identity, who we think we are, impacts our behavior. Pastor Dave shared the following declarations with us.
In Christ...
- I am complete (Colossians 2:10).
- I am alive (Ephesians 2:5).
- I am free (Romans 8:2).
- I am holy and without blame (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).
- I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5).
- I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
- I have no lack, for my God supplies all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
- I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).
- I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).
- I am forgiven of all my sins (Ephesians 1:7).
Jesus knew who He was, and He knew the Bible well. So while the Devil tried to tempt Jesus with Scripture, it was no use. Jesus knew the context of the verses he was misusing and didn't fall for it.
Pastor Dave challenged us to be prepared before temptation hits: say yes to the Holy Spirit, practice Rooted Rhythms, and know the Word of God.
