Introduction

Matthew skips some of the earliest events as recorded in John's Gospel: the wedding at Cana, the first cleansing of the temple, the encounter with Nicodemus, the visit to Samaria and reveals to us a most remarkable event – the temptation of the Messiah!

Why is this event so important?

1. It represented a supernatural showdown between Satan and the Son of God
2. It reversed the failure of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Where the first Adam failed, the Second Adam triumphed!
3. It demonstrated Jesus’ holy, sinless and perfect role as the atoning Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world
4. It enabled Jesus to identify with mankind and become a sympathetic High Priest
5. It offers believers a biblical pattern for overcoming temptation

May God bless you through this message!

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When you consider the job description of mothering, it is truly astonishing:

A mother is the family chauffeur, gardener, family counselor, teacher, pediatrician, entertainer, maintenance worker, cleaning woman, housekeeper, cook, errand runner, bookkeeper/budget manager, interior decorator, caterer, dietitian, secretary, public relations person, and hostess.

Being a mother is definitely challenging. In fact, at times, it can be overwhelming. Here are some challenges that mothers face:

1) Low self-esteem

2) Monotony and loneliness

3) Stress from too many demands

4) Lack of time with her husband

5) Confusion about child discipline

6) Maintaining a peaceful home atmosphere

7) Need for outside role models

8) The daily challenging of training up children

(From And Then I Had Children, Susan A. Yates)

In light of these challenges, what does a mother really need? What does you mother really need? Obviously, she your needs your respect, your love and your appreciation. But there is something a mother needs even more than these. Since God created women and motherhood, let’s turn to Ephesians 5 and find out what God says mothers need most. (2001)

May God bless you through this message!

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In Matthew chapters 1 and 2 we were introduced to Promised Messiah:

1. His genealogy: Being of the ancestry and lineage of King David
2. His virgin birth: Conceived of the Holy Spirit
3. His visiting guests: The Wise Men, AKA King-Makers, of Persia
4. His miraculous deliverance from King Herod

Only Luke’s gospel records any events of Jesus’ childhood:

1. He astonished the spiritual leaders of Israel with the depth of his spiritual understanding and insight (Luke 2:41-48).
2. He had an awareness of God’s calling on his life (Luke 2:49)
3. He was obedient to his parents (Luke 2:51)
4. He grew: (Luke 2:52)
5. In wisdom and stature
6. In favor with God and men

Unlike Luke’s account, Matthew skips directly ahead 28 years to the start of Jesus’ ministry.

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

In Matthew chapters 1 and 2 we were introduced to Promised Messiah:

1. His genealogy: Being of the ancestry and lineage of King David
2. His virgin birth: Conceived of the Holy Spirit
3. His visiting guests: The Wise Men, AKA King-Makers, of Persia
4. His miraculous deliverance from King Herod

Only Luke’s gospel records any events of Jesus’ childhood:

1. He astonished the spiritual leaders of Israel with the depth of his spiritual understanding and insight (Luke 2:41-48).
2. He had an awareness of God’s calling on his life (Luke 2:49)
3. He was obedient to his parents (Luke 2:51)
4. He grew: (Luke 2:52)
5. In wisdom and stature
6. In favor with God and men

Unlike Luke’s account, Matthew skips directly ahead 28 years to the start of Jesus’ ministry.

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

----more----

We are faced with a choice when it comes to the Messiah:

1. We can be like Herod, who responded with fear, jealousy and hostility
2. We can be like the religious leaders who responded with indifference
3. We can be like the Wise Men who responded with submission, worship and joy!

Isa 55:6-7 "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."

As stated on a popular bumper sticker: "Wise men still seek Him" (2011)

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

We are faced with a choice when it comes to the Messiah:

1. We can be like Herod, who responded with fear, jealousy and hostility
2. We can be like the religious leaders who responded with indifference
3. We can be like the Wise Men who responded with submission, worship and joy!

Isa 55:6-7 "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."

As stated on a popular bumper sticker: "Wise men still seek Him" (2011)

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

Most of us skip over these sections like Matthew 1:1-17 and they are rarely read in public. And I’ve never met anyone who has memorized this passage or put it to music and led a congregation in singing it! t reminds me of the story of the man who was asked to write a review of the phone book. His summary: “Great cast of characters. Weak plot.”

But skipping over the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1:1-17 would be a mistake! (2010)

1. There are no portions of the Bible that are unimportant – every word counts!
2. The genealogy of Christ is a treasure trove of spiritual truth and revelation!

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

Most of us skip over these sections like Matthew 1:1-17 and they are rarely read in public. And I’ve never met anyone who has memorized this passage or put it to music and led a congregation in singing it! t reminds me of the story of the man who was asked to write a review of the phone book. His summary: “Great cast of characters. Weak plot.”

But skipping over the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1:1-17 would be a mistake! (2010)

1. There are no portions of the Bible that are unimportant – every word counts!
2. The genealogy of Christ is a treasure trove of spiritual truth and revelation!

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com