Gospel – Matthew 3 – 4
First of all, I hope you are enjoying reading the Words of God as much as I am.
Today is the 14th day of Jan 2009. It means we have gone round the different genres of the Bible twice.
Secondly, I made a mistake the last time. If you look at the Bible Reading Schedule, we were supposed to read only Matthew 1 -2 last week. But I actually put down Chapters 1 to 3.
But it does not matter. You can read Chapter 3 again, can’t you? 🙂
Last week when we read Matthew, it was highlighted that Chapters 3 – 4 refer to ‘The Work of Jesus – The Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God’.
In fact, this was also a training period for Jesus.
1. Keeping The Will of God: Through the incident of John the Baptist proclaiming that the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ is at hand, to the humility of Jesus in accepting baptism, to the testimony of Jesus by the Holy Spirit – all these serve as great examples to those who wants to enter God’s kingdom (Chapter 3).
2. Facing Temptations: After the Lord was filled with the Holy Spirit – He was able to overcome the king of the world – the temptations of the devil. He thus became the light out of the darkness and the King of His kingdom. We also see Him calling fishermen to follow Him and preached the Gospel to all the lands (Chapter 4).
Bible Passage: Matthew 3 – 4
Some things to Consider:
Matthew 3:8 – “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance”
We are just in the beginning of a new year. Last night during the Hymn Service, there was a message on how members of the Katong Home Fellowship did not intentionally make resolutions for the new year, but there were certain aspirations of doing some things better this year.
There were many things that we did last year that we do not want to do them again this year. We want to be better. But merely feeling sorry for some wrong action does not constitute repentance and regret. There has to be a change in attitude and behaviour.
So let us work on this this year.
Matthew 3:4, 7, 10 – “It is written… It is written… It is written.”
We have heard this many times but it is something worth repeating and reminding ourselves.
When Jesus was tempted by Satan, each time He responded with the unchanging Word of God: “It is written”. If we want to overcome temptation, we must know what the Word of God says.
Satan’s chief tactics against the believers is to use fear and doubt. He throws accusations, casts doubts about God, and essentially just make you question God and His will for you, so much so, if you are not careful, you stop trusting in God and His ability to provide for you.
Reading God’s Word is a great way to combat fear and doubt.
Daily reading of the Bible – just like what you are doing now in following the Bible Reading Plan – will show you many ways to handle doubt.
This is especially when you get to the Psalms. Many of the Psalmists showcase their personal battles over personal emotions such as anger, doubt, loneliness and discouragement. But you will read that David and the rest made a conscious effort to trust the Lord through very difficult times and they never ever found God wanting.
Hey, I am just reminded of the hymn we sang last night.
Hymn 364 – “Thy Word Have I Hid In My Heart” – which is inspired from Psalm 119:11. They provide a strong closing summary for the reason we hide God’s Word in our hearts: “Thy Word have I hid in my heart—that I might not sin against Thee.”
So read the Bible daily. Even if you cannot finish according to plan. It does not matter. Just read!