Truth Academy - Matthew Ch. 4

Matthew 4 Click on the link to read this passage online
The Greek word that translates to tempted can also mean tested. God led the children of Israel through the desert for 40 years so that they could be tested. Jesus is experiencing a similar test, there is nothing that we have or will experience that Christ has not gone through himself.
When God tempts/tests us, it is different in comparison to the temptation of the devil, as he tempts people to do evil. Gods testing leads to humility, strength in Him, and a closer relationship with Him. The devil tried to tempt Jesus three times and each time Jesus used the word of God to show the devil that he was not going to be fall for his tricks.

In verse three the devils asks Jesus to provide food for himself since he is hungry. The devil will use our circumstances to try and cause us to turn away from God or do what is outside of his will. He was telling Jesus to use his powers for his own benefit. Jesus tells the devil that there is something more important than food, and that God is our provider and all we need comes from Him.

In verse six the devils asks Jesus to throw himself off the temple in order to prove/disprove God's word and faithfulness. Jesus points out that we should not put God to the test. God does not perform on demand just to prove who he is, we shouldn't put ourselves in dangerous situations to try and prove Gods faithfulness or even our faith in Him. If God wants to do it, He will do it, and He has already told us that He will, that is all we need to know and believe.

In verse nine the devil tries to tempt Jesus by offering Him the world in exchange for worshipping him. Jesus tells the devil that God is the only being that should be worshipped. God should be first in our life, second to none. There are some who worship Mary because she was the mother of Jesus, some worship angels and some worship saints. However, here Jesus clearly states that worship if for the Lord our God. He created us and meets all our needs, so all glory should go to Him and Him alone. We need to remain strong and not turn from the way of God because something looks appealing or beneficial. Always remember that the value of salvation is far greater than anything the devil or anyone else can give to us.

Jesus began his ministry in the same way as John the baptist, this shows a unity in the message that they brought.
When he called Peter, Andrew, James and John,  one important thing to note is that they went immediately, they didn't ask to pray and fast, or talk it over with their families. Something in them connected with Jesus allowing them to know that they should follow him. We also have to have that same connection with Christ so that when he speaks we will hear and obey.

Truth Academy - Matthew Ch.3

 Matthew 3 Click the link to read this passage

John the Baptist called for people to repent, to make a change to their lives. This change is a drastic one, when we give our lives to God we give up everything that we are and hand it over to Him. All our priorities change because we know that in putt God first everything else in our life will fall into place.

John's calling was to prepare the way for Christ, he prepared the people for his arrival. In particular he warned the religious leaders that even though they were descended from Abraham, in order to receive salvation they would have to turn to Christ. This is also an example to us that salvation is not a birth right, we don't inherit it from our parents. We each have to make the decision give our lives to Christ and not think that because our parents are that we are automatically right with God. He also told them to "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance", when we give our lives to Christ it should be evident in our fruit (our behaviour, character, our words, thoughts and what we do). Others should see the change that has been made within us and also benefit from this (as fruit is good for all).

In verses 9b to 10, John goes further and informs these leaders that God can easily raise up children for Abraham, so they shouldn't see themselves as being anything special. We shouldn't think too highly of our selves either, if we don't do what God has called us to do/don't put our talent to use, God can bring in someone else who will. We are not indispensable, we don't give our lives to Christ because he needs us, we do it because we need him, it is for our benefit not his.

Water baptism is an outward sign of repentance, you can repent without being baptised but in order to be baptised you must repent. Nowadays people will be baptised just so that they can be part of a particular community or school or hold a position within the church, but unless these people have repented this baptism is meaningless.

John brought us the baptism that would enable us to draw near to God, Christ would bring us the baptism that would enable us to live out or salvation to its full extent. He will equip us so that we can fully understand his word, hear his voice, and have his power working through us.

At the time of judgment, Christ will separate those who are his from those who aren't, he will take his people whilst everyone else will be thrown into the fire like the chaff.

We must continue to look within ourselves to ensure that we are the wheat and not the chaff.

Truth Academy - Matthew Ch. 2

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Matthew 2 click the link to read this passage

One thing of importance to note here is that the bible does not say that there were Three Wise Men, as is commonly thought. The bible just says 'wise men', and as these men gave Jesus three gifts it has been concluded by many that there were three of them.
The Magi travelled far to see Jesus, they referred to him as being King of the Jews, not King over themselves and yet they still travelled in search of this new king so that they could honour him. How many of us who know Christ and believe him to be Lord of all would be willing to travel to the furthest part of the earth to honour him.

Another common misconception is that the wise men visited Jesus on the night of his birth. In verse 11, we see that the wise men visited Jesus in house and most likely arrived months later as Jesus is described as a 'child'.

Throughout the life of Jesus we see him experience the same things that we experience. This also occurred during his childhood. In verse 15, we see a quotation from Hosea 11:1, which was originally in reference to the children of Israel being called out of Egypt. As Israel went to Egypt to seek aid, Jesus also went to Egypt to escape the threat from Herod. Then at the appointed time Israel was brought out of Egypt, as was Jesus (see v:19).

The phrase 'He will be called a Nazarene', is not found in the Old Testament. It is believed that it relates to prophecies that the Messiah would be despised (see Psalm 22:6 and Isaiah 53:3) and in those days the word Nazarene was a synonym for despised.
Jesus was not accepted by everyone, if he was despised even by the people he came to save we shouldn't expect to be treated any differently. We shouldn't be surprised to find that not everyone likes us and agrees with our beliefs, but we should seek strength from Christ and hold fast onto him.