Worship Preparation - January 18, 2026
Read the sermon text: Luke 4:1-13
Read the sermon summary: Faithfulness, while it can be possessed in comfortable circumstances, is most clearly demonstrated in the midst of trials. Jesus has submitted to his Father in the baptismal waters, associating with sinful humanity. Luke has shown that he is the Son of God and the Savior provided for all mankind. However, before Jesus begins his ministry, he faces a test in the wilderness from the devil demonstrating his readiness to fulfill the purposes of God. Luke carefully describes this episode in such a way that the reader can't help but think about Israel in the wilderness. As you recall, Israel too was led by the Spirit of God into the wilderness, they faced hunger, temptations to worship other gods, and they put the Lord to the test. As soon as we see the similarities in the episodes, however, we begin to see the differences. Whereas the Israelites grumbled against God and grieved the Spirit, Jesus resolutely trusts in the Father and embraces the role that has been given to him. In preparation for the sermon consider the following questions: What other similarities do you see between Jesus' temptation scene and the Israelites in the wilderness? Jesus quotes Scripture to the devil: What is the significance of the specific passages Jesus quotes? What do we learn about the devil and his tactics from this passage?
Read the following song lyrics in relation to the sermon:
His Glory And My Good
Verse 1
I have seen my Father’s glory
Revealed in Jesus Christ
And the more that I behold Him
The more He satisfies
When I gaze upon His beauty
When I see Him as I should
Then my eyes are lifted upward
For His glory and my good
Verse 2
There is hope in every trial
For I can trust the Lord
He will turn my heart towards Him
And help me bear the thorn
So in faith I follow Jesus
On the road not understood
For I know that He is working
For His glory and my good
Chorus 1
To our God be the glory
To our God be praise
He alone the name above all names
I will boast ever only in the Lord my God
For I know His glory is my good
Verse 3
See the open arms of Jesus
Upon the cross that day
What they understood as weakness
Deserves my every praise
For the charge that was against me
It was nailed into the wood
Yes I know that He has saved me
For His glory and my good
Verse 4
Would I gladly be made nothing
That Christ would be made more
Would I seek the only kingdom
That far outweighs them all
I will stand before my Father
Where the faithful saints have stood
And with joy my heart shall praise Him
For His glory and my good
Chorus 2
To our God be the glory
To our God be praise
He alone the name above all names
I will boast ever only in the Lord my God
For I know His glory is my good
For I know His glory is my good
CCLI Song #7235691
Ben Fielding | Jonny Robinson | Rich Thompson
© 2024 Ben Fielding Publishing; CityAlight Music
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #11078052