GOD WORKS FOR HIS PEOPLE

^{Isaiah 64: 1}

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! ²As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! ³For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. ⁴Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

 

Acts 17:25

neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life and breath and all things

^{2 Chronicles 16: 9} 

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly, for from now on thou shalt have wars.

God never needs help. He doesn’t. His help is available!

• God is a God who works for us……

^{Psalm 10:7} 

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Isaiah 31:1

Woe (judgment is coming) to those who go down to Egypt for help, Who rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many, And in Σhorsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek andconsult the Lord!

Mathew 4

Introduction

I have two hopes for this message.

One is that we know Jesus better. The Son of God began his life’s ministry with a 40 day fast. We should stop and think about this. We should ask, What about me, Lord? Can I face the incredible challenges to my Christian life without sharing in the fasting of Jesus?

Second is that we know that these are pivotal days at INDY CITY CHURCH. I feel a stirring in my heart for what God is preparing for us. What a privilege to be here! My heart is hungry for a deeper work of God in our midst! A work that will see supernatural new birth taking place week in and week out through this church.

Sermon Points

Jesus was tempted by the devil, as planned by God in His divine purpose, in order to prepare Him for ministry.

The temptation is an enticement to act contrary to God’s will, which is what Satan was attempting with Jesus and what he continually tries to do with us.

The tempter, Satan, is an intelligent being who is completely evil and is directly involved in perpetrating evil in the world.

The timing of one particular episode in Jesus’ life is significant. Satan waited to tempt Christ until He was weak with hunger after 40 days of fasting.

The limits of our temptations are set by the Lord who has established boundaries over which Satan cannot cross. The plan of defense against temptation is reliance upon the Word of God.

1. First Satan tempted Jesus to use His divine, supernatural power to satisfy His hunger. Turning stones into bread is a symbol of the sinful means man use to meet his needs.
2. Then the devil suggested that Jesus jump off the pinnacle of the temple and miraculously land on His feet in order to attract a crowd. Jesus deserves to be rescued by the angels because he is the son of the almighty God.
3. Finally, Satan took Jesus to a high mountain to show Him all the kingdoms of the world. He offered to hand them all over to Christ if He would bow down and worship him.

Like Jesus, we will be tempted the same way. As believers in Christ, we don’t have to yield to temptation. If we’ll go to the One who successfully conquered temptation every time, we can learn lessons from His example.

Laying it all at the altar

Our Small Dreams on the Altar We have been established for big purposes. We’ve been chosen to go where few have gone. We have been called to transform the world. We are destined to usher in the glory of God.		Romans 16:25-27
Your Naivety on the Altar WE NEED TO OVERCOME PREDATORS TOGETHER. WHEN PREDATORS PROWL, WE NEED TO BE VIGILANT. POLITICAL CORRECTNESS WON’T DEFEAT PREDATORS. FOCUS ON YOUR DADDY, NOT THE PREDATOR.		Romans 16:17-20
Leaving It All On the Altar A LOVING FAMILY IS RISKY BUSINESS. REACHING OUT IN MERCY IS A RISK WORTH TAKING COMMITMENT TO THE WORD TAKES RISKS RISKY LIVES ARE DEPENDENT ON THE HOLY SPIRIT RISKY LIVING CALLS FOR GROWING IN GRACE		Romans 16:3-5
Your Narcissism on the Altar
Your Wallets on the Altar
Your Popularity on the Altar
Your Preferences on the Altar
Your Rights on the Altar
Your Gavel on the Altar
Your Time on the Altar
Your Self-Interest on the Altar
Your Autonomy on the Altar – The Surrender of Sacrifice
Your Revenge on the Altar – The Meekness of Sacrifice
Your Pride on the Altar – The Surrender of Sacrifice
Your Heart on the Altar – The Sincerity of Sacrifice
Dreams on the Altar – The Expectations of Sacrifice
Mercy on the Altar – The Heart of Sacrifice

CROSSING THE DIVIDE

Messages In This Series

When Israel Comes Home – Caring or Condemning?
The Beauty of Happy Feet – Hoarding or Sharing?
Working While Relaxing – Human Effort or Divine Choice?
The Urgency of the Gospel
Hope in the Heat of Battle – Conquered or Conquerors?
The War Within – Flesh or Spirit?
A Slave?s Mentality – Freedom or Slavery?
Adam Lives Again – Life or Death?
The Snare of Tradition – Traditions or Truth?
Bridging the Gulf – Faith or Works?
The Tie That Binds – Religion or Reality?
The Mother of All Sins – Creator or Creation?

Membership

Three are three ways to join Send Indy City Church

BAPTISM:
For persons who have been saved by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and desire to obey Christ by being scripturally baptized by immersion.

LETTER FROM ANOTHER CHURCH:
For persons who are saved, have been baptized by immersion after salvation, and are members in good standing of another church which will transfer them by letter to Send Indy City Church.

STATEMENT OF FAITH:
For persons who are saved and have been baptized by immersion after salvation but are not members of another Baptist church.