I Thought You Were Different

In one paragraph

This message worked through the final temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4, looking at what it means to live visibly different from the world and to serve God only. The preacher drew on a story from Eric Sandras's book Buck Naked Faith alongside several passages of scripture to show how the enemy exploits our desire to blend in, and how God uses trials to shape and prove us. The sermon closed with the...

Read together

1. Colossians 1:13 God has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his dear son
2. James 4 humble yourselves before God, resist the devil and he will flee from you
3. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble
4. Romans 8:28 he is working it together for good
5. Romans 8:29 God's ultimate purpose that we be conformed more and more into the image of Jesus
6. James 1:12 God blesses those who endure testing and temptation and afterward they will receive the crown of life
7. 1 Corinthians 10:13 no trial or test will be allowed that he knows we cannot bear
8. John 14:27 let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid
9. Matthew 4 the account of the enemy tempting Jesus, referenced in the closing prayer

Talk about it

1. Eric Sandras said he was drawn to 'the freedom of not being known for being different.' Have you ever felt that pull? What was going on in your life at the time?
2. The preacher said our life is a megaphone whether we think so or not. Who in your life is actually watching how you live, and how does that reality sit with you?
3. Jesus responded to every temptation with scripture, and the preacher said he gave Satan no piece of his mind or heart. How do you practically resist when temptation is pressing hard and you do not feel like fighting back?
4. The preacher described suffering as 'father filtered,' meaning nothing reaches us without passing through God first. Does that idea comfort you or does it raise hard questions for you? Why?
5. James 1:12 was quoted about the crown of life promised to those who endure testing. How does keeping an eye on that future reward actually change, or not change, the way you walk through a trial right now?