2. Mission Minded

Matthew 4:4 — But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Introduction - "If thou Be..." [IF?]

• Matthew 1:18 a babe "of the Holy Ghost" 1:21 has come "to save his people from there sins" and 23 "God with Us"
• Matthew 2:1 Wisemen came seeking one "born King of the Jews" (In Matthew 27 mocked him)
• Matthe 3:17 "This is my beloved Son" waters of Baptism

Matthew 3:16 &mdashp And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 4:3 — And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

• IF thou be? There was no question, Jesus is the Word with and was God made flex (John 1:1,14). The satisfaction of the desire of the ages. King of Kings, Son of God. <-- THERE IS NO IF
• And Yet, the tempter came, "If thou be ..."
• Jesus was on a mission

1. The Counterfiet - Temptation - Surviving on Crumbs - Side Quests - Can, but should?

• Remember, whatever the tempter is offering God has more!
• You are going to need for than that <-- Wisdom "Are you really going to go out in that?"
• The tempation was to do a miracle at the tempters bidding,

1. NEGLECTING THE SPRITUAL FOOD [LED OF THE SPIRIT] - Matthew 4:4 — But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

2. TEMPTING GOD [PUT GOD ON TRIAL] Matthew 4:7 — Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

3.WORSHIP ANY OTHER Mt 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

• You cannot live these crumbs!

• My meat is to do the will ... while he was led of the Spirit into the wilderness to fast and to be tempted.

2. The Key - Living on the Word (The Trade)

• Can you live on that? Does that really work? Whats the TRADE in? Trusting God and stuff?

• Not merely surviving; living = abundant life "I am come that ye might have life.

• EX: Ruth was staring down widowhood with no social safety net during a famine. YOUR GOD, MY GOD

• HE SUSTAINS US

• Testimony Thread, December 28, 2025

• EX: LUCY -> "On 5th, September 2025, the glory of God took over my exams.In one of the departments, I wanted to get a distinction. The criteria was that you had to have up to 70 in all exams. In our mock, I scored a 69. I was so worried because I felt I didn’t meet up. Along the line, I had this peace and assurance in my heart that God would still make a way and He did. The last 3 weeks of my exam preparation, my own strength failed me. It was so obvious that God did it! He helped me.

• EDWIN -> God Sustained Me This Year. The year 2025 has been tough for me, but I choose to give thanks to God for everything. For God has sustained me & my wife and provided for us. I had been shortlisted for 2 scholarships to study abroad, but they didn’t materialize because of being on both liests canceled me. In June, I quit my job because of stress and fear. Since then, I have been looking for jobs. In October, I attended an interview, got the job offer letter the same day and 2 days later, the offer was cancelled. In December, I went for professional registration assessment and was turned back. As we end the year, I choose to submit everything to God and thank Him for His perfect will and protection. My wife is also now jobless, please pray for me and my wife.

• Braxton -> "How I Accepted Jesus into My Life. It all began when I witnessed my sister accept Jesus into her heart. I was scared because I hadn’t done it myself yet. For a whole year, I waited, feeling a longing for something more. Finally, after praying and reflecting, I accepted Him into my life. Shortly after, I was baptized by the Holy Spirit, and I thought everything was going great. But then, in 2024, my world was shaken when my cousin committed suicide. It felt like everything spiraled from there – my parents went through a tough separation, and my relationship with my sister became strained, and I ended up in a home for my mental health. But while I was there, something incredible happened. I started to grow closer to Jesus in ways I never expected. I attended church regularly and prayed every night. This brought me comfort and strength as I navigated my struggles. I realized just how much I needed Him in my life. ... I stand here and proclaim my faith with all of my heart. I’m now 15 years old and going to church every Sunday and Wednesday and loving it. So, I thank God for turning my life around and giving me the courage to do what was right.

Ps 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Concluslion - Then Jesus Came

VERSE 1

• One sat alone beside the highway begging,
• His eyes were blind, the light he could not see;
• He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows,
• Then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee.

CHORUS

• When Jesus comes the tempter's pow'r is broken,
• When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away.
• He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,
• For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.

VERSE 2

• From home and friends the evil spirits drove him,
• Among the tombs he dwelt in misery;
• He cut himself as demon pow'rs possess'd him,
• Then Jesus came and set the captive free. [Refrain]

VERSE 3

• Their hearts were sad as in the tomb they laid him,
• For death had come and taken him away;
• Their night was dark and bitter tears were falling,
• Then Jesus came and night was turn'd to day. [Refrain]

Verse 4

-So men today have found the Savior able,

• They could not conquer passion, lust and sin;
• Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely,
• Then Jesus came and dwelt Himself within.