True Forgiveness: Building a Future of Life and Peace

A message based on Matthew 4:1-11: Then Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit, to be tempted by the Devil.  After fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus was hungry.  Then the tempter approached and said, “If you are the Only Begotten, command these stones to turn into bread.”Jesus replied, “Scripture has it, ‘We live not on bread alone but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God.’”Next the Devil took Jesus to the Holy City, set him on the parapet of the Temple and said, “If you are the Only Begotten, throw yourself down.  Scripture has it, ‘God will tell the angels to take care of you; with their hands they will support you that you may never stumble on a stone.’” Jesus answered, “Scripture also says, ‘Do not put God to the test.’”The Devil then took Jesus up a very high mountain and displayed all the dominions of the world in their magnificence, promising, “All these I will give you if you fall down and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to the Devil, “Away with you, Satan!  Scripture says, ‘You will worship the Most High God; God alone will you adore.’” At that the Devil left, and angels came and attended Jesus.