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This is the audio from the May 10, 2026 sermon, “Prepared To Overcome: Knowing the WORD!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Matthew 4:1-11

• Wilderness:  Matthew 4:1-3

  • We are prepared to overcome when we know the wilderness we live in.  When we realize this life we live is done so in the midst of a wilderness of temptation, we can remain vigilant in not letting the scarcity of life take our eyes off of Jesus.  We overcome when the springs of living water nourish us in the dry and thirsty land in which we live. 

• Opportunity:  Matthew 4:5-9

  • We are prepared to overcome when we know both the opportunities presented and their source.  The enemy will present opportunities to you which will sound very attractive and will often appear as shortcuts to achieving what you really want.  We overcome when we are able to see into the motivation of each opportunity where the true spirit behind them is revealed. 

• Response:  Matthew 4:4, 7, & 10

  • We are prepared to overcome when we know how to respond with God’s Word.  The enemy is good at twisting and misusing God’s Word in ways that are designed to confuse and mislead us.  Our response needs to be more than popular opinion or the way of the world.  We overcome when we become student’s of God’s Word and use it to reject the temptations of the enemy.

• Devil:  Matthew 4:11

  • We are prepared to overcome when we know the relentless nature of the devil.  A victory over temptation does not mean the battle is over.  When we know the attacks are coming, or will return, we can be better prepared to overcome.  We overcome when we know the devil and choose not to give him a foothold in our life.

Today, how will you live as one prepared to overcome by knowing the WORD?