Two Stories of Temptation

March 7, 2014

Opening Hymns:
454 Open My Eyes That I May See http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh454.sht

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 4:1-11
4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

4:2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.

4:3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."

4:4 But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,

4:6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"

4:7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor;

4:9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."

4:10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"

4:11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Message:
Remember the scripture from yesterday? Today’s temptation is in a very different climate, and under different circumstances. Instead of a garden full of fruit with every need met, Jesus is tempted in a desert where he had been fasting for 40 days and nights. In many ways, these stories are opposites of each other. In Genesis we see sin entering into the world through temptation, and in Mathew 4 we see the Savior of the world overcoming temptations.

These big contrasts show us our own weaknesses and God’s own strength. However, today’s scripture can give us hope. Jesus not only overcomes temptation, but He demonstrates to us how we can overcome temptation as well. We can call on the scriptures to guide our path whenever we feel lead astray. We can look back on this scripture and remind ourselves that it is possible to overcome our temptations.

Whether you’re in a garden, or in the desert of your life, temptations can be hard. But the good news is: They can be defeated! And even when we do fall short, Jesus paid the price for our sin and forgives us. Our struggles and temptations will eventually fade away, but Jesus will reign forever, and with Him we too can have eternal life.  

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us these beautiful scriptures so that we can better follow Your path. Help guide us through each struggle that we face, and help us through all of our temptations. Thank you for loving us even when we fall short. Thank You for giving Your Son to die on the cross for us, so that we can have eternal life with You. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
672 God Be With You Till We Meet Again http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh672.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God