Temptation's Lie

February 15, 2016

Opening Hymns:
496 Sweet Hour of Prayer http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh496.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:
     Temptation is a nasty thing that can find its way in when we are at our weakest. When we are tired, stressed, sad, and pushed to our limit… that is when temptation can strike.

     In today’s scripture Jesus is tempted by the devil after he has been fasting for 40 days and nights. He is tired, weak and hungry. Yet, Jesus remembers who He is, and Whose He is. He remembers that God is the one He is called to serve. He uses scripture to back up His beliefs, and to point out the Devil’s lies.

     Whenever we are tempted by anything, we must remember to strike back with truth. Temptation can be sneaky. Often times we like to deny that we are even being tempted! But temptation itself is not a sin (after all, Jesus Himself was tempted), and being able to identify it is the first step in avoiding its trap.

     God is greater than any temptation, and we can’t always face these challenges on our own. Through the support of our neighbors and with God’s help, every challenge and temptation can be overcome. When we are weak, God can give us strength. With His truth we can point out the lies told by each temptation, and remind ourselves who we are, and most importantly Whose we are.   

    
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, be with us during each temptation. Remind us of Your unfailing love and faithfulness. Give us the knowledge to discern what is right or wrong, and the strength to follow Your path. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
103 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh103.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