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Gospel centred sermons, based on the lectionary often in advance.

Mar 13, 2014

Focus Reading: Gen 2:15-17; Gen 3:1-7, Matt 4:1-11 Click HERE for Audio File

Jesus is confronted by three temptations in the desert. He is tempted to look after his own physical needs, to serve himself but he looks to his relationship with God to provide. He is tempted to make a spectacle of himself, prove himself before others and all the world, but instead he trusts God rather than test God. Finally he is tempted to become a great ruler, a tyrant, to fit in with the way of the world, to worship power and strength. Perhaps this is the greatest temptation of all. It is the idol of idependence. We all want to be Kings or Queens or rulers. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden we want to say what is right and wrong for ourselves rather than accept that there is One outside us who is our ruler or accept that we need help from God or others. The most important thing in life is not power or independence, it is the power, providence, justice, love and mercy of God and the love and support of the neighbours he gives us. All these other things are idols which will consume our life. Only God gives and restores life and only God can be a subject or object of worship.

Questions for thought and discussion.

What do you find most tempting in life? What is the significance of Jesus’ rejectingtemptation?  Why do we give into temptation?

Image credit: Jonas Marcos San Luis 123rf.com

Tags: RCL Jesus temptation idol idolatry individualism lent wilderness