11-16-2017

Good Morning All,

                  Hebrews 4:15; “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

    Jesus was tempted.  This is one of the more frustrating sections of Scripture.  Many of us have trouble with Jesus being tempted.  We seem to struggle with the idea that the devil tempted Jesus with ideas like greed, lust, selfishness, arrogance, etc.  We don’t really like to think of Jesus being tempted; we can be very uncomfortable with it.  We like to think that he was more God so that somehow he was immune to the devil’s attacks.  We like to think that, in many ways, our struggles are greater.  It is harder for me to not look with lust at someone other than my spouse.  It is a weakness for me.  My desire for money is something that I must be genetically predisposed to. (sounds good anyway)

    We like to think that it is somehow more difficult for me.  This is why God should be more patient with me.  The temptations are harder for me.  The struggle is tougher for me; my battle is greater than anyone else.  That is why I “slip” so easily.  It is why I can’t walk away from gossip; it is why I always give the “holy stare” when someone I don’t know comes into “my” church.  It is why I can think of everyone who should be listening to this sermon (besides me).  It is why I like to stare at the beautiful people.  It is why I think my parents, teachers, bosses are clueless idiots.  My temptations must be worse.

    Yet Scriptures tells us something different.  Jesus was tempted in every way as we are except he did not sin.  As you read that statement or the verse for today.  It can be a statement of indictment or a source of comfort.  When we realize that our temptations are not unique or tougher on us than on someone else (even Jesus), our attempts to explain away or make excuses for our sins begin to look and sound very hollow.  Hopefully, it will also lead to a true repentance for those sins and the joy that we can truly experience when we hear God’s words of forgiveness.

    This verse can truly be a source of comfort because Jesus does know how hard it is.  Jesus knows how hard the devil tries, how the devil knows our weaknesses whether it is wine, greed, anger or lust and he launches attack after attack at them.  No amount of strength on our part, no amount of personal drive will ever prevail.  We need to turn to the only one to win; we need to turn to Jesus.  We do this best by staying in his Word, reading the Bible daily and joining that with prayer.  We do this best by seeking his mercy.  Our next best way is to avoid the places or people that “lead us into temptation”.  Go to God and away from sin.  Trust in God to mercifully provide for us a way out.

Dearest Jesus, you know what I go through.  You know how difficult it is for me to avoid temptation and when I try to battle on my own; I lose.  Lead me to rely on you and you alone.  Keep me safe in the shadow of your wings.  To you alone is the glory, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret    

Good Morning All,

                  Hebrews 4:15; “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

    Jesus was tempted.  This is one of the more frustrating sections of Scripture.  Many of us have trouble with Jesus being tempted.  We seem to struggle with the idea that the devil tempted Jesus with ideas like greed, lust, selfishness, arrogance, etc.  We don’t really like to think of Jesus being tempted; we can be very uncomfortable with it.  We like to think that he was more God so that somehow he was immune to the devil’s attacks.  We like to think that, in many ways, our struggles are greater.  It is harder for me to not look with lust at someone other than my spouse.  It is a weakness for me.  My desire for money is something that I must be genetically predisposed to. (sounds good anyway)

    We like to think that it is somehow more difficult for me.  This is why God should be more patient with me.  The temptations are harder for me.  The struggle is tougher for me; my battle is greater than anyone else.  That is why I “slip” so easily.  It is why I can’t walk away from gossip; it is why I always give the “holy stare” when someone I don’t know comes into “my” church.  It is why I can think of everyone who should be listening to this sermon (besides me).  It is why I like to stare at the beautiful people.  It is why I think my parents, teachers, bosses are clueless idiots.  My temptations must be worse.

    Yet Scriptures tells us something different.  Jesus was tempted in every way as we are except he did not sin.  As you read that statement or the verse for today.  It can be a statement of indictment or a source of comfort.  When we realize that our temptations are not unique or tougher on us than on someone else (even Jesus), our attempts to explain away or make excuses for our sins begin to look and sound very hollow.  Hopefully, it will also lead to a true repentance for those sins and the joy that we can truly experience when we hear God’s words of forgiveness.

    This verse can truly be a source of comfort because Jesus does know how hard it is.  Jesus knows how hard the devil tries, how the devil knows our weaknesses whether it is wine, greed, anger or lust and he launches attack after attack at them.  No amount of strength on our part, no amount of personal drive will ever prevail.  We need to turn to the only one to win; we need to turn to Jesus.  We do this best by staying in his Word, reading the Bible daily and joining that with prayer.  We do this best by seeking his mercy.  Our next best way is to avoid the places or people that “lead us into temptation”.  Go to God and away from sin.  Trust in God to mercifully provide for us a way out.

Dearest Jesus, you know what I go through.  You know how difficult it is for me to avoid temptation and when I try to battle on my own; I lose.  Lead me to rely on you and you alone.  Keep me safe in the shadow of your wings.  To you alone is the glory, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret