Ash Wednesday
Pay attention to things.
“You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone.”
The Temptation of Jesus
The Greek word means either:
Test
or
Tempt
Depending on the context.
Pay attention
The Good News
God will always give us strength
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
Pay attention.
What is the way(s) out?
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
- Matthew 6:13
Pay attention.
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
-Hebrews 2:9-18
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
-James 1:2,3
Pay attention.
God warns us not to bring on Temptation ourselves
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
- James 1:13,14
Pay attention.
If “Attention” was the name of a person, pay him.
Paying “Attention” may be the cheapest payment we ever make.
You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone.”
The Temptation of Jesus
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
1st Temptation
The temptation to selfishly do things for yourself.
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Q: How is the Devil tempting you to “Do something for yourself” that may “Side-track you” from God?
Pay extra attention to it for 40 days
2nd Temptation
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Satan suggests what his Father ought to do for Jesus.
Q: How might the Devil be tempting you to “Push the Limits” on God’s promises?
3rd Temptation
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Lastly, he suggests how he himself (Satan) could provide for Jesus.
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
Q: How does the Devil tempt you to compromise and take shortcuts?
You don’t have to…
(Silent and Personal Confession)
“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”
-Luke 4:13
“When you were dead in your sins… God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
-Colossians 3:13-15
Prayer
Thank you Lord, for loving us and sacrificing for us. Yours was the greatest sacrifice of all. As we offer ourselves to you in the next forty days of Lent, we vow to become more aware of how we live. Too often we have not realized that we have selfishly done things for ourselves. At times we didn’t realize that we pushed the boundaries of your promises. And at times we have compromised and have taken sinful shortcuts. Thank you for forgiving us when we have and hear us as we pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.
Amen!
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