Temptation is best understood in its first instance in the Garden of Eden. From that quaint story, great truths emerge. Then we look at Jesus' temptation, and then see what Lent calls us to do.
Temptation is always the lure of something exceeding the bounds of the teachings of God and Jesus. We have all fallen prey to its siren call, following a pattern revealed back in the Garden of Eden.
Eve is the focus, but she is a representative type for any human, particularly since Adam falls in with her and also completely disregards what God had required. In their act, we can see all the elements of temptation to sinfulness - to disobedience toward God's way. We can listen as the narrator describes Eve's thoughts that justify what she will do. We realize that she was on the path to her sinful action long before taking a bite.
Jesus faces temptation differently. The source of his spiritual strength is his own discipline, having the spiritual foundation to stay the course in faithfulness to God, seeing through the clever justifications and generous temptations of Satan the Tempter.
Learn why Lent has us focus on our spiritual disciplines and learn about some profound basics of the human inclination to play God and justify what is wrong, evil, and sinful. Check out the sermon video below, noting the downloads below the video panel.
Temptation is always the lure of something exceeding the bounds of the teachings of God and Jesus. We have all fallen prey to its siren call, following a pattern revealed back in the Garden of Eden.
Eve is the focus, but she is a representative type for any human, particularly since Adam falls in with her and also completely disregards what God had required. In their act, we can see all the elements of temptation to sinfulness - to disobedience toward God's way. We can listen as the narrator describes Eve's thoughts that justify what she will do. We realize that she was on the path to her sinful action long before taking a bite.
Jesus faces temptation differently. The source of his spiritual strength is his own discipline, having the spiritual foundation to stay the course in faithfulness to God, seeing through the clever justifications and generous temptations of Satan the Tempter.
Learn why Lent has us focus on our spiritual disciplines and learn about some profound basics of the human inclination to play God and justify what is wrong, evil, and sinful. Check out the sermon video below, noting the downloads below the video panel.
| 03-17-19-sermon.mp3 |
| 03-17-19-ff-answers.pdf |
| 03-17-19-temptation_for_more.pdf |