Overcoming Temptation Grows Our Spiritual Life (Lent 1C)

 Overcoming Temptation Grows Our Spiritual Life

(Bible teaching notes for Lent 1, 2016 by Rev. John Gishler)

The Readings for the First Sunday in Lent are chosen to help us prepare ourselves spiritually for the celebration of Easter through a time of deep self examination, repentance and confession. The goal is not to make us feel guilty but to help us draw nearer to God by overcoming the things – particularly the temptations to sin; that distract us and pollute our personal spirits and separate us from God. 

·       The Deuteronomy Reading (26.1-11) reminds us of our Old Testament Covenant and Baptism obligation to give thanks and acknowledge God as the one who gives us life. 

• Psalm 91 reminds us that God also gives us protection and refuge in a dangerous world.
• Romans reminds us we are justified by the Faith in our heart that God raised Jesus from Death 
• Our Faith is tested and grows by overcoming temptations and proclaiming Jesus as Lord

 

1.     First Test is bread or materialism – our bodily needs and wants (Luke 4.1-13) 

The Gospel story of Jesus being tempted by the Devil teaches us how to see through the deceptions of the Evil One and resist the temptations of our physical, emotional and spiritual needs:

·       First there is an irresistible taunt that questions Jesus identity and mission – “if you are the son of God…”

·       Second there is a need that is hard to resist – Jesus is starving to death / Jesus wants to change the world / Jesus wants to show the power and glory of God to the world

·       Third is the price – by giving in to these very attractive temptations Jesus would be diverted from His identity as Son of God and Saviour – Satan would win, we would have no hope of Salvation from the consequences of our sins and spiritual life

 

 

2.     Second Test is worldly power – all the kingdoms of the world

• Materialism, Avarice and Gluttony pollute our Spirit by distracting us from love of God, others and Self – the “Me Generation”
• Loose our purpose, meaning and identity as a Spirit that is in a love relationship with God – and has temporary physical body

 

·       What emotional needs tempt us: Envy, Jealousy, Lust and Coveting?

·       We all want more. The question is are we willing to sacrifice our relationship with God to get that more?  

·       The question for self-examination is – “in what ways have I failed to keep the Commandments to love and honour God above everything else?”

 

3.     Third Test is Spiritual Power and Authority

Jesus realizes that by jumping off the Temple and being rescued, everyone would recognize Him as Messiah, and he could avoid the pain of the Cross.

·       By avoiding the Cross Jesus mission would have been defeated

·       We would have no personal Saviour, no new Spiritual Life

·       Common example is church fights over who is right about doctrine, liturgy and worship

·       Clergy fear the Holy Spirit because they feel threatened and know many churches have been divided by jealousy of over gifts of the Spirit and healing ministry

·       As Lucy asks in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe “Is he dangerous. Her brother answers “of course He is”

·       There is a reason for “hard testing” of Lent – Spiritual life is dangerous.

 

We are challenged to grow spiritually through these hard temptations by staying focused on God and His purpose and mission.