JANUARY 21, 2007

>> GOOD MORNING.

WELCOME EVERYONE TO FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

I HOPE YOU FIND WORSHIP MEANINGFUL THIS MORNING.

YOU WILL SEE A LITTLE RED NOTEBOOK IN YOUR PEWS, IF YOU WILL FILL OUT THE INFORMATION AND PASS IT ON TO YOUR NEIGHBOR, WE WILL APPRECIATE IT.

LET US PREPARE OUR FOCUS FOR GOD AND LET US WORSHIP.

>> GOOD MORNING

>> GOOD MORNING

>> I'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO STAND AND SING OUR OPENING HYMN THIS MORNING, HYMN NUMBER 5, "O, FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING."

>> IF ALL THE CHILDREN WILL COME FORWARD FOR WIGGLE TIME.

HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING TODAY?

GOOD.

DID YOU HAVE A GOOD WEEK?

THIS IS A LITTLE RADIO CASSETTE PLAYER THAT I'VE BEEN GIVEN, IT SHOULD WORK.

I CAN'T GET IT TO WORK RIGHT OFF.

I TRIED TO TURN IT ON, YOU PUT EARPHONES IN IT AND IT SHOULD JUST WORK.

IT WON'T WORK.

I WONDER WHY IT DOESN'T WORK.

CAN YOU TELL ME?

YOU NEED BATTERIES FOR THIS THING TO WORK?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW, THERE ARE NO BATTERIES.

WHY DO YOU NEED BATTERIES?

WOW, THAT'S A REALLY GREAT ANSWER.

YOU NEED A POWER SOURCE THAT FUELS ELECTRICAL ‑‑ WHAT WAS THAT?

ENERGY SOURCE, RIGHT.

RIGHT.

THAT'S GREAT.

SO YOU NEED BATTERIES FOR THIS TO WORK, IT WON'T WORK WITHOUT ANY POWER, WILL IT?

WELL, I THINK THAT'S THE SAME WITH US AS CHRISTIANS, THAT FOR US TO LIVE THE LIFE THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO LIVE WE NEED ENERGY SOURCE, A POWER SOURCE.

WHO KNOWS WHAT THAT IS?

WHO KNOWS WHAT THAT ENERGY SOURCE IS?

IT STARTS WITH AN "H."

CLOSE.

THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THE HOLY SPIRIT, THAT'S THE ENERGY SOURCE THAT JESUS GAVE US AFTER HE DIED AND WAS RESURRECTED SO THAT WE COULD LIVE WITH HIM, AND HE GIVES US THE POWER TO DO THINGS AND SAY THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO AND SAY, BUT WE HAVE TO RELY ON THAT POWER JUST LIKE I HAVE TO RELY ON THE BATTERY POWER IF I WANT THIS TO WORK, OKAY?

SO, REMEMBER THAT, THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE POWER YOU NEED TO BE WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO BE, OKAY?

LET'S PRAY.

PRAY WITH ME.

DEAR GOD: THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR ITS POWER.

HELP US TO CLAIM THAT POWER EVERY DAY.

AMEN.

OKAY.

YOU ALL TAKE ONE OF THESE AND YOU ALL PASS ONE OF THESE AROUND.

YOU GUYS CAN GO BACK.

>> OUR FIRST READING THIS MORNING COMES FROM THE 19TH CHAPTER OF PSALMS, PAGE 473 IN YOUR BIBLE.

LET US LISTEN TO THE WORD OF THE LORD.

THE HEAVENS ARE TELLING THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE FIRMAMENT PROCLAIMS HIS HANDY WORK.

DAY TO DAY POWERS FORTH SPEECH AND NIGHT TO NIGHT DECLARES KNOWLEDGE.

THERE IS NO SPEECH NOR ARE THERE WORDS, THEIR VOICE IS NOT HEARD.

YET THEIR VOICE GOES OUT THROUGH ALL THE EARTH AND THEIR WORDS TO THE END OF THE WORLD.

IN THE HEAVENS HE HAS SET A TENT FOR THE SUN WHICH COMES OUT LIKE A BRIDEGROOM FROM HIS WEDDING CANOPY, AND LIKE A STRONG MAN RUNS ITS COURSE WITH JOY.

ITS RISING IS FROM THE END OF THE HEAVENS AND ITS CIRCUIT TO THE END OF THEM AND NOTHING IS HIDDEN FROM ITS HEAT.

THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT REVIVING THE SOUL, THE DECREASE OF THE LORD ARE SURE MAKING IT WISE THE SIMPLE.

THE PRECEPTS OF THE LORD ARE RIGHT, REJOICING THE HEART.

THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD IS CLEAR, ENLIGHTENING THE EYES.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS PURE, ENDURING FOREVER.

THE ORDINANCES OF THE LORD ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS ALTOGETHER.

MORE TO BE DESIRED ARE THEY THAN GOLD, EVEN MUCH FINE GOLD, SWEETER ALSO THAN HONEY AND DRIPPINGS OF THE HONEYCOMB.

MORE OVER BY THEM IS YOUR SERVANT WARNED IN KEEPING THEM THERE IS GREAT REWARD, BUT WHO CAN DETECT THEIR ERRORS.

CLEAR ME FROM HIDDEN FAULTS.

KEEP BACK YOUR SERVANT ALSO FROM THE INSOLENT, DO NOT LET THEM HAVE DOMINION OVER ME, THEN I SHALL BE BLAMELESS AND INNOCENT OF GREAT TRANSGRESSION.

LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND MEDITATION OF MY HEART BE ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, O LORD, MY STRENGTH AND MY REDEEMER.

THE SECOND READING COMES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT, LUKE, CHAPTER 4, VERSES 1‑13.

AND JESUS, FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT RETURNED FROM THE JORDAN AND WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT IN THE WILDERNESS, WHERE FOR 40 DAYS HE WAS TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL.

HE ATE NOTHING AT ALL DURING THOSE DAYS AND WHEN THEY WERE OVER HE WAS FAMISHED.

THE DEVIL SAID TO HIM: IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, COMMAND THIS STONE TO BECOME A LOAF OF BREAD.

JESUS ANSWERED HIM: IT IS WRITTEN, ONE DOES NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE.

THEN THE DEVIL LED HIM UP AND SHOWED HIM IN AN INSTANT ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD AND THE DEVIL SAID TO HIM: TO HIM I WILL GIVE GLORY AND ALL THE AUTHORITY FOR IT HAS BEEN GIVEN OVER TO ME AND I GIVE IT TO ANYONE I PLEASE IF YOU THEN WILL WORSHIP ME, IT WILL ALL BE YOURS.

JESUS ANSWERED HIM: IT IS WRITTEN, WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE ONLY HIM.

THEN THE DEVIL TOOK HIM TO JERUSALEM AND PLACED HIM ON THE PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE SAYING TO HIM: IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, THROW YOURSELF DOWN FROM HERE FOR IT IS WRITTEN HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO PROTECT YOU, AND ON THEIR HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP SO THAT YOU WILL NOT DASH YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.

JESUS ANSWERED HIM: IT IS SAID DO NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.

WHEN THE DEVIL HAD FINISHED EVERY TEST, HE DEPARTED FROM HIM UNTIL AN OPPORTUNE TIME.

>> Paul: LET'S ALL STAND FOR HYMN 527.

[HYMN 527]

>> Paul: YOU MAY BE SEATED.

GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT ANYONE NEEDS TO MAKE?

MOGGIE HAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> I'M SURE YOU ALL KNOW THIS, BUT IT'S BECAUSE YOU READ THE BRIDGE, RIGHT, BUT THE MEETING RIGHT AFTER CHURCH, CABINET MEETING IS IN THE CHI RHO ROOM, LUNCH IS READY.

NEXT WEEK THERE WILL BE LUNCH IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL AND LUNCH.

BOARD MEMBERS ATTEND THE MEETING.

>> CABINET MEETING AFTER WORSHIP AND BOARD MEETING NEXT WEEK AFTER WORSHIP.

ALSO THIS WEEK, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET THE FELLOWSHIP DINNER WITH NEW MONUMENTAL IS HERE, THEY WILL BE HERE TO HAVE DINNER WITH US AND I BELIEVE THEIR CHOIR WILL BE HERE, THEIR PREACHER WILL BE HERE TO PREACH, SO PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS AND SHOW UP.

ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS?

>> I HAVE A QUESTION, WHEN DO WE START BIBLE STUDY?

>> WHICH ONE?

>> THE ONE ON TUESDAYS.

>> I'M NOT SURE, I'LL GET IT OUT IN THE BRIDGE.

ARE THERE ANY JOYS ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THIS MORNING?

>> YES.

>> DORIS?

>> I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS ABOUT MY SISTER‑IN‑LAW, SHE HAD MORE TESTS AND WE WERE PRAYING THAT THE MEDICINE THAT SHE TOOK EARLY HAS DONE GOOD ON THE CANCER, ON THE RENAL VEIN, SO THE DOCTOR SAID, "I DON'T NEED TO SEE YOU FOR 3 MONTHS," SO THAT WAS OUR GOOD NEWS.

>> I THINK THE JOY, I ALWAYS ENJOY READING THE BRIDGE, I LIKE THE NEW FORMAT, BUT WE HAVE A POET IN OUR MIDST, I DIDN'T KNOW IT, I WANT TO THANK BILL ALLEN FOR WRITING IT.

>> DID YOU ALL SEE THE POEM BY BILL?

[APPLAUSE]

>> LEE ANN HAD RECEIVED THROUGH THE SCHOOL AN INVITATION TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP AND RECOGNITION PROGRAM, WE SENT IT IN RIGHT AWAY AND RECEIVED OUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

I'M SURE YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT IT.

WE WILL BE GOING TO ATLANTA IN JUNE FOR HER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.

[APPLAUSE]

>> BACK THERE?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE GREAT PLEASURE INTRODUCING MR. AND MRS. ROBERT FORT.

[APPLAUSE]

>> BACK THERE?

>> WE HAVE TWO BLESSINGS, OUR DAUGHTER IS DOING WELL AFTER HER SURGERY, SHE KNOWS LIQUIDS, SHE KNOWS EVERY ONE WHO SEES HER.

AND THURSDAY I GOT GOOD NEWS FROM MY BROTHER, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS.

>> OTHER JOYS?

CONCERNS?

PEOPLE WE SHOULD BE PRAYING FOR?

CONCERNS?

LET'S BOW OUR HEADS FOR A MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION AS WE GO TO THE LORD IN PRAYER.

LET US PRAY.

WE COME TO THIS PLACE AT THIS TIME, O LORD, FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, SOME OF US COME OUT OF SURE JOY, SOME COME FOR COMFORT, FOR GUIDANCE, FOR PEACE.

SOME OF US COME FOR A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING.

WE COME SEEKING YOU, HOPING TO BE REMINDED THAT HAVING YOU IN OUR LIVES MAKES A DIFFERENCE, HOPING TO BE REMINDED THAT THROUGH YOU WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR OWN LIVES, IN THE LIVES OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, OUR COWORKERS, ALL THOSE WHO WE TOUCH EVERY DAY.

HOPING THAT WE WILL BE PREPARED WHEN WE MEET THE STRANGER, THE RIGHT WORDS, CORRECT DEEDS.

WE KNOW THAT WE NEED TO BE FILLED WITH YOUR SPIRIT, SO WE COME.

HELP US TO EMPTY OURSELVES OF ALL THE THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY FROM ME TO YOU, ALL THE THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY OF BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY SO THAT WHEN WE DO MEET OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND STRANGERS, THEY WILL TRULY BE YOU.

WE COME FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT WE COME.

WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THE JOY THAT IS IN OUR LIVES, REMINDING US THAT YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL GOODNESS.

WE ASK FOR YOUR STRONG PRESENCE IN OUR LIFE WHEN THERE IS GRIEF, THERE IS SORROW, THERE IS BITTERNESS.

TAKE THOSE FROM US.

HELP US TO NOT BEAT OURSELVES UP.

REMIND US THAT WE ARE YOUR GOOD CREATION.

THAT YOU HAVE PURPOSE FOR US ALWAYS.

FILL US WITH LOVE AND MERCY AND COMPASSION AND PEACE.

HELP US IN THIS TIME OF WORSHIP TO RECEIVE WHAT YOU HAVE FOR US, REMINDING US THAT WHATEVER BLESSING WE RECEIVE, IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING, OPEN OUR HEARTS AND EYES AND MINDS TO WHAT YOU WANT THIS DAY SO WE MIGHT BE TRANSFORMED INTO THE LIKENESS OF YOUR SON FILLED WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT.

AND AS ALWAYS WE ARE REMINDED OF OUR CALLING IN THE PRAYER JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES, AND WE BOLDLY PRAY TOGETHER SAYING: 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.

AMEN.

>> Paul: NOW IS OUR TIME OF OFFERING AS WE REFLECT ON THE GOODNESS OF GOD, LET US GIVE GENEROUSLY.

>> Paul: PLEASE STAND.

>> THE ANTHEM WE ARE SINGING TODAY IS NOT LISTED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN.

WE DECIDED TO FLIP THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK, IT'S NOT ANYBODY'S FAULT, IT'S JUST THE WAY IT WORKED OUT.

THE ANTHEM IS "SING TO THE LORD OF HEAVEN."

ONE OF MY STUDENTS FROM CSAS WILL BE PLAYING THE VIOLIN.

[VIOLIN MUSIC]

SING TO THE LORD OF HEAVEN!

LIFT UP YOUR VOICE AND PRAISE HIM NOW AND FOREVER.

GLORY AND LAUD TO GOD THE FATHER.

ADORATION TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHOSE POWER AND MIGHT SUSTAIN US, OUR BLESSING AND HONOR AND DEVOTION, BOTH NOW AND EVER MORE.

BOTH NOW AND EVER MORE.

OUR HOPE AND OUR SALVATION REST IN HIM WHO IS OUR STRENGTH AND OUR REFUGE.

OH, LET US LOVE HIM WITH ALL OUR HEART AND SEEK TO WALK IN HIS COMPANION, THAT WE MAY DWELL IN HIS MERCY, ABIDE IN HIS HOLY PRESENCE AND LIVE IN ETERNAL JOY.

SING TO THE LORD OF HEAVEN!

LIFT UP YOUR VOICE AND PRAISE HIM NOW AND FOREVER.

GLORY AND LAUD TO GOD THE FATHER, ADORATION TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOSE POWER AND MIGHT SUSTAIN US, OUR BLESSING AND HONOR AND DEVOTION BOTH NOW AND EVER MORE.

AMEN.

AMEN.

BOTH NOW AND EVER MORE.

[APPLAUSE]

>> I'D LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF LAST WEEK FOR DOING A GREAT JOB WHILE I WAS GONE, THANK PHIL FOR BRINGING FORTH THE MESSAGE LAST WEEK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I APPRECIATE YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

LET US PRAY.

GRACIOUS GOD, MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THOUGHTS OF MY HEART BE PLEASING TO YOU, FOR YOU, O LORD, ARE MY ROCK AND MY REDEEMER.

AMEN.

THERE I WAS, 11, 12 YEARS OLD, 10:30 AT NIGHT AND I WAS HUNGRY.

MY MOTHER HAD BEEN BAKING AND COOKING ALL DAY AND WE WERE GOING TO HAVE FAMILY OVER, SOME FESTIVAL, I CAN'T REMEMBER REALLY WHAT IT WAS, BUT I REMEMBER HER BAKING ALL THAT FOOD.

PARTICULARLY SHE MADE THESE COOKIES, I CAN'T DESCRIBE THEM TO YOU OTHER THAN THEY WERE GREAT COOKIES, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE INGREDIENT WAS, BUT I KNOW I WANTED TO EAT THEM ALL WHEN SHE MADE THEM.

WELL, SHE MADE THESE COOKIES, PUT THEM IN THIS GLASS COOKIE JAR AND SHE LET ME HAVE TWO WHILE SHE MADE THEM.

BUT, LIKE I SAID, IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT, AND I WAS HUNGRY.

SO, I PUT ON MY BLACK HAT, MY BLACK CLOTHES, I SNUCK OUT OF MY ROOM, VERY CAREFULLY, DID NOT MAKE A NOISE BECAUSE MY MOTHER WAS A LIGHT SLEEPER.

SO, I CRAWLED OUT OF MY ROOM, I CAME,

IT WAS LIKE RIGHT OUT OF A MOVIE HOUSE.

I WALKED DOWN THE HALLWAY, CREPT INTO THE KITCHEN AND THERE THEY WERE, THE COOKIES IN THE GLASS COOKIE JAR.

SLOWLY I WALKED TO THE COOKIE JAR.

AND I WENT TO THE TOP OF THE COOKIE JAR, I GRABBED THE LITTLE KNOB AND I WENT CAREFULLY AND PULLED IT OUT BECAUSE I WANTED THE COOKIE BAD.

AND THEN YOU HEARD "TINK" AND MY MOTHER SAID, "PAUL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING OVER THERE? YOU GET OUT OF THERE, YOU DON'T NEED THOSE COOKIES."

[LAUGHTER]

I SNUCK ONE ANYWAY.

I PUT THE LID BACK ON THE JAR.

WE ARE TEMPTED BY MANY THINGS IN LIFE, WE COME TO THE GOSPEL OF LUKE IN THE 4TH CHAPTER WITH THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS.

JESUS OUT IN THE WILDERNESS FOR 40 DAYS.

BEFORE WE GET TO THE ACTUAL TEXT, THOUGH, I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK OF THE CONNECTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE EXODUS FOR 40 YEARS OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, AND HOW LUKE IS CONNECTING JESUS WITH HIS HERITAGE.

AND HOW THE ISRAELITES DURING THE TIME IN THE WILDERNESS WERE TEMPTED TO GIVE UP ON GOD AND GIVE UP ON MOSES AND THE LEADERS WERE TEMPTED TO GIVE UP ON EACH OTHER.

HERE THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY TO FREEDOM AND THEY WERE HUNGRY AND THEY WERE TIRED, THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHERE WAS GOD IN THIS WHOLE MESS?

AND THEY WANTED TO GO BACK AND AT VARIOUS POINTS IN THAT STORY THEY FELL TO TEMPTATION, AND WANTED TO GO BACK, GO BOOK TO SLAVERY, SLAVERY LOOKED MORE APPEALING THAN THE PROMISED LAND.

THAT'S HOW STRONG THOSE TEMPTATIONS WERE FOR THEM.

AND, SO, JESUS IS CONNECTING WITH HIS HERITAGE, HE IS OUT IN THE WILDERNESS FOR 40 DAYS AND HE IS TO BE TEMPTED.

I WONDER WHAT THE FIRST HEARERS OF THIS GOSPEL THOUGHT OF JESUS BEING TEMPTED.

SURELY NOT JESUS, PERFECT SINLESS JESUS, SURELY HE WON'T BE TEMPTED.

BUT THE FACT OF TEMPTATION IS THERE ARE NO EXEMPTIONS, EVERYONE IS TEMPTED.

AND IF JESUS IS TO BE OUR BROTHER, THEN HE WILL BE TEMPTED TOO.

THERE ARE NO EXEMPTIONS FOR TEMPTATION, WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT KINDS, BUT WE ALL HAVE TEMPTATIONS WE MUST DEAL WITH.

THE SECOND THING IS THAT THE NATURE OF TEMPTATION IS THAT IT COMES WHEN OUR GUARD IS LOW.

I MEAN, THERE IS JESUS, 40 DAYS, HE IS HUNGRY, HE IS THIRSTY, HE IS TIRED.

DISCERNING WHAT IS MY CALL HERE?

SURE ENOUGH, THAT'S WHEN TEMPTATION COMES, ISN'T IT, WHEN YOU ARE TIRED OR YOU ARE THIRSTY OR HUNGRY, YOU ARE DOWN, YOU ARE OUT.

THAT'S WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED.

AND THE THIRD IS WHERE DO YOU GET HELP FROM TEMPTATION?

THINK ABOUT IT.

JESUS, TIRED, HUNGRY, THIRSTY.

NOW, IMAGINE YOURSELF OUT IN THE WILDERNESS FOR ALL THAT TIME, THIRSTY, HUNGRY, TIRED.

DO YOU THINK THE STRENGTH WILL COME FROM YOURSELF?

NO.

BUT THAT IS WHAT WE THINK.

I CAN DO IT, I HAVE THE STRENGTH TO OVERCOME THIS TEMPTATION, WHATEVER IT IS, I CAN DO IT ON MY OWN.

I DON'T NEED ANY HELP.

THERE MAY BE BELIEF THIS PASSAGE IS MANAGING TEMPTATION EFFECTIVELY SO IT WON'T BECOME SIN AND ALLOWING GOD TO WORK IN OUR LIVES.

I THINK THAT IS JUST BACKWARDS, IT'S THE OPPOSITE.

THIS STORY IS ABOUT GOD WORKING IN OUR LIVES, HELPING US DEAL WITH OUR TEMPTATIONS.

HOW?

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THAT THE TEXT TELLS US?

THEN JESUS FULL OF WHAT?

FULL OF WHAT?

THE HOLY SPIRIT.

COME ON, FOLKS, STAY WITH ME.

[LAUGHTER]

FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

SO THAT WHEN HE IS TEMPTED TO PROVIDE FOR HIS OWN BASIC NEEDS BY THE DEVIL HE SAID, NO, GOD DOES THAT.

SO, WHEN HE IS TEMPTED TO ACHIEVE POWER BY TAKING SHORTCUTS, HE SAYS, NO, POWER IS ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WHO DIRECTS MY PURPOSE.

WHEN HE IS TEMPTED THE THIRD TIME TO MISUSE HIS POWER AND AUTHORITY, HE SAYS, NO, THIS IS ABOUT SERVANTHOOD, NOT MY OWN PROTECTION.

AND IT'S INTERESTING THAT THIS TEXT, THIS EPISODE CARRIES HIM THROUGHOUT HIS WHOLE MINISTRY IN LIFE.

IT'S ABOUT LIVING OUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH PEOPLE AND FOR PEOPLE.

TO ME, THESE TEMPTATIONS DEMONSTRATE OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE.

WE THINK IT ALL DEPENDS ON US.

OUR OWN EFFORTS.

OUR OWN POWERS.

OUR OWN STRENGTHS.

AND WE NEVER RELY ON GOD.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE DISCIPLES THIS WEEK AND LOOKING AT WHO JESUS PICKS OF HIS DISCIPLES,

IF YOU LOOK AT LUKE, ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE DISCIPLES LOOK LIKE A BUNCH OF DUMMIES, THEY ARE ALWAYS BEHIND, NEVER WITH JESUS.

WHY WOULD HE PICK THEM, I THOUGHT?

WHY WOULD JESUS PICK THOSE PEOPLE?

THOSE DISCIPLES?

WELL, HE NEVER MEANT FOR THEM TO RELY ON THEMSELVES, DID HE?

OBVIOUSLY, HE MEANT FOR THEM TO RELY ON GOD.

ANYTIME THAT THEY RELIED ON THEMSELVES, THE DISCIPLES GOT INTO TROUBLE.

WHEN THEY RELIED ON THE POWER OF GOD, THEY WERE SUSTAINED TO LIVE OUT THEIR PURPOSE.

EVERY TIME.

IT DOESN'T ALL DEPEND ON US.

JESUS IS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THAT IS WHO IT DEPENDS ON.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR US TO HELP US WITH THESE TEMPTATIONS.

ONE, BE SCRIPTURAL.

NOW, THE BIBLE IS NOT AN ANSWER BOOK IN THAT YOU JUST FLIP IT OPEN LIKE SOME PEOPLE SAY, THERE IT IS, THIS WILL HELP ME NO MATTER WHAT.

BUT IT IS A HELPFUL GUIDE FOR OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND JESUS KNEW THAT.

AND HE USED THAT.

HE WAS SCRIPTURAL AND IT DID GUIDE HIM.

TWO, WHEN IT COMES TO OUR TEMPTATIONS WE NEED TO BE STRAIGHTFORWARD, HONEST WITH OUR PARTICULAR STRUGGLES.

DON'T HIDE THEM, DON'T SAY, WELL, IT REALLY ISN'T A BIG DEAL.

WE NEED TO BE HONEST WITH WHATEVER IT IS THAT TEMPTS US.

AND, THREE, BE SUBMISSIVE.

I KNOW, NOT VERY POPULAR.

BE SUBMISSIVE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

ASK FOR THE SPIRIT OF GOD FOR HELP AND GUIDANCE.

JESUS COULD NOT HAVE UNDERTAKEN THE MISSION IF HE WAS NOT FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IF HE COULD HAVE, THE TEXT WOULD SAY HE WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

I ALSO THINK THAT WE FALL OR FAIL BECAUSE OF SMALL‑MINDEDNESS.

WE FOCUS ON OURSELVES AND WHEN WE FOCUS ON OURSELVES, WE USUALLY GIVE IN.

THIS WEEK ONE OF THE MOVIES THAT I WAS FORTUNATE TO SEE WAS "THE CHILDREN OF MEN."

"THE CHILDREN OF MEN" WAS A STORY ABOUT THE WORLD AND HOW WOMEN NO LONGER COULD HAVE CHILDREN.

AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THIS ONE PARTICULAR WOMAN WAS WITH CHILD AND THEY NEEDED TO GET HER TO SAFETY.

NOW, IN THIS MOVIE THERE ARE CHARACTERS THAT ACTED LIKE THEY CARE ABOUT THIS ONE PARTICULAR YOUNG WOMAN, BUT AS THE MOVIE GOES THROUGH ITS PACES, WE FIND OUT THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONAL AGENDA, THEY ALL ARE THINKING ABOUT THEMSELVES OR THEIR OWN SELVES, VERY SMALL‑MINDED, NOT REALLY THINKING ABOUT THIS GIRL AND WHAT THIS BABY COULD MEAN FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD.

THEY MIGHT HAVE STARTED OUT THAT WAY, BUT SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE ALMOST EVERY ONE OR EVERY GROUP THINKS ABOUT THEMSELVES.

AND ALMOST GET THIS YOUNG WOMAN KILLED.

EXCEPT FOR THE MAIN CHARACTER, THE FELLOW WHO PROTECTS THIS GIRL, WHO AT FIRST WAS RELUCTANT AND DIDN'T REALLY WANT THE JOB TO PROTECT HER AND GET HER TO SAFETY, BUT THIS TRANSFORMATION HAPPENS IN THE MOVIE WHERE HE GRADUALLY CHANGES AND REALIZES HOW IMPORTANT SHE IS AND THAT BABY IS, NOT HIM OR ANYONE ELSE.

AND THEY GO THROUGH THESE HARROWING SCENES, AND THERE ARE BOMBS AND PEOPLE BEING KILLED AND HE FOCUSES ON THIS WOMAN AND THIS CHILD.

AND AT THE END OF THE MOVIE HE EVEN GIVES HIS LIFE FOR THE CHILD AND FOR THIS YOUNG WOMAN.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES FOR US, BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT, THROUGH JESUS, IN THIS TEXT AND IN OUR LIVES REMINDS US THAT WE ARE ABOUT THE OTHER, AND THAT WHEN WE ARE ABOUT THE OTHER WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO FALL TO OUR TEMPTATIONS.

MAYBE THAT IS WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT DID FOR JESUS.

REMINDED HIM HIS FOCUS WAS FOR THE OTHER.

FOR US.

THAT IS WHAT THE SPIRIT DOES FOR US, IT HELPS US TO FOCUS ON JESUS WHO LEADS US TO BE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS.

TEMPTATION IS GOOD FOR US.

BECAUSE IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO LET GOD IN OUR LIVES, IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO RELY ON GOD.

TO REMIND US THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE.

TO REMIND US THAT GOD DIRECTS OUR PURPOSES.

AND ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN SAID:

>> AMEN.

>> Paul: OUR HYMN OF INVITATION IS "THY LIFE WAS GIVEN FOR ME."

I INVITE YOU, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEGAN THIS JOURNEY WITH JESUS, WHETHER IN YOUR PEW OR COME FORWARD TO CLAIM HIM AND BEGIN THAT RELATIONSHIP AND BE GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, OR IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, I INVITE YOU TO COME FORWARD DURING THE SINGING OF THIS HYMN.

[HYMN 345]

>> Paul: YOU MAY BE SEATED.

THIS MORNING WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE BETTY PROCTOR COME FORWARD TO JOIN OUR CHURCH.

I ASK YOU NOW THESE TWO QUESTIONS: DO YOU AFFIRM JESUS THE CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD?

>> I DO.

>> DO YOU WISH TO JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH?

>> I DO.

>> WE WELCOME YOU, WE PROMISE YOU OUR FRIENDSHIP AND OUR PRAYERS AS WE SHARE THE HOPES AND LABORS OF JESUS CHRIST AND MAY WE GROW TOGETHER AND BE WITNESSES.

WELCOME.

[APPLAUSE]

>> LET'S MAKE SURE, BETTY WILL BE OUT IN THE NARTHEX AFTER CHURCH, LET'S MAKE SURE WE ALL GREET HER.

NOW COMES OUR TIME OF CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION.

THIS TABLE IS THE LORD'S TABLE, ALL WHO SEEK GOD FROM WHATEVER WALK OF LIFE ARE INVITED TO THIS TABLE, FOR IT IS THE LORD THAT INVITES YOU.

LET US NOW OFFER OUR PRAYERS OF CONFESSION TO OUR LORD.

LET US PRAY.

WE GIVE YOU THESE THINGS, O GOD, THAT WEIGH US DOWN, BURDEN US, HOPING THAT YOU WILL TAKE THEM AND TRANSFORM THEM AND GIVE US PEACE.

IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY.

AMEN.

IN THE NAME OF CHRIST WE ARE FORGIVEN.

OUR COMMUNION HYMN IS NUMBER 422.

LET US REMAIN SEATED AND SING.

[HYMN 422]

>> FOR I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD WHAT I HAVE ALSO GIVEN UNTO YOU, THAT THE LORD JESUS ON THE NIGHT HE WAS BETRAYED, TOOK A LOAF OF BREAD, AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS HE BROKE IT AND SAID: THIS IS MY BODY THAT IS FOR YOU, DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

IN THE SAME WAY HE TOOK THE CUP, ALSO AFTER SUPPER, SAYING: THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD, DO THIS AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

>> ELDER: WE BRING TO YOU OUR HUMBLE SPIRITS AWARE ONLY THROUGH YOUR POWER CAN WE TRULY GIVE OUR LIVES TO YOU AND BECOME YOUR INSTRUMENTS OF PEACE.

THANK YOU FOR JESUS WHO SHOWED US YOUR SAVING GRACE, AMEN.

>> ELDER: LOVING LORD, WE GATHER AS DISCIPLES AROUND YOU IN THE UPPER ROOM TO RECEIVE THIS SACRAMENT.

AS WE DRINK THIS CUP WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SHORTCOMINGS AND OUR SINS.

AS WE REMEMBER YOU, WE ARE GRATEFUL YOU DO NOT FORSAKE US.

ACCEPT US NOT FOR WHAT WE ARE BUT FOR WHAT YOU CAN CREATE IN US.

AMEN.

[COMMUNION]

>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOUND IN THE BULLETIN.

LET US PRAY.

O GOD OF LIGHT, WE THANK YOU FOR THE BRIGHTNESS OF YOUR COUNTENANCE SHINING IN THE FACE OF JESUS.

AS WE DEPART FROM THIS TABLE, MAY CHRIST'S LIGHT SO SHINE THROUGH US THAT OTHERS MAY SEE OUR GOOD WORKS AND GIVE YOU GLORY.

AMEN.

OUR FINAL HYMN IS HYMN 632, "LEAD ON O KING ETERNAL."

WILL YOU PLEASE STAND FOR THE BENEDICTION?

LET US GO FORTH IN PEACE, TRUSTING IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND WE DO SO FOR WE ARE REMINDED OF THE GRACIOUS WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS, BE NOT AFRAID, BE NOT AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END.

AMEN.

[HYMN 632]