Handling Temptation

Life is filled with all kinds of temptations and there is no question that the devil is alive and well. How do we handle our temptations? In this week’s sermon we will look at how this sly enemy worked unsuccessfully in the life of our Lord and how we can use the same approach against the devil in our lives.

Sermon
Handling Temptation

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’”
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written:
“’He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
They will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Hymns
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “Temptation“ delivered on Christian Crusaders March 14, 2004.
It is well for us to note that Jesus resisted each of Satan’s temptations by quoting Scripture. Satan is defeated in the presence of God’s Word. We should be so well acquainted with the Bible that, when the hour of temptation comes, we, too, can use God’s Word to defeat the enemy. Unlike our Savior, we know that, because of our sinful nature, we will sometimes fall when tempted by Satan. Then our Lord will forgive us, pick us up, strengthen us, and send us away by saying, “Go, and sin no more.”

ChristianCrusaders.org
Miss a week on Christian Crusaders? You don’t have to miss a sermon! Log on to http://www.christiancrusaders.org/sermonsearch.asp and find sermons going back ten years. This easy sermon search tool can be used to find a sermon you missed or to relive one you particularly liked again. Or, call 1-888-My Faith and request a copy of any sermon on CD, cassette tape, or in print to be mailed to you.

On the Light Side
A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn’t find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: “I have circled the block 10 times. If I don’t park here, I’ll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses.”

When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note “I’ve circled this block for 10 years. If I don’t give you a ticket I’ll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.”

I Want to Be Your Friend

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Many people shy away from this idea. In this week’s sermon, we will talk about what this relationship involves: how it is initiated, how it grows, and why some people are not interested in knowing Jesus Christ better.

Sermon
“I Want to Be Your Friend”

Scripture: John 15:9-17
This is my command: Love each other.”“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.”

Hymns
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
“Are You Able?”

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will bless your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “Friend, You Are a Part of the Mission“ delivered on Christian Crusaders July 16, 2006.
The more we study the Bible, the more it becomes abundantly clear that God wants to have a strong personal relationship with us. . . . When the Holy Spirit helps us to understand the meaning of these words, we hear God saying, I want you for my friends. I have big plans for you. Together we are going to build an eternal kingdom, and you will have a major role in serving as my ambassadors.

Sermons on DVD
A new sermon series is available on DVD! Four powerful sermons on the Resurrection, which aired on the radio April 12, 19, 26, and May 3 have also been recorded for you to enjoy watching on DVD. Call or e-mail our office if you would like a copy of any or all of these DVDs, which are available for a suggested donation of $5.00 each.

On the Light Side
Church Bulletin Bloopers

• The sermon this morning: “Jesus Walks on the Water.” The sermon tonight: “Searching for Jesus.”
• Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 pm in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
• Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
• The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
• Miss Charlene Mason sang “I will not pass this way again,” giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
• Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.