March 6th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Luke Poses Questions to Ponder: What If?
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty 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 you I will give their glory and all this 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.
[Reading above - Luke 4:1-13]
In the act of baptism by John, Jesus had been filled with God’s Spirit and affirmed as God’s beloved son. His potential was limitless but how would it be used? That is the vision Jesus sought in the wilderness, and it came through trial and testing. Jesus chose a path of faithfulness to God and refused to define his ministry with the kind of power we tend to idolize. This was a chosen path that led to the cross.
Questions for Reflection:
What in our lives at home, school, work, or in the community lures us to forget who we are as beloved children of God and tempts us to trade in our inheritance in Christ for promises of instant and short-term gratification?
In what ways does a grounding in the wisdom of the Bible provide guard rails for decision-making? What passages of Divine wisdom are most important to you in the daily challenges of ethical and moral living?
The Tempter attacks Jesus in the very essence of his identity with the phrase, “If you are the Son of God”. What if Jesus had understood this identity as a position of privilege to be exploited? What if we embraced obedience to God as the essence of being the beloved?
A Practice to Focus on Discipleship:
We are using an ancient spiritual practice called Lectio Divina. This is a prayerful way of reading a scripture passage with mindfulness of Christ’s Living Spirit in the words. Try this practice with today’s scripture lesson. At the beginning of the week please slowly read through these verses a few times in an attitude of prayer. Pay attention to a word or phrase that stands out. Then apply this word or phrase to the challenges and opportunities of each day in the week. At the end of the week look back and give thanks for the way Christ has helped you live as a more faithful disciple. If you need help or guidance, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com.