SONG AND GOSPEL
Sunday VI before Passover
11-16 March 2019
“Temptation is defeated”
Introduction : Temptation is the devil’s incitement to separate us from God and do things contrary to His will. The lust in people’s heart that is the lust of the flesh is stirred up by the devil to tempt them and to enslave them : lust for money―that is greed, lust for honor, thirst for power, craving for food…. This was what happened when Adam and Eve were in Eden, in order to make them fall and to prove them guilty before God. The devil deceives us, making us think that God neither sees nor knows our wrongdoing, so that it is easy for us to commit sins. Thanks to the grace of God, the Lord has given to anyone baptized the ability to be guided by the Holy Spirit who makes them triumph over all evil. He is also the Spirit of truth who guides and fortifies them to do God’s Will which is « good, pleasing and perfect » (Rom 12:2). Therefore, « Put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes » Eph. 6:11. These are our faith and fellowship with Jesus and the prayer with the Holy Spirit ‘s guidance and the word of God – the sword of the Spirit. These are powerful weapons which protect us from temptations and help us overcome them. Temptation may be numerous, but « in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us » Rom 8:37. Amen.
Monday 11: The believer overcomes the tempter.
« And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offsprings and hers, He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel » Gen 3:15.
Reading 1: Rom 16:17-20. Reading 2: Gen3:1-24. Predication 1: (optional). Predication 2: Gen 3: 14-15.
Introduction : The fight against the devil the tempter is not man’s fight but God’s. Therefore, although we feel our own weakness in the face of temptation, the Lord says: « My grace is sufficient for you, for my Power is made perfect in weakness » 2 Cor 12:9. The grace of God triumphing for us is shown in Jesus telling us: « My peace I give you » John 14:27.
Tuesday 12: The servant of God can stand firm.
« As servant of God, we command ourselves in every way » 2 Cor 6:4.
Reading 1: Gen39:1-9. Reading 2: 2 Cor6:1-10. Predication 1: (optional). Predication2: 2 Corinthians 6:4.
Introduction : The servant of God can stand firm against temptation and overcome it because of God, who is with them. Paul says: « If God is for us, who can be against us ? » Rom 8:31. And as the devil is an accuser, Paul goes on saying: « Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen ? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns ? No one. Christ Jesus who died―more than that, who raised to life―is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us » Rom. 8:33-34.
Wednesday 13: The Word of God triumphs over temptation.
« Then the devil left him and angels came and attended him » Mat 4:11.
Reading 1: Heb2:10-18. Reading 2: Mat 4:1-11. Predication 1: (optional). Predication 2: Mat. 4:11.
Introduction : Jesus Christ overcame temptation because the Word of God was alive and active in Him (Heb. 4:12). To all who receive Him, He will show the glory of God which completely defeats the tempter as it is written : « The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth » John 1:14.
Thursday 14: The believers overcome temptation with payer.
« Watch and pray so you will not fall into temptation » Mat 26:41.
Reading 1: Dan. 6:11-24. Reading 2: Mat. 26:36-42. Predication 1: (optional). Predication 2 : Mat. 26 :41.
Introduction : Those who have fellowship with Jesus will be protected from temptation, they will triumph over the tempter. We have lively fellowship with Jesus through prayers so that we receive his strength and power, even the Holy Spirit who overcomes all evil. Those who have the Holy Spirit inside them are confident as it is written: « The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again, rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry ‘Abba, Father’ » Rom. 8:15.
Friday 15: Triumphing over temptation by the faith in Jesus.
« They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony » Rev. 12:11.
Reading 1 : 1 John 5:1-15. Reading 2 : Rev. 12:7-11. Predication 1: (optional). Predication 2 : Rev. 12:11.
Introduction : Jesus said: « Everything is possible for one who believes » Mar.9:23, those who have Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and who can claim like Paul : « I can do all this through Him who gives me strength » Phil 4:13. The Lord has given full authority to the believers so that they can triumph over the tempter. In this regard, Jesus said: « I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, nothing will harm you » Luke 10 :19.
Saturday 16: The believer who overcomes temptation is crowned with glory.
« He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God » Rev. 3:12.
Reading 1 : 1 John 2:12-14. Reading 2 : Rev. 3:7-13. Predication 1: (optional). Predication 2 : Rev. 3:12.
Introduction : By faith we inherit the Kingdom of God and the everlasting life. It takes holy boldness and perseverance. In this respect, Jesus said: « To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children » Rev. 21:6-7.