Sermons About Lent
The Temptation of Jesus
First Sunday in Lent: The Temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11. Join us this Lenten Season as we reflect on the lectionary readings. In Lent, we are confronted by a series of contrasts. Lent, coming as it does into a society of success, fulfillment, human potential, and self-esteem is a season of contradiction. What the church calls us to do during these 40 days of repentance, self-examination, and reflection is a counter cultural move, a reverse in our society's predominate way of thinking. This is the season we reflect on the Passion of Jesus. We were created by God for relationship with Him, others and self. We are given the dignity of choice and purpose and then we betray that with our disobedience. (Gen 2:4b-3:7) We were intended to be in fellowship with God. We destroyed that relationship in our sin. And yet, God stays with us, reaches out to us, He gives us Jesus, "the free gift of grace", in order to heal our contradictions and alienation. Paul's words in Romans 5:12-21 are a series of contrasts: sin came into the world in Adam; grace came in Jesus Christ. Many die in Adam; many live in Christ. Adam brought judgment; Christ brought justification. Death - abundance. Condemnation - justification. Disobedience - obedience. “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. Death came through Adam; “eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are able to be truthful and honest about who it is we are because of the grace that is ours in the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. The Lenten Journey takes us to the Cross and only after Good Friday gives way to resurrection. The lectionary readings for the first Sunday in Lent: Gen 2:4b-3:7; Psalm 51; Romans 5:12-21 and Mt 4:1-11.
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The Upper Room
The season of Lent runs the 6 weeks up to Easter, and focuses on the final 24 hours of the life of Jesus. In the Gospel according to John, it is the culmination of a cosmic battle between light and darkness, which John often describes using the metaphors of day and night. During this season, we will walk with Jesus through each scene of this final night, until we reach the cross. Using a blend of ancient and modern elements, we will move through the darkness, and thereby prepare ourselves for the joy and celebration of Easter.
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Temptation of Jesus
Seminarian Brad Malone looks at the Temptation of Jesus and what it has to say for us today in our struggles and our failings.
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Temptation - Getting to the Bottom of it all
Today’s lectionary texts are fitting because they have to do with something common to all of us: temptation. Even the Apostle Paul confessed his struggle with temptation and sin when he said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it,†Romans 7:15-20. The Lenten season serves to remind us that we are mortal and that we are sinners in need of a Savior. There is good news in knowing that the great Apostle struggled with temptation just as we do. There is even better news in knowing that we “do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need,†Hebrews 4:15-16. We hope that this will be your experience as you worship with us today.
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Give Up What?!?
The ancient Christian practice of Lent can refocus and reinvigorate our relationship with God by temporarily eliminating a distraction from our lives, and then using the space that we gain to spend more time with Him and help others instead.
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Journey to the Cross
Scott Miller begins a new series for Willamette Community Church called "Journey to the Cross". Scott takes time to explain the importance, timeline, and meaning of the Lenten season.
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Soul Prosperity
We need to live in God’s righteousness, peace and joy on the inside all the time, not just cry out to God for it when we are in a crisis. Our soul is prospering when we are walking in step with Holy Spirit.
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To Receive Forgiveness
Journey to the cross-This is the final week of our sermon series on the events leading to the cross.
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