1st Sunday in Lent – Sermon 198
Bible References :
Holy Communion, 10.00am, CW –
13th March 2011
Prayer to start
Do we believe it ?or do we think – we are innocent until proven guilty?
First Point
Our OT reading describes what is commonly known as the “fall” – the temptation and breakdown in the relationship between Adam and Eve and God in the garden of Eden –
Many of us read the OT as if it were the “bad old days” – before Jesus – but the first three chapters of Genesis in particular – give us a glimpse of how God intended His creation to live – in benevolence – abundance and obedience – that is – until it was marred by human sin –
God made Adam – which in Hebrew – means “mankind” – in His own image or nature – to enjoy an intimate relationship with Him – He gave us freedom to choose – dominion over the rest of creation – and even though we have been – given so much – we are still dependent on Him –
Eve was tempted by the serpent – with a doubt and a denial – doubt – whether the word of God would mean what it says – denial – that judgment would follow – They found the gifts that God provided more attractive than God Himself – and took it upon themselves to decide what was good and what was evil –
After eating the fruit the couple were uncomfortable together – they covered themselves up – felt ashamed – both tried to put the blame elsewhere –
They had been warned – that the day they chose to disobey they would die – and immediately their relationship with God died –
God’s punishment is spelled out in graphic terms in the rest of Chapter 3 – Adam’s created task would remain – but it would be a trying and bruising effort – that would continue until his death – when he would return to dust from which he had been formed –
the loving relationship that God wanted with Adam was broken by sin – and sin became part of human nature – spreading to the next generation –
and their bid for moral independence – and attack on God’s sovereignty – would set the scene – for the rest of mankind – on a life that would try to ignore – or even deny that God exists –
We have all helped to make this world – the place it is – we have been destructive – to the environment – to ourselves – to those who come after us – our sins leave their mark – both on us as individuals and on our culture –
The heart of the problem is that we often don’t recognise our guilt – and we plead innocence instead of guilty –
we all have – a considerable overdraft of sin – and we have to face up to it honestly – we need a fresh start – a new beginning – we need rescuing – some one to break sin’s power over us –
Point 2
And such is God’s love that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ – to rescue us – to show us how to begin again –
“the word became flesh, He made His home among us and we saw His glory – such Glory as befits the Fathers own Son – full of grace and truth”
His baptism completed – our Gospel reading shows Jesus going into the wilderness – and taking on the tempter –
The temptations He faces are the fundamental ones – that wreck our lives –
1) to use our gifts selfishly for ourselves:
why not turn stone into bread – if you are famished and you can do it? – we might say –
but Jesus’ special gifts are given to bring people to God – and not to provide Him with His breakfast –
2) to achieve happiness by our own plans and not God’s way
the people had been looking for their deliverer for more than 700 years – and wanted a knight in shining armour – a political and military leader that would rid them of the Romans – and thats what the tempter was trying to persuade Jesus to become – he wanted Jesus – to do the spectacular – and to forget God – and worship him –
3) to use God to make others admire us
the tempter dangles the apple of being – as wise or – as powerful as God – in front of Him – just as it had been dangled in front of Adam and Eve –
But here as in the other two cases Jesus is the victor –
Jesus quotes from Scripture – from Deuteronomy – from the story of the Israelites in the wilderness – they like Adam failed God – and was disobedient –
But each time Jesus answers – He reaffirms His commitment to living only off God’s word – and to trusting God completely – loving and serving Him – alone –
Point 3
God sent Jesus – to show us how to make a new start –
Jesus became a man – for our sakes – and was sent to die a criminal’s death – on the cross – for our sins –
through His death on the cross – and resurrection – a new seed of life was sown – that would enable our sins to be forgiven – and enable us to be reconciled again to God –
Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection – we can approach God through Jesus – and experience that intimate personal relationship – that God so desires
Paul uses the word “one “ eleven times in our NT reading – and presents Adam and Jesus – as heads of the old and new humanities –
Whether we believe there was a real Adam and Eve or think it was just an inspired story – which explains why our relationship with God was spoiled – is not important – which ever way we look at it – the story tells us a lot about the side effects of self rule – about temptation and about God and the importance of obedience –
From our very beginnings we have had a choice to make – to choose the way of the world – or to be obedient to God’s ways – to follow our natural instincts – or to follow the instincts of Christ –
In life we should ask ourselves – what would Jesus do ? – He not only taught about the life that God wants us to lead – He actually lived it – and showed us what God is like – that God’s love and Grace are immense – and available to us – here today
Jesus regenerates us by His spirit – and with that regeneration comes faith – and freedom –
freedom from fear – freedom from ourselves – freedom from others – and freedom from sin –
Conclusion
Lent is a time of preparation and challenge – and in life we are faced with different kinds of choices –
As we begin our Lenten regeneration – we need to look to Jesus for help and direction –
Jesus was tested for our salvation – He showed us what we must do – to overcome our human frailties
– to resist temptation – and trust in the Father –
to seek help and guidance from the Scriptures – to depend on the Holy Spirit – and Jesus Himself –
there is only one way to freedom – one Saviour -and one hope for sinners –
through the one man on the cross we have the gift of forgiveness and the promise – that we too will be lifted up and become one with Christ
Prayer to Finish
In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit
AMEN