Sermons for Lent 1 and Lent

       Luke 4:1-13 - Would You Take The Crown Without The Cross?
         Various Texts: Our Lenten Series (see below)   
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Luke 4:  The local sheriff was looking for a deputy, and one of the applicants - who was not known to be the brightest academically, was called in for an interview. "Okay," began the sheriff, "What is 1 and 1?" "Eleven," came the reply. The sheriff thought to himself, "That's not what I meant, but he's right." 

Then the sheriff asked, "What two days of the week start with the letter 'T'?" "Today & tomorrow." Replied the applicant. The sheriff was again surprised over the answer, one that he had never thought of himself. 

"Now, listen carefully, who killed Abraham Lincoln?", asked the sheriff. The job seeker seemed a little surprised, then thought really hard for a minute and finally admitted, "I don't know." The sheriff replied, "Well, why don't you go home and work on that one for a while?" The applicant left and wandered over to his pals who were waiting to hear the results of the interview. He greeted them with a cheery smile, "The job is mine! The interview went great! First day on the job and I'm already working on a murder case!" 

In our Gospel reading this morning in Luke 4 it is Jesus' first day on the job. Immediately he is confronted with three major temptations. And he is confronted with this basic question: Would he take the crown without the cross? 

These are the most basic temptations in life and they form the foundation for all other temptations. I would propose that when temptation comes our way; if we will pause and classify the temptation, we would be able to identify it with one of the three temptations Jesus faced. We will also be better equipped to answer Satan with the words and obedience of Christ. 

This is the first Sunday in Lent. It is a time of in-depth reflection upon the passion and death of Jesus, as well as a period of repentance for both the church and for us personally. Our Lenten journey begins this year with a review of the temptation of Christ. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the Wilderness, to be in communion with God and to reflect upon his upcoming ministry. While there, Satan confronts Jesus. It is reminder to us that goodness is not synonymous with innocence. True goodness comes only after a struggle with evil.

Let's look at the three temptations:

1. Stone into Bread

2. Fall on the Rocks

3. Serve the Wrong Master

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Lenten Series

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Lenten: A Sight For Blind Eyes

             David E. Leininger

1.   Lent - Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

2.   The Devil Made Me Do It  -  Matthew 4:1-11

3.   Nicodemus  -  John 3:1-15

4.   Excuses (Alternate Lent 2)  -  Luke 14:16-23

5.   Unexpected Evangelists  -  John 4:5-42

6.   Sight for Blind Eyes  -  John 9:

7.   The Grief Grinch  -  John 11:17-36

8.   Sometimes You've Got to Shout!  -  John 12:12-16

9.   The Imperatives of the Resurrection - Matthew 28:1-10

Lenten: Salvation at the Skull

             Frank G. Honeycutt

1.  Escape from the Island of Spiritual Sloth – Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

2.  On Defeating the Devil – Luke 4:1-13

3.  Headlines and Holiness – Luke 13:1-9

4.  The Waster – Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

5.  Costly Extravagance – John 12: 1-8

6.  Salvation at the Skull – Luke 23:1-49

7.  Pilate Pops the Question – John 18:1-19:42

8.  Resurrection and Remembrance – Luke 24:1-12

Lenten: They Heard Him Gladly

              James W. Moore

1.   The Common People Heard Him Gladly - Mark 12:35-37

2.   Jesus and Andrew  -  John 1:35-42

3.   Jesus and Zacchaeus  -  Luke 19:1-10

4.   Jesus and Bartimaeus  -  Mark 10:46-52

5.   Jesus and Mary and Martha  -  Luke 10:38-42

6.   Jesus and Mary Magdalene  -  John 20:11-18

7.   When The Risen Christ Comes Looking For Us - John 21:15-19

Lenten: The Passion Of The Christ

              Brett Blair

1.   His Triumphal Entry  -  Luke 19:28-40

2.   His Cleansing Of The Temple  -  Luke 19:45-48

3.   His Teachings  -  Luke 20:27-38

4.   His Last Supper  -  Luke 22:14-23

5.   His Trial  -  Luke 23:13-25

6.   His Death  -  Luke 23:33-43

7.   His Resurrection  -  John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-10

Lenten: With an Eye to the New: Preaching and Reading the Old Testament

              Elizabeth Achtemeier

1.  Responding to the Story – Deuteronomy 26:1-11

2.  Living by a Promise – Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

3.  Return and Be Forgiven – Isaiah 55:1-9

4.  Passing from Old to New – Joshua 5:9-12

5.  Endings – Isaiah 43:16-21

6.  Servant Song – Isaiah 50:4-9a

7.  Passover and the Lord’s Supper – Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14

8.  Suffering Servant Song – Isaiah 52-53:12

9.  God Shows No Partiality – Acts 10:34-43

Lenten: The Healing Power Of The Christ

              James W. Moore

1.   The Healing Of Simons Mother-in-Law - Mk 1:21-28

2.   The Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand - Mk 3:1-6

3.   The Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac Mk 5:1-20

4.   The Healing of Jairus Daughter and Hemorrhaging Woman - Mk 5:21-43

5.   The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus - Mk 10:46-52

6.   The Healing Power of the Cross - Mk 15:33-41

7.   The Healing Power of the Resurrection - Jn 20:1-18 or Lk 24:1-10

Lenten: Encounters With Christ

              James W. Moore

1.   Jesus & the Man Born Blind  -  John 9:1-12

2.   Jesus and Mary and Martha  -  Luke 10:38-42

3.   Jesus and Nicodemus  -  John 3:1-10

4.   Jesus and the Woman at the Well  -  John 4:7-15

5.   Jesus and James and John  -  Matthew 20:20-28

6.   Jesus and Caiaphas  -  Matthew 26:58-6

7.   Jesus & Mary Magdalene  -  Mark 16:1-7

Lenten: Journey To The Cross

             James W. Moore

1.   Jesus And The Demon-Possessed Man  -  Mark 5:1-20

2.   Jesus And The Hemorrhaging Woman  -  Mark 5:21-43

3.   Jesus And The Extravagant Woman  -  Mark 14:1-9

4.   Jesus and Judas  -  Mark 14:43-51

5.   Jesus and Simon Peter  -  Mark 14:66-72

6.   Jesus And Pontius Pilate  -  Matthew 27:15-26

7.   Jesus And The Women At The Tomb  -  Mark 16:1-8

Lenten: The Man From Galilee

              Thomas A. Pilgrim

1.   The Temptation Of His Life  -  Matthew 4:1-11

2.   The Transformation Of His Call  -  Matthew 4:18-22

3.   The Touch Of His Hand  -  Matthew 8:14-17

4.   The Treasure Of His Kingdom  -  Matthew 13:44

5.   The Test Of His Courage  -  Matthew 20:17-19

6.   The Tragedy Of His Victory  -  Luke 19:28-40

7.   The Triumph Of His Defeat  -  Matthew 28:1-10

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What Is Unique About Christianity?

The story of Jesus sitting and debating the Law with rabbis reminds me of another debate that took place in a comparative religions conference, the wise and the scholarly were in a spirited debate about what is unique about Christianity. Someone suggested what set Christianity apart from other religions was the concept of incarnation, the idea that God became incarnate in human form. But someone quickly said, “Well, actually, other faiths believe that God appears in human form.” Another suggestion was offered: what about resurrection? The belief that death is not the final word. That the tomb was found empty. Someone slowly shook his head. Other religions have accounts of people returning from the dead.

Then, as the story is told, C.S. Lewis walked into the room, tweed jacket, pipe, armful of papers, a little early for his presentation. He sat down and took in the conversation, which had by now evolved into a fierce debate. Finally during a lull, he spoke saying, “what's all this rumpus about?” Everyone turned in his direction. Trying to explain themselves they said, “We're debating what's unique about Christianity.” “Oh, that's easy,” answered Lewis, “it's....

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