Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. Therefore, we must be wise to temptations that seek to entrap us in patterns that lead to our destruction. In this sermon Greg Boyd and Bill Doherty identify common ways that we are tempted in the current culture of political polarization. Greg and Bill then provide practical guidance for navigating these temptations so that we can avoid their entrapment.
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Thwarting the Devil’s Schemes
• Bill Doherty, Greg Boyd
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In this sermon, Greg Boyd and Bill Doherty examine the temptations that entrap us when we engage the political and cultural landscape. They use the story of how Satan tempted Jesus three times after he had fasted for 40 days and then apply those temptations to our current experience.
In the first temptation, we see that we are most susceptible to demonic influences when we are needy, hurting or struggling. In our polarized world, many people think that the other side is on top, and they are being maligned. They are eating the “bread,” and we are left with “stones.” However, everyone feels this way, and when everyone feels beaten down, demonic forces of revenge and retribution take hold. In this first temptation, the devil was inviting Jesus, at a moment of weakness, to perform a miracle for himself. However, Jesus never did this. He never worked a miracle for his own benefit. Jesus’ way to change the world is not through miracles to improve his own life or of getting people to see things his way. He worked through the long, loving slog of dialogue, negotiation and power sharing.
In the second temptation, Satan offered Jesus all the authority and splendor of all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would simply worship him. Jesus would be the functional ruler of the kingdoms of the world, but Satan would be his boss. He would rule in a power-over, violence-enforcing kind of way. Jesus could have immediately eradicated evil and suffering in the world if he had accepted the devil’s offer. It would be the wisest, most just, least violent and over-all best version of any current kingdom of this world. Even though that would have brought immediate relief to suffering people around the globe, Jesus worked toward a solution that would bring lasting change. The only power that can fundamentally change people, and thus transform the world, is the power of other-oriented love.
The third temptation occurs when Satan challenges Jesus to jump from the top of the temple and show his power. This would jumpstart Jesus’ ministry with a bold public action that would immediately attract followers and silence critics. The Temple was the center point of Jerusalem, and its high point would attract the most attention. If Jesus threw himself down and landed safely through divine power, he would become an immediate superstar. We are drawn by bold, risk-taking warrior-like leaders who make noise and get things done. We must set this aside and put our trust in Jesus and the pattern of the cross that he established. Otherwise, we will turn our leaders into idols.
The conversation about the three temptations led to six practical take aways. They are:
1. Always Be on Guard.
2. Say “No” to Fear.
3. Beware of Big Promises.
4. Avoid Mental (and Verbal) Gossiping.
5. Choose Your Enemies Carefully (because you will become like them).
6. Choose Joy.
We are citizens of the eternal kingdom of God before we are a citizens of any nation. Our identity and disposition should be oriented toward the hope of this kingdom. In this way, we will live with the joy that is set before us, the joy of the coming new world.
Hide Extended SummaryTopics: Kingdom of God, Politics, Temptation
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Focus Scripture:
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Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
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Very very much appreciate this message. My husband now deceased) loved Greg and his ministry very much. This message is so pertinent and well spoken. I will listen again & study it. Thank you to both gentlemen.