Pastor's Corner
February 2021
There’s always lots of competition for the top spot in our lives!
Jesus said that the most important thing is to love God “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). Often, however, we crowd Him out with other things.
A famous Christian once said, “Jesus came to be Lord of all, or He will not be Lord at all.”
How are you doing with making Jesus the Lord of everything in your life? What keeps you from worshiping God every Sunday in church or online during Covid-19? What keeps you from attending or watching Sunday School every Sunday? How can you do better at putting God first in your life?
Deuteronomy 5:11 says, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
1. What kinds of gods would people today be tempted to put before the living and true God?
Matthew 6:19-24 says, 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
2. What are ways people store up treasures on earth?
3. How can we store up treasures in Heaven?
4. Why does Jesus say you can’t have two masters?
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
5. What are we supposed to seek first?
6. Write down how you personally could do this.
Matthew 22:37-38 says, 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.”
7. Name the three aspects of your life in which you should put God first.
Beside each aspect write one thing you need to do to put God first.
These are things we all need to focus on!
In His service,
Pastor Mark
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January 2021
Sometimes we think the Christian life should be free of pain, trouble and temptation. That’s not what the Bible teaches! In fact, Jesus Himself experienced all three. The Bible gives special attention to the fact that Jesus was tempted to sin. And just as the devil gave it his best shot in trying to seduce Jesus, we should expect the same.
Read Matthew 4:1-11 (below), then answer the following:
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
If I had experienced these three particular temptations, I would have:
Temptation #1, vv. 1-4
1. Made some “stone bread” to ease my hunger.
2. Told the stones to become prime rib au jus.
3. Resisted putting physical needs above spiritual needs.
Temptation #2, vv. 5-7
1. Had some fun at the temple using angels as a bungee cord.
2. Watched with delight the expressions on the priests’ faces as I came in for my landing.
3. Avoided doing something spectacular just to get the glory.
Temptation #3, vv. 8-10
1. Taken Satan’s offer of all the kingdoms of the world for one quick bow.
2. Thought of all the good I could do to make up for only one sin.
3. Remained focused on my Father in heaven.
In falling to any of these temptations, would Jesus have been doing God’s will?
What was God’s will for Jesus?
What is God’s will for us?
Does it surprise you that Jesus, the Son of God, God Incarnate, was tempted by the devil? Why or why not?
In each instance, what did Jesus do in resisting the devil?
Quoted Scripture?
Give in to the devil?
Saw through the deceit?
Felt like He was a victim of peer pressure?
Did not give an inch?
Made the easy choice?
Things to think about in your life:
How are you tempted in your life?
What temptations really get your attention?
Is it difficult to resist temptation? Why or why not?
What do you do to resist temptation?
What should you do to resist temptation?
Remember, at the end of it all, we have a home in Heaven with God where there will be no more temptation or sin!
That’s the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ! Spread this Good News!!
Love and prayers,
Pastor Mark