Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of Christ. It's a joyous day, a day filled with the promise of God's grace and love. As we gather together in this sacred space, we are reminded that we are a community united by faith, bound together by the love of our Lord. And it's within this context of love and unity that we come together today to reflect on a powerful passage from the Gospel of Matthew.

In Matthew 6:13, we read these words: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." This short, yet profound verse, is a part of the Lord's Prayer, a prayer that has been uttered by countless believers across the ages. It's a prayer that Jesus himself taught us, a prayer that encapsulates the essence of our relationship with God.

Our sermon today is centered around this verse, and as we reflect on its profound message, we will focus on three main points: Pursuing Protection from Temptation, Prevailing over the Evil One, and Power, Kingdom, and Glory. Each of these points brings us closer to understanding the depth of our relationship with God, the nature of our faith, and the path we are called to walk as followers of Christ.

The great Christian thinker, J.I. Packer, once said, "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve him, boldness to share him, and contentment in him." This quote is a timely reminder for us as we reflect on our scripture today. It's not enough to know about God; we must strive to know God, to understand His will and His ways.

Let's bow our heads in prayer.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for the gift of life, and for the privilege of gathering together as your people. We ask that you would open our hearts and minds to your word today. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in your sight. Guide us as we reflect on your word, and help us to grow in our understanding of you. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Pursuing Protection from Temptation

In the sacred text, we find a plea, a request to our Heavenly Father to guide us away from the snares of temptation. It's a humble admission of our frailty, our susceptibility to the allure of sin. It's a recognition that we, in our human weakness, are often drawn towards what is not good for us. And so, we ask God, our loving Father, to steer us away from these pitfalls.

Temptation is a part of our human experience. It's a reality we grapple with every day. It's in the choices we make, the paths we choose, the decisions we take. It's in the small things and the big things. It's in the moments of quiet solitude and in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. It's a constant companion, a persistent shadow. But it's not something we have to face alone.

God, in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, has equipped us with the tools we need to resist temptation. He has given us His word, a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. He has given us His Spirit, a helper and guide. He has given us His grace, sufficient for us, for His power is made perfect in our weakness.

The first tool in our arsenal against temptation is the word of God. The scriptures are filled with wisdom and guidance, with stories of men and women who faced temptation and overcame it. When we immerse ourselves in the scriptures, when we meditate on God's word day and night, we are fortified against the snares of temptation. The word of God is a powerful weapon, sharper than any two-edged sword. It pierces through the lies and deceptions of the enemy, revealing the truth and setting us free.

The second tool is the Holy Spirit. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He did not leave us as orphans. He sent us the Holy Spirit, our helper and guide. The Spirit leads us into all truth, convicts us of sin, and empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God. When we yield to the Spirit, when we walk in step with Him, we are able to resist the pull of temptation. The Spirit gives us the strength to say no to sin and yes to righteousness.

The third tool is God's grace. In our weakness, God's strength is made perfect. When we stumble, when we fall, God's grace is there to pick us up. His grace covers our failures and shortcomings. His grace gives us the courage to get back up and keep going. His grace reminds us that we are not defined by our mistakes, but by His love for us.

In the face of temptation, we are not helpless. We are not alone. We have the word of God, the Holy Spirit, and God's grace. These are our weapons, our tools, our defense against the snares of the enemy. With these, we can stand firm, resist temptation, and walk in the path of righteousness.

Prevailing over the Evil One

As we continue to reflect on Matthew 6:13, we find ourselves standing firm against the adversary ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO