The relationship between testing and tempting lies at the heart of the gospel lesson for today. It's embedded in the word itself. The Greek word, periazo, can be translated tempting or testing. Take your pick. They're closely related.
The parable of the ten bridesmaids and next week’s parable of the talents and the following week’s separating sheep from goats are all one big piece of teaching for Jesus. He wants us to understand that part of our vocation--part of our calling--is to be ready for the Second Coming.
(This sermon was delivered to a group recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.) I had a friend in early recovery who gave me a little book titled: Our Devilish Alcoholic Personalities. It was abbreviated as ODAP--the name of the devil assigned by Satan to snag us alcoholics & addicts.
We have been given the light of grace, but it is up to each of us to tend the flame and to keep the faith burning. As shown in this parable, things will not go well for anyone who takes God's gifts for granted.
It began quite innocently; my life of crime, that is. I don’t know how old I was, maybe ten? ...My career in random crime came to an abrupt end in 9th grade when I was caught shoplifting with my best friend, Dean Anderson.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. If life is anything, it's unpredictable. Just when you think you've got everything under control and you can kick back and take it easy, something unexpected happens. A crisis occurs, and your life is thrown into a tailspin.
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS: The devil does not present a slice of chocolate cake, or offer piles of money, or volunteer to arrange a one-night stand. The devil is not working from a view of sin like that of our society. He doesn't concern himself with simply illicit sex, ill-gotten gain, or excessive, tasty calories.
Jesus describes His Second Coming as a wedding. He even refers to the Church as His Bride. He is the Groom, preparing a place for us with His own hands. You and I, as part of the Church, are called to be the Bridesmaids. We're called to be ready and live ready.
Jesus says: "Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." That's really clear. Baptism is not a suggestion. Christ calls us to the water. Baptism is not an optional initiation ritual. It is God’s own medium of saving grace.
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Everyone in this church this morning is someone’s child. And if you’ve been alive very many years, I promise that there have been times in your life when you craved hearing those words from your own father.