Maureen, member of Manahawkin United Methodist Church, shares her testimony with the congregation on the subject of tithing.
Maureen, member of Manahawkin United Methodist Church, shares her testimony with the congregation on the subject of tithing.
Today, Pastor Choi concludes his sermon series on “Rely on God’s Resources.” He gives an overview on the topic of temptation covering the characteristics of temptation. He also identifies two sources of temptation: human heart within and Satan the tempter without. The sermon also provides practical ways to “shun the bait”: flee from the tempting circumstances, resist the devil, and filter out thoughts. Pastor Choi exhorts the congregation to lay up God’s Word in their hearts, to pray, and to ask for help from the Holy Spirit so that they may lead a victorious life in Christ.
Rely on God’s Resources (6): His Help in Temptation
Following is a summary of today’s sermon:
Rely on God’s Resources (6): His Help in Temptation
Hebrews 2:18
New International Version (NIV)
18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
New International Version (NIV)
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Temptation is a common human experience:
Understanding of the nature of temptation:
Three Factors in Temptation:
Help is available in times of temptation:
Today Pastor Choi talks about God’s provision for His people. He draws his insight from two verses in the Bible: Romans 8:32 and Philippians 4:19. He expounds on the basis of provision (love), how God provides all things good along with Christ, and what all things entail.
Following is a summary of the sermon:
Rely on God’s Resources (5): His Provision Romans 8:32, Philippians 4:19
Introduction:
Romans 8:32 (Underline He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not, along with him, all things?)
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection from Rembrandt’s to Van Gogh’s. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam War broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died while saving the life of another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, around Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved the lives of many men that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he was killed instantly. He often talked about you and your love for art.”
The young man held out his package. “I know this isn’t much, and I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would’ve wanted you to have this.” The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son. The father was drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for it. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me, it’s a gift.”
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time a visitor came, he directed them to the painting of his son, recounting the story, before taking them to see any other works of art.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of all his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited to see the vast collections of Picassos and Raphaels the man had amassed and having the opportunity to bid on the collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “Who will start the bidding on the picture of the son? Who will bid for the son?”
There was silence. Then a voice from the back of the room said, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.”
But the auctioneer persisted. “Who will start the bidding, $100, $200?”
Another voice shouted angrily. “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Rembrandts and Van Gogh’s. Get on with the real bids!”
But still the auctioneer continued. “The son, the son! Who will take the son?”
Finally, a voice came from the back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man. “I’ll give $10 for the picture.”
Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. “We have $10, who’ll give $20?”
“Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters!”
“$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded his gavel.
“Going once, going twice, sold for $10” A man on the front row shouted “Now let’s get on with the collection.”
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.”
“What about the paintings?”
“I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the valuable paintings. The man who took the son gets everything.”
God gave his Son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, his message is, “The Son, the Son, who’ll take the Son?” because, you see, whoever takes the Son, gets everything!
Author unknown (http://www.crystal reflections.com/stories/story_130.htm)