First Sunday in Lent, 2025
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Luke.
Listen to David speak to this gospel.
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for First Sunday in Lent 2025
Take my lips O God and speak through them, take our minds O God and think through them, take our hearts O God and love through them this day. <Amen>
Here is a story about a little boy in a grocery store that, I believe, illustrates the nature of temptation.
The boy was standing near an open box of wonderful liquorice strips. "Now then, young man”, said the grocer as he approached the young boy,"What are you up to?” “Nothing!" replied the boy. “Nothing ... hmm … Well it looks to me like you were trying to take some liquorice!” "Oh you're so wrong, sir ... I'm trying not to!" <PAUSE>
Now, that's temptation!! ... I'm trying NOT to.
My dictionary defines temptation as “The act of being enticed into doing something especially to evil.”
Then, of course, I have to check out what the dictionary means by “evil” … “the fact of suffering, misfortune, causing ruin, injury or pain, harmful”.
Now, Jesus made it very clear, see John14:6, that He is the only way to the Father.
Since Jesus is the only way, then evil, in all its forms, wants to do everything possible to get between us and keep us from God, our Father.
Have no doubt - evil, temptation, is committed to doing everything possible to make us turn away from God and so we will become ineffective in our personal lives and in the personal ministries to which we have been called.
If we allow that to happen, if we become ineffective - we hurt ourselves, we hurt others, and … we hurt God’s people.
NEVER underestimate the strength of evil upon your free will. <PAUSE>
In today’s gospel we see the resistance of Jesus in the face of the temptations of evil.
Yet far too many people have the wrong idea concerning the word “Resist".
Somewhere along the way resisting evil was changed to “ignore evil” or the belief that evil does not exist, in my life, at all!
Where did we ever get the idea that the best approach to dealing with evil is to dismiss it, ignore it or say that it is somebody else’s problem?
Neglecting evil is a poor tactic, I would go as far as to say, an inexcusable tactic to use against any evil adversary. Indeed to quote the great Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945”) who was executed by the Nazis, “Silence in the face of evil is evil itself”. <PAUSE>
Standing against evil (the great things in our world that cause suffering, misfortune, ruin, injury or pain, and are harmful to our sisters and brothers) is not a task to be taken lightly. It is a call to “Christian Arms” .. fight the good fight with all thy might!
Job, Joshua, Daniel, David, the apostle Paul - were men who had real and convincing experiences that proved that their time, their world, and they themselves were not immune to the temptations of evil. They responded and acted, in word and deed, against evil.
Why would we think that we, in the 21st century, should expect anything different? Evil is never constrained by time ! Unless, that is, we have already forsaken ... the “Good Fight”.
The greatest example of all is the audacity of Satan to tempt the son of God in the wilderness.
If evil is brazen enough to ‘get in the face’ of the Son of God why should we expect it to steer clear of our modern world … steer clear of us? <PAUSE>
Christ was tempted and so He knows and understands how human temptation works. Yet He remained sinless. Mind you, I can’t, and that’s why I ask God for forgiveness on a VERY regular basis.
You see, evil:
wants us to ‘fall short’,
wants to keep us from fulfilling the purposes for which we were created,
wants to keep us from using the power of God to overcome the hurt, injustice, intolerance, poverty, in the world,
wants to keep the human race divided and in defeat.
Christians are called to be the spiritually commissioned and empowered army of God.
Demonstrating the power of God by living purposeful, fruitful, and godly lives.
Evil, acting upon humanity, is seeking to neutralise the followers of Christ from responding to God's call. <PAUSE>
IT IS ONLY THROUGH THE IMMEASURABLE GRACE OF GOD THAT WE CAN OVER COME EVIL.
I believe it is time for Christians to break free of being mediocre. Of being stationary. Of being “quiet”. Of not growing in their faith. Of not taking that faith into the world.
Paul told young Timothy how to resist temptation: .... "fight the good fight of faith ... lay hold of eternal life." (1 Timothy 6:12)
In this 21st century it’s no time for idle watching from the sidelines.
Suffering, misfortune, ruin, injury, pain, injustice, intolerance, false Gods like money, alcohol, drugs, - yes, all the things that are “evil” are still present in our world - splitting, scattering, and destroying our sisters and brothers …
BUT … through the grace we receive from God we can resist temptation and overcome evil because :
We know that Jesus Christ is gathering and building goodness.
We know that we are standing with Jesus?
We are involved in building The Kingdom?
We ... stand firm in the Faith. <PASUE>
Brothers and sisters, we ARE engaged in the spiritual warfare of the 21st century ... and it is the MOST SERIOUS of battles. <PAUSE>
What grace and gifts has God given to you to “fight the good fight”? <PAUSE>
Remember, you are never lacking in help because, through Christ comes the grace, the courage and the strength to resist temptation, proclaim The Kingdom of God through prayer, word and deed and ….. to God will be the glory.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. AMINE.
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our plea is, “hear our prayer”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy : Hear our prayer.
Gracious God, You call us to worship today and remind us that Jesus refused the temptation to worship the evil one. Rather than receive the glorious kingdoms of this world, He endured first, the time in the wilderness and ultimately the pain and suffering of the cross. Help us during our Lenten journey to fix our eyes on Him and daily pick up our own crosses.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
Holy God, we pray for all of the Lenten activities in our homes and communities and for all of the special services and those preparing, presenting and assisting. May they all lead us together to a Holy Easter and a joyful celebration of the Resurrection.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Almighty God, Your Son Jesus was offered all the kingdoms of the world and their authority and splendour if He would worship the devil rather than You. Help those who govern and rule nations today to resist the temptation to use evil, violent and corrupt ways to bring about their personal desires rather than ruling with justice, mercy and benevolence.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, help us during this penitential season to follow the commands and example of Jesus. May we demonstrate the joy of our Christian faith to all our family, friends and neighbours.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, friend of those in need, Your Son Jesus can free us from our burdens and heal our bodies and spirits. We pray for those still burdened, those seeking healing, those in need around the world. We pray too for those suffering from addiction of any kind and ask that You help them to put the temptations of evil in the world behind them.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, we pray for all who have died; especially those who encouraged us in our faith by their example. As we pray for them, may they in turn continue to pray for us that we may stay true to our faith.
May all the faithful departed, now spend peaceful eternity gazing upon the face of The Risen Christ as they rest in peace having risen in glory..
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries. Make the things that we choose to do worthy of the life, death, and rising again of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Faithful God, you have taught us to overcome our sins by prayer, faithfulness, and works of mercy. When, during the coming weeks of Lent, we are discouraged by our weakness, give us confidence in Your love to help us through to the glories of Easter.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
