08/30/2026
A sermon for August 30, 2026 :
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12: 9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
The Temptations
Well, it appears poor Peter is in the doghouse again. It was just last week that Jesus was praising him for recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. Now the Lord is calling him Satan. Two steps forward and one step back. Peter often appears to be the spokesman for the disciples. And I believe Peter is also our representative. But it’s really hard to understand why Christ was so unhappy with him. After all, didn’t he speak out of love for his Master? He didn’t want Jesus to go to Jerusalem to suffer and be killed. I don’t think we like the idea either. But we can’t have a resurrection without a crucifixion.
To understand Peter’s mistake, we must go back. Back to the beginning of Christ’s ministry. Back to his baptism where it all began. As the Lord rose from the waters of the Jordan River, He was driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. Driven into the wilderness to be tempted and tested by Satan for forty days.
Satan’s first temptation was for Christ to prove He was the Son of God by using his divine power to satisfy earthly desires. How many times do we ask the same thing of God? Lord, let me get that raise, or win that ball game, get the house I want, gimmee, gimmee, gimmee. And Christ’s answer? “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
So then Satan took Him to the pinnacle of the temple and told him to test God’s love by throwing himself off. When I worked for the sheriff’s department, I put in the 911 system. As part of the public awareness campaign, we went to the schools to explain to the children how to use the system in an emergency. After each presentation, we knew we would start getting calls from the kids. Just making sure we were really telling them the truth. Making sure we would really be there if they needed us. Do we do that with God? Begin our prayer with, “Lord, if you really love me,” or “Lord, remember you promised to be there. If you’re really there, you will give me what I ask.” And Jesus answered Satan, “It is written, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.”
So finally, Satan took Jesus to the top of a very high mountain and offered Him all the kingdoms of the world. The temptation of worldly power. We see that often in what we call the prosperity Gospel. The mistaken belief that faith will make one rich or famous or powerful. The assumption that somehow God owes that to us. A prosperity gospel that becomes a worship of wealth and power instead of God. That places one's mind on earthly things, not heavenly. And Jesus answered, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only will you serve.”
Finally, the devil left him for a more opportune time. Today, as Peter attempts to rebuke Jesus, is the more opportune time. The fourth great temptation. The temptation that we know better than God and that is Peter’s great sin. If temptation always came to us as a devil with two horns and a forked tail, it would be easy to avoid. But the temptations that are the hardest to recognize and reject are the ones that come from family or friends or from those we respect and admire. Ah, Satan is certainly sly, even using a trusted disciple who loved Jesus dearly.
That is precisely why we pray Thy will be done. God’s will, not ours. And how do we discern God’s will for us? Paul tells us exactly in our 2nd reading:
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Don’t be Peter and set your minds on earthly things. To follow Christ is to take up your cross and set your minds on divine things. Amen.
