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Fully, Only Human

Children's sermon
Illustration
Preaching
Sermon
Worship
First Sunday in Lent - A
Matthew 4:1-11
Romans 5:12-19
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Chris Ewing
Striving to win and to test limits, athletes have been in the news lately for risking the use of illegal drugs in this effort. For others, the opposite is the case: failing to act decisively when we perceive a threat or danger. So, in this issue of The Immediate Word, Chris Ewing explores both the limits ("only human") and the freedom ("fully human") set for the first man and woman in the Old Testament Reading for today. Chris reflects also on the story of Jesus' temptation and on the Second Reading assigned in the lectionary for February 13.
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Lent 2
33 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
35 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Lent 3
31 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
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Lent 4
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32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
28 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Lent 5
31 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
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New & Featured This Week

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John Jamison
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me... (v. 34)

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
George Reed
For February 28, 2021:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
Oscar Wilde penned a powerful story about behaviors and definitions and justice called The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dorian was a handsome young man, a model of physical beauty and moral virtue. People complimented him on his good graces. Parents pointed to him as an example to their youth. One artist even painted an exquisite portrait of him.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Frank Ramirez
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
“Breaking Jesus’ Heart” by John Sumwalt
“Wade In the Water” by Frank Ramirez


Breaking Jesus’ Heart
by John Sumwalt
Psalm 22:23-31

For he did not despise or abhor
    the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,
    but heard when I cried to him. (Psalm 22:24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
"Have you seen it?" whispered the Barbie doll to her next door neighbour.

The next Barbie doll in line was instantly alert. There were five different Barbie dolls, who lived jumbled together in the toy cupboard but who were so jealous of each other that they rarely spoke. "Seen what?" asked the second Barbie doll, blue eyes darting all round the room.

"The Princess," replied the first Barbie with glee. "Caitlin's done her hair and it looks terrible!"

SermonStudio

Russell F. Anderson
Theme For The Day: The road to God's kingdom is the way of obedience, suffering and death, the way of the cross. Christ calls us to take up our cross and follow him.


BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Genesis 17:1--7, 15--16 (C)
John W. Clarke
These verses from Mark's gospel are a call to commitment, a call to sacrifice, and a call to give up everything of earthly value in life. To say these are difficult verses is truly an understatement. It is pretty clear that the disciples are not at all ready for what Jesus is saying. They are not ready for Jesus to die and they certainly are not ready to die themselves.

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