3 temptations of the church: "temptation #3: to be powerful"

June 30, 2024

Associate Pastor Eric Burch

(Audio issues during the first two minutes or so.)

 

Matthew 4:8-11

“One of the greatest ironies of the history of Christianity is that its leaders constantly give in to the temptation of power- political power, military power, economic power, or moral or spiritual power – even though they continued to speak in the name of Jesus, who did not cling to divine power but emptied Himself and became as we are.” -Henry Nouwen

 

We want to be God instead of Worshiping God

Genesis 3:5

Mark 10:33-34

Mark 10:35-37

Isaiah 14:12-14 

Phillipians 2:5-9 

 

Power can be used overcome fear

Matthew 2:1-3

1 John 4:17-18

 

Power is easier to wield than love

“It seems easier to be God than to worship God. It is easier to control people than to love people. Easier to own life than to love life.”  -Henry Nouwen

1 John 4:7-8

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

(NASB 2020)