Sunday Sermons

The Three Temptations

Genesis 9: 8-15; 1 Peter 3: 18-22; Mark 1:12-15

Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

1. What is Temptation?

Temptation means to be enticed, incited or attracted to do something wrong or a forbidden thing. A recent survey of Discipleship Journal readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them: 1. Materialism 2. Pride 3. Self-centeredness 4. Laziness 5. Anger/Bitterness 6. Envy 7. Gluttony 8. Lying. Survey respondents noted temptations were more potent when they had neglected their time with God (81%) and when they were physically tired (57%). Resisting temptation was accomplished by prayer (84%), avoiding compromising situations (76%), Bible study (66%), and being accountable to someone (52%).

2. Where do Temptations come from?
3. The source of temptations can be many. By one’s own lusts, desires, passions or selfish interests. (James 4:1-4) by the lusts of the flesh, eyes and by the boastful pride. (I John 2:15,16). From our own sinful human nature.
4. God may give Satan permission to tempt some of us like in the case of Job. (Job 1:12). Satan may tempt anyone as he did Jesus with offers of power, prestige and positions. (Matt. 4:1-11)
5. Everyone can be tempted by bad associates or friends (Prov. 1:10). Some Christians can be tempted by well-meaning people. Temptations can come from all kinds of worries, riches or pleasures of this life.
6. Frustrations, sickness, poverty, difficulties or discouragements can tempt us to give into feelings of defeat, despair and failure. Bitterness can cause us to grow resentful towards people, organizations or even our own poor choices. Temptations can come from many types of worries, riches and pleasures
7. Temptations can come from accomplishments, accolades or worldly thinking.
8. Why does God allow us to be Tempted?

God can use temptations to develop more of a Godly character in us. To test the level of our spiritual maturity and obedience. To provide examples to others how they can overcome obstacles. Remember human heart is the battlefield between God and Satan.  Where God rules with love but Satan rules with lies and cunningness.

4. What are some different types of Temptations?

We can be tempted by anything that appeals to our human desires that are contrary to the will of God. These temptations can come in the form of unbelief, mis-beliefs, worry, jealousy, anger, wrath, slander, clamour, immorality, laziness, drunkenness, complacency, selfishness, idolatry, selfish ambition, false securities, societal pressures, family pressures, peer pressures, sexual allurements, the love of money, possessions, unbelief, immaturity, failure to grow up in all aspects into Christ, unhealthy comparisons, sins of omission, sins of commission, sins of disposition, sins of wrong assumptions. (Gal. 5:19-21)

5. What are some of the results if you yield to Temptations?

If you give into any temptation, it will eventually become your Master. Obsessions of pride, relationships or personal interests. Giving into temptations can ruin your credibility and disqualifies you from being an example. Giving into temptations disqualifies you from being promoted to higher levels of responsibility.

6. How some of us deal with Temptation?

We generally deal with temptation in 1 of 3 ways:

1. Some people simply give in to it. Their philosophy says, “Don’t worry about temptation. If it feels good, do it. Whatever is natural must be right.” So, they exist like animals, living for their own self-gratification. This could be the side effect of believing in the theory of evolution.
2. Some fight temptation with their own strength. They fight and fail, fight again and fail again because no one can overcome temptation consistently in his own strength. If we could, Jesus would not have had to come and die for us. These people might hate what they do, but they go on doing it because they do not have the power to stop themselves. E.g. Judas
3. Finally, there are those who overcome temptation through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s grace is sufficient for us.
4. How to overcome Temptations?

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Singing and making melody in your hearts. Whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Col. 3:16). Watch and pray that you do not enter into temptations. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. (Mat. 26:41). Fix your thoughts on things above and not on things of the earth. Wisely choose your friends and close associates. Draw near to the Lord through morning devotions before you do anything else. Follow the faith and the lifestyle of Godly people. Remind yourself of all the promises of God. Have the joy of the Lord as your strength Expect great things from God attempt great things for God. Commit yourself to Christ, His church and the fulfilling of His great commission.

Conclusion- No temptation that comes to you is beyond your capacity to resist it. In fact, temptations are universally appealing to all people, just in different forms. But God monitors the level of the intensity of each temptation so that we are able to bear up under its pressures. (I Cor. 10:13)

SEE WHAT JESUS SAW, DO WHAT HE DID

(Our Lady of Lourdes-World Day of the Sick)

Lev 13: 1-2, 44-46 ;1 Cor 10: 31-11:1; Mk 1:40-45

Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM cap

Introduction: What type of feeling do we experience when we hear horrible news. The New Testament has a Greek word for that feeling; it is “Splagchna.” It literally means bowels or guts, but it is translated “Compassion.” The only person that this word is associated with is Jesus. It says that Jesus felt this way when He encountered the sick (Mt 14:14), the blind (Mt 20:34), the demon possessed (Mk 9:22), those who lost loved ones (Lk 7:13), the hungry (Mt 15:32) the lonely (Mk 1:41) and the bewildered (Mt 9:36). Our word “Compassion” comes from two Latin words (com & pati); literally means “suffering with” others. Latin compassio is an ecclesiastical translation of Greek sympatheia

HOW TO CULTIVATE COMPASSION?

• See People with Jesus’ Eyes (see what He saw)-Mat 9:36- When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 1 Sam 16:7 “The lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
• Touch the hurting people (feel what He felt)- Mark 1:40-42-The amazing part of this healing is how Jesus did it – Jesus TOUCHED him! Even if he had not been healed physically, this would have begun to heal him emotionally. Physically leprosy patients don’t feel pain, but they suffer as much as anyone. Almost all the pain they feel comes from the outside, the pain of rejection imposed on them by their own community. They are rejected because they are contagious. Their body is rotting. They stink. They are deformed. So, they are forced to live outside the community. They must keep a six-foot distance from anyone – even their spouse and children. They knew great loneliness. Mother Teresa has said, “We have drugs for people with diseases like leprosy. But these drugs do not treat the main problem, the disease of being unwanted. That’s what my sisters hope to provide. The sick and poor suffer even more from rejection than material want. Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.”
• Serve Jesus by Serving those in Need (do what He did)-Mat 25:40 “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Consider the leper fully covered in leprosy. His body rotting, numb and incurable. Yet this leper’s scars ran far deeper than his debilitating disease. Suffered from the scars of a lost identity. (Now just a leper). Suffered from the scars of a destroyed dignity. (torn clothes). Suffered from the scars of repulsion. (All he touched was defiled). Suffered from the scars of isolation. (No home).

Conclusion: Jesus is not afraid to touch our scars. On some level we all can relate to the pain they have experienced. We too have been victims of the cruelty of mankind.  Our hearts can become leprous as this man. When our inner scars eat away at us. When our inner scars leave us numb and unfeeling. When our inner scars make us someone we’re not. When our inner scars push us to isolation.  We all need the touch of Jesus to heal us. Jesus wants to heal the hurts that others could never heal. Maybe it’s the scars of old wound that you never got over. Maybe it’s the scars of insecurity with roots in your childhood. Maybe it’s the scars of past sins that you can’t seem to forgive yourself for. Maybe it’s the scars of sin that you never dealt with.  Let’s go to Jesus for our healing and be wholesome once again.  Jesus loves us. He feels compassion towards us. He wants to heal us and make us whole. Amen!

 WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE

Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

• Feast of Presentation of Jesus in the Temple-Ex. 13:1-2 the first born belonged to the Lord.
• Feast of Candle Mass-Jesus is the Light of the World
• Feast of Purification of Mary as per 1962 missal
• Christmas Feast-For it points back to Christmas.
• Feast of Encounter-in the Eastern Church. Encounter between Jesus and the people (people represented by Simeon and Anna); Encounter between Holy Family and lay people with Jesus as the center; Encounter between the young and the old;  Encounter between the Law and the Prophecy.
• Feast of the Contemplation-Those who dedicate their life for prayer.
• Feast of waiting like Simeon and Anna.
• Feast of Prophecy of Malachi. He said when the Lord enters the temple there will be purification of Levites and purity of the sacrifice. This sacrifice refers to the Holy Eucharist.
• Feast of Consecrated Life-World Religious Day instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1997.

Dealing with the “Spiritual Terrorists” in the church

Deut 18: 15-20; 1 Cor 7: 32-35; Mark 1: 21-28

Intro: In today’s gospel we read about a great move of God that took place in the city of Capernaum. This took place at the beginning of the second year of our Lord’s ministry – what scholars commonly refer to as the “Year of Popularity.” Year one of His ministry was a “Year of Obscurity” and year three was the “Year of Rejection,” but year two was the year when Jesus became popular with the people, and this awakening in Capernaum was the beginning of that popularity. Jesus obviously spoke with authority that the scribes often seemed to lack in their teaching. They (the scribes) obviously had what someone has labelled as “positional authority” that seemed to lack in its ability to satisfy spiritual hunger. “Positional authority without spiritual power leaves churches suffering. It also leaves hurting people unchanged in a world where people need to be healed” .

What happens when Jesus takes over?

1. Satan’s kingdom is shaken up- We are told that Jesus taught with authority. Declaring God’s truth without compromise stirred up the kingdom of Satan. Imagine what was going on in Capernaum. Jesus is speaking and acting with divine authority. This, no doubt, got the demons in the city of Capernaum upset. They had people whose lives were given over to sin and immorality people enslaved to alcohol and drugs; marriages falling apart; children disrespecting their parents…Yes, they had things under control . . . Until Jesus started taking over Capernaum. When Jesus takes over, Satan’s kingdom is shaken up.
2. Sinners are freed – The Bible tells us that before the day was over, “the whole town gathered” to Jesus. This is something that always happens when Jesus takes over. Now, we are called to be like Christ in this world. And the key to that is allowing the Lord Jesus, who dwells within us through the person of the Holy Spirit, to live His life through us. In other words, if Jesus is going to be free to take over, he must first be allowed to take over in the lives of His people. God’s people must straighten up! During the Welsh revival, Evan Roberts preached a sermon time and again that God used to challenge His people in Wales to “straighten up.” It was called “The four points.”
3. You must put away any unconfessed sin.
4. You must put away any doubtful habit.
5. You must obey the Spirit promptly.
6. You must confess Christ openly.

If we really want to see Jesus take over, we must determine who we are and whose we are! Are you a Child of God or a child of the world? Do you belong to the Lord or to the world?

3) “Spiritual Terrorism” encountered-This ministry modelled after Jesus’ preaching, teaching, and prophesizing also has to confront the ugliness of its opposition. Strangely, the ugliness or “spiritual terrorism” is not always found outside but it’s found within the church. There is a spiritual war going on that exists to hinder the work of God. We have our own unclean spirits working to divide the church, “Spiritual Terrorists” who destroy God’s ministry are those who are always arguing, fighting, gossiping and complaining.

The word Mark uses here for ‘unclean’ implies a “desire to be filthy”. To be unclean means to have a desire for filth over that which is holy. Any time we choose to do the wrong thing rather than choose that which is right we desire filth. The good news is that we serve a Jesus who likes to get up close and personal and have direct contact with those people and places that seem unclean. Jesus sought to make the filthy fit for the kingdom. He sought to make the dirty a declaration of God’s love and kindness. Jesus was God’s detergent for a dirty humanity. He reached into the places that other agents could not and would not go. He would reach people that the prophets couldn’t get to, the priests couldn’t get to, and the kings couldn’t get to. And that is what he is calling the church today to do. We are to be the cleansing agents for a filthy world. He wants us to reach those who others will not touch because the world has deemed them unclean.

“I am far within the mark when I say that all armies that ever marched, and all the navies that were ever built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of mankind on this earth as powerfully as that One Solitary Life“. (Massey Mott Heltzel. The Invincible Christ. Nashville: Abingdon Press).

This statement tells us about the ageless authority of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ is Lord of all! Others may have authority and power. Only Jesus has the power to save people from their wages of their sin which is death (Romans 6:23). The authority of others is limited by time and boundaries as their authority will one day come to an end. But, the authority of Jesus never ends!

No king or kingdom, ruler or dictator, government, organization or individual can ever give us eternal life! No one else has conquered sin, death and the fear of death! God only gave this authority to Jesus Christ! We are powerless and hopeless without Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior! That is why without Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5)!

Benjamin Franklin once said that “God helps those who help themselves”. But, the truth of the matter is that without Jesus we would be helpless and hopeless.  When we as Christians pray we almost always end our prayers saying, “… in Jesus’ name. Amen.” We do that because we know that Jesus is the name of our Savior who saves us from the power of sin. We also do that because we know that His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). God’s grace through Jesus Christ is all that we need: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Jonah The Reluctant Prophet

Jonah 3:1-5,10; 1 Cor 7: 29-31; Mark 1: 14-20

Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

Introduction: The book of Jonah is a short book, 4 chapters. Some believe the story is allegorical or a metaphor for the disobedience of the Israelites and the salvation of the Gentiles. But Jonah is documented as a historical figure in 2 Kings and he his mentioned in several ancient Jewish histories. The major point that divides the scholars seems to hinge on the supernatural: some cannot accept the supernatural element of the story, a great fish swallowing a man. Nineveh during that time in history was extremely important. It was a commercial. The city was very large. People from all over the world came there to make money. But the city had spiritual problems. No one knew the true God. They thought they did. Nineveh thought everything was alright. But then Jonah told them, “40 more days and Nineveh will be destroyed.” God had enough. He was going to wipe these people off the face of the earth, just as he had done to Sodom and Gomorrah. The people of Nineveh repented. They declared a fast. They stopped their pattern of sinning. They looked to God for forgiveness. To repent means to stop being fake. When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.”

Character of Jonah: Jonah was running away from the Lord. He didn’t want to carry what the Lord had given him. How often do we behave like Jonah? And where does this disobedience lead us? Jonah had been running away from the Lord, but the Lord had not been running from him. So at the beginning of chapter 3 the same word from God came to him a second time saying: “Go to the great city Ninevah and proclaim to it the message I give you.” This time, Jonah obeyed the Word of the Lord, but with very little enthusiasm.

Why was Jonah such a reluctant disciple? Well, Jonah is a good example of the disobedience to God that Israel often displayed. Good Jewish prophets didn’t preach to other nations! Jonah didn’t want the city of Nineveh to be saved! He believed that there should be a strict separation between Israel and other peoples but obviously God felt otherwise. Jonah knew this in his heart and thus he was trying to thwart God’s will. Do we ever try to thwart God’s will due to any kind of prejudice we might have? Well, The Book of Jonah makes it clear that God is concerned for the salvation of all people and as His disciples we are called to take God’s message to some places where we might not want to go.

Another reason that Jonah didn’t want to carry out God’s call was because he was afraid of the Ninevites. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, a nation known for dread and terror! But amazingly, Jonah’s sermon was a huge success! The people of Nineveh accepted his message, they believed it, they repented they were saved!

Now our dear friend Jonah should have been pleased by the outcome. He should have been glad to know that he had carried the message, which the people had listened to and they were now children of God.  His preaching has brought redemption and forgiveness. Not the total destruction of the entire city. Jonah wants Nineveh destroyed. Our poor disgruntled prophet is having a rough time. So, he climbs up to a hilltop to wait and see what will happen. God, our ever-kind Father, makes a vine grow so our unhappy camper will have shade from the burning sun. Jonah is very happy for this. But the next morning when the vine dies our dear friend is furious that the vine died. God then speaks to Jonah. He says these words that must have made Jonah feel the smallest of the small, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” We do not know how Jonah responded nor do we know how he must have felt. But how do we feel when we disobey and disappoint? Through this story of conversion, God reveals again, that God is a God Who cares even if we don’t. Jonah certainly didn’t care about Nineveh he was even angry that God saved them!

Question: When’s the last time you honestly asked God to reveal His will for your life? When was the last time you went to God’s Word seeking to obediently follow His desire and direction? What have been the consequences of doing things your own way instead of God’s way? Jonah is what many of us are at certain points in our lives: stubborn, disobedient and prideful. When Jesus called Simon and Andrew and James and John to follow him, He was calling them to also immediately leave behind some things and some people that were very near and dear to them for a long time. What do we need to leave behind in immediate obedience to God?

The disciples were not like Jonah at all. They were ready to serve Christ. They were ready to follow Him. They felt the authority, the power of this man and they followed. None of them tried to turn and run away. They accepted and they followed. How many of us would just follow the Lord wherever He leads us?

Would you be an Andrew for Jesus?

1 Sam 3: 3-10,19; 1Cor 6:13-15, 17-20; John 1:35-42

Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

 Intro-The story of Edward Kimball. Many of us have never heard of Edward Kimball, a Sunday school teacher. He won a young fellow to the Lord, he was a Boston shoe salesman, and got that shoe salesman so on fire that he became the well-known evangelist Dwight L. Moody.

Understanding Andrew as the Seeker of Truth- In John 1:35-42 we are first introduced to Andrew. Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist. Andrew was baptized of John. He was a seeker after the truth. He found the truth in John the Baptist and followed him. John would always mention that he was not the Messiah but someone else. When John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world, Andrew knew that this man was the Messiah prophesied of Old. Andrew, unlike a number of the disciples of John the Baptist, followed Christ and forsook John. If the truth be known this is what John the Baptist wanted. Men to follow Christ. Jesus accepted these two and let them dwell with him for a time. They saw him and talked with him and noticed what he did. Being the tenth hour, they probably spent the night with Jesus. After this, Andrew was convinced that Jesus was the Lamb of God. Andrew found joy and peace. He immediately began to tell others. Andrew was one of the first to recognize Jesus as the Promised One, and this will never be taken from him.  Andrew had found a great treasure and he wanted to share it with others. Andrew did not sit around after this and ask, “What am I to do?” He knew what he was to do, and that was to tell others and lead others to Jesus Christ.

Understanding his family ties- Andrew was totally convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. Andrew goes and the first one he tells is the one who he is closest to, his brother Simon. Andrew worked with Simon as a fisherman. Andrew probably was the younger of the two. Family is the most difficult place to witness, but the first place that Andrew went. Andrew used his influence on his family. Simon makes a decision based on Andrew. Simon must have had a lot of respect for Andrew. Simon probably was not as religious or such a zealous follower of the truth as his brother, and so Simon trusted his brother’s judgement.

Understanding his nature- (John 6:5-13) The disciples were filled with despair. Andrew looked beyond this and saw the possibilities. Andrew spoke with this little boy. Spent time with him. Andrew was concerned about the little people. Andrew was the best person to bring this boy. Andrew was humble. Different from many of the disciples. Andrew did not have outstanding gifts, like Peter or Judas or John and James. Many times Andrew was left behind. He used what he had, not much, but he used what he had. Andrew knew in his own life that little is much when God is in it.

Understanding his personality-(John 12:20-23) Andrew was approachable, kind, thoughtful, sincere, bent on bringing others to Christ. Andrew distinguished himself among the disciples for these things and so Philip trusted his judgement. The disciples came to him for help. Andrew may have been the counsellor, or the listener of the group. Because of this Philip brought the Greeks to him and both Philip and Andrew went to Jesus. Andrew did not do anything that outstanding or glorious. Andrew might have become frustrated with his brother and the others when they argued about who was the greatest. Andrew was not scared to have second place. As a matter of fact, he was comfortable with second place. He really didn’t care about such things. The Bible tells us that love does not envy, and this is definitely what Andrew did. He did not envy even his own brother. Andrew never wrote a book, he never spoke up or out of turn, as a matter of fact, he is mentioned very little. After Acts 1, he is never mentioned again. Tradition says that Andrew went into Asia Minor, or Turkey and ministered there in remote areas, until he died on a cross. He hung on that cross for two days, and all the while he was preaching, trying to bring more people to Jesus.

Conclusion

• Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist. He was a seeker after the truth. What about us? Do we seek Jesus?
• Andrew was totally convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. Are we totally convinced?
• Andrew was bent on bringing others to Christ. Would we do what Andrew did for Christ?
• He was comfortable with second place. What about us?
• He hung on that cross for two days, and all the while he was preaching. What about us? when we suffer do we preach Christ?