Whom Do You Worship?

Luke 4:1-13

Father Mark’s sermon centers on the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness and their relevance to modern life. He emphasizes that temptations often involve choosing between our primary relationship with God and worldly distractions or desires. Jesus, despite his hunger, refuses to turn stones into bread, highlighting the importance of spiritual nourishment over physical needs. The devil’s second temptation involves offering Jesus worldly power and glory, symbolizing the strategies of accusation and division that govern earthly kingdoms. This temptation underscores Jesus’s commitment to God over worldly authority and values.

Father Mark warns that people often prioritize national loyalties over their faith, a tendency that can lead to divided hearts and compromised beliefs. Jesus’s example shows that true faithfulness requires choosing between conflicting loyalties, as serving both God and worldly powers is impossible. This message challenges listeners to examine their own loyalties during Lent, urging them to focus on their relationship with God rather than worldly distractions.

The sermon concludes with a call for listeners to reflect on their loyalties and what they truly worship, emphasizing the importance of choosing God above all else. Father Mark encourages honest self-examination and a commitment to following Jesus, even when it contradicts worldly expectations or values.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.