February 26, 2023
“Who will you listen to?”
Sermon by Rev. Trip Porch
February 26, 2022 Based on Matthew 4:1-11
One of the first things I pictured after reading this passage was that classic trope of cartoons. You know the one, where the main character is presented with a conflict and has an important decision to make, and then *poof.* Over one shoulder appears the character’s inner voice dressed in a devil costume. A convincing voice that always speaks a very tempting choice about what you should do. A choice that is almost always selfish and egotistical, a voice that is tempting… “You know you could just do it this way; it would be much better for you… and all you have to do is overlook this minor ethical dilemma!”
And then *poof* over the other shoulder pops the character dressed in another outfit, now an angel. Offering a different choice. “No, don’t do that! That’s not who you are! Do the right thing!”
And then in the middle between the voice of temptation and the voice of conscience there’s us trying to decide what to do, which voice to listen to… that inner conflict we all feel. Do I choose to do what most benefits me? What brings about my success, my fame, my glory even if that choice comes at a cost? Or do I do what I know is right? A choice that is just and faithful.
This is the sort of inner conflict I imagine Jesus going through in our passage today. I suspect this conflict is what brought him to the wilderness in the first place, a space to get away from the clamor and demands of society, to go on a 40 day fast to be alone with God. To recenter himself spiritually and focus on the work God has put ahead of him. Again, this is a story that is at the beginning of his ministry. Before this story he has just been baptized, just heard God’s voice saying, “you are my son, you are beloved” and then Jesus gets up and immediately goes off-grid to sort out exactly what that means… What does it mean to be a child of God… How should I live my life knowing this? What am I to do now? Will I use my gifts as a some sort of parlor trick to win me fame or as a sacred balm? Will I use my glory to build up wealth and might or to help promote peace? Will I use the power I have for domination or for justice?
And it is there, deep in the wilderness, long into his fast that that inner voice appears offering a choice to Jesus. “You know you are absolutely famished… why don’t you just give up on this quest and go and eat something, it would be so easy to just go feed yourself, you know you want to.”
But in the wilderness, Jesus defies the deceptively tempting voice by instead listening intuitively—to God, to his inner moral compass, to the teachings of his faith. He remembers a scripture verse and he decides… no, I am fasting for a reason, to remind myself to rely on God, on God’s provision, and God’s word, the point of all of this is to trust God, not myself.”
Then the next test up high on a precipice, looking far down below… “You know, the voice from the heavens did say you are God’s beloved child, that must mean you can do whatever you want and still be protected, I bet you could even jump from up here and be fine.”
And again, he remembers a scripture verse… “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” and decides
“No… this isn’t some test to see how faithful God is, I know God is faithful, I don’t need to test God.”
And then finally… while still up on high, looking out across the vast city below… “You are great you know… but think of just how much greater you could be… all this could be yours and more, take charge over all of it and have all the power and wealth and anything you want, just let go of your God and submit yourself to worshipping me.”
Jesus is tempted… I mean who wouldn’t be. That’s the whole point of this story, but he remembers yet another scripture verse.
No… worship the Lord your God alone, and serve only him.
Even weakened by hunger, and drawn in by a very tempting choice… He’s resolute and determined. In the wilderness pushed to his limits, with each test he draws wisdom from the scriptures he has heard since birth and is able to hold on to what matters most to him. He listens to God’s voice speaking through scripture and able to deny his own desires in order to hone in and listen to what God desires.
Its impressive, I mean, after all it is Jesus. But as always, Jesus is the model, He shows us the way by choosing a holier path, every time. He sets the example in an incredible way to help us see how we might live out faith in smaller ways. So that we might ask the question, who’s voice am I listening to and how am I sure I am making the right choice? A choice that is God breathed, just, and right.
Again, I think, Jesus shows us the path. Every time he is able to recollect scripture which is more the just a word of comfort to him, it helps him discern God in the midst of the lived experience of his life.
But the lesson here is not a call to memorize scripture. Instead, I think, it’s a call to daily spiritual practice.
Jesus is able to discern God’s voice in a time of trial and temptation because prior to this struggle he engaged in intentional spiritual practices. He has surrounded himself with God and built a foundation to lean on. This is why we call it a spiritual practice, because it is something we do day after day, week after week, in order to grow better at opening ourselves up to God. We practice our faith when the stakes are low, so that when the stakes are high, we can rely on these practices to remember what is most important.
Friends, there is an onslaught of voices we are surrounded by in our world today. A cacophony of messages being hurled at us.
Who are you listening to?
Whose voice—and what messages—are taking up space in your head?
This Lent, the next forty days that we will spend in the wilderness …we are invited to listen carefully, and if you are struggling to listen, we are invited to take on new faith practices that may help us to listen and filter what we’re hearing so that we might better discern God’s voice.
Who will you listen to?
Amen.
WE GATHER IN AWE AND PRAISE
PRELUDE
INTROIT “Kyrie” ORTHODOX TRADITIONAL
WELCOME Rev. Trip Porch
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Listen!
All: There is hope to be found here.
One: Listen!
All: God calls you by name here.
One: Listen!
All: There is love that abides here.
One: This world is full of chatter, so may we do our best to listen.
All: God is speaking.
One: Let us worship.
All: Amen
*HYMN (pg. 5 of bulletin) “We Seek You With Our Questions Lord” KINGSFOLD
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION Ed Kinschner
Holy God,
Too often we treat your Word like a radio station—something we can tune in and out of when it’s convenient. Our minds are full of ads, emails, news updates, and notifications. In the midst of this clutter, we tend to gravitate toward the voices that think like us—easily ignoring the voices being silenced, easily ignoring your voice. Forgive us for failing to listen. Forgive us for getting caught in distractions. Forgive us for forgetting what your voice sounds like. Drain the distractions from our minds and help us turn once again toward you.
With earnest hearts we pray, amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Our sins are forgiven. Nothing could ever separate us from God’s love.
I am loved!
I am loved!
I am held in grace!
I am held in grace!
I belong to God.
I belong to God.
Amen.
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE #469 “Lord, Listen to Your Children”
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,
All: And also with you.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
ANTHEM “The Tree of Life” K. Lee Scott
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Dorothy Kyle
SCRIPTURE Matthew 4:1–11
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
SERMON Rev. Trip Porch
*HYMN (pg. 6 of bulletin) “Who Will You Listen To?” LEONI
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
One: In a world full of noise,
All: we believe that God is speaking.
One: In a world full of chaos,
All: we believe that God is singing.
One: In a world full of temptation,
All: we believe that God is healing.
One: Church, who will you listen to?
All: We will listen to God—our Creator, Friend, and Guide.
One: Church, what will you listen for?
All: We will listen for water in the desert, for the wind of the Spirit,
for the laughter of children, for the sound of open doors, and for God’s
voice, who calls us beloved. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH followed by alternative Lord’s Prayer from the First Nations Bible
O Great Spirit, our Father from above, we honor your name as sacred and holy. Bring your good road to us, where the beauty of your ways in the spirit-world above is reflected in the earth below.
Provide for us day by day-- the elk, the buffalo, and the salmon. The corn, the squash, and the wild rice. All the things we need for each day.
Release us from the things we have done wrong, in the same way we release others for the things done wrong to us.
Guide us away from the things that tempt us to stray from your good road, and set us free from the evil one and his worthless ways.
Aho! May it be so!
TIME OF OFFERING
*OFFERTORY RESPONSE #607 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” OLD HUNDREDTH
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
We offer our gifts to you, Lord, with grateful, cheerful hearts. Thank you that you meet our needs on the journey, providing what we need when we need it. Trusting you, we can share what we have with others, and we do this joyfully, together, today. In Jesus’ name
Amen
*HYMN NO. 440 “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” ABERYSTWYTH
TIME OF COMMUNITY SHARING
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE “Christ, We Do All Adore Thee” Theodore Dubois
POSTLUDE
Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452