My Beloved Ones in Christ Jesus,
In our Savior’s prayer recorded in Luke 11:2-4, we find the five petitions that disciples of Jesus are to lift to the Father. The fifth one is perhaps the most misunderstood of all. Jesus tells us that when we pray we should say, “And lead us not into temptation” (v. 4).
At first glance this request would appear to imply that our Father does, in fact, “lead” us “into temptation.” But we also know that our Savior’s own brother, James, has also written these words in his inspired Epistle:
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one (James 1:13).
How do we understand these apparently contradictory statements?
Question 127 in the Heidelberg Catechism provides much needed clarity on the meaning of this petition. When we pray, “And lead us not into temptation,” we are confessing that . . .
“By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment. And our sworn enemies—the devil, the world, and our own flesh—never stop attacking us. And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.”
This Lord’s Day morning we will consider this final request from Luke 11. And I know that we will be nourished and strengthened by our Savior’s Word as we let Jesus teach us to pray.
I love you all so very much!
Mike
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome to Christ Presbyterian Church! Thank you for joining us for worship. If this is your first time visiting our church, please fill out a visitor card and place it in the offerings box at the back of the sanctuary. If you have any needs or would like additional information, please see one of our elders or deacons. Finally, if you require hearing assistance or a pew cushion, please see one of our men in the sound booth at the rear of the sanctuary. Children’s Ministry
• VBS volunteers meeting on May 21st at 3pm at the church.
• VBS 2023: The Race is On! June 12-15 9:00am-12:00pm. Registration and more info on the Church Center app.
• Nursery: If you would like to serve in our nursery during service on Sundays, please contact Amanda Dean.
Women’s Ministry
• Senior Sisters meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 10-11:30am
• Senior Sisters exercise class meets Mondays at the church, 10-11:30am
• Women’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study on Ephesians concludes May 17th
• Monthly lunch first Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11
Men’s Ministry
• Senior Fellows – Breakfast first Tuesday of the month at 9 AM at the church.
• Men’s Friday Bible Study – 11:30-12:30 at the church.
Youth Ministry – Youth will meet tonight from 4:30 to 6:30 at the church house.
Career Ministry – Bible study & fellowship meets at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, Sundays at 5:30 PM.
See christpreshamptoncove.org for detailed news and upcoming events.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Perry Calvert, Bill Cowley, and Elizabeth Holton, and Steve Terry.
Expecting – Please pray for the Pasuers due in August, the Prinzingers, Elliotts and Joe and Jennifer Calvert, all expecting in October and the Tomlinsons due in November.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries:
• Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland)
• Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand)
• Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand)
• Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH)
• Marcus and Jessica Nobles (RUF at Alabama A&M)
• Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA)
• Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada)
• Dieter and Marty Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL)
• Gannon Miles (seminary student)
• The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.