Sermon Notes: Trusting God in the Wilderness
Rev. David Hockett | Davidson UMC
Key Scripture:
- Luke 4:1-13 – Jesus' temptation in the wilderness
Main Themes:
Jesus Was Tempted, Like Us
- Jesus faced the temptation to seek power, control, and efficiency over love and trust in God.
- His humanity makes His struggles relatable, yet He chose a different way—showing us a better way to live.
The Purpose of Lent
- A time to prepare our hearts for Easter.
- A season of letting go—of control, power, self-sufficiency—and learning to trust in God.
- A chance to reflect on our own temptations and realign our hearts with God's love.
The Nature of Temptation
- Temptation is often about disordered love—loving the wrong things or the right things for the wrong reasons.
- The temptation to control others can feel easier than loving them.
The Church’s Struggle with Power & Control
- Even in ministry, we often seek efficiency and results instead of trust and spiritual transformation.
- True faithfulness comes not from working harder but from drawing closer to Jesus.
What We Truly Need
- Not more programs, strategies, or skills—but more time with Jesus.
- Like Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:38-42), we are called to be still and listen.
- The most important practices:
- Prayer & Worship
- Confession & Forgiveness
- Silence & Listening
The Central Question: Do We Trust God?
- Jesus rejected power and control because He trusted God completely.
- We are called to move beyond curiosity about Jesus to trusting in His way of love.
The Journey Out of the Wilderness
- True faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting God in uncertainty.
- We remember:
- Who we are – God’s beloved
- To whom we belong – Christ
- Who holds our future – God alone
Reflection Questions:
- Where in my life am I tempted to seek power or control instead of trusting God?
- How can I use this season of Lent to deepen my relationship with Christ?
- Am I making space to listen to God, or am I relying on my own strength?
Prayer for the Week:
"God, help me to trust You more. In moments of uncertainty, remind me that You hold my future. Teach me to love as You love and to follow Jesus' path, even when it is difficult. Amen."
Next Steps:
- Spend time in prayer and silence this week.
- Reflect on where you may be resisting trust in God.
- Consider ways to practice letting go and surrendering to God's love.
📖 Lenten Challenge: Each day this week, take 5 minutes of silence to simply be with God. No requests, no distractions—just listen.
