Title Let's overcome the test
Contents
Hymn: 363 “All My Trials and Heavy Burdens”
Meditation: Trust in the Lord who gave me life.
Confession of Faith: Apostles' Creed
Text: “As they were eating, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; This is my body.” ” (Matthew 26:40-41, Mark 14:31)
Word: When Jesus' work of redemption is completed, Peter will also take the test of faith. The Lord prophesied, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times,” but Peter says he will never deny Him. Jesus overcame temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane by praying, “Thy will be done,” but Peter fell asleep. Where do our tests come from? If we are not awake, we are bound to fall into temptation. When we fall asleep spiritually, Satan tempts us. Even though Peter confessed his faith to the Lord and was confident, he eventually fell into temptation.
Brothers and sisters, we too often do not trust the Lord and our actions and confessions do not match. When Jesus is taken to the court of Caiaphas, Peter, who followed Jesus like his right arm, follows him from a distance. We too are often led away from the Lord and the Church when we face temptations in our life of faith. So, we must hold on to the word of the Lord and move forward with dependence on the Lord. No matter how difficult the circumstances, we must not follow Peter, who fell.
We must have faith to follow the Lord no matter what path he takes while relying on the Lord to the end. Even the disciples, who trusted and rejoiced when they saw the miracle of the Lord, could not chase after the Lord when he was taken to court, but rather drifted away. If we also fall into temptation, do we not turn away from the Lord? We must never turn away from the Lord. Only faith that holds on to the Lord to the end and moves forward will enable us to be victorious on this earth.
Those who give up halfway lose their lives and lose their faith. There is no crown without the cross. There is no victory without suffering. Free things are worthless. The victors of faith are usually those who have crossed the river of adversity. If we overcome the test and run by faith, we will become successful believers and become beautiful saints who glorify the Lord. Beloved saints, become victors of faith.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, grant us grace to have faith that overcomes trials and triumphs. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord's Prayer