A Famine Not of Bread

Click here to listen to this sermon. “L et anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it ” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. “You’re only three Sundays away from never going to church again,” I told my children. They thought I was exaggerating. Or I was just saying that because I’m a pastor and it would look bad if they didn’t go to church. But I’m serious. Any of us may be only three Sundays away from never going to church again. The names of formerly active members who no longer attend worship regularly are scattered on the membership rolls of churches worldwide. St. John’s (St. Paul’s) is no exception. Just look around. There are “holes” in the pews, empty places that used to be ...

Click here for an audio version The text for today is our Epistle lesson, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13: “ Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.   No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. ” Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. “You’re only three Sundays away from never going to church again.”   I’ve told my own children that many times.   They laugh.   They think I’m exaggerating.   Or I’m just saying that because I’m a pastor, and it would look bad if they didn’t go to church.   But I’m serious.   Any one of us here may be only three Sundays away from never going to church again.   The names of formerly active members who are no longer in attendance at worship on Sunday morning are scatte...