the temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1-13) together with trials and temptations (James 1:2-18)
several verses flow from here:
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." - Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7 (NIV)
"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."" - Matthew 26:39 (NIV)
the way out is in following Christ's example and surrendering yourself to God's will, as revealed through His word.
timeless truth.
after going to york evangelical church for the past two weeks, i visited york baptist church today. the service was actually quite similar to what we have at kay poh, with a combination of old, new and even familiar songs (you shall go out with joy, majesty). the message also happened to be taken from the gospel of Luke, and reinforced a few points i picked up at university cu last night.Jesus anointed by a sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50)
the twofold task of Jesus, as expounded by rev gary patchen, consists of disturbing the comfortable and comforting the disturbed. in juxtaposing simon the pharisee against an unnamed woman, Jesus exposes the former's hypocrisy while commending the latter's authenticity.
divine disturbances are really trials which test and approve our faith. furthermore, God both disturbs (but not tempts) us when we're comfortable and comforts us when we're disturbed (or tempted by the devil), according to His good, pleasing and perfect will.
a city of possibilities
the thing about york is that as a so-called "university city" - which incidentally has many churches, there are plenty of opportunities for students to hear the Word of God. it's common to spot pastors giving talks on campus (in addition to the university chaplaincy team), and vice versa, students visiting different churches (considering that the vast majority of students at the university aren't from the city itself, and that several churches have full-fledged student ministries).
i've set aside time for james cu on tuesdays, university cu on saturdays and church on sundays. there's even a york chinese christian fellowship which meets on fridays, but i haven't decided on anything there yet.
the level of fellowship and spiritual support in york (both the university and the city) was far removed from the list of things i looked at in making my different university applications, but finding myself here now, i'm beginning to realise how everything happens for a reason.
synergy
Luke and James. james cu and the university cu. the university of york and the city of york. they complement each other.
york has many churches, and you could definitely spend a whole term (if not a year or even longer) visiting a different one every week, but you have to commit at some point.
the distinctive spires of the york minster
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