Lent "WitW" - Where is God When We Need Them? Handling Fear and Doubt - March 20, 2022 - Luke 4:9-12

Context for "Wandering in the Wilderness" (WitW);

I returned to Bethany and Hopeville to walk with the congregations through Lent. I often say Lent and Advent are my favorite times of the liturgical year, so I felt incredibly blessed to experience these two seasons with the congregations. I based the series around Jesus's trial in the wilderness Luke 4:1-12 to really dig into what Lent means in our lives. Since the two congregations were still without a pastor, I tied these themes to their present circumstances. However, partway through the series, the war in Ukraine kicked off with Russia's invasion. I was tempted to scrap the series and preach directly about the atrocities Russia was committing. However, when I looked back at the texts I had chosen, Luke 4:5-8 already had a good word prepared. Sometimes a Pastor needs a reminder to trust in God's word, and this was one of those moments.

Where's the manuscript?!?

There is not a manuscript for this sermon, because I delivered it from an outline. I like to switch between outline, extemporaneous, and manuscript preaching. I limit outline preaching to main points and quotes that can fit on one page. Everything else is extemporaneous or practiced beforehand.