Sermon: “Dying to Self; Living in Covenant” from Jeffrey Schooley

Everything about the prayer to “Lead us not” chaffs against our sense of autonomy. We want to believe that we are in control of our own lives and that we can avoid temptation on our own, thank you very much. We also don’t like the idea that God could, apparently, lead us into temptation. But this is where the prayer truly takes root because to pray “Lead us not into temptation” is not to beg a capricious God to act favorably in our direction, but rather it is to proclaim to God that we know who He is and how He is and therefore we are unafraid.

Scripture References: John 21:15-19, Exodus 13:17-22

Related Topics: Lent, The Lord's Prayer | More Sermons from Jeffrey Schooley

From Series: "A Praying Lent"

Throughout Lent, we are encouraged to give up our little indulgences – those things that we use as a crutch to limp through our lives; things like chocolate, caffeine, streaming video services, social media, and the like. But Lent is never, only about sacrifice, but about replacing our raggedy crutches with new habits and disciplines of the mind, body, and soul. And so, this Lent, we will go through the Lord’s Prayer – clause-by-clause – as a model for living a more prayerful life, a prayerful life that begins with “A Praying Lent.” To guide this season, a daily prayer will be distributed via the church’s Facebook page and on its website. Take time each day to visit one or the other to help guide your prayers.

"Holy Highlights" Post-Sermon Discussion