Sermon for Invocavit, 2026

Being baptized into Christ means that what He accomplished—His obedience and faithfulness—is credited to you. Yet it also means that you embark on a new life, a life of following Jesus, of imitating Him, of being conformed to Him. It is in this new life, this following, imitating, conformed life, this life in Christ, that you learn to place your trust not in bread, but rather to find your life in every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; to trust patiently and not put God to the test; to take worship seriously and not compromise your faith for the sake of worldly good or gain. 

Think for a moment about the temptations that you, personally, are beset with; the sins you struggle with. If the temptation comes through a certain situation, or place, or device, what are you going to have to do to minimize the temptation? Whatever it is, do it. Do not hesitate to remove yourself from that which you know can lead you into temptation. If, however, the temptation is unavoidable or comes upon you unexpectedly, the only thing to do is to meditate constantly on the Word of God. God’s promise is not to remove the things that are heavy burdens for you; it is to provide you with an escape from the temptation that comes. The Word of God is your only recourse. Take it up, speak it aloud. Cry out to God, and repeat it to yourself again and again. Only by the Spirit, working through the Word, can temptation be resisted and the devil turned away. 

And do not imagine that the outcome is uncertain. The One who stood in the wilderness has gone on to the Cross, and there He crushed the serpent’s head. Therefore, you strive not toward a victory yet to be secured; you live from within a victory already accomplished. When temptation presses, never forget: you are in Christ.

Readings:

• Old Testament: Genesis 3:1-21

• Epistle: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

• Holy Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eJw-O6Tjrc