Sermon Series, By Pastor Ben McEachern
	January Sermon Series:  Breaking Free   How do you handle temptation? Sometimes I feel like one of those cartoon characters with an angel and a devil on each shoulder. One telling me to be good and the other telling me to be bad. So what do we do? One approach is to just give in to temptation, problem solved. One problem solved and a whole host of other problems are usually created. And that is why it matters. Our choices have consequences that affect us and everyone around us very directly. Our choices also have a ripple effect beyond our immediate influence. More personally, what I do consistently when tempted becomes a habit.   Usually, I am not even aware that I am being tempted until I am well down the path. Everything seems so clear and logical and normal and in line with what everyone else is doing that I don't see the moral implications of my decision. In this case my cultural assumptions and personal biases combine to blind me to what is right and what is wrong; to what is sin and what is righteous.   So what possible help can Jesus give us? For the month of January we are going to be looking at the temptation that Jesus faced at the beginning of his ministry. On the face of it turning stones to bread, jumping off a building and worshipping Satan don't seem like issues we would struggle with on a day to day basis. In fact, how did he even know that turning stones to bread was a temptation? It seems pretty tame compared to some of the things that tempt me. But Jesus Christ came to free us. The temptations of Jesus were carefully crafted by the enemy and reflect the basic temptations that you and I face every day. His victory over temptation is not only an example for us in overcoming temptation but the reason faith in him as our Savior and King can give us the power to overcome the sin that would entrap us. Join us this month as we find Jesus' power to break free.     Learn More Visit the Teaching Menu to read about weekly sermon topics or the Sermon Archive to listen to current and past sermons. Pastor Ben McEachern