Overcoming Worldly Religion

Jesus faced and overcame the temptation to become a worldly ruler, second only to the devil himself. Jesus rebuked sharply the devil, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan; for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve." It is the "only" that much of American Christianity has forgotten. By forming spiritual alliances with the political and social movements of the kingdoms of this world, an unholy alliance such as Jesus rebuked has been formed, and the preaching of the kingdom of God abandoned. This sermon is a call to recognize this grave error, and separate from such alliances, in order that the gospel of the kingdom may be advanced.