Message outline for the First Sunday in Lent
I. What is Lent?
A. 40 day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
1. Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights before being tempted by the Devil. Matthew 4:1-11
2. Jesus is our example, therefore we should obey and do as He did.
B. Fasting is a good thing when it is done with a biblical perspective. It is good and pleasing to God when we give up sinful habits and practices. There is absolutely nothing wrong with setting aside a time when we focus on Jesus' death and resurrection. However, these practices are things we should be doing every day of the year, not just for 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. If a Christian wishes to observe Lent, we are free to do so. The key is to focus the time on repenting from our sins and consecrating ourselves to God, not on trying to earn God's favor or increase His love for us.
1. A Christian does not fast sinful behavior, they must repent.
2. A Christian has God’s favor only through Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians 2:8,9)
II. Why fast?
A. Jesus did
B. Jesus said we must deny ourselves. Subject our flesh to Him.
C. To be mastered by nothing but Jesus.
D. To show our broken and contrite heart toward our flesh. (Psalm 51:17).
III. How to fast?
A. Jesus taught us step by step how to fast. (Matthew 6:16-24)
1. do not look somber as the hypocrites do.
2. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face
so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting.
3. Do it secretly without anyone knowing. (This is hard but important)
4. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth IV. What benefit is fasting?
A. Our Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
1. More dedication to Him
2. More self control
3. Intimacy with God will grow stronger (Hebrews 12:1-11)
B. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1. Testing of faith
2. Testing of the heart
3. "No one can serve two masters.
a. Either he will hate the one and love the other
b. Either you will be devoted to the one and despise the other
c. You cannot serve both God and Money. (confidence, i.e. wealth, personified) material things.
C. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)
1. Come near to God and he will come near to you
2. Galatians 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
V. What to fast?
A. foods that you crave
B. TV programs
C. Drinks - like coffee, soda,
D. Time - dedicate time you would otherwise spend on yourself ie. Tv
E. Anything that is favorite
VI. Conclusion
A. I cannot tell you what to give up or fast but I will challenge you to ask God the Father what is a strong hold in your life and what He wants you to fast. Remember giving up sin is not fasting, you must Repent of sins, it is giving up things that can become sins in our lives if not denied. So, what is God calling you to fast? Will you even ask Him? Do you not want to follow Jesus? Do you not want to walk and live more worthy of Christ? I can guarantee that this exercise on your faith will not be easy but I know God will honor if done in Secret!
B. Please study Psalm 51
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Words to Live!
There are Ten Principles I would like to share from God’s Word. Many have come to know them as the Ten Commandments. Pick up your Bible and spend a bit of serious time with the Commandments recorded in Exodus 20:1-17. It could be the best thing you do today!
You will not find a 1200-page congressional bill, but you will find about 300 words that outline good life and good government. No person who wants to know the Way, the Truth and the Life can ignore these 10 principles of life. No Nation that wants to weave a successful history of democracy can ignore and break these 10 principles of governance. These commandments or principles were given to the Israelites as they emerged from long and debilitating slavery in Egypt. They were abject slaves. They were nobodies. They had no government. They had no direction. God used Moses, their leaders, to pass along to them the foundational principles to organize a successful nation and create a citizenry that could maintain it. So, here we have them. Ten fundamental principles of government and society over which a nation or a person rises or falls! They are basic. They are unchangeable. They are forever! So, hang them in your homes, but more importantly write them into your heart and daily living. Hang them in the halls of our capital and in the public square, but more importantly write them into national legislation.
Notice that these principles fall into two sections. Principles 1-4 are found in versus 1-11 and have to do with our relationship with God. Principles 5-10 are found in versus 12-17 that have to do with our relationship with each other.
* First, the relationship with God. The “words” God spoke are clear and concise: (1) recognize “the Lord thy God,” the one and only God, the Creator, the deliverer, the Sustainer; (2) make no image of God image of God to break your personal relationship with God; (3) make no light or frivolous use of God’s Name - He is Holy - practice reverence; and (4) God has named one day of seven as “the Lord’s Day” - a day of rest, a day of worship, a day to come up out of the secular world for a breath of spiritual air and spiritual renewal. Keep it Holy!
* Second, the relationship to each other: (5) honor the family, father, mother, child - this is the commandment with promise - the best of life; (6) human life is sacred - do not murder, no abortion - no murder, period; (7) God’s established role for a man and a woman - wedded relationship, when two become one, a sexual breach of that sacred relationship is a divine “No, no;” (8) protection of private property is essential to any human society - stealing is condemned; (9) honesty - speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, this is essential to a workable society; and (10) do not covet - “no keeping up with the Jones’s”, desiring what doesn’t belong to you, curb evil inner desires.
“The cowboy church put them this way; Just one God. Honor your Ma and Pa. No tellin’ tales or gossipin’. Git yerself to Sunday meetin’. Put nothin’ before God. No foolin’ around with another feller’s gal. No killin’. Watch your mouth. Don’t take what ain’t yers. And don’t be hankerin’ for yer buddies stuff.” As a columnist put it; “These “Commandments” are stated, they are “principles” by which individuals or Nations live or die. They are the Foundation of the good life and National democracy. Why would the ACLU try to remove them from the public square? Do they have a hidden agenda? Do these biblical principles stand in their way? YES, they do!” Dr. Julian Pipkin
Jesus summed it all up as he stated the Great Commandment. First, love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul and mind. And second, love your neighbor as yourself. Think on these things and more importantly, obey. You will be Blessed if you live these 10 Principles!
You will not find a 1200-page congressional bill, but you will find about 300 words that outline good life and good government. No person who wants to know the Way, the Truth and the Life can ignore these 10 principles of life. No Nation that wants to weave a successful history of democracy can ignore and break these 10 principles of governance. These commandments or principles were given to the Israelites as they emerged from long and debilitating slavery in Egypt. They were abject slaves. They were nobodies. They had no government. They had no direction. God used Moses, their leaders, to pass along to them the foundational principles to organize a successful nation and create a citizenry that could maintain it. So, here we have them. Ten fundamental principles of government and society over which a nation or a person rises or falls! They are basic. They are unchangeable. They are forever! So, hang them in your homes, but more importantly write them into your heart and daily living. Hang them in the halls of our capital and in the public square, but more importantly write them into national legislation.
Notice that these principles fall into two sections. Principles 1-4 are found in versus 1-11 and have to do with our relationship with God. Principles 5-10 are found in versus 12-17 that have to do with our relationship with each other.
* First, the relationship with God. The “words” God spoke are clear and concise: (1) recognize “the Lord thy God,” the one and only God, the Creator, the deliverer, the Sustainer; (2) make no image of God image of God to break your personal relationship with God; (3) make no light or frivolous use of God’s Name - He is Holy - practice reverence; and (4) God has named one day of seven as “the Lord’s Day” - a day of rest, a day of worship, a day to come up out of the secular world for a breath of spiritual air and spiritual renewal. Keep it Holy!
* Second, the relationship to each other: (5) honor the family, father, mother, child - this is the commandment with promise - the best of life; (6) human life is sacred - do not murder, no abortion - no murder, period; (7) God’s established role for a man and a woman - wedded relationship, when two become one, a sexual breach of that sacred relationship is a divine “No, no;” (8) protection of private property is essential to any human society - stealing is condemned; (9) honesty - speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, this is essential to a workable society; and (10) do not covet - “no keeping up with the Jones’s”, desiring what doesn’t belong to you, curb evil inner desires.
“The cowboy church put them this way; Just one God. Honor your Ma and Pa. No tellin’ tales or gossipin’. Git yerself to Sunday meetin’. Put nothin’ before God. No foolin’ around with another feller’s gal. No killin’. Watch your mouth. Don’t take what ain’t yers. And don’t be hankerin’ for yer buddies stuff.” As a columnist put it; “These “Commandments” are stated, they are “principles” by which individuals or Nations live or die. They are the Foundation of the good life and National democracy. Why would the ACLU try to remove them from the public square? Do they have a hidden agenda? Do these biblical principles stand in their way? YES, they do!” Dr. Julian Pipkin
Jesus summed it all up as he stated the Great Commandment. First, love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul and mind. And second, love your neighbor as yourself. Think on these things and more importantly, obey. You will be Blessed if you live these 10 Principles!
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