New Beginnings

2023 FAST

WHO??? Jesus showed an expectation for all believers to fast.

Matthew 6:16-18

Matthew 6:16–18 (ESV)

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.[a] 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done,[b] on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c] 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.[d]

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

WHEN? Jan. 2nd -15th

HOW?

daniel

electronic

social media

broccoli HA HA HA...

anything in your life that has your attention, could be in a unhealthy way or just simply daily where you can give it up and replace it with time with God.

End fast with a night of worship at GCF to break the fast as a church family...

“We must get to the place where we are desperate for God again. We must begin to desire Him more than food or drink. Let us be filled with the Bread of Life instead of the refuse of religion. Begin to make fasting a regular discipline, and see how God answers your hunger!” ― Jentezen Franklin

NEW BEGINNINGS...

2 Corinthians 5:16–21 ESV

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

WHEN WE RECIEVE CHRIST AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES IN AND MAKES US NEW.

WHEN WE ARE SAVED THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES IN AND MAKES OUR SPIRIT NEW BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THERE...

WHAT ABOUT BODY, MIND, EMOTIONS AND WILL?

THIS IS WHERE OUR SANCTIFICATION COMES IN...

WE ARE SAVED AND BEING SANCTIFIED...

IT WORKS FROM THE INSIDE OUT, WE TRY TO FORCE IT FROM THE OUTSIDE IN...

WE DON’T JUST STOP AT SALVATION, WE HAVE TO WALK IT OUT… LETS LOOK AT HOW THEY DID THAT IN THE EARLY CHURCH IN ACTS...

Author: Paul

Audience: The church of Corinth

Situation: Paul had heard that the church was facing struggles and he disred to preserve the unity within the body of believers...

Sometimes the best way to step into a season of new beginnings is to look at the foundation of where we are coming from. I’m not just talking about the foundations of Grace Christian Fellowship, lets go further back. The foundations of THE CHURCH. The book of Acts...

Jesus ascends to Heaven

Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost. 3000 saved...

The Holy Spirit comes

EVERYTHING CHANGES… GOD IN US...

NOW WHAT??? ALL THESE NEW BELIEVERS...

BOM BOOM BOM...

THE FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS!

Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

LETS NOT RECREATE THE WHEEL...

LET US LOOK AND SEE WHAT GOD WAS DOING THEN AND SEE IF IT FITS WITH WHAT WE FEEL GOD IS LEADING US TO NOW?

WHAT IS YOUR ONE THING?

What is your ONE THING? And they (THE EARLY BELIEVERS) devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed (THEIR ONE THING THEY HAD IN COMMON WAS THEY ALL BELIEVED IN JESUS..) were together and had all things in common.

HOW DOES YOUR ONE THING IMPACT YOUR LIFE?

And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. MY STORY: And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.