3.15.20 Sunday Service

• Self Denial and Fasting • Willingness to Go into the Wilderness Self Denial Is it a part of a normal Christian life? Is it a regular part of my life? If so how so? If not why not? Matthew 16: 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]. “At the center of the way of Jesus is a symbol: the cross. Yet all too often we see it as a sentimental song or piece of jewelry, rather than a way of life. The way to resurrection life has always been through Golgotha death. Self-denial is the entry point to the life of Jesus.” –John Mark Comer “We think that idols are bad things, but that is almost never the case. The greater the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life” Tim Keller Dulled by our Culture But he later revealed to his disciples, “I have food you know not of” So Jesus willingly enters a place of self denial, fasting and temptation. John 4:30 They left the city and were on their way to him. 4:31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." 4:32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." 4:33 So the disciples said to one another, "Surely no one has brought him something to eat?" 4:34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Resisting Temptation Sacrificial Service Sacrificial Service John 13:13-17. ““You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” During the remainder of lent is there anything that you are being called to fast from? In what ways could you sacrificially serve at this time in our nation?