Spiritual Disciplines
Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18

Simply put, fasting is the voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.

When Jesus taught on fasting, he would say “when you fast”, not “if you fast”.

Fasting reminds us that we can get by without most things in our lives for a time, but we cannot get by without God.

Fasting is voluntarily turning up the heat in our lives.

It is both physical and spiritual and it builds our faith muscles so that we can withstand the bigger contests that come our way.

Our hunger pangs also remind us to lift our voice up to God.

When we fast in our repentance, it is not an attempt to punish ourselves for our past sin, but as a commitment and preparation for our future righteousness.

Determine the purpose of the fast. Is it to seek God, to seek direction, to pray for others?

There is so much potential power in seeking God in this way that Satan will do whatever necessary to derail your plan.

Remember that your fast is about you and God, not about impressing others, or even yourself.

Remember that we are not twisting God’s arm, we are trying to draw closer to Him.

The goal is spiritual not physical. If you want to loose weight, find a way to eat healthier, if you want to draw closer to God, try fasting.

Why Fast?

• Fasting increases our hunger for God.
• Fasting can train our passions.
• Fasting can be an earnest prayer.
• Fasting can help us humble ourselves.
• Fasting can be a sign of Repentance.

How to Fast.

• Start small.
• Determine the purpose of the fast.
• Determine the nature of the fast.
• Determine the length of the fast.
• Get people praying for you.

Pitfalls of Fasting.

• Pride
• Coercion of God
• Penance
• Dieting

If you’re satisfied with the status quo of your spiritual life, then just go ahead and ignore everything I’ve said today.

If you’re ready to move on to another level, and you’re not fasting as a part of your walk with Christ already, then I’d say, start right away.

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Speaking the Truth in Love
Galatians 2:11-3:2

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Right Hand of Fellowship
Galatians 2:1-10

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The Gospel as God Gave It!
Galatians 1

Spiritual Disciplines
Bible Study
Genesis 1:1 – Revelation 22:21

“A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a Great Church.”

Spiritual disciplines are practices that we willingly pursue in response to a God who created us, saved us, and guides us.

Spiritual disciplines draw us closer to God, deepen our understanding of who he is, and help make us into the men and women he desires us to become.

We study the Bible but we are not really listening for God’s voice and therefore we do not understand what He wants to say to us.

Five reasons why we should study the Bible.

1. It is divine – II Timothy 3:16

God gave it to us, God gave it to you.

2. It is truth – John 17:17

The Bible is not just partly true, it’s totally true.

3. It is our map – Psalm 119:105

The Bible not only shows us how to know God but it also tells us how we should live.

4. It is our food – Matthew 4:4

The Bible is necessary for our spiritual health and growth.

5. It is our life – Deuteronomy 32:47

The Bible shows us how we can have life, real life.

How Can I Study The Bible?

Prepare

Right Tools
Right Mindset (Psalm 119:18, I Corinthians 2:12)

Record

Exegesis (To lead out)
Context (When was it written?)
Content (What’s the meaning of the words?)

Apply

Hermeneutics (Interpretive)
How does this passage of Scripture apply to me today?

Yield

What action does God want me to take?

The goal of Bible study is not just to know the content of the Bible; it is to get to know the AUTHOR of the Bible in a deeper, more personal way.

Learning From the Songs of Christmas
Joy to the World
Psalm 98:2-9

Even at its best, Christmas means parties to plan, gifts to buy, elaborate meals to cook, long trips to take, or out-of-town guests to host. Instead of bringing JOY, Christmas can bring frustration.

Unfortunately, many people leave Christ out of Christmas. Instead of looking to Jesus, people look for JOY anywhere and everywhere else.

The Bible says a lot about JOY. The kind of JOY the Bible talks about goes much deeper than mere happiness.

The first stanza teaches: THERE IS JOY WHEN THE KING IS RECEIVED

King Herod was anything but joyful when the Magi from the East inquired about the birthplace of a new King.

While Herod saw Jesus as a Threat, the Wise Men saw Jesus as a Gift, and they came to worship Him.

The second stanza teaches: THERE IS JOY WHEN THE SAVIOR REIGNS

Receiving Christ is the important first step. But then we must go on to let him Reign in our lives.

Most of us do a pretty lousy job of running our lives on our own. Jesus knows what will give you JOY.

The third stanza teaches: THERE IS JOY WHEN THE SINNER REPENTS

Sin promises happiness. But Sin delivers sorrow.

The baby changed everything. Has the Bethlehem Baby changed your life?

The last stanza teaches: THERE IS JOY WHEN THE TRUTH RULES WITHS GRACE

JOY comes because He rules with a perfect balance of TRUTH and GRACE.

True JOY will be yours this Christmas if you will RECEIVE Christ, REPENT of your sins, and let Jesus REIGN in your life with Truth and Grace.

Learning From the Songs of Christmas
Away in a Manger
Luke 2:1-21

Jesus’ birth was not a series of unfortunate events – it was not a LaGrande time, but instead, it was a series of unforeseen events. Jesus came on his own terms, in the right fashion, with a timeless message. The Jewish nation expected the arrival of a Conquering King, but He came as a Suffering Servant. People expected Him to testify of himself, but angels and shepherds testified to Him. Israel expected freedom from Rome, but not forgiveness of sins. They wanted prosperity, and not peace and pardon.

What kind of a Savior was He? What kind of gift did He offer? Who are the beneficiaries?

Jesus is Meek and Lowly

The real story of Christmas is captured in the first two verses of the Christmas hymn “Away in a Manger”:

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

He was a descendant of King David, but he was born in a stable, and not a palace or a castle. His delivery was not in a hospital, but a barn. The parents needed to do a lot of work before the baby was born. Joseph and Mary had to sweep the floor, wipe the dust and clean the place. They had to do with what they had, including enduring the noise and smell of animals and coping without the benefit of a kitchen or a bathroom. Even our present-day garages are cleaner than the horse stable, pig-sty or chicken coop that was Jesus’ shelter. No disinfectant or deodorant could sanitize or freshen the place enough.

Jesus is Majestic and Lord

Caesar Augustus had ordered a census, sent everyone packing and made life miserable. Rich or poor, strong or weak, men and women had to return to their hometown to register. Included in the throng was Mary, who was with child. However, the birth of Jesus turned the first Christmas from a gloomy Christmas into a glorious one. He had an invited audience at his birthday party, but His audience was not royalty, diplomats or socialites, but angels, shepherds and the heavenly host, and what a breathtaking, spine tingling and eyebrow raising performance it was.

Jesus is Merciful and Love

The Bible says that we were dead in sins (Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 5, Colossians 2:13), darkened in reason (Ephesians 4:18) and doomed for destruction (I Timothy 6:9), but Jesus came to land a fatal blow to sin. What He had done to sin for our sake in theological terms included forgiving (Matthew 9:2), bearing (John 1:29, Hebrews 9:28), erasing (Acts 3:19), purging (Hebrews 1:3) and canceling (Hebrews 9:26) the sins of men. He died for our sins (I Corinthians 15:3), freed us from sins (Romans 6:22) and remembers them no more (Hebrews 10:17). Three times the Bible says that He is the atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 2:17, I John 2:2, I John 4:10) for our sins.

The birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the two constants after the shopping is done, the sales are counted and the season is over. The greatest gift of all is the gift money cannot buy. It is what the Prince of Peace has given to the world: the forgiveness of sins and salvation of sinners. Our responsibility is to receive the free gift and to tell the lost world of the Saviors’ birth, because one day the tiny babe will return as the conquering King.

Learning From the Songs of Christmas
Silent Night, Holy Night
Isaiah 9:1-7; John 1:1-5

The story of this Christmas carol is one of how God provided in an amazing and unusual way to meet a pressing need. It is a beautiful illustration of God’s provision for us through Christ.

The celebration of his birth on December 25th has a long and complicated history. No wonder, then, that we depend upon our Christmas carols to draw a fuller picture of the birth of Jesus.

One form of silence that may have been evident that night would have been the troubled silence of the masses.

Another, very different form of silence this night, would have been that of the faithful who continue to quietly cry out to the LORD for His strength, wisdom and salvation!

Even midst all the pain and confusion of child birth in a stable, the uncertainties of the future and the controversies and whispers of disdain about her pregnancy and child, this teenage mother was given a peace that surpasses all understanding!

May Christmas remind us all that, in Christ and because of Christ, we may all “sleep in heavenly peace” no matter the times, world or circumstances in which we live. The world is absolutely in Christ’s Hands, “all power and authority” has been given unto Him and He has already done all that is necessary to secure our present and future salvation!

The peace of all humanity is not dependent on the present state of our world. Rather, it is dependent upon in whom and what our faith truly lies!

Jesus knows how we feel. He became on of us. Because He was one of us, but without sin, he was able to rescue us.

From the time of the Fall of mankind, the world has known only spiritual darkness. But the birth of Jesus, the Anointed Savior of the world, produces a new dawn! He was born in darkness, but the light soon followed Him.

Whereas the angels worshiped in a chorus of song, the shepherds worship was through seeking personal experience with the Christ and then spreading the good news of great joy to all who have ears.

There is no place Jesus will not go and bring His Light, so long as He is welcome!

Learning From the Songs of Christmas
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 11:1-12

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

This popular song dates back to the year 800 and represents an important and ancient series of services celebrated by the Church.

Christmas is nothing short of the most historic day in human history. God became flesh and dwelt among us.

Indeed, our Christmas carol begins where any discussion on the central figure of Christmas must begin, by declaring Christ to be nothing less than redeemer God.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Throughout Scripture wisdom is closely linked to God. Genuine wisdom finds its roots in God and His Word.

Jesus Christ is fully the “Wisdom of God” and is worthy to be celebrated in song.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

The “Rod of Jesse” refers to Isaiah 11:1. Isaiah’s writings predict a time when things will look hopeless.

It may, in fact, look bleak and hopeless but you dare not give up hope for he who said it will be faithful.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

A more literal translation suggests that “God has visited us as a sun rise from heaven.”

Light changes everything! The world looks different and is easier to navigate when there is light.

Jesus Christ is indeed the “Light of the world” and is worthy to be celebrated in song.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

The “power of the keys” was a significant role in a monarchy. It is none-the-less true in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus Christ is qualified to rule God’s Kingdom and is worthy to be celebrated in song.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

He has conquered the hostile enemy that has held a grip on the human soul for millenia.

He deserves to be called “Mighty God” and is worthy to be celebrated in song.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

We speak of “peace on earth and goodwill toward men.”

Isaiah longed for world peace too. And he knew when and where it would be fulfilled – in the Messiah – in the reign of God.

Jesus Christ is indeed the “Prince of Peace” and is worthy to be celebrated in song.

Jesus is:

• Completely God
• Your source of Wisdom
• Your trustworthy Hope
• The Light of salvation
• The ruler of God’s eternal kingdom
• The conqueror of evil
• Your source for peace.