Here at Lancaster First UMC, I am privileged to be part of two weekly bible study groups that study the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday worship services.
March 13 Sermon – “An App for That: Fasting”
Isaiah 58:6-9
- John Wesley often referred to this chapter to warn against using spiritual practices such as fasting to become a way of earning God’s love, rather than as a means to receive God’s grace. Why do we sometimes use spiritual practices as a way of earning God’s love rather than as a way of receiving and responding to God’s love?
- John Wesley and his phrase, “Means of Grace” – These include the two Sacraments (Holy Communion and Holy Baptism), fasting, church attendance, giving, etc. Which means of grace to you tend to practice on a regular basis and which ones would you like to give more focus and attention?
Matthew 4:1-11
- This traditional reading for the beginning of Lent (Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness) is a story about facing temptations.
- What is our primary vocation as a person of faith? To be truly human which biblically means to be God’s image bearers (reflecting God’s image back on to God which is worship and reflecting God’s image out into the world which is ministry.)
- What are the temptations that seek to keep us from living out our primary vocation?
- Jesus was able to see through the temptations and stick to his vocation – being fully human.
- Matthew is showing us how Jesus is personally reenacting the story of Israel – Jesus’ baptism/parting of Red Sea, Jesus in wilderness/Israel in wilderness.
- Within the temptation story is another Old Testament echo – the story of creation and the temptation of Adam and Eve.
- What were Jesus’ temptations? – This wilderness story, a disciple who advises to not go to the cross, the garden prayer, etc.
- Like Jesus, we are to stay grounded in the scriptures and the means of grace to help us stick to our vocation of worshipping and serving in the name of Christ.
March 13 Sermon – “An App for That: Fasting”
Isaiah 58:6-9
- John Wesley often referred to this chapter to warn against using spiritual practices such as fasting to become a way of earning God’s love, rather than as a means to receive God’s grace. Why do we sometimes use spiritual practices as a way of earning God’s love rather than as a way of receiving and responding to God’s love?
- John Wesley and his phrase, “Means of Grace” – These include the two Sacraments (Holy Communion and Holy Baptism), fasting, church attendance, giving, etc. Which means of grace to you tend to practice on a regular basis and which ones would you like to give more focus and attention?
Matthew 4:1-11
- This traditional reading for the beginning of Lent (Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness) is a story about facing temptations.
- What is our primary vocation as a person of faith? To be truly human which biblically means to be God’s image bearers (reflecting God’s image back on to God which is worship and reflecting God’s image out into the world which is ministry.)
- What are the temptations that seek to keep us from living out our primary vocation?
- Jesus was able to see through the temptations and stick to his vocation – being fully human.
- Matthew is showing us how Jesus is personally reenacting the story of Israel – Jesus’ baptism/parting of Red Sea, Jesus in wilderness/Israel in wilderness.
- Within the temptation story is another Old Testament echo – the story of creation and the temptation of Adam and Eve.
- What were Jesus’ temptations? – This wilderness story, a disciple who advises to not go to the cross, the garden prayer, etc.
- Like Jesus, we are to stay grounded in the scriptures and the means of grace to help us stick to our vocation of worshipping and serving in the name of Christ.
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