Lent 2024 – Deny Self

Joel 2:12

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Today – we continue the Christian calendar season we call Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter during which many Christians do not eat certain foods or do certain pleasurable activities as a way of remembering the suffering of Jesus Christ according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Lent is a time to deny self – physically and spiritually – as we walk toward the cross of Jesus. It includes fasting and weeping and mourning – as we turn our hearts toward Jesus and deny self. What is standing between us and a deeper walk with Jesus? Is it the time we spend on social media or watching TV? Is it some substance we put into our bodies like food – drugs – alcohol? Is it a certain sinful behavior that continues to haunt our walk with Jesus? Maybe – if we spent the next 40 days intentionally working on overcoming what comes between us and Jesus – God’s grace could enable us to have victory. What is it? Are we willing to give it up for 40 days during Lent? Are we willing to sacrifice our wants and desires to get closer to Jesus? Join us at Trinity in a 40 day fast.

Lent Begins Tomorrow – 2/14/24

Matthew 26:35

Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Lent is coming soon. It begins on tomorrow – Wednesday – February 14^th – Ash Wednesday. During Lent this year – we will do a 40 day fast. What have you decided to fast from this year? Lent – according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary is defined as – a period of 40 days before Easter during which many Christians do not eat certain foods or do certain pleasurable activities as a way of remembering the suffering of Jesus Christ.

Today’s passage is about Peter and the disciples saying they would not deny Christ – that they would actually die with Jesus if need be. Here is today’s passage in partial context. Matthew 26:30-39 – ³⁰ And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. ³¹ Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ ³² But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” ³³ Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” ³⁴ Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” ³⁵ Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. ³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” ³⁹ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Christian Discipline: Prayer

Ephesians 6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

I often ask – how’s your prayer life? We even recently had a sermon on our prayer as part of our Christian Discipline sermon series. You can listen to the service here. Prayer is an essential – even an absolute – in our Christian life. Today’s passage comes toward the end of the passage on the Armor of God. See the partial context later in this blog post.

How’s your prayer life? In today’s passage – Paul writes about putting on the whole armor of God. He describes that armor as he describes a soldier’s armor. Each piece has a purpose. Each spiritual discipline that we add and practice – has to do with our spiritual health and well-being. He wraps it all together with a call to pray. Prayer is seen as the glue that holds it all together. Prayer is seen as our communication with God – and cements our walk with God together. How’s your prayer life?

Stay Consistent – Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Consistency is something most of us look for in our lives. We want to hit the target again and again – being on target in our relationships for instance. In talking with young couples over the years and playing the I Expect Game with them during marriage counseling – consistency is something that often comes up. This game is where I have a couple face each other and go back and forth telling each other what they expect as they enter marriage. Although marriage is not all about our expectations – it is meaningful to hear what your partner-to-be is expecting (or your current partner too). Although we cannot always fulfill our partner’s expectations nor should we all of the time – consistency – faithfulness – longevity is something that most couples seek.

How consistent are we in our lives? That is a good question. Are we consistent in our marriages? How about in our other relationships? Are we consistent with our plan for better health – with our weight – with our exercise? Are we consistent with our work? Are we seen as someone who can be counted on? Is our word good? Do we have integrity when it comes to our bills and the expectation of putting in our work for our jobs? Employers love when workers have consistency.

One of the things that impressed me as a child was my dad being able to purchase things – even big things – with a handshake and his word to pay for it. To trust someone at their word is powerful and what we should all strive toward. When we say something – like taking a job – we should live up to our word or our word will be meaningless. Integrity is so important in life.

The New Year – 2023 – Is A Coming

Matthew 18:2-4

² He called a little child and had him stand among them. ³ And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Christmas 2022 is behind us. We are entering a New Year in a few days. Some will stay up to see the old year leave and the new year arrive. Some will have friends over to enjoy the change of years. Some will head to New York City or other places to join larger groups of people to celebrate the coming of a New Year. Some will go to sleep as if nothing will be different or change.

Change is the key word. The hope that a New Year will be better than the year just completed. Social Media is filled with people hoping for a better 2023. That we can get a fresh start and make changes in our lives. If we change nothing and still expect a different result – well – you know what they say about that saying.

Have we ever read and wondered what Jesus meant by these words from Matthew’s gospel? When Jesus says – I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven – what is it about a little child that is so significant?

What is it about little children that we should emulate in order to follow Jesus? Little children are open and honest. Little children hope and dream. Little children – unless they have faced abuse or lived in oppressive situations – have faith in the possible – they even believe in the impossible. Little children are ever ready to forgive and can bounce back from almost anything.