Pastor Matt reminded us that the Lenten season was never about dieting, rules, and ritual. The intent was to always incorporate a practice into our lives that would stir reflection, anticipation and action in the hearts of us as God's people for the comprehensive story of the Gospel
MY STORY
What would be the hardest thing for you to give up for 40 days?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19
List out the things for which Paul was praying. For whom was he asking God for these things?
If Paul were praying this for us, how would these things specifically manifest themselves in our lives?
Paul prayed that these believers would be rooted and grounded in love. What are some other less-healthy things can people be rooted and grounded in?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
What are some things that people have typically "given up" for Lent?
What is usually their intended purpose for putting these things aside for 40 days?
In this same spirit, what are some meaningful things that people can do to get their hearts ready for the significance of what happened on Good Friday, Mourning Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO? Determine now to set into place a spiritual practice that will last for the 40 days of Lent that will get your heart ready for what we will mourn on Good Friday, and celebrate on Easter.
Whatever that is, it needs to accomplish the things Paul described.
A. To be rooted and grounded in love.
B. Strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
C. To gain the strength to comprehend with fellow believers the ever-expansive love of God.
D. And thus, to be filled with the fullness of God.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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