What is Lent?

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What is Lent?

A Spiritual Practice

February 11, 2024 • Anthony Delgado • Mark 1:12–13, Numbers 32:13, Genesis 50:3, Exodus 24:18, Ephesians 4:20–24

The ancient Christian practice of Lent is an exercise to help build spiritual muscle. Lent is a time of preparation. It is not a celebration, but rather a preparation for the celebration of Easter.

The number 40 is significant. Lent consists of fasting for 40 days - following the pattern in the Bible. The number Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness to prepare for the devil's temptations. Lent is also patterned on Moses and the Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. The 40 years in the wilderness was a sacrifice that prepared the Israelites for their New Life in the Promised Land. The 40-day flood was a preparation for new life on the earth.

Following that pattern, the 40-day fast of Lent prepares us to celebrate the new life we have been given in Christ. Lent is not just about what is given up. Alongside giving up something, you are to give/gain something as well. This can be almsgiving, tithes/offering, care for each other, extra devotion to religious exercise.

He Must Go to Jerusalem

March 24, 2024 • Anthony Delgado • Matthew 16:21–27

In Matthew 16, Jesus prephesies about what will happen when he goes to Jerusalem. There are three reasons Jesus had to go to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. 1. To suffer 2. To Die and Rise 3. Because it was the will of God. Following the pattern of Jesus, we too must "go to Jerusalem" in a metaphorical sense. A spiritual Journey requires going to Jerusalem to suffer, to die, in order to rise. We must: 1. Suffer as we deny ourselves. 2. Die to the flesh so we can be raised in new life. 3. Because it is the will of God. You don’t have to be a follower of Jesus to know that the pain of discipline produces fruit in your life. But, as Christians, we’re not talking about the pain of not eating food you like in order to lose weight when we talk about dying to yourself. It’s more. We’re talking about a true submission to Christ as King in every area of your life–not holding onto anything you want in the flesh, but submitting all things to the will of God–complete transformation so that we can please God according to his will and purpose.

Lent Series Recap

Anthony Delgado

This video is a recap of our 2024 Lent Series: * What is Lent * Generosity * Temperance * Prudence * Courage * Faith

Faith

March 17, 2024 • Anthony Delgado • Hebrews 11:1–6

Faith has a static and dynamic quality. The static quality of faith is the state of faith that saves; allegiance. The dynamic quality of faith is an ongoing outpouring of faith; exercise, sanctification – virtue. the dynamic faith we live is an outpouring of the static faith that we possess. The static quality of our faith that we can rely on. It’s an anchor, a confidence that goes back to our forefathers and will be present throughout this age. It is our hope and proof of our eternal standing before God. The Kingdom of God lies before us. Our faith is foundational. Our allegiance to Christ is the basis of our unchanging, unwavering hope - the proof of what we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1-2). We don’t see the Kingdom of God, but we experience the Kingdom of God. We experience our faith in three ways: * Experience of the Kingdom through relationship with God * Experience of the Kingdom through the church * Experience of the Kingdom through the wisdom of God in the scriptures There is also a dynamic nature to our faith that affects how we live out our faith in day-to-day life. The Author of Hebrews gives us 3 expressions of dynamic faith that come from the OT scriptures: * Creation from Nothing: Belief in the Creator (Hebrews 11:3) * Cain and Abel: Acceptable Worship (Hebrews 11:4) * Enoch: Living to Please God (Hebrews 11:5) We please God through our faith (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith, it is impossible to please God. But he rewards those who seek him.