Beach Lake FM Church
  • About Us
    • What To Expect
    • Our Vision
    • Location & Time
    • Meet the Team
  • Ministries
    • Children's Ministry
    • CrossWalk Youth
    • Men & Women
  • Events
    • VBS 2023: Kids of The Kingdom
  • Sermons
  • Give

Lent: Don't dismiss it

2/28/2017

Comments

 
Picture
By: Pastor Scott Brodd

For years, as a Protestant Evangelical follower of Jesus, I've dismissed Lent as a "high-church-attempt-to-earn-God's-favor" tradition and refused any and every chance to look into the value of such a ritual. I was wrong. Despite the ways I've seen Lent abused and misused, the merit of the gift of Lent still holds true, especially when understood rightly as a personal fast to prepare our hearts to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. While observing Lent is not explicitly commanded in Scripture, fasting is often encouraged and commanded as a means to communicate your hunger for God to work on your heart and in your life for spiritual growth into maturity. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (March 1st) and ends Easter Sunday, lasting approximately 40 days. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting in preparation to launch His ministry, Lent encourages us to spend 40 days fasting in order to prepare our hearts and minds for the greatest celebration of all time, Resurrection Sunday. "It is a time for fasting and self-denial, though not for denial itself. It is a period to empty ourselves of lesser things so that we might be filled with the greater things of the Gospel. Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light awaiting the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching the cross."

One of the ministries I look to most to shepherd my heart is The Village Church located in Texas. This year, to encourage their church family to observe Lent, they have published various resources individuals and families can use to help them press deeper into the "common grace" of Lent.

One of those resources is the following video of t
heir teaching pastor, Matt Chandler, explaining why Lent, (when rightly understood) can have a profound impact on your relationship with Jesus. I encourage you to watch it.
​In addition, The Village Church has also published a Lent Guide, a free, printable ebook anyone can access. "This guide walks you through the seven weeks of Lent. Each week includes a reading from the life of Christ in the Gospel of Luke, as well as four supplemental passages to consider throughout the week. Additionally, there is a suggested fast to coincide with each week."

My wife and I have committed to observing Lent this year using this resource. It is free to download, simply click the button below. Will you join me in preparing our hearts to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus?
Download Free Lent Guide Here
Beach Lake FM Church does not claim any rights to this resource; all rights reserved by The Village Church.
Comments

    Archives

    March 2020
    November 2018
    October 2018
    February 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All
    Christian Living
    Discipleship
    Holiday
    Marriage
    Persecution

    RSS Feed

Home
​
Resources
Events
​Sermons
About Us
Location & Time
What to Expect
Our Vision
What We Believe
​Meet the Team
Next Steps
Follow Jesus
Baptism
Partnership
Give
Ministries
Children's
Crosswalk Youth
Men & Women
Disciple Groups
Prayer & Care
Missions
Contact Us!
info@beachlakefmc.org
(570) 729-7544
107 Milanville Rd. Beach Lake, PA 18405
Copyright © 2019 Beach Lake FM Church. All Rights Reserved.
  • About Us
    • What To Expect
    • Our Vision
    • Location & Time
    • Meet the Team
  • Ministries
    • Children's Ministry
    • CrossWalk Youth
    • Men & Women
  • Events
    • VBS 2023: Kids of The Kingdom
  • Sermons
  • Give