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Sermon Outline
Fasting For God's Kingdom
Mark 2:18-22
1. Fasting is Spiritual
Fasting is a legitimate expression of Christian spirituality. For a follower of Jesus who wishes to be spiritual, to walk in a living and active faith, it is good from time to time, to fast. Especially at around this Easter season, as we remember our Lord Jesus who laid down his life in order to save our own from death and destruction.
The goal of Christian fasting, in fact, is not going without but getting. Our abstaining always serves some greater end and purpose — some eventual gain, not loss. We say no to ourselves now, by faith that we will receive something better from God later.
2. Fasting with Prayer brings Reward
Without a Spiritual purpose, it’s not Christian fasting. It’s just going hungry. what Spiritual fruit might We receive from God in response to our purposeful Christian fasting?
Answers to earnest prayer
More of God himself
3. Fasting Points Us to God’s Kingdom
When we fast, the aches in our stomachs and pains in our gut are reminders that Jesus is the true food, not our daily bread, and that Jesus is the true drink, not our typical beverages.
We know that the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven and now is seated at the right hand of the father in his heavenly kingdom. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him, and he has poured out his Spirit on all of us who put our trust in him, to go and tell the world that one day Jesus will return to judge the world and to take his people to be with him, to join him at the great wedding feast in his kingdom that will last forever and ever.
So for us who put our trust in Jesus today, it is right to fast from time to time, because it expresses the fact that we are longing for the glorious kingdom to come. Our hope is not in this world.
Announcements
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Baptism
Individuals wishing to baptized or confirmed should get in touch with Ps Jose and must apply in writing to the ESCCC Board of Elders (info@esccc.org.au).
Individual classes for men and women wishing to be baptised or confirmed at ESCCC are run as needed throughout the year. These cover the matters of personal faith, church membership and public testimony over the course of three sessions.
All baptism and confirmation candidates also participate in two group sessions in the two weeks leading up to the baptism and confirmation service, presenting their testimonies and learning about the baptism and confirmation service liturgy
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The Missions Fund will be allocated by the Missions Committee to bless ESCCC and our Mission Partners in missions work.
Electronic Giving
We give to what we love. Due to the restriction of our physical Sunday meetings as a loving precaution against the spread of COVID-19, we will not be able to collect a cash offertory as usual. Electronic giving instructions can be found on the Giving and Offerings page.
Every Friday night from 8-9pm we meet over Google Meet and Sunday morning 9:00-9:30am over Zoom or in-person at church.
Prayer and Praise
Good Friday 7 April 2023
The Grace of Christ is the Gospel (No Other Gospel)
Galatians 1:1-10
Pastor Jose Lam
About ESCCC
We long to see the Church being loved like Christ loves the Church.
As such we strive to care for people with the love of Christ and to prepare people to love like Christ.
The Pastors and Elders would love to serve you and help you to belong to God’s community here at ESCCC.
Please direct all questions, comments and concerns to: BoE@esccc.org.au
Please visit www.esccc.org.au for more details and the church’s calendar.