More: Seeking Jesus
Rom 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, 2 because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
1 Pet 5:8-9
Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the faith…
Psalm 63:1
God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
We can diligently seek Jesus through the Word.
We can diligently seek Jesus through prayer and fasting.
Our prayer and fasting is for God, not for the praise of people.
Our prayer and fasting is for us, because God already knows what we need and want.
The discipline of fasting is giving up food (or something) for a period of time to better focus on the Lord.
Seeking him through serving like him.
Why seek him through serving like him?
How to seek him through serving like him?
What now?
Why seek him through serving?
Mark 10:35-45
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him and said, “Teacher, we want you to do whatever we ask you.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked them.
37 They answered him, “Allow us to sit at your right and at your left in your glory.”
38 Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We are able,” they told him.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. 40 But to sit at my right or left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 When the ten disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42-45
“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus is saying that we do not viewauthority and usepower the same way that the world does.
If you want to be great in the Kingdom of God, be a servant!
If you want to be first, most important in the Kingdom of God, be a slave to others!
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Jesus came to serve and to give his life for our ransom.
How to seek him through serving?
Are we willing to serve those who don’t deserve it?
Are we willing to sacrifice our time, resources, and heart?
Seek Jesus by serving your spouse.
Seek Jesus by serving your family.
Seek Jesus by serving your church.
Seek Jesus by serving your community.
Seek Jesus by serving the nations.
What now?
This week seek Jesus by:
a) reading five days – Matthew chapters 14-18.
b) praying through the “model prayer” every day
c) fasting one day (minor fast of one meal & soul fast of one day)
d) serving your spouse and/or family
Types of fasting
- Major/traditional fast: abstain from food all day.
- Minor fast: abstain from food for part of the day (maybe fast lunch; or fast all day until sundown).
- Partial fast: abstain from certain foods all day.
- Soul fast: abstain from something other than food (technology/screens, social activities).