Give It Up for Lent

Exodus 19:10-19

Give It Up for Lent

And the LORD said to Moses,"Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. (Exodus 19:10-11)

Preparing to meet Godwho is set apart (HOLY)not only in His POSITIONbut also in His PERSON

Give It Up for Lent

PRINCIPLE: For God’s people there are seasons of preparation that involve consecration in order to meet God in a new way…

…to personally & corporately experience God’s GLORY & GRACE in a real way.

Give It Up for Lent

Joshua 3:2-5

Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

(Joshua 3:5)

Give It Up for Lent

PRINCIPLE: For God’s people there are seasons of preparation that involve consecration in order to meet God in a new way…

…to personally & corporately experience God’s GLORY & GRACE in a real way.

Give It Up for Lent

For them I sanctify myself (John 17:19)Jesus spent His entire life consecrated to honor His Father……preparing for the greatest display of God’s GLORY & GRACE

For Jesus, the representativeof God’s people, there was a

season of preparation to meetGod in a new way

…so we might experience God’sGLORY & GRACE in a new way

Give It Up for Lent

Throughout history the church has chosen to apply thisbiblical principle of preparation that involves consecration

in order to meet God in a new way

Give It Up for Lent

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1Pe 3:15 NIV)

Put on prayingin the Spirit thatyou might have anobvious opportunityto share the messageof Easter with oneother person

Give It Up for Lent

..with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace…And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Eph. 6:15-20)

Ephesians 6:12-20

Give It Up for Lent

PREPARING by praying in the Spiritthat you might have an obvious opportunityto share the messageof Easter with oneother person

This Lent, may we meetJesus in such a real waythat He is so satisfying& heart-preoccupyingthat we can scarcely keepfrom commending Jesusto others