LENT
February 14 ~ March 27
This year, Four Mile Church is participating in a sun-up to sun-down fast on the 7 Wednesdays of Lent.
Come to the Four Mile Church sanctuary on each Wednesday anytime between 5:00 – 6:30 pm to break your fast with communion.
A. Breakfast: WORD OF GOD
John 1:1-2, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
SONG: Word of God Speak by Mercy Me
Meditation: The apostle John opens his gospel with one of the most well known phrases in all of the Bible. “In the beginning.” “In the beginning” is the opening phrase in the book of Genesis as well. There the emphasis is on God as Creator. The rest of the verse reads, “…God created the heavens and the earth.” In John the emphasis is that of the Word as God. The Word who becomes flesh, dwells among us, redeems us and we are recreated, restored, new people in Christ. Both Genesis and John talk of beginnings. What about you? Have you had a new beginning with regard to a relationship with God through faith in Christ? If not why not now? John 1:12 says, “But to as many as received Him, to those who believe in His name-He has given the right to become children of God.” That is a beginning worth celebrating.
Prayer: Click here to read this week’s Kingdom prayers
B. Lunch: CREATOR
John 1:3, Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Col. 1:16, For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Meditation: Pause for a moment and look around. Everything that we see is a creation of Christ, God who became flesh and dwelt among us. John says, “without Him nothing was made that has been made.” Paul says all things, visible and invisible, in heaven and on earth were created by Him and for Him. What do you think Paul means when he says “by him and for him” in relation to creation, particularly you? Take a minute to think of a word that sums up the phrase, “and in him all things hold together.” Can you think of more than one?
Prayer:
Throughout the tri-state region and beyond…
the Glory of God is honored,
intimacy with Jesus is treasI ured,
the Holy Spirit’s fruit ripens in believers’ lives,
the holiness of God is revered,
the goodness of God is relished,
the truth of God is pursued,
the faithfulness of God is trusted,
the promises of God are believed,
the grace of God is cherished,
the wrath of God is feared,
the commandments of God are obeyed,
humility abounds,
the lost are found,
repentance and gratitude flow,
praise and prayer erupt,
lives and communities are transformed,
love and joy fill hearts,
freedom and forgiveness overwhelm,
barriers are broken down,
the hungry are fed,
marriages are restored,
families are reunited,
and prodigals come home!
C. Dinner – Communion at Four Mile, Open Sanctuary 5:00 – 6:30 pm (come & go)
A. Breakfast: IMMANUEL
Matthew 1:18-25, And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name, Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel which is translated God with us.”
Song: King of Heaven by Hillsong
Meditation: The name Jesus comes from the O.T. name, Yeshua (Joshua), which means “Yahweh saves.” The angel said exactly that to Joseph, “for He will save His people from their sins.” If we combine that idea with the meaning of the name, Immanuel, God with us, we get, “God with us in order to save us from our sin.” And that is exactly what Jesus accomplished on the cross. His death, burial and resurrection are proof positive that in Christ our sins are forgiven. In Him we are new creations. The old is past and the new has come. Where in Matthew’s gospel do we see a similar phrase, “and Behold, I am with you always,…?” Hint, we read it almost every Sunday. What is Jesus reminding us of with this phrase? Matthew bookends his gospel with the simple truth that God is with us no matter our situation. The God who saves us is also the God who is with us always.
Prayer: Click here to read this week’s Kingdom prayers
B. Lunch: LAMB OF GOD
John 1:29, The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Revelation 5:1-14, (vs. 12b) Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.
Song: Lamb of God by Matt Redman and David Funk
Meditation: In Genesis 22 God calls Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Verses 6 and following, “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.” What does Abraham’s statement of faith mean when he says, “God will provide for himself the lamb,…”? How is it that Jesus, as the Lamb of God, takes away the sin of the world? Does this include your sin?
Prayer:
Throughout the tri-state region and beyond…
the Glory of God is honored,
intimacy with Jesus is treasured,
the Holy Spirit’s fruit ripens in believers’ lives,
the holiness of God is revered,
the goodness of God is relished,
the truth of God is pursued,
the faithfulness of God is trusted,
the promises of God are believed,
the grace of God is cherished,
the wrath of God is feared,
the commandments of God are obeyed,
humility abounds,
the lost are found,
repentance and gratitude flow,
praise and prayer erupt,
lives and communities are transformed,
love and joy fill hearts,
freedom and forgiveness overwhelm,
barriers are broken down,
the hungry are fed,
marriages are restored,
families are reunited,
and prodigals come home!
C. Dinner: Communion at Four Mile, Open Sanctuary 5:00 – 6:30 pm (come & go)
A. Breakfast: SON OF MAN
Mark 2:5-12, When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the experts in the law were sitting there, turning these things over in their minds.” Why does this man speak this way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone!” “Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, Your sins are forgiven ,or to say, Get up, take your mat and walk? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. So he said to the man, I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’”
Daniel 7:13-14, In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Song: Come behold the Wondrous Mystery by Matt Papa
Meditation: Jesus’ ability to heal the paralytic substantiates his authority to forgive sins. That is what he wanted the experts in the law and us to accept. By taking the title “the Son of Man” for himself the experts in the law would have thought immediately of Dan. 7 where it states, “He was given authority…,” which is exactly what Jesus claims for himself in Mark 2. How does Jesus’ claim to be the Son of Man in Mark’s gospel relate to Daniel’s vision of “one like a son of man”? What are the parallels between the two passages?
Prayer: Click here to read this week’s Kingdom prayers
B. Lunch: LIGHT OF THE WORLD
John 8:12, When Jesus spoke again to the people he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
Ephesians 5:8, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as Children of Light.
Matthew 5:14-16, You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Song: Let There Be Light by Hillsong
Meditation: Walk into any dark room and hit the light switch, what happens? The dark disappears. That’s what light does, it drives away the darkness, not only in a dark room but also a dark life. Jesus says, “whoever follows him will have the light of life. Jesus is the light that gives life. When we follow Him we have life. What does it mean to “live as Children of Light”? Where is your lamp, is it giving light to those around you or are you keeping it hide away?
Prayer:
Throughout the tri-state region and beyond…
the Glory of God is honored,
intimacy with Jesus is treasured,
the Holy Spirit’s fruit ripens in believers’ lives,
the holiness of God is revered,
the goodness of God is relished,
the truth of God is pursued,
the faithfulness of God is trusted,
the promises of God are believed,
the grace of God is cherished,
the wrath of God is feared,
the commandments of God are obeyed,
humility abounds,
the lost are found,
repentance and gratitude flow,
praise and prayer erupt,
lives and communities are transformed,
love and joy fill hearts,
freedom and forgiveness overwhelm,
barriers are broken down,
the hungry are fed,
marriages are restored,
families are reunited,
and prodigals come home!
C. Dinner: Communion at Four Mile, Open Sanctuary 5:00 – 6:30 pm (come & go)
A. Breakfast: GOOD SHEPHERD
John 10:11-16, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father— and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Hebrews 13:20-21, Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Song: Goodness of God by Bethel
Meditation: John paints two portraits for us in these verses. One is a picture of the good shepherd. The one willing to do whatever is necessary to protect and care for his sheep. The other, a hired hand. An individual, who is more concerned about their own well being rather than the sheep. Twice Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.” Think about the phrase “I am” and where we have heard it before. Notice also that he says “the good shepherd” not a good shepherd. Why is “the” important here and what does it imply? Take a moment and make a couple of lists. One, what does it say about the good shepherd? Two, what does it say about the hired hand? Which voice would you rather listen to?
Prayer: Click here to read this week’s Kingdom prayers
B. Lunch: SERVANT
Mark 10:43-45, Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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.
John 13:12-17, When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Song: Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Meditation: History is replete with individuals who wanted to be great. But how did they accomplish their goal? By making others bow to them, mostly by force or the threat of. But Jesus turns the whole concept of greatness upside down, on it’s head. Instead of being bowed to, Jesus said that we must bow. True greatness comes by serving, not being served. Greatness in the kingdom of God comes through service. Ask yourself, how am I serving those God has placed in my life? How are you living out the command, “must be” a servant here at Four Mile?
Prayer:
Throughout the tri-state region and beyond…
the Glory of God is honored,
intimacy with Jesus is treasured,
the Holy Spirit’s fruit ripens in believers’ lives,
the holiness of God is revered,
the goodness of God is relished,
the truth of God is pursued,
the faithfulness of God is trusted,
the promises of God are believed,
the grace of God is cherished,
the wrath of God is feared,
the commandments of God are obeyed,
humility abounds,
the lost are found,
repentance and gratitude flow,
praise and prayer erupt,
lives and communities are transformed,
love and joy fill hearts,
freedom and forgiveness overwhelm,
barriers are broken down,
the hungry are fed,
marriages are restored,
families are reunited,
and prodigals come home!
C. Dinner: Communion at Four Mile, Open Sanctuary 5:00 – 6:30 pm (come & go)
A. Breakfast: CORNERSTONE
1 Peter 2:6-8a, 10, For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and, ‘A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Titus 3:5, 6, “He saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full assurance through Jesus Christ our Savior. And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.”
Meditation: The most important part of a building is the foundation, ask any mason. And the most important part of the foundation is the cornerstone. The cornerstone of our faith is Christ himself. Peter is clear. The one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame. Instead of shame we receive mercy. Mercy that leads to grace, grace that leads to justification and justification that results in “the confident expectation of eternal life.” What is your “expectation of eternal life” based on? What you have done for him or what He had done for you? How are you living in light of the mercy of God in your life?
Prayer: Click here to read this week’s Kingdom prayers
B. Lunch: HEALER
1 Peter 2:24: He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Matt. 9:35: Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Song: Street Called Mercy by Hillsong
Meditation: Throughout the gospels we see the compassion of Jesus on display. Time and time again His love for people shines through His acts of healing. But no place is the love of Christ more vivid than on the cross. Christ bore the weight, the penalty of our sin as He hung on the cross. But to what effect? Peter wrote, “by his wounds you have been healed.” According to Peter what is the purpose of Jesus bearing our sin on the cross? What does it mean to die to sin? What does it mean to live for righteousness?
Prayer:
Throughout the tri-state region and beyond…
the Glory of God is honored,
intimacy with Jesus is treasured,
the Holy Spirit’s fruit ripens in believers’ lives,
the holiness of God is revered,
the goodness of God is relished,
the truth of God is pursued,
the faithfulness of God is trusted,
the promises of God are believed,
the grace of God is cherished,
the wrath of God is feared,
the commandments of God are obeyed,
humility abounds,
the lost are found,
repentance and gratitude flow,
praise and prayer erupt,
lives and communities are transformed,
love and joy fill hearts,
freedom and forgiveness overwhelm,
barriers are broken down,
the hungry are fed,
marriages are restored,
families are reunited,
and prodigals come home!
C. Dinner: Communion at Four Mile, Open Sanctuary 5:00 – 6:30 pm (come & go)
A. Breakfast: FRIEND OF SINNERS
Matt. 9:10-13: And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matt 11:19: The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.
Song: You Say by Lauren Daigle
Meditation: This episode in the life of Christ illustrates the stark contrast between Jesus and the Pharisees. The Pharisees saw tax collectors and sinners as people to be avoided. People to be shunned because of their lack of godliness or righteous living. But Jesus saw that as a reason to be around them. He used the illustration of physician and patient to prove His point. The question before the Pharisees, and US, is do we need a physician? Are you healthy or sick? Are you self righteous like the Pharisees or like the tax collectors and sinners? Where do you stand when it comes to the Physician of the soul?
Prayer: Click here to read this week’s Kingdom prayers
B. Lunch: WAY, TRUTH, LIFE
John 14:1-6 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Song: Listen to Our Hearts by Casting Crowns
Meditation: Back before GPS and Google, people had to use paper maps for directions. Maps that outlined how to get from where you are to where you want to go. Here Jesus is telling his disciples that he is returning to the Father’s house and that they can come also. Just follow the map. All they need to do is follow the way. Thomas, speaking for all of the disciples says, “how do we know the way?” Jesus’ replies, “I am the way, the truth, the life.” What does the last phrase of verse 6 say about access to the Father. Read Acts 4:12. How does Peter’s statement parallel that of Jesus’? Are there multiple ways to the Father’s house?
Prayer:
Throughout the tri-state region and beyond…
the Glory of God is honored,
intimacy with Jesus is treasured,
the Holy Spirit’s fruit ripens in believers’ lives,
the holiness of God is revered,
the goodness of God is relished,
the truth of God is pursued,
the faithfulness of God is trusted,
the promises of God are believed,
the grace of God is cherished,
the wrath of God is feared,
the commandments of God are obeyed,
humility abounds,
the lost are found,
repentance and gratitude flow,
praise and prayer erupt,
lives and communities are transformed,
love and joy fill hearts,
freedom and forgiveness overwhelm,
barriers are broken down,
the hungry are fed,
marriages are restored,
families are reunited,
and prodigals come home!
C. Dinner: Communion at Four Mile, Open Sanctuary 5:00 – 6:30 pm (come & go)
A. Breakfast: OBEDIENT SON
Philippians 2:8-11, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross! As a result God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Hebrews 5:8-9, Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him
Song: Lay Me Down by Chris Tomlin
Meditation: Perhaps no where is the connection between obedience and humility more on display than at the cross. Without humility there is no obedience and without obedience there is no cross. Conversely, what about pride? Pride is connected to disobedience. It says not thy will be done, but my will be done. The scripture is clear, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. Is pride standing in the way of obedience in your life? A life of pride is a dangerous place for the Christian to be. What areas in your life is pride holding you back? Where do you need God’s grace in order to obey?
Prayer: Click here to read this week’s Kingdom prayers
B. Lunch: RESURRECTION & LIFE
John 11:25-26, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Song: Behold, Then Sings My Soul by Hillsong
Meditation: In these two verses Jesus states that he is the source of the resurrection and the life. Here we have the sure and certain promise that through faith death is not the end. In fact, the one who believes has life already. Ask yourself, am I living for eternity or for the here and now? Think about the question Jesus asked Martha. Do you believe this?
Prayer:
Throughout the tri-state region and beyond…
the Glory of God is honored,
intimacy with Jesus is treasured,
the Holy Spirit’s fruit ripens in believers’ lives,
the holiness of God is revered,
the goodness of God is relished,
the truth of God is pursued,
the faithfulness of God is trusted,
the promises of God are believed,
the grace of God is cherished,
the wrath of God is feared,
the commandments of God are obeyed,
humility abounds,
the lost are found,
repentance and gratitude flow,
praise and prayer erupt,
lives and communities are transformed,
love and joy fill hearts,
freedom and forgiveness overwhelm,
barriers are broken down,
the hungry are fed,
marriages are restored,
families are reunited,
and prodigals come home!
C. Dinner: Communion at Four Mile, Open Sanctuary 5:00 – 6:30 pm (come & go)
REDEEMER
1 Peter 1:18,19, For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Song: My Redeemer is faithful and true by Steven Curtis Chapman
Meditation: Peter tells us that before our redemption in Christ we were living empty lives. Empty lives passed down from one generation to the next. But in Christ we have been released from that “way of life.” To be redeemed or ransomed means to be released from bondage upon receipt of payment. One definition says to cause to be released to one’s self by payment of a ransom. That is what Christ did. He redeemed us for himself and the price was his own precious blood. If silver and gold are considered perishable things, what must the value be of the blood of Christ? What is the significance of the last phrase of verse 19?
Prayer: Click here to read this week’s Kingdom prayers
Throughout the tri-state region and beyond…
the Glory of God is honored,
intimacy with Jesus is treasured,
the Holy Spirit’s fruit ripens in believers’ lives,
the holiness of God is revered,
the goodness of God is relished,
the truth of God is pursued,
the faithfulness of God is trusted,
the promises of God are believed,
the grace of God is cherished,
the wrath of God is feared,
the commandments of God are obeyed,
humility abounds,
the lost are found,
repentance and gratitude flow,
praise and prayer erupt,
lives and communities are transformed,
love and joy fill hearts,
freedom and forgiveness overwhelm,
barriers are broken down,
the hungry are fed,
marriages are restored,
families are reunited,
and prodigals come home!
