FOUNDATION S… …MATTER

Key Components of a Spiritual Foundation

Matthew 3:11-12 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

JESUS CHRIST

Matthew 3: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

Matthew 3: And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

1.) Laying the right foundation demands that we embrace the right relationship with the triune God. (John 1:29 & 36) “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Romans 3:23-- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23--For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him…” (Matthew 3) 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him…” (Matthew 3)

John 14:16 The Holy Spirit will “help you and be with you forever.”

John 14:17 Jesus promises that this Holy Spirit, this Spirit of truth, “will live with us and be in us.”

Matthew 3:17 “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Sharing the Gospel in 1 or 2 verses John 3:16 Romans 6:23 John 1:12

2.) Laying the right foundation demands a life of SPIRITUAL PRACTICES that withstand the stress tests of temptation.

Matthew 4:1ff Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:1ff 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Matthew 4:1ff 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

What are the SPIRITUAL PRACTICES, the spiritual DISCIPLINES, that Jesus had obviously developed beforehand that helped Him overcome temptation? FASTING THE WORD SOLITUDE

Fasting Giving Silence Solitude Abstinence Submission Frugality Rest/Sabbat h Secrecy Prayer Bible Worship Witnessing Serving Fellowship Journaling

Nikita Khrushch ev (Premier of the Soviet Union, )

Fasting Giving Silence Solitude Abstinence Submission Frugality Rest/Sabbat h Secrecy Prayer Bible Worship Witnessing Serving Fellowship Journaling

1)Look back on your walk with God and see if there are some common experiences when you hear from God. 2)Write down 2-3 practices you will incorporate into this Lenten season )Talk about your decision with at least one other Christ-follower today and ask them to help you follow through.

Matthew 4: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

3. Calling and discipling others to Christ is a key foundational component of transformational ministry.

TIME STEADFAST FAITHFULNESS FAITH

 10 people…  10 friendships…  10 disciples???