Wednesday Evening Service

Title: Embracing Emptiness!

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8; John 3:30
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
Luke 18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Luke 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
Luke 18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Sermon Points:
-	Once we have decided to seek only God’s will and honor in our prayer life, we will not be so discouraged by delay!
01.	We must decide who is in control of our lives, ourselves or Jesus Christ.
-	James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
-	James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
-	James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
-	James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
-	James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
-	James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
-	James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
02.	Fasting is a choice to break the allure or pull the world has on us. It’s putting our flesh and all the world trappings under submission.
-	If there is darkness in our life it is not because God has turned away from us it is because we have turned away from him
-	1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
03.	There is a reason why prayer and fasting is so hard to make a habit in our lives
-	John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
-	John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
-	John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
-	John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
-	We tend to think of fasting as a way to get what we are after. But fasting has a way of exposing what our desires should be.
-	God told Noah to build while everyone else was focused on Getting married, and laughing, and drinking and eating, just having a good time while they mocked the man of God.
-	Fasting is not happy hour.  Fasting is a time you embrace emptiness!

Texas Baptist Church

20210728 PM - Embracing Emptiness

20180916 PM - Preacher Boys - Bro Bob Bruster

As Pastor of Texas Baptist Church, I would personally like to thank you ﻿for taking the time to listen and allowing us a few minutes to introduce our ministry to you.

Maybe we knocked on your door, you saw one of our gospel tracts, or a friend personally invited you to attend one of our services or you just took time to listen to one of our messages. Whatever the case you are welcome.

Founded in February of 2000, Texas Baptist Church welcomes everyone from all backgrounds. A place where lives are touched, hearts are encouraged and new beginnings are possible. It is our desire to see your family find and thrive in God's will. There are many churches in the San Antonio area to chose from, but I pray that you will give Texas Baptist Church a visit! I hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,
 Keith Bell, Pastor

20210728 PM - Embracing Emptiness

Texas Baptist Church of San Antonio

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