Fasting - 9

6“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

7Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

The fasting that God chooses is spelled out in these two verses. Unlike the traditional fasting which has little effect on others, the fast that God chooses involves an active involvement in helping others be free from the bondages of sin and the devil, along with many of the consequences that result from these bondages.

Light will Break Forth

Isaiah 58:8, 10 (NIV84)

8Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

10and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

Isaiah 58:8a (GNB)

Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun,

This light comes from the Lord in the likeness of His favor.

Will break forth = בָּקַע bāqaʿ = to burst (break open): to break open or apart suddenly and forcefully.

This is not a gradual appearing of light. It is immediate, instantaneous, sudden. The light breaks apart darkness, like the turning on of a very bright light.

Will rise = זָרַח zāraḥ = It refers figuratively to the rising reputation or approval of a person who does good to the hungry and poor.

When the people show a concern for those in need, it will be an example that will shine like light in darkness.

Your light is a metaphor for their exemplary acts of kindness.

“You will be like light that chases away the darkness in which you live.”

Ezekiel 36:26–27 (NIV84)

26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

27And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

God gives the believer a new heart in which He places His Holy Spirit, and then we are moved to follow His decrees, which includes believing.

Westminster Confession of Faith 10.1: All those whom God has predestined unto life, and those only, He is pleased, in His appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature to grace and salvation, by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God, taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and, by His almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ: yet so, as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace.

Regeneration precedes faith.

Ephesians 2:1–9 (NIV84)

1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

9not by works, so that no one can boast.

Grace is undeserved favor coming from God. If it did not come from God, then it’s not grace.

The faith to believe the word of truth comes from God’s grace; it is His gift to us and not something that originated from within ourselves.

If it’s our faith and our choice to believe, then it’s neither grace nor a gift from God, which contradicts verse 8.

This grace, which is so vital to our salvation, is sovereign. This grace is dispensed sovereignly and freely by God.

It is truly grace, with no mixture of human merit of any kind.

By this grace the captives are set free and the dead in sin are raised to a new life.

This is the manifest work of the tender mercy of God, who stoops to rescue his children from sin and death and who, as he did in the initial work of creation, takes pieces of clay that are spiritually lifeless and breathes into them the breath that quickens them.

Some say that faith precedes regeneration. They say that one is regenerated after they believe.

Is this true? Can an unregenerate person have the ability to believe?

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV84)

14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The man without the Spirit is an unregenerated man.

He does not have the ability to accept the things of God, including the call to salvation.

John 14:15–17 (NIV84)

15“If you love me, you will obey what I command.

16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—

17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

The people of the world (unregenerated man) cannot accept the Spirit of truth. Why?

Because they can neither see nor know God.

Why is that?

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV84)

4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Has blinded = τυφλόω tuphloō = to cause someone not to be able to understand; ‘to make someone not understand, to remove someone’s understanding.’ ‘he made unbelievers unable to understand’ or ‘he made unbelievers’ minds unable to comprehend.’

They see = αὑγάζω augazō = to cause something to be clearly evident; ‘so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ would not be evident (to them)’ or ‘so that they would not see the light of the good news about the glory of Christ.’

Satan has caused unbelievers to not possess the ability to understand the gospel message and to prevent it from being clearly evident in their minds.

Satan, the god of this Age (cf. Eph. 2:2) who, though defeated by Christ (Heb. 2:14), continues his hold over the present world (1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 5:19).

His blinding of peoples’ minds makes it impossible for them to see the light of the gospel.

John 8:43–44 (NIV84)

43Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.

44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 3:16 (NIV84)

16“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Many believe that this text says that all who believe will be saved, therefore everybody has the ability to believe. Is that true?

John 3:3, 5 (NIV84)

3In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

5Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

In order to see, know, or enter the kingdom of God, one must be born again.

In order to believe the message of the gospel, one must be born again.

John 6:44, 65 (NIV84)

44“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

65He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him (it has been granted him from the Father, lsb).”

Nobody in the flesh can come to him. If left to ourselves, we are in a state of spiritual death because our hearts are corrupt. Unless the Holy Spirit opens our eyes and ears, we will never believe in or choose Jesus. John 3:16 and related texts do nothing to undercut the clear teaching that Paul gives in Romans 9.

Romans 9:6–24 (NIV84)

6It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”

8In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.

9For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

10Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac.

11Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:

12not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

13Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!

15For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

16It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

19One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?”

20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ”

21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

22What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?

23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—

24even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

Romans 9:22–24 (NLT)

22In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction.

23He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.

24And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.

God’s hardening is an act directed against human beings who are already in rebellion against God’s righteous rule.

God’s hardening does not cause spiritual insensitivity to the things of God; it maintains people in the state of sin that already characterizes them.

God’s decision about whom to harden is not based on a particular degree of sinfulness within certain human beings; “he hardens whom he wants to harden.”

God’s bestowing of mercy and his hardening are not equivalent acts. God’s mercy is given to those who do not deserve it; his hardening affects those who have already by their sin deserved condemnation.

Romans 9:19 (NLT)

19Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”

These objections question the justice of God’s judgment on people who resist Him. For only if people are responsible for their own actions can God’s judgment be truly just. Yet Paul’s teaching about the sovereignty of God in hardening appears to remove such responsibility.

Paul never addresses these questions directly.

Paul is content to hold the truths of God’s absolute sovereignty—in both election and in hardening—and of full human responsibility without reconciling them.

We would do well to emulate his approach.

John 10:22–30 (NIV84)

22Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,

23and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.

24The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me,

26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

30I and the Father are one.”

John 8:47 (NIV84)

47He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

God’s sheep know, hear, and obey His voice.

Unbelievers do not know, hear, or obey God’s voice.

Acts 16:13–15 (NIV84)

13On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

14One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

15When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Lydia didn’t decide to respond to the gospel message; the Lord opened her heart to respond.

The result of God’s regenerating work is belief, shorthand for conversion, where the sinner repents of his wrong and turns to Christ in faith. Without regeneration, conversion would be impossible.

Lydia was an example regeneration precedes conversion.

Romans 10:11–17 (NIV84)

11As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

The means through which men are brought to saving faith include:

The Holy Spirit

The Word of God

Preachers sent by God.

Faith cannot exist without the external ministry of the Word, for this is the instrument through which God kindles faith in the hearts of believers.

And the preaching of the Word cannot exist unless God sends heralds, for those who run of their own will without God’s command do not advance God’s Word but instead their own fabrications.

Those who spurn these means are robbed of salvation.

James 3:1–2 (LSB)

1Do not, many of you, become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.

2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the entire body as well.

James 3:1 (AMP)

1NOT MANY [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].

James isn't just warning against teaching in general, but specifically against people who eagerly take on the role of spiritual authority in order to criticize and correct others, without proper calling or qualifications.

Beware of those who appoint themselves as spiritual authorities, especially when their motivation seems to be finding fault with others rather than genuinely serving God's people.

Don’t be quick to jump into the role of teaching, when you are not qualified to do so.

James 3:1 is a warning against people who appoint themselves to positions of teaching authority rather than being called, qualified, or designated by God or the church community.

Romans 10:15 tells us those who are qualified to teach and preach are sent by God and are not self-appointed teachers and preachers.

Colossians 2:8 (AMP)

8See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).

Human tradition refers to teaching that has its origin in human beings. In contrast, the gospel message has its origin in God.

Galatians 1:11 (NIV84)

11I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.

Takes captive = συλαγωγέω sylagōgeō 1x = To lead off as prey, carry off as booty, rob, or kidnap.

Figuratively, of the destructive effects of false teachers who rob believers of the complete riches available in Christ and revealed in the gospel.

Titus 2:1 (NIV84)

1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

What is sound doctrine?

Next Week!!! (The Lord Willing)

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