Was It for God That You . . .?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Never take down a fence until you know why it was put up. The time I literally took down a fence and property was stolen within a month. Just as it is important to consider why a fence is there in the first place, we must consider our worship practices so we recognize their value.
Scripture Introduction
God addresses the people of Israel, questioning their motives behind their fasting practices, emphasizing that true fasting should be a heartfelt response.
Connection: A call to consider if our fasting is for God.
Take Home: Our spiritual disciplines should be aimed at drawing closer to God, igniting a desire for personal transformation and Kingdom impact.
Message Focus: Examine the sincerity of our worship practices.
Was it for God: Fasting vv. 4-6
Was it for God: Fasting vv. 4-6
Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me: “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted?
This reminds us not only of our current religious observances but calls us to a heart-check—are our spiritual disciplines aimed at truly seeking Yahweh's heart?
And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?
Feast days- thanksgiving
Considering Isa 58, do we fast by withdrawal only to eventually indulge afterwards instead of giving to the poor.
Application
Fasting from sweets, carbs, etc.- fasting is not a diet plan
Excess waste- fasting is not a environmental program
Screen fast- fasting is not a mental health plan in itself
Self-discipline (working out, cleaning)- fasting is not a social improvement
Purchases- fasting is not a financial tool
What is a Fast?
What is a Fast?
A fast is basically, the sacrifice of the personal will.
Replacing activities with the exercise of prayer and preoccupation with spiritual concerns.
Fasting is an aid in experiencing God’s presence (prayer, sorrow, repentance, ministry)
Practical ways to align spiritual disciplines with God’s will
Scripture reading
Christian book, podcast, article, etc.
Worship music
Christian discussion
Bless someone
Prayer
Reflection
It is essential that fasting is a sincere expression of our desire to draw closer to God. Therefore, we must find the avenue that are not a religious obligation to us.
There is a tension between avenues we enjoy and avenues we draw closer to God through.
Potential Impact
Experiencing God’s Presence
‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.
Isaiah is speaking to the same issue
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Refers to people reflecting God among his people
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
Much deeper commitment than self improvement.
Much deeper commitment than a service project.
And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Was it for God: Your Worship Practices
Was it for God: Your Worship Practices
Why are we doing this? The why defines the what.
Your motivation when things are uncertain.
Serves as a roadmap for when moments you don’t know how to navigate.
Was it for God?
Now lets take what God says about fasting and applying it to other areas of worship to examine the sincerity of our motives.
Church attendance
Church attendance
One another scriptures
Worship of God
Singing worship songs
Singing worship songs
God is worthy of praise
Hearing the Sermon
Hearing the Sermon
Growth in knowledge of God
Character development
Strength for the mission
Volunteering
Volunteering
Kingdom principles
Support God’s Mission
Witnessing
Witnessing
Set the captives free
Proclaim His excellency
Summary
Was it for me that you . . .
A Possible Next Step
Over the next week, each night, consider the two or three major things you did over the course of the day. Ask yourself, was it for God?
You may be surprised how much of what you consider normal life actually is you being faithful to God.
