Jesus In Our Homes - Aug 18th

Title - IN CHRIST, THROUGH PRAYER AND FASTING, I ENJOY THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF GOD'S GLORY

(Exodus 33:12-23; Isaiah 58:3-12; John 17:4-5; 1 Kings 18:23-39; Acts 4:23-32; 12:1-11; ...).

Intro

Prayer & fasting are two things that release God’s power and glory. We have seen in the Bible numerous times God’s people praying and fasting. Someone said if you think the days of prayer and fasting are gone, you have been deceived (Dag Hewards Mills).

These 2 things are strong weapons :

Esther 4:12–16 “12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. 13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”

Definition

So, what is fasting? American author Dallas Willard refers to fasting as something that “confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in him a source of sustenance beyond food.”…

This fast caused victory of Israel

40 Days fasting - Moses (Deut 9:9-11) & Jesus (Luke 4:1-4)

Fasting can be defined as to humble yourself before God to manifest God’s power.

Fasting does not change God but fasting changes us, it makes us more sensitive to God’s voice and power,

Fasting weakens fleshly desires and lusts - strong weapon to paralyse fleshly desires.

Esther fasted 3 days for deliverance against what Namaan had plotted the Jews - Esther 4:16 “16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”

Though not a commandment but Jesus implicitly commands us to fast - Matthew 6:16–18 “16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

Power in fastings -  (2 Corinthians 11:27 “27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”

Fasting without prayer is diet -

Prayer is communication with God - Philippians 4:6 “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” to let know of our requests

Prayer as remedy to anxiety - Philippians 4:6 “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” to let know of our requests

Prayer is a commandment - Matthew 7:7 “7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”

Effective prayer of the righteous - James 5:16 “16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

DEV

What Do They Need To Know

Outline 1

scripture

story

application

What Do They Need To Do

Why Do They Need To Know

Why Do They Need To Do

Conclusion - Reiteration