Red Letters Part 10

Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 4 views
Notes
Transcript

Biblical Fasting (Matt. 6:16-18)

Matthew 6:16–18 (NLT)
16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Look At Me I’m Fasting

Isaiah 58:1–6 (NLT)
“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel* of their sins! Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord? “No…

Fasting Should Move Us To Action

Isaiah 58:6–7 (NLT)
…this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Fasting Brings blessing

Isaiah 58: 8-14
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! 10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. 12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes. 13 “Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. 14 Then the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
I have this question. Do we fast to move God or for God to move us?
Fasting isn’t done to twist God’s arm, to get what we wants for Him
Fasting is about God moving your heart and aligning yourself to his will
Matthew 6:19-34
Where is your treasure stored? (v.19-21)
Do you look at the world as your home or eternity?
Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:8-9)
We have to use our wealth to influence others

How do I know what I treasure? (v22-24)

What is your eye on?
The eye is the lamp (you walk where you look).
What's your credit card statement?
What do you talk about?
What do you watch? What’s your Netflix history

Do not Worry- (v.25-34)

If you are worried about material things, it means you do not have an eternity focus
If you are concerned, consumed by the worry of material things are you truly trusting God?
You can't serve two masters
If money ow wealth is my master, I trust it more than God
Is it in my hands or His hands? Do I really believe God will take care of it (v.32)
When you got saved Did you come to Christ for a Promise or for forgiveness and relationship with Him?
Did you come to Jesus for Peace | Hope | Strength | Joy | Provision | etc.
These things are the byproduct of relationship with God but not the focus
If we came to Christ Just to get peace, joy, strength, etc. And not Jesus then the promises of God are idols.
Is my treasure my salvation through Christ? Is He my Father?
·What does trusting God look like If you have a large bill you are concerned about, you still tithe trusting the Lord will provide
If you invest my time in the Word and Prayer when you feel like you have no time, God will multiply my time to get everything I need to get done.
· Philippians 3:17-21
· Philippians 4:11-13
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more