Fasting part 1- Matt 6:16-18

Sermon Nuggets Mon June 27 Fasting

Verses: Matt 6:16-18

16 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

FACTS AND FALLACIES ON FASTS

It is difficult when a bachelor speaks on marriage; It is hard to accept when childless couples give wisdom on raising children; It seems inconsistent when a young man talks about aging, or a fat person speaking on fasting.

My subject is fasting. I speak on the subject because I need to. I need to because it is in the Bible, and I need to because I need to. Perhaps most believers are ignorant of the subject, because so little is really said or preached on it. There are lots of Scriptures that address the subject. Now there is a call again for Christians to fast and pray like I have not heard before. For that I am encouraged.

One of the reasons I like to go through books and passages is that I might address the parts of the Bible I like as well as the parts that I want to skip; the parts that are easy to understand as well as the parts that are more difficult to understand. The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is authoritative for faith and practice. This is profitable for us for teaching, our reproof, for our correction for our training in righteousness. I hope this will be profitable for you as you seek to have God bring home truths to you. So let’s ask some questions on the topic of fasting.

1) Who Should fast?

There is no question that fasting, meaning not eating of food for a particular length of time, was cultural. There were many nations and people of societies that fasted to earn favor for their gods and pagan deities. There were commands also in the Old Testament to the people to have regular fasts. They were required to have one national fast, called the Day of Atonement and this was for all Jews, were not sick or pregnant. In those cases the people would give a special offering for the needy in place of the nation fast. Beside that one time during the year the Israelites would have 2 other times that most would fast and not eat. That was also the New Years and special times when there was national calls for penitence, contrition of heart, or humiliation before the Lord. Judges 20:26 “Then the Israelites all the people, went up to Bethel and there they sat weeping before the Lord,

They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord,”

In the Scriptures we have many incidents recorded of private fasts for times of sorrow. people who have lost loved ones, or if there was a loss to a war, or grief and people personally cried out to God in their pain and sorrow. There are illustrations of people praying by fasting desirous of wisdom, seeking the face of God and pleading for direction as they lead an army, a nation, or even personal family issues.

But some Christians will say that is for the Old Testament people living under the law, not for us who live under the dispensation of grace. Well, what does the Word say?

In our passage Jesus is speaking to the Kingdom people- we who have been changed by the power of the Holy Spirit and made to be his sons and daughters. “When you fast.” It is implied that we will.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues June 28 Who Should Fast

Verses- Matt 9:14-17 Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"

15 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

16 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.

17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

(NIV)

Who Should Fast?

I began commenting yesterday a bit on the culture at that time and how Jews would practice fasting and have days and times it was expected to fast. We are aware of how the Muslims practice each year a fast during their month of Ramadan. The dates actually change so that within 34 years a faithful Muslim will have fasted every day of the year.

Because of the traditional practices of fasts Jews today have developed addition times when they fast. There is a fast for the firstborn for newborn males commemorating the fact they were saved from the plague of the firstborn in Egypt. They commemorate the breaking down of the wall of Jerusalem by Nebuchanezzar in their 4^th . They remember the tragedies of the people including the Fast of Esther as it was talked about in that book. They recall by fasting the fall of Jerusalem and the tearing down of the temple by the Romans. It is tradition to fast on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, the most holy day of the Jewish year. This is a time to confess sins on behalf the people as well as individually.

It is also part of the teachings of Muslims and Jews that it excludes the very young, very old, sick and other times when society understands there should be exceptions.

So in practicing traditions it was pointed out that Jesus and his followers didn’t observe some of the cultural fasts at his time. “How is it that we and Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? Jesus answered. How can the guest of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them and then they will fast.”

Does that mean the disciples didn’t fast while Jesus was with them, but did after he left? Some will say that means the time from the crucifixion until the resurrection. The implication was sorrow caused the disciples to fast, but after Christ arose, there was feasting and there is always feasting since the presence of Christ is with us always through the Holy Spirit.

Some will say fasting is no longer expected by Christians since we perpetually celebrate his resurrection and life with us in the presences of the Holy Spirit.

It seems to me if that is the proper interpretation then the apostles were wrong when throughout Acts it’s recorded they fasted and prayed. Acts 13:2-3 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

In other words the Old Testaments saints fasted, Israel fasted, Jesus fasted, the apostles fasted, and the early church, long after Jesus ascended into heaven. Almost 20 New Testament references are cited.

When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount he condemned hypocrisy. It is hypocritical to give money to the poor when you are giving to boast your own reputation. It is hypocritical to pray when you pray for the recognition of man. It is hypocritical to fast when you do so to make it a show to impress other folks. But when you give alms, when you pray and when you fast, which people of the Kingdom will do, then do it private unto the Lord, not unto men. It doesn’t say if you give and if you pray and if you fast, but when you do. So if it does include us, then we need to know more about it.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds June 29 What is a Fast?

What is a Fast?

The dictionary tells us a fast is to keep from eating all or certain foods, as in observing a holy day, or to eat very little or nothing. According to the commentaries , the cultures of Jesus day practiced different kinds of fasts. There was the plain food fast of eating vegetable or beans and not other meats or delicacies as practiced by Daniel. There was normal fast meaning no food but only water. Most commonly one day from sundown to sundown, but it also was common not to eat during day light hours. There was an extreme fast, as recorded for Moses who for 40 days was up on Mt. Siani and he did not eat food or drink. In the custom of Israel an extreme fast usually lasted only one day.

Part of understanding a fast was to recognize the place of food in the Bible. Food was not only for survival but for pleasure that we might enjoy what God has given and some of us have more pleasure than others in eating. There is also the fellowship we enjoy in sharing and giving, and eating with one another. There is the spiritual dimension of food. God can be blessed for providing our needs and our enjoyment. It is a means of worship, thanksgiving and blessing from and to God. Food can have symbolic use as wine and bread at communion.

Biblical fasting was to refrain from eating some or all food for spiritual reasons. Of course there are many types of fasting that do not have specific spiritual reasons. Fasting should not be confused with hunger strikes for political reason, nor to be confused with dieting in order to lose weight. It has spiritual significance.

The morning meal as we begin our day is breakfast. The word means break our fast. After 12 hours of not eating, supposedly sleeping we break our time of fast and by eating it’s called break fast.

But, Jesus witnessed fasting as a spiritual activity as a means of people measuring their spiritual health. Scribes and Pharisees would love to parade their piety among the people and did so with making sure others knew they would deprive themselves food for God’s sake. Many would wear special clothes if it was for mourning, sack-cloth and ashes were known to be part of the culture of Israel, when they would put ashes on their heads. Many Pharisees and other leaders would fast twice a week. They would not eat food during daylight hours, but eat something before the day, or after the sun set.

A personal fast is most effective when instead of eating a meal you use that time to pray and read and think as you set this time for you and God. We will comment more about this tomorrow.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs June 30

What is a Fast? continued

Within our culture many liturgical churches practice the observance of Lent the 40 days prior to Easter that is suppose to be a time when they do without something, as a symbol of a fast, or not eat meat to deny themselves some personal pleasure in preparation of the Holy Season. Generally, we do not practice lent as it historically has no Biblical basis. But if some want to practice personal discipline and use that time to meditate on God and pray there certainly isn’t anything wrong with that if it is sincere and from the heart.

In a previous church there we had a fast designed to identify with the Hungry of the world and give the money normal spent for our food that day to World Relief, plus any extra that God would lay upon our hearts. I was reminded that when I was hungry I could go in a few hours to my refrigerator and stop discomfort, but many 1,000 of people had no place to go to stop their hunger. That fast made me thankful and praiseful for what Blessing God gave me, but it also made me more seriously aware of the poor who need more than our nickels and dimes. They need our prayer and witness to meet physical needs as well as spiritual hunger in their lostness for eternity.

David Smith a British author wrote a book called, Fasting, a Neglected Discipline.

His definition of a Biblical fast is as follows: “Fasting is an age old practice, common in most religions which involved the cessation of eating for an agreed time, but required the drinking of water at least, unless extreme circumstances deemed otherwise. The practice was commanded by God in the O.T. times, in order that men might have an annual reminder of their sinful nature and was assumed, by Jesus, to be a spiritual duty to which believers would sometimes resort. When practiced by Christian there is no ulterior motive, since the glory of God alone is the object in view;

To a Christian, fasting involved the whole man and symbolizes total discipline. Except on special civic, or local church , days of penitence, Christian fasting is of necessity private and secret. To the Christian fasting is not a ritual to be indulged in regularly, but source of intimate delight even though it may involved heart searching and sorrow; for the value of this discipline lies not in its immediate effect, but in the results which flow from its practice, and the gradual effect which it has upon the individual believer.” Pg. 25.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Friday July 1 Other fasts

1 Cor 7:5

5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.(NIV)

Other Fasts

Although most fasts are related to refraining from eating and/or drinking. There are other fasts that relate to certain kinds of foods for certain lengths of time. Typically a fast is not the same as a diet. As diet is a desires to change eating patterns for a period of time or for goals to lose weight, or control diabetes, or allergies. A fast is for the purpose of individual or group desire for spiritual discipline.

Since the Bible speaks on all topic so we Paul’s instructions for married couples to refrain from sexual relationships for the purpose of devotion to prayer. This is not in the Old Testament, but rather for church people. The importance is for prayer, or seeking Gods’ will, or spiritual self control.

Let me ask how is your prayer life? How often do you just skip devotions because you do not have time? How often have you skipped a meal because you just do not have the time?

Jesus said, “Matt 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'". More important than food for Jesus was time to spend with God, His Father, and delight in His will and Word. How can we better hear the words of God as oppose to the words from the world. I typically spend a half hour each day watching the news. I listen to the weather and watch what happened in the sports world. I listen to answers from good questions. I can give you an update on politics and Minnesota government shut down. Last night I said my silent farewell to Mike Fairbourne, the weather man, who is retiring after 34 year by watching his tribute. Those items are perhaps the more positive things that comes through the TV screen. There are shows to entertain us, but the spiritual need of our hearts to neglected.

A fast it to break away from normal activity to be in the presence of God, the reading of his word, and meditation. It would be great to call a fast from TV watching, or computer games. A fast might be from shopping or cell phone use. As outside activities take more of our discretionary time we realize we do not have time for prayer or devotions.

I go on retreats to get away form the work and home and routine in order to experience God in a different setting. It becomes important to set priorities, goals, and just be in the presence of God. As we know, we always are, but He does not always have my attention.

Jesus instructed the disciples involved with spiritual conflict with demon possession that it is a battle than needs prayer and fasting.

In reading a book by Dr. Koch on demonology and the work of Satan, he fears most American do not know the first thing of serious prayer. We don’t yearn to be with God and consistently uplift the spiritual warriors before the throne of God. We don’t fast and pray and do not recognize the seriousness of the spiritual battle as they do in other countries. Dr. Koch pointed out the extreme importance of preparing ourselves spiritually by not eating and praying at length to totally be motivated by God’s desires and not our own.

Maybe there is an activity that you might refrain from and use that time to get better acquainted with God and His truth.

Pastor Dale

The Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9-15

Sermon Nuggets Mon June 20 THE LORD'S PRAYER

Verses- Matt 6:9-15

9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

The Lord’s Prayer – A Pattern

After discussing the preparation for prayer in the first 8 verses, Jesus gave his listeners a pattern for prayer. We commonly refer to this prayer as the Lord's Prayer.

Some people like to point out that this really isn't the Lord's Prayer it would be the disciples prayer, the Lord couldn't pray, "Forgive me my debts, trespasses, sins." The Lord's Prayer is really John 17 as Jesus speaks intimately with his Father regarding various concerns. The prayer listed here and Luke and Mark is a sample formula for disciples or followers of Jesus.

Jesus is teaching about prayer. He is not giving us something that we need to recite each Sunday. As a matter of fact, he is condemning public pretense and vain repetition, both of which can be abused by taking the sample prayer and repeating it all the time without thought or meaning. Of course people from various traditions pray this regularly and that has great meaning. I do not think there is anything wrong with that so long as its repetition causes us to mouth the words, and not think of the thoughts.

As a formula for prayer it may help you when you pray. That was the intent. You've heard sermons on this before. There are practical patterns for your personal and private prayer life too.

I was talking with a good friend of mine at the conference, Pastor

John Hoeldtke. We were having lunch together and he was sharing when he read this passage how God seemed to lay on his heart the thought this is not a prayer that you pray when everyone comes together on Sunday morning this is a prayer to pray in your private closet room, or in personal devotions. John Hoeldtke went on to say that at times he began praying this prayer in his personal time with God and it has been a tremendous boast in his devotions. This week I hope to show how you might use this sample in your prayer time to center your thoughts on God.

Today, take time to pray this prayer to the Lord and ask that God reveal some things in it that you might branch out in your personal words.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues June 21,

Verse: Matt 6: 9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

PRAYER CENTERS ON GOD’S PRAISE

AS we mentioned Jesus is showing his disciples a pattern for prayer. They are not just praying privately, but addressing “our” Father, along with the other believers. We are reminded we are part of a body and a family too.

But personally as I think of praise, I praise the Lord for being my Father, saving me. I praise him that Jesus died for me and rose again that I too may have new and eternal life. Christ has ripped the veil of separation; and I have been adopted into the King's family.

Yet even though He is our Father, he is in heaven. He is the almighty, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God. He is all holy and all powerful, all great and majestic. We really have no reason to come before his throne except by his grace.

Hallowed be His name. You cannot make God's name holy it is already holy. The fact that he revealed himself to a sinful world all the more makes his name is to be hallowed and revered not to be degraded with slang, or buddy, buddy type terms or frivolous manner.

As the prayer begins we notice the attention of our thoughts are on God. As we pray think about God and tell him of his grandeur and why you are thinking he is deserving of praise.

One of our tasks on Sundays is to worship. We seek to praise God in different ways. We want to focus on his character, and person, and works. We delight in his truth and read and study his revealed Word. Our purpose is to help us praise God in word and voice by reminding us of his many attributes.

Perhaps you want to recite as a prayer, a hymn or chorus of praise.

I sometimes take each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer and stop and think about how I want to add my thoughts to the Lord. What about God do you want to praise Him for today? I was walking to the Post Office and in this outdoor walk thanked and praised him for the flowers, for the color, for the green in the trees and grass and bushes, and all the shades of the beauty of color. I heard at least the songs of 7 different kinds of birds. I notice the power of weeds moving some of the brick and sidewalk and marvels at the power of a little weed seed that could break up concrete and mortar. I watch a humming bird take it's juice from a flower and recognized that physiologically he isn't suppose to fly with the body size compared to the wings. But He does darting up and down and around so very quickly.

Considering His creation is a ways of praising him with your eyes

open while your praying.

The word holy literally means to be separated or set apart. It can also mean whole, or being all in all. A holy temple is separated and different from other buildings in the Bible days. But it is also right and full with the presence of the Lord God. We set apart a day, the Lord's day to keep it holy, means to keep it different from the other days, to think of God and make the day special unto Him. A Holy person is one who is separated and different than other people and the world. He is made whole by the Holy Spirit as we walk in unity with Him completed.

In your praise think and meditate on God's holiness and tell him how much you do love him. Begin your prayers with praise and see what a difference it makes centered in on God. For if there is anything significant we can say about prayer it is that first and foremost it is worship. It is centering out thoughts on the divine nature of God and lifting our souls to Him who loved and created us and calls us to represent him to the world around us.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds June 22,

Verses – Matt 6: 10…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

PRAYER CENTERS ON GOD’S PLAN

The purpose of God is to expand his Kingdom and His Lordship over all the earth and it begins with us. We want God's will in our lives. We seek his direction and his power within our world that people might see He is King and Lord over all. God is to receive glory not only in our praise to him, but especially in carrying out his will in our lives.

Do you pray for God's kingdom to come? It begins with the kingdom people who live with inner righteousness and witness. His kingdom can only be seen in others around us if we are walking in the will of our Father.

You cannot be a disciple of Jesus without desiring to carry out his purpose in our lives. We cannot have a simple believism that teaches you to pray for forgiveness of sin without any desire of repentance. If you have little desire to obey and follow Jesus you are not a disciple of Christ. You are not saved. No, we are not going to be perfect, but we seek to do the will of God and pray for insight and power to that end. A saved person, has a heart that want to live for Christ. A saved person is one who wants Jesus to be in the driver seat of their life. An unsaved person wants to live for himself.

In your private daily prayer you would do will to plead with God to show you wisdom how you are to live and He will. Praying to discern God's wisdom is also part of our attitude.

Do you really want God's rule in your life, or only when you are in trouble? Realize God's sovereignty throughout the universe and ask today for his perfect will within your life as well.

"May your kingdom be evidenced in my life"..what does that mean? The kingdom of God is a society upon earth where God's will is perfectly done as it is in heaven. God is King. There is no doubt this has future implications when looking for Jesus return and that great day when God's kingdom is consummated and God's name glorified on earth to the same degree that it is glorified in heaven. Then, and only then, will all that occurs be in perfect conformity to God’s will.

The quality of these verbs looks for an event in which all will be fulfilled. His name will be Hallowed, His Kingdom will come; His will shall be done. There is a longing for the believer for Jesus return. But that still does not bring to our life the reality and the need for his present Lordship.

Prayer must never be an attempt to bend the will of God to our desires, but prayer is always an attempt to submit our wills to the will of God. As one person put it, "Prayer isn't getting man’s will done in heaven, but getting Gods will done on earth".

The first part of this prayer looks at God and after we fill ourselves with Him and seek His will then we look at the needs of man. For whatever you do without God you will either fail miserably, or succeed more miserably. He has the best plan. Seek to walk in it in obedience to his Word.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs June 23 Provision

Verse- Matt 6: 11 Give us today our daily bread.

PRAYER CENTERS ON GOD’S PROVISIONS

We praise God in part because of his gracious gifts to us for the needs of our lives. We are not to request all and everything we want. Notice Jesus is giving an example of daily bread, not even weekly bread. How many of us need to pray to our Father asking that we have food enough for today, or necessities to get us through the next 24 hours? Those going through disasters do that.

Last month I read June Pearson’s book, about the hard life of her grandmother who came over from Sweden. It took several years before her future husband could work to purchase land, to clear land and then by hand build a house until they got married in Maple Ridge. He was strong and years later when they could afford it, purchased and carried an iron stove on his back from Anoka walking the whole way. Those who settled this area struggled with very little.

It made me once again be aware of how simply and humbly people lived then compared to the expected style of living today. Yes it was hard. Everything was done by hand. No refrigeration, no air conditioning no electricity, no machine driven tractors, or cars, or automatic milkers, or plows or disks, or plumbing. They had hand tool and lots of work!

We are not worried about where our next meal is coming from. We have provision upon provision by God and still bellyache that we want more.

It is one thing to pray for the daily bread and something entirely different to pray for Jacuzzi’s and latest big screen TV and cabins by the lake. If God has given them to us, realize they are God's on loan to you to use for His glory and his kingdom. It is not what we have that is as important as what we do with what we have. And when we have daily needs obtain a grateful heart to our provider.

We need to be reminded that physical life-health, protection, clothing, housing- does not come too us naturally. It comes to us supernaturally. It is as much a working of God that we eat our lunch this afternoon, as it is that the Red Sea was parted for the Israelites. Although one defies natural law, both are provided by our gracious God.

In prayer we are to make requests and supplication. That is what the

Bible teaches here and elsewhere, but according to James we have not because we do not ask or we have not because we ask on our own lusts, or our own pleasures. God know your heart, He knows if the request comes after the part of really want his will. The Father knows how to sort out his children's requests granting them what is right and good, and denying them what is harmful. He may choose to delay his gifts for our patience, persistence, or involvement in ways that would not come about with immediate answers to prayer.

Yet he delights in the coming to him and sharing with him your thoughts and recognize he is the giver of all good gifts. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:32 "He that spares not his own son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?"

One little boy was asked by his pastor if he prayed every day, He replied, "No not every day. Some days I don't want anything."

There are some people preaching a name it and claim it gospel which thinks we direct God to do our wills. Seeking his will is a priority before wanting his will and however he choose to display his glory by giving us provisions. Some understand prayer as only “gimmes”. We learn the maturity in Christ when we stop saying “give me”, and pray “Lord, Mold me”. Making Biblical request of need and provision delights our Lord. “Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you.”

He does not get weary in showing himself powerful and gracious.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri June 24

Verses Matt 6:12-15 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

PRAYER CENTERS ON GOD’S PARDON

We are asking God to display his wonderful gifts on his children by forgiving our sins. There are 5 Greek words for sin. This word means that which is owed against you and others. “Lord, I owe you so much forgive me for all those things and let me forgive others as well.”

When we are forgiven we owe a great debt to God for we have offended him and instead of holding us accountable to pay for our sins, he forgave us. Now as his followers he wants us to understand that same comassion and forgiveness that we can show to others. Confession is an ongoing quality of prayer. John was talking to Christians when he said, "If you confess your sin, he is faithful and just to forgive you your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness."

When two children were fighting, Ethel and Tom, it grieved their father. Ethel ran to her Father and put arms around him and said she was sorry she made him unhappy because she didn't want to hurt him. Yet while she was doing that she stuck her tongue out at her brother. Her father tried to teach her that he couldn't forgive her until she was ready to forgive her brother, because he loved them both. That was the teaching of Jesus. For the one who never forgives I hope never sins. If we want forgiveness we must be willing to forgive others of what wrongs they have done to us. Since we have freely been forgiven, so we need to freely forgive.

I know a man who refused to come to church for years because of a lady who inadvertently said something or did something that offended him. He chose to carry a grudge. If in private you pray, "Lord forgive me my sins as I forgive others their sins against me." The Lord will reveal to you people you do not get along with and in that context pray for them. Pray for your enemies, for those who despitefully use you and abuse you. Pray that you will have an open heart to others, all others.

Matt 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.(NIV)

Ask yourself, "Am I holding grudge and hard feelings about others. Then am I really able to ask God to forgive my wrongs an failings?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Sat June 25

Verse Matt 6: 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

PRAYER CENTERS ON GOD’S PROTECTION

We are completely depending upon God for all things, even the protection of our lives. Theologian Helmut Thielicke’s translation goes like this, "Let nothing become a temptation to me"- everything certainly can.” We need Gods' protection from the evil one and temptations that which would cause us harm and fall into sin.

Satan is doing what he can to cause you to fall and fail in your spiritual life. If he will not get at you, he will try to get at your family. Satan will cause your lusts to lead you from the Lord. We need to be alert to what is going around. Jesus warns his disciples elsewhere to be as wise as serpents, but gentle as doves. He talks about Satan going around like roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. We tend to forget how Jesus prayed for his disciples. He prayed to his Father for their protection. When they were to go into the Garden of Gethsemane it was again demonstrated. “Pray that you enter not into the temptation, the spirit is willing but he flesh is weak.”

Friends we will all fail and fall without continually and consistently putting ourselves under the protection and strength of the Holy One.

Pray not only to forgive sin, but that we may avoid it and overcome it instead of falling into it. “Lord, do not allow us to be led into temptation that it overwhelms us, but rescue us from that evil one who is seeking always to defeat and discourage us.” I sometimes wonder how we would feel if we had extra special eyes and see how much protection really is going on around us where Satan is willing to cause us harm?

All things can be tempting. Being poor can tempt us to steal, being rich tempts us to be selfish; Being healthy tempt us to be proud, and sickly of being self-pitied; Being in pain would tempt us to curse God, and in pleasure to be self-indulgent, Sin is all around us; pray that through the circumstances of our lives we not be led into the temptations that would hinder our walk and relationship with God.

Some versions have the benediction "For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Amen"

It was not in the earliest of manuscripts which is why some versions include it as a footnote. But it is true regardless. For this praise and acknowledgment, the awareness of the one who gives all things and to whom all glory should be given is the center of prayer: personal and private.

Our prayers also call for response. It is important how we relate to God but also one another. It is not right to pray for one’s nakedness without giving them clothes if we have it. Nor to pray for ones loneliness neither without seeking to pay a visit, or to pray that God might help them, without thinking we might be the ones whom God wants to use to provide that help. We need to put feet to our prayer and do what we can to forgive and stay away from temptation, and read God's word to discern his wisdom.

The Lord prayer teaches us how to pray acknowledging God but enabling us to be part of the answer. When we pray for bread, forgiveness and protection they are prayers for the present the past and the future.

Note also how we understand the connection of prayer with the work of God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Asking bread from the Father, forgiveness is possible through the blood of the cross through Jesus Christ and protection and guidance in our daily lives as believer come from the Holy Spirit. We need awareness of daily dependence upon God for all immediate needs.

This week we looked at a sample prayer centering on God's praise, on God's Plan, on God's Provisions, On God's Pardon, and God's protection. It is centered on God. It can revitalize your private prayer life as these categories become springboards to put your own words and thoughts before our Lord.

Pastor Dale

Preparing for Prayer Matthew 6:5-8

Sermon Nuggets Mon June 12 Preparing for Prayer

Verses- Matt 6:5-8

5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.(NIV)

Preparing for Prayer

A few years ago our conference commissioned a new committee. It was the prayer commission. Its purpose was to call our conference of churches to prayer. Each annual meeting had a day set aside for prayer. We were led through the day in various ways to praise, and pray for various concern of the conference, world and at home.

I have been at meetings were there has been people signing up for prayer teams to intercede while services were going on. During Promise Keepers, I was in a prayer tent during one of the gatherings which allowed people to drop in for personal prayer. I enjoyed talking to God on behalf of some of the men having burdens, problems and needs.

In Acts 6 we have recorded that apostles were so busy doing ministry they didn't have time to pray as they wanted, so they formed a task force and called them deacons. The apostles then could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. This was an unbending commitment by the apostles to preserve time for prayer. It means to persist at and remain with. The apostles were saying in essence:"No matter how urgent the pressures are to spend our time doing good deeds, we will not forsake our chief work. We will seek to persist in prayer. If the work we are doing requires great spiritual depth and power, then how much more crucial and demanding must be the work of prayer?”

There is a movement in our country were 1,000s of people gather in the cities for concerts of prayer. People from various denominations burdened for our country and for the world. They seek revival. They cry for confession. They are praying that God cause a movement of his spirit in an unusual way again. Close together we have a National Day of Prayer and a few weeks later we have Global Day of Prayer. In the fall there is the world day of prayer.

Spiritual awakenings, both historical and present day, point to prayer in humility and faith. The last Sunday night of this month we will have an evening of prayer as our long range planning committee is seeking to give direction to our call during this time in our church life. We will also address community needs in prayer as well as personal needs for those who wish to ask for prayer. WE also have prayer chains, email prayer chains, gathering for prayer before Sunday service, and small groups that pray at various times.

We cannot be effective as a church in prayer unless we are praying at home. How is your own personal prayer life? Jesus gives us some instructions about our Prayer Life. This week we will consider some of his teachings to prepare for prayer.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues June 14 Public Prayer

Verses Matt 5: 5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Considering Public Prayer. v 5

Jesus accused others of killing prayer because they prayed for the purpose of being seen by others. A few weeks ago we discussed why some people gave money to the needy. Many didn't care so much for the needy as they did for the prestige they would get from others who thought them to be kind and generous.

Jesus tells us do not pray like the hypocrites who love to be seen by men. Prayer is conversation with God. It was common for people to go to the temple to pray and some attended at 9 , 12, and 3 o'clock. It was easy for man to be at a busy street corner, or in a crowded city square so that all might see with what devotion, dedication and commitment he prayed. It was easy for a man to halt on the top steps of the entrance to the synagogue and pray lengthily and demonstratively so that all might admire his piety. He would stay with hands stretched out, palms upward, head bowed. Such prayer that seemed to impress people is not prayer at all. It is play acting. If he gets praised by men for all his piety that his all the reward he will get.

At my home church when I was a teen our pastor that made it a practice as he came out of his study to the platform he would get on his knees at the pastors bench and pray. I always thought he was very devout.

Such action caused me to think he was much godlier than my other pastors with his commitment to prayer before the people.

He also ran off with our church secretary.

Now do not misunderstand the passage. Jesus is not teaching that public prayer is wrong. Indeed there are many examples of public prayer in the Bible, including Jesus. Corporate prayer is prayer offered to God in the hearing of believers who can agree and affirm it. It can bring us to unity as one represents the people in their prayer. It enlarges the vision of what we are praying toward. Others learn to pray by listening to others. Passion is contagious.

But the problem with public prayer is that people often are not really praying to God on behalf of the people, but rather for others. Many fear praying publicly because they might say the wrong words. People are afraid they might not do it right. Hence there is the problem that you are praying for men instead of talking to God on behalf of others. Public prayers, like the hypocrites pray, makes it easy to drift into flowery, abstract language that prayer has almost no substance. Some pray for the infirmities of an anguishing and distraught humanity, rather than Mrs. Brown and her pain from a broken rib.

In public prayer remember to whom you are praying and the causes that would be appropriate for those who want to join you in your prayers for one another. Praise, requests and sometimes even confessions are good for the body of believers.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds June 15 Personal Prayer

Verses- Matt 5: 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Considering Personal Prayer

Notice the center of concentration is on God himself. He is the object of our prayers. Jesus uses the word Father. That term for God is a personal one as we have a relationship with Him. This is not a prayer for non-Christians. If a person has not been born again he cannot approach the throne of God as Father.

Just as a young child is dependent on his Father, so effective praying is focused on our Father, We are completely dependent upon Him. An unsaved woman once told a minister that she had no need to go to church or read the Bible She did acknowledge, however that before she went to bed at night she would pray this simple prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." Noting the preacher's surprise, she explained, "I can take care of myself when I'm awake, but I want protection when I'm asleep."

Many Christians would never say that but by their practice that is what they do. Whenever things are going well, they feel self-sufficient and seldom pray for than token prayers. Then, when circumstances make them realize that things are out of their control, they cry out to the Lord for help. The Lord finds pleasure in listening to His children who come to Him in a spirit of humble dependence.

Ned Holmgren, former pastor here at Stanchfield, wrote on prayer in the Standard magazine. Listen to the personalness as expressed.

"Oh to feel the urgency of prayer!

Like watchmen placed high atop the city wall,

High enough to sound the call,

While Godward to plead persistently to plead in Prayer.

Oh, to know intimacy in prayer!

With Jesus kneel,sharing deeply in his love,

Crying out to Him above,

With longing feel The Masters closer touch thought prayer.

Oh to find Creativity in prayer,

Growing, shaping in the mind. With every thought.

In the Holy Spirit find God's answer brought,

Effective and complete by prayer.

Oh, to learn Authority in prayer

Through the unleashed power of the risen Lord.

Power none can e'er afford,

Save in deceased Authority of self by prayer.”

Oh, to shape A constancy in prayer

By sheer resolve, coupled with a growing love

For the living Lord above,

Thus to involve consistently each day More prayer. "

How's your prayer life? Is it an intimate discussion with a friend intimacy of communion with Christ need to be recaptured in personal quiet times. Call it what you want quiet time, personal devotions, morning watch, individual worship. These holy minutes explain the inner secret of Christianity. Without it there is no vitality in the relationships.

From Moses to David Livingston, Amos to Billy Graham every person who ever sought to serve God mightily needs to spend times alone with God. Psalm 57:7 "My heart is fixed O God, my heart is fixed."

Now if you do not have a personal time with God I implore you for your own sake and spiritual growth take the Word read it. Pray about it. Meditate upon it. Maybe it will help to have a prayer journal with thoughts and requests and impressions, asking God to direct your day to honor Him.

Spend personal time with God.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets June 16 Private Prayer

Verse- Matt 5: 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Considering Private Prayer

The best preparation for praying in public is, of course, praying in private. It is there that a person really gets on speaking terms with his Lord. Prayer can flow naturally when God is not a stranger.

I am not as concerned over the one who has private prayer and never prays in public as I am for the one who has public prayer but never prays in private.

The idea of the closet or the room is a time of intensely private time each of us needs to spend with God. There is value when husband and wives praying together; there is need for family prayers; there are times when the church body comes together and prayers; there are times when two or three gather in the name of Jesus and agree together in prayers. But there is also a time when God wants just you talking with Him. This is a time to confess sin, to express praise, to pour out our hearts, confusion, fears, requests, doubts, and love to the one who loves us and is concerned about you.

The point of Jesus remarks is contrasting sincere prayer from the heart with public display before men. Secret prayer is special because of the relationship that is personal. It is special because we know of the work of God also in your own life. There are things that only God knows and some things that ought to be prayed that only God hears.

Francios Fenelon- wrote this in 17th Century. "Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads ones heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. Tell Him your troubles that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys that He may sober them; tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your dislikes that He may help you to conquer them; talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; show Him that wounds of your heart, that He may heal them; lay bear your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell Him how self love makes you unjust to other, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and to others.

If you thus pour out all your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subjects of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration they say just what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God."

It is in such meditations of the private heart that we grow in faith and love.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets June 17 Pretentious Prayer

Verses; Matt 5: 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.(NIV)

Considering Pretentious Prayer.

It is easy to think if God wants us to pray then the longer the prayer time the better He will think of us. The length, the place and the position of our praying is not as important as the manner and the intention. God likes short prayers if they are real, and likes long prayers if they are sincere. It does not gain us any more rewards in heaven by how many minutes we spend in prayer. Prayer comes from sincerity of the heart, not from the outward expression. It bothers me to see people going through motions to be acceptable to God.

We are not forgiven by how many times we repeat a certain prayer. Penance is not going over a formula repeatedly. If there is ever a problem with misunderstanding of prayer it is in vain and continuous repetitions that many practice. That is not prayer according to Christ. Buddhists have a prayer wheel. Some uses rosaries beads, carry crosses, some repeat table graces, or repetitious memorized prayers before they go to bed.

It was a humorous incident when I was by myself carrying out duties around the house and I was conversing with the Lord. You know you can also pray that way. While you drive or work or do dishes, just open your heart and mind to God and talk things over with him while your work. It certainly makes the time fly quicker too.

I was fixing breakfast and talking with the Lord in my mind. It was an informal “prayer” just speaking what I was thinking in the presence of the Lord. When I got things prepared I sat down. I caught myself silently saying, "Excuse me Lord, I need to pray before I eat, then I'll be right back." I bowed my head and started to say a table grace. I started to laugh. Here I am talking to God while preparing breakfast enjoying personal communion with God while working, but I had to stop talking to Him to say a prayer. My table grace became mere babbling words that lost their meaning. If my heart was truly thankful and I want to invoke His blessing, that is prayer. But if it is going through a habit and motions then it is meaningless. I wondered how many times I said grace and never talked to God because the words were babbling repetitions.

Even group liturgy many churches use in prayers can be meaningful; it can also be meaningless.

God listens to the heart, not to the words. If we are afraid of not saying the right things, or saying something wrong, God isn't the least bit concerned. Say it. Don't worry about your words. God is not concerned if we use wrong grammar, make mistakes. Don't worry about putting your personal, private prayer in special terms. But be sincere. Don't you use your mouth instead of your minds, or think quantity is better than quality.

Wise professors will recognize that verbiage doesn't necessarily mean a thing when making a speech or writing a term paper. God is neither ignorant so that we need to instruct Him nor hesitant that we need to persuade Him. He is our Father who loves and knows our needs even before we ask. What changes is us. He wants us to speak with Him and know from His presence, love, and power. He wants to talk with us and us with Him.

When you consider prayer don't worry about other people. Don't worry about using the right words; don't worry about the place and time but have a heart for God and speak honestly and be open to listen.

Pastor Dale