Ask, Seek, Knock Matt 7:7-12

Sermon NuggetsMon. August 1, - ASK, SEEK, KNOCK

Verses Matt 7:7-12

7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Ask, Seek, and Knock

This week many in our nation are praying for our leaders and our country as decisions and lack of them may affect the economy of the world. We also know by prophecy there will be economic meltdown in our world before the coming of Christ. Is this the time? Letting God know our concerns thoughts and praises is all part of prayer. Of course, many Christians in our nation pray every day. Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people."

We would do well as a nation to seek the wisdom and will of God and interceded for our president. Of course we would do well as a church to pray that same prayer, seeking the will of the Lord. Certainly His will is also what we desire in our personal lives to be blessed through eternity.

When Jesus speaking what we have called this sermon on the Mount he had already addressed the issue of prayer and called his followers to a heart felt conversation with God not based on repetitious babbling or pretence to be seen by others. He wanted a personal, private, intimate time with each one of us. That makes a significant difference.

But it isn’t long in the Christian walk when people start wondering,

‘Why aren’t my prayers answered?” I already talked about the style and form of prayer as we reviewed the Lord’s prayer, but this addresses some significant presuppositions on prayer.

There was a movie made from a book entitled, on Gods and Generals. It captured the theme of faith of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, and Andrew Jackson. Each were praying and seeking the will of God while fighting in a war they felt was right before God. It is so easy to make the enemy all bad and ourselves all good, but what do you do with people who are praying for their side to win out of faith and some type of commitment to God. For the leaders of the south it seemed (at least according to the book) that the issue was more freedom than slavery.

I remember questioning in High School what happens if I pray for my football team asking God to make them win, and someone else is praying the same thing for the opposing team. Certainly that happens in things more significant than football games. It is common in war, each praying to God for victory. How about when a farmer prays for rain and another church person prays that it will not rain for they are planning a picnic that day.

Too often prayers tell more about the one praying than the One to whom we pray. Jesus is giving another lesson on prayer. You’ll remember that in 6^th chapter Jesus criticizes the attitude of praying to impress other people. He taught it was to be personal conversation with our creator in a private manner. We are to give God praise, and seek wisdom, make Biblical requests, seek forgiveness, seek his protection and we are to act on our own prayers in righteousness obedience and openness. So we have already talked a great deal about proper and improper praying, and incidentally there are many other passages that further guide us in Scriptures. It’s hard to build a particular theology around any one passage alone. It must be looked at in connection with other teachings.

Jesus was talking to his followers, to those who are kingdom people and who they are to live and act under the Lordship of Jesus. In the context of this passage we already have learned not to be concerned with the things of this world compared to things that matter for the kingdom of God. God knows what you need, but seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things- be they food clothes, daily needs- will be given to you as well.

In James we are corrected when he writes We have not because we ask not, or we ask wrongly seeking to fulfill our own lusts. Americans seem to be the very best in selfish egocentric praying. Gemme, gemme, gemme is much more prevalent than ask, seek, and knock. Don’t be so fast to judge others, come clean before God in repentance and seeking personal forgiveness. Do you really want God’s will and guidance in your life?

Then Ask, Seek and Knock and it will be answered. Lets look at Jesus’s lessons on prayer from that perspective.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 2

Verses- Matt 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Consider the Privilege of Prayer

Jesus warned not to be hypocritical in prayer, but real and open in communication what is on your heart and mind. Ask, and Seek and Knock he says, and it will be done. Jesus wants us to go before God confidently and boldly as his child comes before his or her parent. For it is a tremendous privilege that is granted to the righteous.

James 5:16 says, “The fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. “ The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Now that already presupposes the knowledge of God’s will and seeking first His Kingdom, not ours. We have a tremendous power that is most often untapped. We have not because we ask not. John 14:13 And whatever you ask in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If we as anything in my name I will do it.”

Pam Broughton related a story in a Christian magazine. She was a pastor’s wife having ugly unadorned walls, after 3 years she decided to pray since she had little money to change things. Her son ,Randy, that prayed, “Dear God, could you please also get me a warm-up suit before we go on vacation.”

She said, “Now Addison, you know that sometimes God says, “no “ to our prayers.” Oh sure, Mom, be He knows I really want a warm-up suit. Night.”

She wondered if God was concerned about warm-up suits and wall paper. Sure He cares about life’s big problems like food shelter, spiritual health, world evangelism, but is He too busy to be bothered with selfish wants? Some treat God like Aladdin’s lamp. If you use the right formula in God’s name , then rub it and just right He is required to obey our wants and wishes.

Friends that is heresy and we hear it all the time! Never is God our magical genie. Never is He our servant. But He loves us and has given to us a marvelous privilege. We have the privilege of making our requests known to him and asking seeking and knocking.

Mrs. Broughton wanted to teach Addison that we can ask God for the desires of our hearts, but the important thing is to realize God’s gracious love. They didn’t have money so they could not buy luxuries even though their needs were met.

As she was doing laundry there was a gurgling noise in the water and soap suds were pouring out from the bathroom door. She called the plumber who told them they would have to leave, it was a big job.

Friends of theirs asked to have them come over and when they came through the door, she said, “Addison, I just remembered I keep forgetting to give you this warm-up suit. I hope you like it. We’ve had this suit for months and bought it for our son without having him try it on and He only wore it once before it was too small.”

Their mouths dropped open. Why would she think of it now after months? They praised and honored God for his favor to them. When they returned home the insurance company called about the plumbing disaster. “I am afraid Mr. Broughton, you’ll have to pay the $100 deductible plus the cost of the plumbing repair. Your insurance policy will only repair the damage resulted from the water. Now, what kind of wall paper do you want in the living room and hall? She cried. This was just topping on the pudding that God answered when we seek him and it was a privilege that he granted to his children.

If you want to live God’s will and be the people of the Kingdom you can with assurance- Ask, seek, and knock and God will answer. The more self confidence you have the less you pray. The less self-confidence you have the more you have to pray. Prayer isn’t anything, but humbly desire to see God glorified. And as a child confidence in his love make your requests known to Him and trust Him. Then wait and watch what happens. It seems God loves to surprise us often in ways we do not expect. It is a privilege he grants to his children.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 3

Verses- Matt 7: 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Consider the Persistence in Prayers

My temptation in dealing with prayer is try to address all the theology behind unanswered prayers. The emphasis on this passage is on persistence on the part of the one who prays. The Greek verb tense give emphasis on continual action on asking, seeking and knocking. It might be paraphrased, “Ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking. That isn’t past tense, but imperfect, which clearly implies persistence in one’s prayers. When you think of the progression of thought there is also persistence in how the requests are presented.

We do not have to go to lengths to get God’s attention. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. But we might need to do some evaluation on our part to be in God’s will and place where He can speak to us. Does God seem close? If not, who moved?

When it comes to prayer ask what you will. If it isn’t answered then keep on asking. If the request isn’t answered, then we must seek. For me seeking includes searching more of the Bible and more in my life. It involves more thought regarding my motives, God’s will in my life, sin, and patience.

Unfortunately some will use unanswered prayers to judge God. I think of the illustration of electricity. We have all the power possible that we need in a plug for our common appliances. If we plug in the lamp and turn on the switch-nothing happens what do we do? Do we go around and rant and rave and tell people there is no such thing as electricity. That doesn’t prove anything of the sort. In most situations what it means is that we need to persist in trying it again and see if we can find the cause of the problem. Maybe it is circuit breaker, maybe the plug not working, or burned out light bulb, or faulty wiring. In the spiritual life if I am not living in obedience with God and His word I need some re-evaluation. I am not talking about works based negotiations. For I do not deserve any of my prayers to be answered. Anything I receive is by grace. But it can b an important step to change in my spiritual life or understanding in my faith walk.

Seek and keep on seeking implies for me not only a re-evaluation of my motives and desires, but a deeper study into the Word of God. This often brings me to discover things about God or His truths, or faith that I might have missed if I was not motivated to do some deeper pondering.

Knocking implies not just words, but speaks more of my inner desire for answers or needs met. Knocking implies a strong desire to being in the presence of God. It highlights the importance of something in prayer. It is not demanding our rights as it is to re-evaluate my priorities. So many times we quit praying much too early. We don’t have the inkling of the spiritual battle that is going on around us. We forget there is an adversary that is trying to break the relationship with God. We forget how impatient we are.

Missionary Ed Murphy did not come from a Christian home. Someone witnessed to him on the conviction of sin and need of a savior brought him to place his trust and faith in the works of Jesus Christ on the cross. As he finished High School he believed God was calling him to missions. His Mother was outraged that he would not stay in the denomination of the family tradition.

As he entered a Christian college to prepare for missions He prayed that God would met his needs financially. His mother would not support him or his studies. He prayed again and no money came in. He had a job, but not enough to pay for tuition which had to be paid by the examination time. It turned out that with all his asking, seeking and knocking he finally used his last resource. He called his mother. She wrote back with a note saying that if His God was so powerful and good then he didn’t need his mothers’ help. She would be in L.A. and if he had to drop out Bible school, then she’d pick him up and he was to forget this religious foolishness.

He was discouraged when the day of the exams came he checked his P.O. and nothing was there. He went back to the room packed his bags and started to leave when the Dean of the School called him into his office. The statement shows you have $40 credit. When he looked into it he realized that morning anonymous gift was paid toward his bill. Just in time for the exam. When he visited his mother she asked him if he was now done with his faith. He told her what happened she turned and left. Two years later she called and wanted to know God in this personal way and accepted Jesus. There was more important things on Gods’ game plan than just immediately provide finances for school. He used that delay to draw attention to His glory and others who helped in ways unknown to Ed.

I should also add there are some who have dropped out of school for lack of funds even after fervent praying as it was not Gods’ will they continue in that avenue of study. Or a test of faith revealed a heart more attracted to their wants than their relationship with a living God.

I don’t know why God sometimes waits until the last. I don’t know why sometimes the prayers are not answered in the way we want them to be, but in Murphy’s case the asking and seeking and knocking was within God will and ultimately brought about the change in his mother, and humble dependency of himself on God. You see prayer isn’t just to get answers; it is to grow our faith and glorify God.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 4

Verses- Matt 7: 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Consider the Provisions from Prayer

God loves his children. If evil parents know how to give good gifts what about God who is much better than evil parents? Will not his gifts also be something he wants us to have because of his greater love and understanding? We are limited in understanding. When we make decisions we do not know all the ramification of those decisions. We cannot see into the future. Many times you and I can say, “If I had it to do over again, I would do things differently.” We say that with child rearing too. But God does know what we don’t and foresees things we cannot. Trust and faith admits that after we put ourselves in his hands He knows best what is good for us. I will accept that.

He who spared not his own son on the cross, will he not also give us all things? That verse is in the context of Christian suffering. The provisions include our material needs, but more importantly our spiritual needs that will never die, be lost or fade away. If a child asks for something wholesome he will receive it, not something unwholesome like a rock, or even harmful like a snake. What we receive from God will be for our best good. Luke 11:13 it is translated how much more will God give his Holy Spirit to him who asks. In that context Jesus isn’t talking about material blessing but spiritual blessing forgiveness, deliverance, from evil, peace, increases of faith, hope, love, cleansing, and most of all, that we might received Himself and His fullness. That greatest gifts anyone can ever gift is a gift of Himself. At marriage the greatest gift of commitment is that of a man to a woman and a woman to a man for their remaining life on earth. I was impressed at marriage of receiving and giving not rings but ourselves, another human being. What better gift is there than God?

There is a song “If I could wish you anything I would wish you Jesus. For all other things fade and pass away, Jesus remains and with Jesus you have everything.” If a child were to ask for a stone or a snake a good father would not give that child what would be damaging for him. Not everyone would receive the same things. Any other more mature child may get a rifle for his enjoyment, a younger immature boy would not be considered because it could be a deadly weapon in his hands. Another a car is not a toy. Many gifts we desire we are not spiritually mature to handle and a good Father will not honor that requested. We may be hurt spiritually, or others may be damaged in some way unperceived by us. Or the reverse, we may be blessed in a different way that we can imagine, or indeed another may be blessed or some how God is carrying out something for his will and glory.

Some people may have been given the gifts of wealth, that is different than saying some people are wealthy. Some know that handling of wealth and being a steward is for the Lord. I can handle so much, but if I received much more that is beyond my spiritual health right now, I’d squander, waste and dishonor the Lord if he gave me wealth. So I’m content with what God thinks he wants to provide.

St. Augustine was a very wicked youth and his mother was praying mother who continually prayed for her son. When she found that he was going to Italy, she just felt in her heart that terrible things would happen and evil would progress, for Rome indeed was a wicked city. She prayed earnestly that God would prevent her child from going to Italy. The boy went to Italy. Only what she didn’t realize is that is where he came face to face with God and was tremendously converted and affected million for Christ with his life and writings. God did not answer her special request in order to answer her life long request. Isn’t God good?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri August 5

Verse Matt 7: 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Consider the Product from Prayer

This is the golden rule. You’ve heard it from childhood, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

I wondered how that fit this passage on prayer. I think it is because the product of prayer is our changed life. When we meet with God in prayer we seek the good of others. Prayer isn’t getting man’s will done in heaven, it is getting God’s will done on earth and through our life as a witness and doing good to others. Prayer involves responsibility and that is a life of love.

Others state this from the negative view. Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to yourself. But that teaches us to refrain from doing evil. Jesus command is more than that. It is to do good. A hermit and recluse can follow the negative command of not doing evil to another, but we must be involved with people to follow what is the product of a prayer life. We should treat our fellow man not as the law allows, but as love demands- to forgive, to praise, to understand, to listen to help. Only through God’s spirit, can that ever be accomplished. I must go out of my way in kindness toward others as I would wish them to be toward me.

Notice, there was no involvement with the father when the prodigal Son wanted his inheritance. He wanted his money now, not when dad died. He left and squandered it on riotous living. A renewed relationship came with the prayer, “Father make me thy servant for I am no more worthy to be called your son.” It wasn’t in getting but in giving he found blessing. Therein he was found, then he was the product of prayer and God’s desire for all of us.

The product or results of spending time with God gives glory to God through men and women to present to a world the purpose and meaning found in being a member of God’s kingdom. It affects our attitudes, our priority, our hearts, and our souls. How can that happen? Through prayer that asks, seeks and knocks for God’s best and if that is your persistent prayer, be assured it will be answered. That’s mature Christ minded praying.

Pastor Dale

Judging others Matthew 7:1-6

Sermon Nuggets Mon July 25 Judging

Verses-

Matt 7:1-6

1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Judging One Another

I should learn that when the title of the Reader' Digest article is That's Outrageous! I should not read it, for I get angry. I get angry when I see gross injustice. Such as the cases of Charles Hollom, a cab driver in San Francisco who saw a man take a purse from a Japanese tourist. The cabbie decided to chase the mugger for several blocks and pinned him against a building, breaking the leg of Ocie McClure the robber in the process. McClure negotiated a plea of guilty to second-degree robbery. However he has filed a $5 million suit against the cabdriver for injuries. Apparently crime does pay.

I suppose my opinion of such legalities does not improve any when I read of the Iowa Men's Reformatory protesting that there was no pornography in the prison library. Tough you might think? Federal District Chief Judge Harold Vietor ruled that the prisoners should be entitled to the same magazines available to other Iowans. So at public expense the government buys pornographic material so prisoners many of who are sexual offenders can arouse their passions.

Our society has developed a number of rules and laws under which we judge others. Sometimes it is hard to determine who is the victim and who is the criminal. What is right and what is wrong. On what basis do we make judgments in our society against others?

Jesus speaks to that issue also as a spiritual issue. The emphasis is far difference than what we might expect. "Judge not, lest you be judged." Some commentators believe that Jesus is saying that Christian should never participate in judging others, even in a court of law. Some think that a Christian nation has one judge and that is God and He will bring about justice and restitutions his own way. That is a rather extreme position. Jesus judges sin and Pauline epistles instruct us to make judgments continually against false teachers, sin, and those who pervert the gospel. When someone is caught in an incestuous relationship in the Corinth Church he rebukes the church for not confronting the man and disciplining him.

I am told of a church where the chairman was having an affair with the S.S. superintendent and nothing was being done because they didn't want to be judgmental. What does it mean when Jesus says judge not, lest you be judged? As we look at this passage this week I would like to point out prevalent attitudes implied when we think of judgment.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues July 26

Verses Matt 7:1-2 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Jesus speaks of a Critical Attitude.

The critical attitude is more than being discerning over what is right and wrong, good or bad, better or best. The attitude Jesus addresses is the attitude of criticism against another with the intent to tear down the person and their behavior. Many succeed very well in fault finding. In fact, some are so good at criticizing others in church it keeps some people from coming to worship.

Jesus is talking about how the Pharisees were so quick to judge and condemn other people for even the littlest infraction of the law set up by traditions of men. This attitude is looking for things that are wrong in the lives and actions of others.

Have you met people with very negative attitudes? Nothing is ever right. Whatever you do they find something wrong with it. Some parents are that way toward their children. They are sure quick to criticize and find what is wrong, but never tell them what they have done well and good and it can be discouraging.

I've been in some churches that I couldn't wait to get out because the whole meeting was centering on what they didn't like about other church groups and other people. I am not talking about those things in the Bible that we need to warn people about, but judgments against other Christians over lifestyle issues. I've met people I don't care to talk to, because I know their going to raise up something negative and are proud and happy to do so. It is the critical attitude that tears down others.

Jesus warns that we shall be judged in that same way. Jesus told the story of a man who owed a king lot of money. The man pleaded for forgiveness because he could not pay. The king took care of the bill. But when he went out he found nothing man who owed him a little amount and throw him into jail because he wasn't paid. When the king heard that, he used the same punishment on the fellow that he applied to his debtor. The man was harsh and critical even though mercy was shown unto him.

Many seek to be vocal in criticism but absent from working on the problem or helping others. Some think if I can knock someone else down, I am building myself up in comparison. When our hearts are on competition and pride, we can become critical of form, dress, and style. When our hearts are on the relationship we are concerned with faith in God and love toward others.

One poet put it this way-

A little seed lay in the ground, And soon began to sprout.

“Now which of all the flowers around”, It mused, “Shall I come out?"

The lily's face is fair, and proud, But just a trifle cold;

The rose, I think is rather loud, and then, its fashion's old.

The violet is all very well, But not a flower I'd choose,

Nor yet the Canterbury bell, I ne’er cared for blues."

And so it criticized each flower This supercilious seed,

Until it work one summer hour, And found itself a weed.!

Watch your words and what you say about others. Ask the Lord to reveal your attitude and see it is isn’t a critical spirit.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds July 27

Verses- Matt 7:2-4 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

Jesus Speaks of Self Examination

Jesus tells his hearers do not be critical of other people while you have so many faults that need to be dealt with yourself. We need to look at the first area of responsibility, and ask ourselves, are we living to please the Lord? Surely we can say as Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." We are we so quick pick up the stones of rebuke that we fail to realize that stone should be thrown on us for our sinful ways.

Pastor George Truett told about some hyper-critical individuals who accused a sister believer of a minor infraction of the Church covenant. With an air of self righteousness, they suggested that his name be removed from the membership rolls. The poor woman admitted she had made a mistake and asked forgiven, and promised to do better, but they showed her no mercy. Disturbed by their attitude, Truett decided to show them that they too had faults. He got the treasurer’s record which revealed what they had given, and the report of their meager contributions and left them shamefaced. He said, “On the same harsh basis of judgment you applied to your fellow member, I suppose we should also vote to crop everyone here who has violated God's law against covetousness." The self examining attitude says before I can look at the speck in my bother's eye, I need to get things straightened out with God in my own life.

In marriage counseling often one spouse cites the cruel and unfair treatment the mate has done. Seldom does someone come and tell how they have failed in the marriage. How some people can carry grudges and bitterness for years makes me think they better be faultless, which the Bible says they are not, for all of us have sinned and all of us need to be forgiven and forgive. There is nothing within the power of any individual that we ourselves are not incapable of doing.

Is there a sin that we are not capable of? There but for the grace of God go I.

There is hardly anyone who has not been guilty of some grave misjudgment; there is hardly anyone who has not suffered from someone else's misjudgment, Whenever we evaluate others we should only do it with one eye on ourselves and if we see all our problems as someone else’s fault we sin, but when we see our own fault we can be merciful toward another. By dealing with our own motives and behavior we can become better able to evaluate others with righteousness and truth tempered by mercy.

The priority is to take the log out of our own eyes and then with the clarity of vision we will be able to take the speck out of another’s. Jesus is condemning the attitude that seeks to criticize others before we examine on our own sins and shortcomings.

Kenneth Roundhill tells of a missionary to India who wrote, "If there is one thing more than anything else that I believe retards the spiritual progress of the church in this country it is the almost total lack of capacity for self-criticism." How we need to learn to see ourselves as God sees us and allow him to tell us through whom he will. Instead of praying for the problems of others, our first prayer should be Psalm 139:23 "Search me, O God and know my heat; try me, and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting."

He who stand thinking he is justified by his own works condemns himself. One church member stood before a church that was struggling with critical attitude and said, "Last night I had a dream in which we all got together to plan the best way to clean up our dirty meeting house, Many suggestions were made, but no conclusion was reached, Finally one person stood to his feet and said, Friends, I think if we'd each take a broom and begin sweeping around our own seat, the place would be cleaned up very quickly."

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs July 28

Verses- Matt 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Jesus speaks of a Helping Attitude

After we have met with God and sought to live for him and confess sin, then we have a job of helping others in their growth in Jesus. Gal. 6:1 "Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." That spirit of meekness is the humble awareness that I am no better than my brothers, but my God has done work in my life and he can help you in yours. He's not done with me yet, but He is not done working with you either.

When we can clearly see spiritually, where are in a better position to help others. It is with an attitude of humility not self righteousness. It isn't loving to allow the speck to infect and cause permanent damage to his eye.

Matt. 18:15 teaches if you have something against someone or if they have something against you, you go in private and seek to make it right with them. If he listens you've gained a brother. If he hasn't, bring another witness or two then perhaps they will help with the communication process. Don't go broadcasting the problem all over. But if the problem isn't resolved the church becomes the body of reconciliation to help each see his obligations one to another. If the offender has no repentance of heart then the church action is to expel him until he or she seeks forgiveness, always with the hope of reconciliation.

There is nothing more important, more potentially harmful, nor as easily neglected as helping and loving church discipline in the attitude of love. People do not like to be confronted and most people do not want to confront. Yet when good things results it is best for the individual and the church of Christ. It is done with an honest and sincere desire to help and not hurt? Is it done not with seeking power or personal desires, but to protect?

How does one convey that? That isn't easy. It must start like the Bible says, with one who is spiritual. That doesn't mean self-righteous, but aware that they are sinners saved by grace and know that God is work in them too.

How would you want to be treated if you were doing something that would be spiritually damaging to your life? How could you respect the actions of others? What person would you want to talk to? How can that best be done? Can you be that kind of person with that kind of attitude toward another?

The Labrador spar is a crystal that looks first dull and without luster, but if it is turned around and around it will come into a position when the light strikes it in a certain way and it will sparkle with beauty and elegance. Many who we might think dull and unloving and sinful, are turned in a way to shine God's glory if we only knew them as persons. Our desire to help is know people as persons and desire God's best with a helping loving attitude.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri July 29

Verse Matt 7:6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Jesus Speaks of a Condemning Attitude

Haddon Robinson said, “I have trouble keeping many commandments, but here is one that I could say with absolute confidence that I have never broken. I never have given pearls to swine. I have never given holy things to dogs.”

Well, Jesus isn't talking about family pets. Dogs in those days are not the lovely cuddly pets we have today but rather mongrels that are street garbage collectors. The dog is despised scavenger and ill thought of. I don't need to remind you of what Jews thought of pigs. The hog and the pig were unclean animals from a religious perspective, so when Jesus says not to give sacred things to dogs, and not give pearls to swine, he might literally be referring to meat used in sacrifice unto the Lord is never or be used to give to scavenger mongrel, dirty dogs. When we take that is prize worthy as a pearl and give it to unclean pigs would be foolish. They don't deserve it and would not know what to do with it. When they have it, it will only be our loss and you will be the fool.

When we seek to help people by taking the splinter out of their eye, even after we have done self examination and means good by helping it will often backfire on us. We too can be misguided in our motives and actions. Temptation is fun, stimulating, imagination is heightened. We like temptation but we don't like the consequences of sin. Behind the temptation is the tempter; behind the lie is the liar. Satan wants to draw us from God and when you give into temptation Satan is there to pounce on you and tear you to bits.

How does the world respond when preachers or congressmen are caught in sexual adultery? Wouldn't you think Playboy and Penthouse would come to their defense? Would you think the producers of the multitude of TV shows and movies would support that behavior since that is the core of entertainment the promote? What about Jay Leno and David Letterman with their off colored jokes and extra marital affairs? They laughed and made mockery of preachers and leaders. They took the gospel and trampled it to dirt and mocked and scorned the religious community. Sin turns its back on us and attacks us. How do you stay on guard, but keeping soul in God? Pray, ask seek, knock, which is what we talk about next week.

Spiritual sensitivity needs to be developed by growing in trust and fellowship with Christ to help us resist temptation lest we fall and further to seek discernment toward our own weaknesses and shortcoming and with and love speak to a brother or sister that we might prevent them from walking in the ways of sin.

It does no good to talk to some people. Others will take you and chew you up. The disciples were told by Jesus to go into town two by two and preach the gospel and where they are not received, they are to go outside of that town and wipe the dust off their feet as a sign of judgment upon them. Some people you cannot talk to. They are judgmental revengeful and the Spirit of God cannot work in their lives until they are ready and open and wanting him to work. Some people can never talk in spiritual depth. They will twist what you say, misunderstand your motive, turn things around so that only evil results. They are like dogs and pigs.

Prov. 9:8 "Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man and he will love you. " I Cor 5:9-11 "But now I am unto you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother, but is sexually immoral, or greedy, or an idolator, or a slander, or a drunkard, or a swindler, with such a man do not even eat."

We cannot please people, but we can only please God. We must be careful to judge only by Biblical principles and all else are personal matters before the Lord without criticizing others. We need to examine ourselves with prayer and then show love to others. AS you seek to help others grow in their love for the Lord and to forsake sinful ways some will accept that and others will not. In all you do in word or deed do unto the Lord.

Pastor Dale

Birds, Flowers and Worry Matt 6:25-34

Sermon Nuggets Monday July 18. Worry

Verses-

Matt 6:25-34

25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Birds, Flowers, and You

There is much we could say about worry. I'm reminded of a poem about a cow; "The worried cow would have lived till now if she had saved her breath; but she feared her hay wouldn't last all day, so she mooed herself to death."

Or I'm told of the spinster who sat weeping beside a well.

"What's the matter?" she was asked, "Oh! It's terrible, Someday I might get married, and then I might have a child, and then the child might come down here, and climb up, and fall in the well, and get drowned. Oh, what a cruel, cruel blow!"

It is easy for one person to tell another person not to worry.

Indeed, people can quote passages of Scripture that say do not worry.

But to someone who is worrier quoting a Bible verse and telling them they are a poor Christian doesn't really help them stop worrying, indeed it usually makes things worse.

The Apostle Paul wrote to be anxious for nothing, but a few lines down he talked about concerns he though about. In other words you can go ahead and be concerned but don't let your concern become anxiety. Yet interesting when he talked of the concern he had for all churches he used the same word that is translated worry. That word merizo means to divide and nous mind. Literally means dividing the mind.

Unhealthy worry indeed affects us in many negative ways. The Apostle

Paul admonishes us to resolve our anxieties rather than retain them.

There are situations that are healthy if worry is caused by the natural desire for self preservation in dangerous situations. Constructive worry leads one to emotional mastery over the perceived threat and therefore enables one to cope better with stress.

The context of Jesus statement implies anxious concern over things you can't do much about, or things that hold greater concern than what they should. Many people make a problem much bigger than what it really is and anxiety causes it to get all out of proportion.

Remember Jesus taught not to put your treasurers on earth but in heaven. Earthly treasures are lost, stolen and if accumulated will all be left behind. We need to store up treasures in heaven and keep our attention on God. If we gaze our focus on God and eternal things the things of this world will not have it's grasp on us. and that also includes worry over material and earthly things even food and clothes.

The one who trusts God is one who will not have a problem with undo anxious concern and worry. Jesus gives us solutions to worry, He doesn't just tell us don't do it, but practical ways to remove it.

Pastor Dale

Sermon nuggets Tues July 19- Perspective

Matt 6: 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Being aware of God's Perspective helps reduce Worry.

Stop focusing on the matters of this world and become aware of things that matter to God. I find that the greatest source of anxiety and worry is when I think of self and others, weakness, and inability, inadequacies, and all the things that can go wrong. So many people worry about things they cannot change. I suppose the future possibilities capture our anxiety more than anything. People worry about what might happen, what might go wrong. Only 8% of what could happen actually does. All the attention threat energy, feeling and perceptions are centered on ourselves and our inadequacies.

Jesus wants us to center on God. Look at things from God's perspective through the illustration of the birds and flowers and the value that we have in God's eyes. The main point of Jesus' illustrations isn't how well God takes care of birds and flowers, but what a great God that we have who even takes care of birds and flowers so well. In other words think about the greatness of our God and focus your thoughts on Him. Worship reduces worry.

What do we think about when we think about God? Simply that God is big enough to take care of your problems or help you through it. But also let’s not lose God's perspective. Some of the things we worry so much about don't mean diddly. Yes we have economic concerns. We have a society that is under financial pressures. But when we see the damage in various parts of the world and war tragedies, hen we see protests exploding in many countries and natural disasters increasing then we in the USA really don’t have much to complain about compared to the rest of the world.

We can't complain about he price of meat when we think of those that have no bread. We really can't complain of the price of new blue jeans when we think of the homeless and abused, the persecuted and suffering In our society when many Christian have closets full of clothes and refrigerators that are too small to contain all we want to store, when we have comfortable beds, conveniences, cars and houses have anxious concerns over the thing we own and over the things we do not yet own and want more there is sin in that from God's perspective.

One radio announcer was interviewing a little girl and asked her age. “I’m 8,”

“And how old would you like to be?”

“Five.”

“Why five?

“Then I'll live longer."

We can take care of our bodies and live longer, but we see a 5 or 8 year old and think they don't have a concept of life yet. Wait until your are 70 or 80 then you have a perspective. God is showing us that compared to millions and billions of years, What is a mere 70 or 80 years?

Jesus looks at the things that God loves and see how they are cared for. Bird don't worry about food, yet God sees to it they are fed. My wife enjoys watching the various kinds of birds in our area and does some things to attract them. Gods' given abilities to protect and care and feed the birds that are of little value. We become confident that God can take care of our situation.

Said the robin to the sparrow: I would really like to know,

Why those anxious human being rush about and worry so.

Said the sparrow to the robin, "Friend I think that it must be

That they have no heavenly Father such as cares for you and me."

If God spends so much time and energy creating and carrying for birds that are not eternal, what about the part of creation that is eternal? If birds are of value to God then we can trust him, since Jesus never died for the birds, nor the flowers. He died for you. You are of more value than birds and flowers.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds July 20 Provisions

Verses Matt 6: 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Being aware of God's Provisions helps reduce worry.

We need another vision of how God does marvelously provide and we rest in his provisions. If God gave us life, we can trust him for lesser things such as food and clothes. Worry doesn't help anyway. Nothing we can do except trust in most situations and if the flower is so clothed and beautiful for one day, what about the clothing that God' wants to place on you for all eternity.

Worry is characteristic of the pagan the atheists, the one who does not know or understand about God. Pastor Foreman says, "The cure for worry is a deeper knowledge of God, a complete letting go of oneself and resting in Him"

There are many times when I quote the adage-Hindsight is better than foresight. We learn so much through the difficulties of life, and the uncertainties. Yet, for the one who trust God even though they do not know what is going to happen, thinking how God had helped, sustained and provided for us causes us to relax in trusting him and praying for our needs and letting him do what He does. Think about what God has done, and realize he will not stop caring for you. When we come to him does He run from us? When conviction and confession come what is God's response? Damnation? No, He provides for us salvation and forgiveness. He gives us what we need for kingdom living that we might carry out his purpose, and indeed to carry out his purposes he gives us what we need to do that.

I am humbled when I think of my weaknesses and inabilities, realize that for whatever task or place of service God calls me he will give me grace to do what he wants, so He is honored, not me. We are never without the resources to carry out what his will is to be carried out. Will God call us into situations and places that He is incapable of handling? We should start to worry when we are living in sin and not according to God's will and purpose for us. Anxiety may very well tell you that all is not right spiritually. Give God complete control of your life, confess sin, confess worry and then watch what He is able to do. Worry happens when we want to provide instead of letting God provide. We want to take care of our problem instead of doing it God's way or in God's power.

Now that does not mean we sit and wait for God to provide our needs while we do nothing. God's doesn't provide by our sitting and expecting him to drop down stuff in our laps. He is not our servant to carry out our commands and requests. But since God provided all the beauty of a lily, he will see to it there are avenues to have our needs met. Solomon didn't even come close with all his wealth of the world Ah, but the clothing that radiates isn't spun and woven. Not from furs, and French designers, nothing gold and silver, but purity and righteousness, and joy and peace that comes from within. All that other stuff goes out of style and is stolen and moths eat, but who can take away the Holy Spirit? How can one take away joy and peace and security from the Father. Pagans worry about eating and dressing and so will our world, but we need to realize we have one who will care for us.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs July 21 Priorities

Verses Matt 6: 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Being aware of God's Priorities helps reduce worry

Jesus tells His followers not to be worriers insteadgrow in trust in God and keep proper priorities in life. It is our habit to concentrate on things we need in this world to the neglect of the most important relationship beyond this world. Things of this world capture us and so much of our time and attention. Indeed we worry about the economy. We worry about foreclosures. We worry about jobs. We worry about health. We worry about children, grandchildren, spouses, friends. For those things make up our life.

Jesus says let the most important priority take over. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. This will be the theme and topic of my sermon this coming Sunday.

Romans 8:28 is still in the Bible "All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose." worry says no God, you are a liar, you word is untrue. Trust says, though, I don't understand, God does and I am putting myself in his care and under his control and he won't let anything happen out of his ultimate will.

When Jesus points to all the things we worry about they will shortly be gone. Even this life is short lived from God’s perspective. So then, what should be our priorities? This is not a call to poverty it is a call to putting eternal things ahead of temporary things. It is acall to godliness instead of worldliness.

When I was growing up worldliness was taught to be smoking, drinking, going to movies, dancing and gambling. But worldliness from Jesus perspective is giving undo worry and attention to money, physical appearance, food, clothing, and relationships.

Someone wasasked to be under the employ of Queen Elizabeth Queen of England. Asthey inquired about their needs, the Queen was quoted to have said,"You take taker of my business and I will take care of yours." That'show it is with Jesus.

We have a dog, two parakeets and about a dozen fish. They are pets. Those two birds are fun to watch on occasion. They are a pretty white and blue. I see how they relate to one another and which one is dominant and submissive. Yet they cower when I come to the cage and get upset when I put my hand in their cage to change their water and give them more food. I try to talk to them but they don’t respond back.

I have zero attachment to the fish. However, I have to clean the pond of algae and keep the filter bubbling so they have oxygen. Even in the winter, since the pond is outside, I have purchased a tank heater to keep them going.

At least the dog wags will acknowledge my presence when I came into the house. For all the problems she can be he gives me the impression every day I might mean more to her than just food and a means to go outside. Of all the cope pets she is the only one who show me some love. When she wants out I let her out, when she wants in I let her in. She will look at me when food is low. We’ve learned to communicate on some level.

I love my children deeply. Can you begin to imagine that I would do any less for Bryan and Justin that I would for my pets? Even though they are grown now I find I want to be sure they are safe and provided or. If we feed and care for our dog, don't you think we will surely feed and care for our children? All my pets would die first before I would neglect my children. That's the same with God. So stop worrying.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri July 22 Principles

Verse Matt 6: 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Being aware of God's' Principles help reduce worry.

As Jesus says “therefore” He is making a concluding remark on this topic of worry. The reminders are so important in our life where our attention keeps pointing to things that in the long run do not matter.

Truths and principles Jesus stated are reasons to trust and not worry.

1) Material things don't last, Value the Kingdom concerns. Put yourself under God's care who has a plan for your life and will carry it out beginning now and throughout eternity. We need to prepare for eternity, not store up things here for we're not going to be here very

long. Anxiety, if anything, will shorten our life, not lengthen it.

2) Give to God what you can’t control anyway. God made your life and body and that is God's responsibility. You can't even determine when you life or die. You can take all kinds of vitamins, exercise, eat properly but life and death is the Lords.

Now what is more important? Your life or the food you eat? Your

body or the clothes you put on it? Obviously your life and body are more important. If God already cares for your life and body don't you think he is trustworthy to take care of food and clothes and all the other things.

3) God knows. What he began in you he will complete. Focus on what God has done in the past and is doing. The future is His and He already knows it. Seek His Kingdom and His righteousness that is our part. He is sovereign and has everything else under control.

4) Use what God give you. God calls us to be faithful with the gifts and abilities that he has given. We are to work and use them the best we can. We are to work and labor, recognize and utilize medicines, and exercise, physicians and proper dietary programs. These are provisions from God as well. Use them. Trust God. Do what you can do and let God do the rest. He calls for a yielded heart God does not use ravens to feed us but farmers, and fishermen, butchers, and grocers. The birds do not sit in their nest, unless they are baby birds, but they leave their nests and God directs them to places of food, sometimes your bird feeder is the provision that God allows.

Hudson Taylor was on a ship in route to China when a huge storm arose. He took of his life preserver as a testimony that he trusted God and felt if he wore it, it was demonstrating a lack of faith. However, afterwards he thought the use of such means ought not to lessen our faith in God and our faith in God ought not to hinder our using whatever means he has given us for the accomplishment of his own purposes. Is it not a provision from God that we have life preservers and is it any less of a provision from God we use them if they are available for our use? Just because things may not be miraculous done does not mean He doesn't do them. His hand sustains and protects.

5) The more we focus on Him the less the problem. There are things

that are out of our hands and control and we cannot do anything about.

Give those things completely to God and watch what He does with them.

Ish 26:13 Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on

thee."

One put it well when he said, "Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand."

Pray about all things and be obedient to what you know you should be doing. Rest in the comfort of His presence, peace, and power.

Pastor Dale

More on Fasting Matt 6:16-18

Sermon Nuggets Tues July 5 Why Fast?

Verses 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.

Why Fast?

Previously last week we looked at some questions regarding fasting. What is it? Who should Fast? And What are other ways to Fast?

This week consider some other questions. Today and tomorrow I thought I’d share some thoughts on Why Fast-There may be more but I’ll give 5. The first two are:

1) To seek God intensely when there is a great or urgent need.

Ezra 8:22-23 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”

When Ezra was told he was going to be attacked he showed great faith in the Lord by not desiring to ask the King for protection but trusting in God. Now that attack was imminent, he called on the people to fast and pray to God for deliverance from his enemies and he did.

Anna the older woman at the temple ached to see the deliverance by God for her people. God granted her permission to see the Messiah before she was to die. She was moved to show that even food wasn’t as important as being in the presence of God.

It is common when situations call for special prayer that righteous people will fast and make urgent prayer more important that food.

2) To seek a deeper intimacy or forgiveness with God. Hunger for God is more important than hunger for food. To set some aside to be with family is important. To set times aside to be with your spouse allows for greater intimacy and sharing. It is also the case when an extended time to be with God and focus on his word, prayer, and thought will put us in a frame of mind to seek the things above instead of the things below.

Some of the times that have been most rewarding is when I have taken days aside to do little more than retreat to spend more time in prayer and allow myself to be quiet to let Him speak to me. By praying an fasting one has a desire to change and God desires to see our growth in faith in Him.

We mentioned already that the practice recorded in the Bible usually centered around fasts for sin. Some people recognized they were under judgment or pending judgment of God and were sincere in wanting even more than eating to get right with God. Repentance brings sorrow. For some it is a means to overcome sin by pleading and praying for spiritual freedom in a certain area in their life, and asking God to forgive and empower them in times of temptation.

You remember Nineveh was under judgment of God at the time of Jonah’s message, but they repented and wept and fasted and Gods blessing and forgiveness came to them. It came from the heart.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds July 6 Why Fast

Verses Acts 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Why Fast - continued

3. Fasting is observed for special anointing or seeking revival.

There are experiences in our lives when we do not feel like eating. Sometimes that happens at a death or tragedy or accident, or surgery, or awaiting news of a newborn baby. Many people do not feel like eating when your mind is not on food. Can you imagine that happening spiritually, where your attentions toward God are such that food does not really matter?

Certainly sorrow is a common illustration of fasting. People grief kept them from food and would draw them to call upon God for strength and for mercy, for peace and for presence.

Along with that praying was a concern or request as people poured out their heart to God like Hannah at the temple who wanted a child. Fasting is always associated with prayer and communion with God. But she wanted a special anointing in her personal request to God. AS it was with the church in Antioch, they fasting asking God fill and use Paul and Barnabas for their special task of sharing the gospel to the pagan gentiles.

Some like David Brainard would pled and cry for the souls of the Indians, as a missionary whose heart was so burdened for the lost that he would spend days in the woods fasting and praying before going to preach to them that he might be filled with the Spirit of God for revival. Was it any wonder that God rewarded them who sought him for spiritual reasons. The reward mentioned by Jesus is also a personal one. We fast for ourselves. Does this mean just in heaven or are there spiritual reward on earth? Certainly a closer walk with God affect and frees our spirit from earthly things.

In Exodus 24 Moses prayed and fasted for Israel that they might experience conviction and repentance, and openness to God. In Jesus ministry he prayed an fasted for his servants and for his disciples. People became so important to him that he went without food to present them before His Father in Heaven. Daniel in the OT. was able to interpret the Dream for King Nebachanezzar. He prayed and fasted that he might have the knowledge to reveal to the King his dream. Queen Esther prayed and fast as did Jews with her as she presented herself to the King thereby leaving open the possilbity of being killed. But she did not do so for herself, but for the salvation of the Jews.

4. Fasting was practices to bring deliverance to those in bondage, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical. Jesus told his disciples regarding the boy with a demon,

Matt 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

Greed is one of our basic human sins. Self control is meaningless unless it includes the control of our bodies and our passions. The beginning of self control is the control of our passion. For one who lets his bodily urges control him is one that will not live very victoriously. This is true with sexual control, emotional control, and even the desire for foods, healthy and unhealthy. It is no secret that our society has the greatest problem with over consumption of food, as well as pleasure, and selfish lusts. To the experience filled generation everything becomes a bore, they’ve seen it all, heard it all, bought it all, tried it all. But God is not a commodity to be bought to experienced for our pleasure, but His, and when we so no to the things that get in the way we may be surprised what true fulfillment really is.

5. Needing to Focus on the will and purpose of God.

With all the personal and worldly distractions it is easy to keep our focus off from God and put it on so many other things. It is in times of prayer and sometimes fasting that the will of God is seen more clearly, the Scriptures become more personal and the direction for doing the work of God more important.

. In praying and fasting it is the desire to have more of a change in my life and really mean it than trying to change God’s mind. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan he taught us an important lesson. Man does not eat by bread alone, but every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. We would do well to take our lunch times on occasions and pray and read the Bible instead of eat.

Fasting more than anything allows us the discipline and reverence for God. A disciplined person can do what needs to be done when it needs to be done, undisciplined persons cannot act when emergencies come. This isn’t just for food, but a disciplined life knows how to say no to sex, to television, to music, to pleasures for time and devote self to prayer and to meditation and re-evaluation of priorities in one’s life. We need to have the ability to do without things for awhile.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs July 7-Where to Fast

Verses- Matt 6: 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.

Where to Fast

That seems like a funny question. Yet Jesus does address it. The Pharisees would answer by going out in public and the streets and steps to the temple where crowds would gather in great numbers coming in and going out. Jesus is pointing out the hypocrites who love to practice piety so as to get the admiration of others. That is as far as their reward goes.

Certainly there were times when a Holy Fast was declared. There were national fasts.

While teaching in Russia on a short term mission experience I found it interesting that the church would fast every Thursday before the communion service to be held on Sunday. Following their Thursday night church service people would eat at the church breaking their fast. Sometimes a church calls for a fast. Sometimes to participate as a group helps encourage one another to community prayer and devotion.

Jesus gives us our first and most important reason not to fast: Do not fast if you are doing so to be noticed by men. Jesus said that those who look somber and try to make others feel sympathy for them or respect for them because they are fasting are just hypocrites. They are play actors. They are not doing it for God or even for themselves they are doing it to gain attention by other people. Men might praise you, but God will not.

He is telling them to fast in secret. Don’t broadcast it. Do it at home or go by yourself when you are not eating to spend private time with Jesus.

I was eating lunch with other pastors. On was not eating. I asked him if he was feeling alright. He answered, “Yes, I am fasting today.”

I thought to myself if I was fasting I probably wouldn’t pick a day when I am to have a lunch appointment or plan to be with others during a meal. But I needed to see a friend who humbly and quietly participated in a fast without seeking to bring attention to himself, or guilt others.

There are some who teach a person can fast for a few days to get whatever they want from their deep pocketed god. They will say, “Fast a few days and ask for a boat, and God will provide. Fast for a few days and you’ll receive money to cover your debts. Fast for a few days and God will give you the job you want.”

I don’t find this in Scripture. While fasting may make us ready to know God’s will and pray accordingly, it will never be the means to manipulate God into conforming to our will and wants. If you fast as though you are seeking to get your wishes it is like blowing out the candles on a Birthday cake hoping your wish will come true, you will soon be disappointed in God and disillusioned with the idea of fasting.

The best place to fast is in private. I may be in your home, it may be on a retreat, it maybe carrying out the regular activities of the day, but at lunch or dinner time seek to get away by yourself for prayer and private meditation.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri July 8 How to Fast

Verses- 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.

How to Fast

Jesus said, don’t, be like the hypocrites all disheveled and acting as if they are in pain. Anoint your head and wash your face. Some would mess up their hair and put ashes on it, even whiten their faces to look more pale. that is sin. Jesus said, Instead let your fast be private between you and God. Anoint your head, brush your hair and get ready for the day. Oil is like hair cream. Look presentable, clean and dress appropriately for each day. Don’t go around being proud of being humble. Don’t be proud in your giving in your prayer nor in your fasting. And it is definitely wrong to fast thinking you are better than others who don’t.

I think of Luther’s criticism against monks when he was in the Catholic Church. He wrote when they would not eat meat, “I really dare say that in what they termed fasting in the papacy, I never saw a genuine fast. How can I call it a fast if someone prepares a lunch of expensive fish, with the choicest spices, more and better than for two or three others meals and washing it down with stronger drink, and spends an hour or three at filling the stomach until it is stuffed? Yet that’s the usual thing even among the very strictest of monks. Therefore I say that never in my whole life, have I seen a facet in the entire papacy that was really a Christian fast.”

We are not to advertise ourselves, but discipline ourselves, not seeking reputation but humility and concern, In other words Jesus showed the How is an attitude that is right with God.

When Jesus was lead by the Spirit, he went into the dessert. Perhaps if there is time you feel you’d like to spend with God I will encourage you to do so and consider fasting. If you have a medial problem seek the doctors advice first. Never fast if you are on certain medicine, or have diet related medical problems as diabetes, hypoglycemia, blood pressure problems, nutrition deficiency or things like that. Nor should small children, pregnant women, ill, and elderly fast. There is no command that we fast, but to pray sincerely before the Lord. It is for spiritual purposes, and personal purposes. Are you wrong if you don’t? No. I think you might be missing out on a part of devotion that God has for you to learn significant lessons in your life and possibly for others.

If you consider trying to fast, maybe you would want to start by skipping meals and using those times for special prayer. If two meals during the daylight hours every time your stomach reminds you that it wants food, pray. You’ll probably play more that day than any others. Maybe you wish to liquid fast for day, or use fruit, or even sometimes go with all food or drink, not in the 100 degree weather however. The importance is more in the motive than in the methods.

John Westly shared that during his fast days he would read large portions of Scriptures, nap, pray, look up certain verses on subject and petition the Lord concerning problems. He would sing hymns and listen to music, He would memorize passage and would wait until the Word would speak to him. He would often preach and people would say it was as if the voice of God was speaking to them through Mr. Westly for he preached with a spiritual power that was sensed to be greater on such days.

The passage is about alms giving, prayer and fasting. It relates to private devotion and service, prayer and intercession it is reward from God who knows our hearts. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. What he is really concerned about is our priorities, Food helps us evaluate that.

Pastor Dale