WEBVTT

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 Well, if you'd open up your Bibles to Matthew chapter 6, we're making our way through the Sermon on the Mount.

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 And last year, I pre- last year, we were at Matthew last year.

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 Were we at Matthew last year? Yeah, we were at Matthew last year.

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 Well, last week I preached a sermon on the Lord's Prayer.

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 And unfortunately, I ran out of time, so I wasn't able to get to verses 14 and 15.

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 And so I've heard back from a couple of you this week saying, we were waiting for you to get to verses 14 and 15.

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 Would you please explain it?

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 So let me explain it briefly, and then we'll get into this section Jesus talked about on fasting.

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 Well, in verses 14 and 15, what they are is Jesus elaborating on something from the prayer itself.

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 And so if you look at back in chapter 6, verse 12,

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 and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors,

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 what Jesus is doing is, having modeled that in how we pray to our God,

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 he now comes back in verses 14 and 15 and elaborates on it.

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 He says,

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 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

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 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses,

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 neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

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 And so that is a sobering word for many people when they hear that.

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 And it should be.

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 So this is an elaboration, but it's a warning.

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 And what is he warning against?

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 Jesus is warning against a kind of hypocrisy.

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 A kind of hypocrisy that would be,

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 I can pray these kinds of prayers,

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 and I can ask God to forgive me for my sins,

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 but not be willing to forgive those who've sinned against us.

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 Now if you want to read a parable in Matthew,

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 turn to Matthew chapter 18.

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 We're not going to do it this morning,

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 but there's this parable in Matthew 18.

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 It's the parable of the unforgiving servant.

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 And Jesus is making the same point.

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 He is warning his followers that they need to forgive as many times as needed.

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 And so the parable of the unforgiving servant

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 is a very helpful way of understanding what Jesus is saying here.

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 So Jesus is giving a warning here to not be hypocritical in our prayer life

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 when it comes to forgiving others when they've sinned against us.

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 It's sobering, and it's a call to be self-reflective.

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 But what we also see is at the beginning of that section in prayer in verse 5,

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 Jesus starts by saying a warning against the hypocrites.

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 And so here he closes that section on praying

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 with another warning about hypocrisy for us.

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 Well, that's a little brief explanation on that.

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 In this passage in Matthew 6, 1 through 18,

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 Jesus talks about generosity,

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 talks about prayer,

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 and now he turns to this topic of fasting.

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 Just a show of hands,

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 who's heard a sermon on fasting before?

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 Would you raise your hands?

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 Oh, that's surprising.

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 Okay.

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 All right.

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 I thought it was going to be a little less than that, actually.

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 Let me read what Jesus says.

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 And when you fast,

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 do not look gloomy like the hypocrites,

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 for they disfigure their faces

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 that their fasting may be seen by others.

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 Truly I say to you,

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 they have received their reward,

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 but when you fast,

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 anoint your head and wash your face

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 that your fasting may not be seen by others,

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 but by your Father who is in secret.

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 And your Father who sees in secret

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 will reward you.

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 Fasting is the purposeful forfeiting of food.

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 Fasting is the purposeful forfeiting of food.

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 And there are a variety of reasons why

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 people from all walks of life fast.

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 People fast because they're having a colonoscopy the next day.

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 People fast because they simply

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 don't have enough money

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 to eat three square meals.

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 It's a tragic thing.

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 People fast in order to lose weight really quick.

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 They really want to squeeze into those pair of jeans.

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 People fast so that they can compete.

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 I had a dear friend in high school

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 who was a top-notch state wrestler.

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 And the things that he would put his body through

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 to cut weight in order to compete.

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 And he would fast.

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 Why?

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 To compete.

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 Why?

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 To win.

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 And he was good.

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 People fast because they're emotionally overwhelmed.

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 Maybe you've been there.

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 You are just so overwhelmed by things of life

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 that the last thing on your to-do list is to eat.

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 Similarly, people fast because they're preoccupied with a task.

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 I do this.

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 You get dialed into something,

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 and you're hammering it out,

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 and you forget to eat.

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 And then there's religious fasting.

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 The Muslim fast of Ramadan

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 is one of the five pillars of Islam.

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 And it's a religious work to win God's approval.

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 Muslims fast to garner favor with God

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 to make themselves acceptable to God.

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 But praise be to our God of the Bible

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 that only Christ's blood in righteousness

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 can make a sinner acceptable to God.

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 And having put our faith in Him,

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 we are acceptable to God.

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 Muslims will fast out of a fear of God

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 in order to win His approval.

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 We don't.

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 We don't fear God.

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 We fast in order to feast on God.

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 Christians fast from food

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 in order to feast on God.

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 And so this morning,

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 I'm going to give you six tasty morsels of truth

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 that are designed to whet your appetite

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 to feast on God through fasting.

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 Six tasty morsels.

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 Now, if you read verse 16,

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 Jesus starts with these words,

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 and when you pray.

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 He doesn't start with saying,

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 and if you pray.

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 He starts by saying,

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 and when you pray.

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 No.

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 And when you fast.

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 Sorry about that.

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 And when you fast.

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 According to Jesus,

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 Jesus assumes His followers are going to fast.

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 fast.

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 But I'm not sure if we're all there.

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 I think many of us have never fasted.

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 And so I don't want to assume

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 that we're all fasting.

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 I don't want to assume

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 that we all know what it means to fast.

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 And so this morning,

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 six tasty morsels

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 to prime your pump,

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 to whet your appetite,

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 to feast on God

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 through fasting.

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 You ready for tasty morsel number one?

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 Fasting is a spiritual exercise

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 with the goal of godliness.

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 Fasting is a spiritual workout.

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 We all know the importance

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 and benefits of physical exercise,

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 don't we?

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 My doctor is very interested

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 in how much I exercise.

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 Because he's very much interested

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 in my overall health.

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 But we all know

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 that physical exercise,

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 working out,

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 isn't limited to physical bodies.

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 If you would just turn in your Bibles

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 to 1 Timothy,

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 just flip over a few pages,

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 Matthew,

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 Acts,

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 General Electric Power Company,

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 Galatians,

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 Ephesians,

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 Philippians,

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 Colossians,

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 Thessalonians,

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 and then you should be in

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 Timothy.

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 1 Timothy 4.

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 1 Timothy 4.7,

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 the Apostle Paul

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 strongly urges

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 this young pastor

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 named Timothy.

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 And here's what he says.

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 If you look at halfway through,

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 he says,

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 rather,

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 train yourself

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 for godliness.

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 For while bodily training

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 is of some value,

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 godliness is of value

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 in every way

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 as it holds promise

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 for the present life

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 and also

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 for the life

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 to come.

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 And so,

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 what Paul is saying is,

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 Timothy,

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 you really got to

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 spiritually work out, buddy.

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 Spiritually work out.

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 It will result

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 in spiritual health,

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 what he calls godliness.

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 And that godliness

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 bears fruit

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 both now

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 and in eternity.

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 And then if you look down

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 at verse 16,

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 not only is it healthy

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 for Timothy,

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 it's going to be healthy

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 for his congregation.

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 So,

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 Paul commands Timothy

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 to train yourself

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 for godliness.

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 And that Greek word

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 translated train

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 is where we get

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 the English word

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 gymnasium from.

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 Gymnast.

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 And when you think

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 about that,

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 you probably think of

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 some kind of gym,

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 people exercising in it,

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 training their bodies,

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 athletes working out.

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 And so,

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 literally,

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 what this would read

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 is,

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 but you,

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 Timothy,

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 you train yourself

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 for godliness.

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 Christians don't

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 drift into godliness.

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 Christians purposefully

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 pursue godliness

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 like an athlete

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 trains for an event.

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 Godliness.

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 So,

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 Paul is urging

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 Timothy to spiritually

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 work out

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 so that he experiences

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 increasing spiritual health,

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 godliness.

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 And it benefits him,

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 his flock,

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 all to the glory of God.

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 So,

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 train yourself

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 for godliness.

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 The goal

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 of a spiritual discipline

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 like fasting

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 is godliness

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 to become more like God.

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 To be like him

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 and his character.

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 To be like Jesus.

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 And so,

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 when we bring it back

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 to Matthew chapter

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 5 and 6,

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 it'd be like this.

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 Jesus says in Matthew 5,

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 48,

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 it's a command,

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 be perfect

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 as your heavenly

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 Father is perfect.

00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:44.919
 perfect.

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 What he's saying there is,

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 hey,

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 train yourself

00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:51.219
 for godliness.

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 Train yourself

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 for perfection.

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 Train yourself

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 to become mature.

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 And so,

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 as we come full circle

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 back to Matthew 6,

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 1 through 18,

00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:05.000
 what Jesus is doing here

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 is he's cautioning

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 his disciples

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 in how they practice

00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:09.699
 their righteousness.

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 He's saying

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 how to go about

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 their spiritual workouts.

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 Don't go showboating

00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:19.820
 with your spiritual exercises.

00:11:21.780 --> 00:11:23.000
 Nowhere does Jesus

00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:24.940
 forbid giving to the needy.

00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:26.980
 Nowhere does he forbid

00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:28.120
 publicly praying.

00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:31.240
 Nowhere does he forbid fasting.

00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:32.800
 What he forbids

00:11:32.800 --> 00:11:34.399
 are acts of piety

00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:37.060
 that are to be done

00:11:37.060 --> 00:11:38.580
 to be seen by others.

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 That's what he's forbidding.

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 So again and again,

00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:42.740
 Jesus says,

00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.620
 do your spiritual exercises

00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:46.520
 for an audience of one.

00:11:48.400 --> 00:11:50.160
 Your Father who is unseen

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 and who sees the unseen.

00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.900
 Our pursuit of godliness

00:11:54.900 --> 00:11:56.879
 through the spiritual disciplines

00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:58.540
 is first and foremost

00:11:58.540 --> 00:12:00.379
 for God's eyes only,

00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:01.500
 which reminds me

00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.620
 of a 1980s hit,

00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:05.000
 for God's eyes only.

00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:08.560
 Way back machine.

00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:15.240
 fasting is one spiritual exercise

00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:17.460
 to grow in godliness

00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:20.100
 for the glory of God.

00:12:20.940 --> 00:12:22.340
 And I just want to remind you again

00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:23.580
 of those first four words

00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:24.460
 in verse 16.

00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:26.220
 And when you fast.

00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:28.800
 It's not an if.

00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.400
 It's a when.

00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:32.820
 When you fast,

00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:35.420
 Jesus assumes his disciples

00:12:35.420 --> 00:12:36.800
 will train themselves

00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:37.659
 for godliness

00:12:37.659 --> 00:12:39.019
 by employing

00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:40.679
 this particular

00:12:40.679 --> 00:12:42.079
 spiritual exercise

00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:44.059
 called fasting.

00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:46.339
 And what I'm going to tell you

00:12:46.339 --> 00:12:46.819
 in a little bit

00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:47.759
 is that fasting

00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:49.819
 is forfeiting food

00:12:49.819 --> 00:12:52.279
 to feast on God.

00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:55.240
 So morsel number one,

00:12:56.439 --> 00:12:58.039
 fasting is a spiritual exercise.

00:12:58.459 --> 00:12:59.699
 Morsel number two,

00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.959
 fasting is one of many

00:13:02.959 --> 00:13:03.799
 spiritual exercises

00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:05.199
 exercises for a Christian.

00:13:05.339 --> 00:13:06.599
 There's a bunch

00:13:06.599 --> 00:13:07.899
 of different exercises

00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:08.620
 you can do.

00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:09.799
 I mean, I'm not sure

00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:10.319
 if you've ever been

00:13:10.319 --> 00:13:11.179
 to a gym before,

00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:11.699
 one of those

00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:13.419
 kind of build your muscle gyms,

00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:14.439
 but you walk in

00:13:14.439 --> 00:13:15.179
 and all of a sudden

00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:16.039
 there's all these

00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:16.959
 kind of machines

00:13:16.959 --> 00:13:18.219
 and all these different

00:13:18.219 --> 00:13:19.979
 ways you can work out

00:13:19.979 --> 00:13:21.979
 and build your physical health.

00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.500
 I've got some friends

00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:25.120
 that every week

00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.860
 they get this,

00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:27.460
 this email goes out

00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:29.379
 and they are describing

00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:30.360
 this exercise

00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:32.220
 they're going to do

00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:33.360
 and invite everybody

00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.120
 to come and do it.

00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:34.899
 But the thing is,

00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:36.840
 these exercises are crazy.

00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:42.320
 But when they do it,

00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.080
 they do it in order

00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:45.639
 to benefit

00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:47.080
 and grow in their

00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:47.659
 physical health.

00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:50.220
 The spiritual disciplines,

00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.300
 and this is Donald Whitney

00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:53.979
 from his 1991 classic

00:13:53.979 --> 00:13:55.719
 The Spiritual Disciplines,

00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:57.299
 the spiritual disciplines

00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:59.339
 are those practices

00:13:59.339 --> 00:14:01.120
 found in Scripture

00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.939
 that promote

00:14:02.939 --> 00:14:04.120
 spiritual growth

00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:04.859
 among believers

00:14:04.859 --> 00:14:05.539
 in the gospel

00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.399
 of Jesus Christ.

00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:08.319
 And he goes on

00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:09.120
 to list ten.

00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.519
 Here, let me just tell you.

00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:12.839
 Bible,

00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:14.500
 prayer,

00:14:14.859 --> 00:14:15.159
 worship,

00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:16.079
 evangelism,

00:14:16.339 --> 00:14:16.679
 serving,

00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:17.259
 stewardship,

00:14:17.579 --> 00:14:17.919
 fasting,

00:14:18.439 --> 00:14:19.439
 silence and solitude,

00:14:19.719 --> 00:14:20.139
 journaling,

00:14:20.459 --> 00:14:20.740
 learning.

00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:23.120
 Ten disciplines.

00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:24.959
 Ten different workouts

00:14:24.959 --> 00:14:25.859
 for a Christian

00:14:25.859 --> 00:14:26.979
 to grow in godliness.

00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:29.139
 It's a great book.

00:14:29.579 --> 00:14:30.799
 I've got an old version.

00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:32.059
 It looks like this.

00:14:33.219 --> 00:14:34.379
 But this past year,

00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:35.620
 I read another book

00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:37.419
 on the spiritual disciplines

00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:38.459
 that I like more.

00:14:38.859 --> 00:14:39.819
 And it's this book.

00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:40.419
 It's called

00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:41.679
 Habits of Grace

00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:43.019
 by David Mathis.

00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:45.339
 And I would just strongly

00:14:45.339 --> 00:14:46.739
 recommend this book.

00:14:46.819 --> 00:14:47.719
 It's outstanding.

00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:48.859
 And so,

00:14:49.099 --> 00:14:50.139
 it's Habits of Grace,

00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:51.419
 our habits,

00:14:51.959 --> 00:14:52.819
 His grace.

00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:53.979
 This is God at work

00:14:53.979 --> 00:14:55.139
 in us.

00:14:55.579 --> 00:14:56.139
 And he,

00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.439
 just to give you a taste of it,

00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:59.799
 he organizes his book

00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:01.539
 in three categories.

00:15:02.959 --> 00:15:04.699
 Hear God's voice,

00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:07.179
 getting Bible in you.

00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:11.099
 Having his ear,

00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.379
 prayer,

00:15:12.979 --> 00:15:13.719
 and in that section

00:15:13.719 --> 00:15:14.659
 includes fasting,

00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.559
 and then belong

00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:17.199
 to his body.

00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:18.719
 Spiritual disciplines

00:15:18.719 --> 00:15:20.739
 of one anothering,

00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:22.019
 of being together,

00:15:22.579 --> 00:15:23.919
 all about

00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:25.899
 growing in godliness.

00:15:28.299 --> 00:15:28.579
 So,

00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.719
 fasting is one of

00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:32.939
 many spiritual disciplines.

00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:34.000
 But,

00:15:34.280 --> 00:15:34.760
 I want to,

00:15:34.760 --> 00:15:36.120
 I want to steer you clear

00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:36.920
 of two mistakes

00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:38.060
 when it comes to

00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:39.000
 the spiritual disciplines.

00:15:39.640 --> 00:15:40.620
 The first mistake

00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.600
 is one of legalism.

00:15:42.280 --> 00:15:43.180
 And here's the thinking.

00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.260
 It's,

00:15:45.260 --> 00:15:46.960
 it's thinking that

00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.660
 your right standing

00:15:48.660 --> 00:15:49.820
 with God

00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:51.300
 depends upon

00:15:51.300 --> 00:15:52.300
 your practice

00:15:52.300 --> 00:15:53.520
 of the disciplines.

00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:56.560
 It's thinking that

00:15:56.560 --> 00:15:58.840
 the practice

00:15:58.840 --> 00:15:59.620
 of

00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:02.220
 something like fasting

00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:03.200
 earns us

00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:04.440
 favor with God.

00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.379
 It does not.

00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:07.940
 Our

00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:08.899
 standing

00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:09.759
 with God

00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:10.540
 is accomplished

00:16:10.540 --> 00:16:11.840
 in Jesus alone.

00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.940
 It's only on the basis

00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:15.779
 of Jesus' blood

00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:16.420
 and righteousness

00:16:16.420 --> 00:16:17.580
 imputed to us

00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.500
 by faith

00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.840
 that we're made

00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.660
 right with God.

00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.040
 So,

00:16:23.540 --> 00:16:24.680
 a spiritual discipline,

00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:25.620
 fasting,

00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.279
 for example,

00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:27.320
 is actually

00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:28.700
 an outworking

00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:30.000
 of our salvation.

00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.180
 It's not to

00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:32.399
 earn salvation.

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.539
 It results

00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:35.000
 from being

00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:35.879
 saved.

00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:36.979
 God's

00:16:36.979 --> 00:16:37.799
 good works

00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.679
 don't save us,

00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:39.679
 but we were saved

00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:40.659
 for good works.

00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.919
 Ephesians chapter 2,

00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:43.199
 1 through 10.

00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.059
 And so,

00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.379
 reading your Bible,

00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:45.919
 praying,

00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:46.379
 giving,

00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:47.299
 evangelism,

00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:48.879
 those are all

00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:49.679
 outworkings

00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.259
 of what God

00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.159
 has already established

00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.179
 in us through Christ.

00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.679
 It's all

00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:54.919
 to grow

00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:55.559
 in godliness,

00:16:56.219 --> 00:16:57.459
 not to win

00:16:57.459 --> 00:16:58.159
 God's favor.

00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:58.959
 That's legalism.

00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:00.620
 The second,

00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:03.480
 second caution,

00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.620
 the second mistake

00:17:05.620 --> 00:17:07.900
 is much more subtle.

00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.680
 And I think

00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:12.220
 that it's the mistake

00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.160
 that many of us make.

00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:17.779
 It's the self-dependent

00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.900
 spiritual disciplines.

00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.860
 It's thinking

00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:22.860
 that my growth

00:17:22.860 --> 00:17:23.759
 in godliness

00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:25.880
 depends on me.

00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:27.360
 Now,

00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:29.180
 Paul does command

00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:29.960
 Timothy,

00:17:30.760 --> 00:17:31.240
 train yourself

00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:31.780
 for godliness.

00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:32.900
 And so,

00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.500
 we do have

00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.300
 a responsibility,

00:17:35.800 --> 00:17:36.760
 but God

00:17:36.760 --> 00:17:38.200
 gives the growth.

00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.560
 Our habits,

00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.200
 His grace.

00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:42.800
 Now,

00:17:43.060 --> 00:17:43.920
 in order to help

00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.800
 you understand this,

00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.600
 I want to share

00:17:45.600 --> 00:17:46.460
 with you an illustration.

00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.520
 An illustration

00:17:47.520 --> 00:17:48.620
 of oars

00:17:48.620 --> 00:17:50.060
 and sails.

00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.840
 The difference

00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:52.500
 between a rowboat

00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.160
 and a sailboat.

00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:55.040
 I'll never forget,

00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:55.940
 20 years ago,

00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.040
 I was mentored

00:17:57.040 --> 00:17:58.420
 by a man named Thomas,

00:17:58.540 --> 00:17:59.519
 and he shared this with me,

00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:00.820
 and I've held on

00:18:00.820 --> 00:18:01.440
 to it ever since.

00:18:03.540 --> 00:18:04.200
 When somebody

00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:05.060
 becomes a Christian,

00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.360
 Christians can think

00:18:06.360 --> 00:18:07.320
 about the Christian life

00:18:07.320 --> 00:18:08.040
 as a rowboat.

00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.160
 It's like,

00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.540
 I've got to make progress

00:18:10.540 --> 00:18:12.160
 in the Christian life,

00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:13.259
 and I've got to

00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.000
 row this boat.

00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.180
 And so,

00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:16.380
 hand me the oar

00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.279
 of Bible reading,

00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:18.400
 and hand me the oar

00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.100
 of prayer

00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:20.580
 right when you're saved.

00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:22.379
 I've put my trust

00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:22.839
 in Jesus

00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:24.019
 by faith alone,

00:18:24.159 --> 00:18:25.879
 and now it's on me

00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:26.919
 to make progress.

00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:27.599
 And so,

00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:29.039
 I grab the oar

00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.859
 of Bible reading,

00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:31.019
 I grab the oar

00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.480
 of prayer,

00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:32.419
 and I start,

00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.980
 I start pumping

00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:34.720
 through the water.

00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:35.379
 Oh yeah,

00:18:35.439 --> 00:18:36.259
 I'm making progress.

00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.939
 And then someone else

00:18:37.939 --> 00:18:38.139
 says,

00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:38.419
 you know,

00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.619
 you should really start

00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:41.460
 giving some of your money

00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.139
 back to the Lord.

00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:42.599
 Okay,

00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:42.960
 alright,

00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:44.599
 I can work this.

00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.859
 Three oars now,

00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.699
 I'm working it.

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.319
 I should start fasting.

00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:49.919
 Okay,

00:18:50.439 --> 00:18:53.099
 I'm working four oars now.

00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.500
 And then Donald Whitney

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.079
 comes in and says,

00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:55.519
 actually,

00:18:55.659 --> 00:18:56.859
 you've got ten oars,

00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:57.799
 and so,

00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:59.480
 I am going to somehow

00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.220
 manage ten,

00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.899
 what's going to happen?

00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:02.899
 I'm done.

00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:05.500
 I'm lying in the bottom

00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.240
 of my rowboat

00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.539
 thinking,

00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:07.319
 what just happened?

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.200
 The Christian life

00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:11.899
 is not a rowboat.

00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.619
 Christian life's a sailboat.

00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:16.299
 And so,

00:19:16.379 --> 00:19:17.279
 what we're called to

00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:18.759
 is hoist sails

00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.419
 in order to capture

00:19:20.419 --> 00:19:21.699
 the movement

00:19:21.699 --> 00:19:23.000
 of God's Holy Spirit.

00:19:23.979 --> 00:19:24.359
 And so,

00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.519
 when I read my Bible

00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:25.979
 in the morning,

00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:27.399
 I'm raising the sail

00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:30.699
 so God will act upon me

00:19:30.699 --> 00:19:32.500
 and move me.

00:19:34.179 --> 00:19:36.639
 And I raise the sail of prayer.

00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:38.479
 I raise the sail of fasting.

00:19:38.719 --> 00:19:40.919
 I raise the sail of evangelism.

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:42.519
 I raise the sail of stewardship.

00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:45.220
 These are all sails

00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.019
 and they're made out

00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.940
 of the same fabric.

00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.039
 Bible.

00:19:48.879 --> 00:19:50.519
 And the Holy Spirit of God

00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:52.660
 fills my sails.

00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.200
 Fills your sails.

00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.059
 You know that scene

00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:58.079
 from Master and Commander

00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:59.059
 when Captain Jack's

00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.759
 on the front of his boat

00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.799
 and it's blowing

00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:03.039
 and all the sails are up

00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:04.460
 and he's just smiling.

00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:08.279
 When you are,

00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.940
 when God's filling your sails

00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:12.059
 through the disciplines,

00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:14.200
 there is great joy.

00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:15.879
 But when you're trying

00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:16.500
 to row your boat,

00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:17.980
 there is just drudgery.

00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.220
 And so,

00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:21.680
 you know how you can

00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.519
 avoid these mistakes?

00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.500
 You raise your sail

00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.059
 every morning.

00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:30.160
 Fasting is just one sail.

00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:33.480
 The difference between the two

00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:35.960
 is who is powering the boat.

00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.740
 Who's powering the rowboat?

00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.660
 Who's powering the sailboat?

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.540
 Sign me up for the sailboat.

00:20:45.340 --> 00:20:45.779
 So,

00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:47.380
 this second point

00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:48.519
 I've tried to make here

00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.700
 is fasting

00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:52.460
 is one of many

00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.460
 spiritual disciplines

00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:55.440
 and they're not oars.

00:20:56.040 --> 00:20:57.200
 They are sails.

00:20:57.200 --> 00:21:00.680
 The third morsel.

00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:03.380
 Fasting is an act

00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.059
 of humility.

00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:07.220
 Fasting is an act

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.319
 of humility.

00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.700
 James 4, 6.

00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:11.460
 God opposes the proud

00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:13.180
 but gives grace

00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:14.000
 to the humble.

00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.600
 When I hoist my sail

00:21:15.600 --> 00:21:16.100
 in the morning,

00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.539
 it's an act of humility.

00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.860
 I want to be empowered

00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:21.380
 by God.

00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:26.840
 Fasting is a self-imposed

00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:29.420
 forfeiting of a basic need.

00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:30.680
 And classically,

00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.960
 that basic need

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.820
 is the need

00:21:32.820 --> 00:21:34.520
 to eat.

00:21:34.760 --> 00:21:35.720
 Eat food.

00:21:36.280 --> 00:21:36.900
 So, fasting

00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:38.300
 means going without

00:21:38.300 --> 00:21:39.080
 something good

00:21:39.080 --> 00:21:40.140
 in order to gain

00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:40.860
 something great.

00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:44.220
 We're going to forfeit

00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:45.680
 food in order

00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:47.720
 to feast on God.

00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.460
 And so,

00:21:48.540 --> 00:21:50.040
 all throughout the Bible,

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.399
 we see people fasting

00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:52.480
 for different reasons

00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.680
 but the fasting

00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:55.720
 is always moving

00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.420
 towards God.

00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.339
 It is always

00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:59.619
 this act of humility

00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.759
 towards God.

00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.799
 Humbly seeking God.

00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.099
 And so,

00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:05.319
 we see corporate fasts

00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.259
 throughout the Bible.

00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.019
 So,

00:22:07.159 --> 00:22:08.659
 the nation of Israel

00:22:08.659 --> 00:22:09.379
 were commanded

00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:10.039
 by God

00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:10.779
 to fast

00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.019
 once a year.

00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.299
 This is the command

00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.599
 on their calendar

00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.559
 that wouldn't change.

00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.319
 And that fast

00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.180
 was linked

00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.379
 to the Day of Atonement.

00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:20.460
 Yom Kippur.

00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.120
 A day in which

00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:25.240
 a goat lost its life

00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.320
 and its blood

00:22:26.320 --> 00:22:27.240
 covered the people.

00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:28.020
 And so,

00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.040
 the people of Israel

00:22:29.040 --> 00:22:30.260
 would fast

00:22:30.260 --> 00:22:31.240
 and mourn

00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.160
 their sin

00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.680
 towards God

00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:35.340
 on the Day of Atonement.

00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.300
 It was a command.

00:22:36.560 --> 00:22:37.480
 The whole nation did it.

00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:38.980
 Big corporate fast.

00:22:39.280 --> 00:22:39.920
 And then,

00:22:40.520 --> 00:22:41.460
 if you read Jonah,

00:22:41.800 --> 00:22:42.980
 there's this other kind

00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.380
 of fast.

00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.580
 This city

00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:45.600
 of Nineveh.

00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.079
 Now,

00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.659
 Jonah was a really

00:22:47.659 --> 00:22:48.480
 cranky prophet.

00:22:49.439 --> 00:22:49.619
 Just,

00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.480
 he was cranky.

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.359
 And so,

00:22:52.419 --> 00:22:53.059
 he shows up

00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:54.299
 in the city of Nineveh

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.500
 and he spoke

00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.619
 out of his crankiness.

00:22:56.959 --> 00:22:57.719
 He essentially

00:22:57.719 --> 00:22:58.839
 told this whole city,

00:22:59.480 --> 00:22:59.980
 walks in,

00:23:00.719 --> 00:23:01.480
 turn or burn!

00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.559
 And he walks away.

00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:05.839
 And you know

00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.379
 what God did?

00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.039
 God moved

00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.439
 in those Ninevites.

00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.759
 And they turned.

00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:12.959
 And you know

00:23:12.959 --> 00:23:13.319
 what they did?

00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.240
 The king of Nineveh

00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:16.299
 called a fast

00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.839
 for all people

00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:19.279
 and animals.

00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.519
 No eating.

00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.740
 No drinking.

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.559
 We are repenting

00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:25.339
 before the God

00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.159
 of Jonah

00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:27.399
 that He would have

00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.879
 mercy on us.

00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.039
 Remember Esther?

00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:34.200
 Haman is the bad guy

00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.700
 and he wants

00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.779
 to destroy the Jews.

00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:38.319
 Esther tells Mordecai,

00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.759
 will you call a fast

00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:42.079
 for three days?

00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.199
 Get all the people

00:23:43.199 --> 00:23:44.159
 in Susa praying

00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:45.299
 so that when I go

00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.159
 before the king,

00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.199
 He will give me,

00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.339
 God will give me favor

00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.460
 and I will be able

00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:51.000
 to be used by Him

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.740
 to help deliver

00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.720
 God's people

00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:54.119
 living in Susa.

00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:59.799
 We see corporate fasts.

00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:00.740
 And it doesn't stop

00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.319
 with the Old Testament.

00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.419
 It goes in the New Testament.

00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.500
 In Acts 13,

00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.699
 we see churches fasting.

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:08.539
 The church in Antioch,

00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.859
 after fasting and praying,

00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:12.219
 sends out Paul and Silas

00:24:12.219 --> 00:24:13.779
 on their first missionary journey.

00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:16.199
 They're fasting and praying

00:24:16.199 --> 00:24:18.319
 towards gospel advance.

00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:22.599
 Acts 14, 23,

00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:24.439
 there's more prayer and fasting

00:24:24.439 --> 00:24:25.839
 connected to the appointing

00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:27.459
 of elders in a church.

00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:32.759
 So we see all this corporate fasting

00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:34.779
 taking place all throughout Scripture.

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.640
 We see nations,

00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.600
 we see cities,

00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:39.120
 we see churches fasting together

00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:40.519
 towards God.

00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.900
 It's a seeking of God.

00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:44.880
 And then we see individual fasts as well.

00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.740
 David fasting,

00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:49.480
 seeking God on behalf of his son

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.960
 that was born of Bathsheba,

00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:53.360
 that was born of infidelity.

00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:53.960
 Do you remember that?

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:58.079
 Daniel, in Daniel chapter 9,

00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:00.460
 upon reading Jeremiah,

00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:02.460
 he reads that there's going to be

00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:04.620
 a 70-year desolation

00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:06.160
 upon the city of Jerusalem.

00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.740
 And he looks at his calendar

00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.180
 and he's like,

00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:09.900
 oh man, that's getting close.

00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.240
 And so what does he do?

00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:15.140
 He fasts and pray.

00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:18.720
 Confessing the sins of the people,

00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:20.519
 petitioning God,

00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.539
 oh Lord,

00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.759
 make your face

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:24.319
 to shine upon your sanctuary

00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.720
 which is now desolate.

00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:28.879
 Send forth a remnant God

00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:32.139
 to get reestablished in Jerusalem.

00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.220
 And of course,

00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:35.160
 then there's Nehemiah.

00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.720
 When he hears the report

00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:39.460
 that Jerusalem is in shambles

00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.519
 and the walls are broken,

00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.839
 he responds personally

00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:45.900
 by fasting and praying for days.

00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:48.119
 Pleading with God.

00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.680
 Confessing the sins of the people.

00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:51.740
 asking God to give him success

00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:53.180
 on behalf of God's people

00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.100
 because remember,

00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:55.620
 he was a cupbearer of the king.

00:26:00.340 --> 00:26:01.279
 And of course,

00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:02.580
 when we turn to the New Testament,

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.620
 you don't have to go beyond

00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:05.600
 Matthew chapter 4.

00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.500
 Jesus has himself fasted

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:10.480
 for 40 days and 40 nights

00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:12.380
 in order to be prepared

00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:13.980
 for being tempted by the devil.

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:17.039
 In Matthew 9,

00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.900
 some disciples come up to Jesus

00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.220
 and say,

00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:20.819
 Jesus,

00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:22.380
 why aren't your disciples fasting?

00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.740
 And Jesus is like,

00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.360
 I'm the bridegroom.

00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.400
 I'm here.

00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:29.039
 They won't fast while I'm here.

00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.180
 But when I leave,

00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.940
 you better believe,

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.660
 they'll fast then.

00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.700
 What's the point

00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.799
 of humbling yourself

00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:38.799
 through the forfeiting of food?

00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:38.839
 food?

00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:40.519
 It's so that you can have

00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:42.399
 a focused time of seeking God.

00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:46.200
 You're essentially saying,

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:46.919
 Father,

00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:48.940
 I want to seek you

00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:52.440
 more than I want to eat.

00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:54.299
 We forfeit food

00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:58.500
 in order to seek God's face

00:26:58.500 --> 00:27:02.400
 and feast on Him.

00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:06.420
 So fasting

00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:08.819
 is a humble act

00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:11.779
 that was morsel number three.

00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.799
 Morsel number four

00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:16.380
 is fasting

00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:20.019
 is a feast.

00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:23.579
 Fasting is a feast.

00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.960
 We forfeit food

00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:28.539
 in order to feast on God.

00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.940
 When we think about fasting,

00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.519
 I don't know

00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:32.120
 if you're like me,

00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:34.240
 but when I think about fasting,

00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:34.880
 I'm kind of like,

00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.200
 all right,

00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.640
 what am I going to have to give up

00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.980
 and what's going to be the effect?

00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.480
 I really like scrambled eggs.

00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:45.960
 I really like juicy cheeseburgers.

00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.440
 Mmm,

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:52.299
 I don't want to give those up.

00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:55.120
 And then,

00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:55.759
 man,

00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.920
 if I go without coffee,

00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:58.039
 I'll have a headache

00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:59.740
 and I might be a little cranky,

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:02.059
 there's the hunger pain things,

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.840
 and then there's the food lust.

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:05.900
 You know,

00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:07.220
 if I'm fasting secretly,

00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.620
 I'm watching somebody else eat,

00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:08.920
 I'm like,

00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.279
 ooh,

00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:13.799
 juicy cheeseburger.

00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:18.779
 so we're always aware

00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.879
 of what we have to give up

00:28:19.879 --> 00:28:21.359
 and the physical effects,

00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.059
 so yes,

00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:23.500
 fasting means

00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:25.139
 forfeiting food,

00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:27.079
 which is not easy,

00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:28.740
 nor is it fun.

00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:32.000
 But what makes it all worth it

00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:35.180
 is the spiritual feast

00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:36.759
 it allows.

00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.759
 Christians forfeit food

00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:40.640
 forfeits food

00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:43.279
 in order to feast

00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.700
 on God.

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:47.140
 So let me try to get specific.

00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:50.060
 let's say you say,

00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:50.940
 this coming Thursday,

00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:51.780
 this is,

00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:53.580
 you're not going Facebook

00:28:53.580 --> 00:28:54.160
 with this.

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:56.960
 This is for your father's eyes

00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:57.500
 only.

00:28:58.640 --> 00:28:59.220
 This Thursday,

00:28:59.300 --> 00:28:59.520
 you're like,

00:28:59.600 --> 00:28:59.759
 okay,

00:28:59.820 --> 00:29:00.440
 I'm going to fast.

00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:04.200
 But you need a feast.

00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.500
 We know what you're going to go without.

00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.740
 What are you going to feast on?

00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.759
 Feast on God's word.

00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:12.759
 So you're like thinking,

00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:13.100
 okay,

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.640
 Thursdays I usually have

00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:15.600
 ham and cheese sandwiches

00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:16.580
 and instead of

00:29:16.580 --> 00:29:17.660
 a ham and cheese lunch,

00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.580
 I'm going to feast

00:29:18.580 --> 00:29:19.640
 on Ecclesiastes.

00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:22.820
 I'm going to feast on Proverbs.

00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:24.860
 I'm going to feast on Hosea

00:29:24.860 --> 00:29:25.640
 or Romans

00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:26.700
 or 1 Corinthians

00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.480
 or Jude,

00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.559
 which is a great book.

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:31.079
 That's what I'm going to feast on.

00:29:33.159 --> 00:29:34.559
 Man cannot live by bread alone

00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.259
 but by every word

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.440
 that proceeds from the mouth of God.

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.919
 I'm going to feast on that

00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:38.859
 this Thursday.

00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:41.679
 I'll let my hunger pains

00:29:41.679 --> 00:29:43.599
 drive me to finding

00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:44.599
 my satisfaction

00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.659
 in God's word.

00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.940
 Or maybe it's not feasting

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.960
 on Ecclesiastes.

00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:50.460
 You're like,

00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.259
 you know what,

00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.379
 I am just,

00:29:53.179 --> 00:29:54.299
 this whole fellowship thing

00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:54.940
 is new to me.

00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:56.419
 I don't know

00:29:56.419 --> 00:29:57.379
 what the Bible says

00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:58.419
 about one anothering

00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.600
 and so you just

00:29:59.600 --> 00:30:01.000
 pile up

00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.840
 all the New Testament

00:30:01.840 --> 00:30:03.100
 says about one anothering

00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:04.420
 and on that Thursday

00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:04.820
 you're like,

00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:06.039
 I'm feasting on

00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:06.960
 what the New Testament

00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:08.220
 says about one anothering

00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.120
 and I'm going to let God

00:30:09.120 --> 00:30:11.400
 do a satisfying,

00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.460
 filling work

00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.480
 in my soul

00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.200
 over that.

00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:17.100
 Or maybe it's joy

00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:19.660
 in the book of Philippians.

00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:21.680
 Or maybe it's the Holy Spirit

00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:23.779
 in the Gospel of John.

00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:26.019
 You just camp out

00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.960
 and you feast

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:28.400
 on God's word.

00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:30.599
 So there's one way

00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.359
 you can feast

00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:32.379
 on God

00:30:32.379 --> 00:30:34.160
 and then there's another way

00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:34.759
 you can feast

00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.420
 on God.

00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:37.480
 You feast on God's presence

00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.940
 by communing with Him

00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.740
 through prayer.

00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:41.099
 You could do the Lord's prayer.

00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:41.799
 We talked about that

00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.400
 last week.

00:30:43.339 --> 00:30:44.259
 Oh, Father,

00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:48.859
 I know that I can't

00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:50.160
 claim You as Father.

00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:52.560
 I can only claim You

00:30:52.560 --> 00:30:52.840
 as Father

00:30:52.840 --> 00:30:54.000
 because You've claimed me

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:54.920
 as Your Son

00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:56.019
 by the Son.

00:30:57.340 --> 00:30:58.200
 Hallowed be Your name.

00:30:59.100 --> 00:31:00.240
 And so your feast

00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:01.840
 for Thursday,

00:31:02.080 --> 00:31:02.660
 lunch,

00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:05.560
 is taking your time

00:31:05.560 --> 00:31:06.560
 and praying through

00:31:06.560 --> 00:31:07.660
 the Lord's prayer.

00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.779
 Communing with your God.

00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:14.320
 Or maybe it's not that.

00:31:14.560 --> 00:31:17.300
 Maybe it's you're acutely aware

00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:19.059
 of a spiritual need.

00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:20.680
 You lack wisdom

00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.759
 in a particular area.

00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.319
 You're like,

00:31:22.379 --> 00:31:23.319
 I don't know if we should move.

00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:24.180
 I don't know if we should

00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:24.799
 sell our house.

00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:26.220
 I don't know if we should

00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:27.180
 go from two incomes

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:28.139
 to one income.

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.799
 But you know what?

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.639
 Here's what I do know.

00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.839
 I'll set aside that Thursday

00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:33.099
 in order to just

00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:34.539
 go before my God

00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.639
 and commune with Him

00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:36.139
 over.

00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.180
 That's how important

00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:37.879
 it is to me.

00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:42.119
 Maybe you're

00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:42.659
 gonna,

00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.319
 you,

00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:43.619
 you,

00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:43.899
 you,

00:31:43.899 --> 00:31:45.339
 there's this one sin

00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:46.579
 that's got this headlock

00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:47.159
 over you

00:31:47.159 --> 00:31:48.259
 and you just can't

00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.079
 pull out of it.

00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:53.599
 Set that Thursday aside

00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:54.159
 to,

00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.240
 to fight,

00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:57.559
 to confess,

00:31:58.159 --> 00:31:59.220
 to plead,

00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:01.079
 to ask God

00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:02.039
 to deliver you,

00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.259
 to weaken

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:05.379
 and strengthen.

00:32:06.679 --> 00:32:07.879
 Feast on that.

00:32:10.419 --> 00:32:11.379
 Or maybe

00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:12.740
 you're just aware

00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.460
 of marriages

00:32:13.460 --> 00:32:14.079
 in crisis

00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:15.119
 or children

00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:16.279
 who are

00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:17.679
 wandering

00:32:17.679 --> 00:32:18.480
 spiritually

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:18.980
 or

00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.240
 you've just been

00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:21.799
 so aware

00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:23.079
 of this country

00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:24.240
 called North Korea

00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:25.500
 and you just

00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.319
 want to spend

00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.480
 one lunch

00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:30.000
 just asking God

00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:31.199
 to open up

00:32:31.199 --> 00:32:32.480
 this country

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.659
 to the gospel

00:32:33.659 --> 00:32:34.659
 of Jesus Christ

00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:36.000
 and He radically

00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.980
 changed the whole

00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.619
 regime.

00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:41.199
 You've got a lot

00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:41.640
 of options.

00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.640
 This is no

00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:46.580
 little feast.

00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.500
 You've got a lot

00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.200
 of options

00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:51.360
 to feast on God.

00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:56.019
 Fasting is a

00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:57.000
 feasting

00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:59.519
 on God.

00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.160
 I hope that's

00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:01.980
 whetting your appetite.

00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:06.360
 Morsel number five.

00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.840
 Fasting can get

00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:09.459
 hijacked

00:33:09.459 --> 00:33:10.459
 by hypocrisy.

00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.819
 Remember Jesus'

00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:13.359
 warning?

00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:14.559
 Look at chapter six.

00:33:14.639 --> 00:33:15.500
 Beware of practicing

00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.099
 your righteousness

00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:17.079
 before other people

00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:17.619
 in order to be

00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:18.179
 seen by them.

00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:19.419
 He doesn't call it

00:33:19.419 --> 00:33:20.139
 hypocrisy there

00:33:20.139 --> 00:33:20.939
 but that is what

00:33:20.939 --> 00:33:21.419
 it is.

00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:23.139
 And then we see

00:33:23.139 --> 00:33:24.240
 in verse three.

00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.339
 Excuse me,

00:33:26.399 --> 00:33:26.619
 two.

00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:27.799
 Thus when you give

00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:28.299
 to the needy

00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.980
 sound no trumpet

00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.500
 before you

00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.699
 as the hypocrites.

00:33:31.179 --> 00:33:31.639
 Verse five.

00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.399
 And when you pray

00:33:32.399 --> 00:33:33.119
 you must not be

00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:34.119
 like the hypocrites.

00:33:34.639 --> 00:33:35.259
 Verse 16.

00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.819
 And when you fast

00:33:36.819 --> 00:33:37.720
 do not look gloomy

00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:39.539
 like the hypocrites.

00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:42.279
 What's so hypocritical

00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:43.480
 about going public

00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.460
 with your fasting?

00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:45.839
 What's so wrong

00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.700
 about that?

00:33:48.620 --> 00:33:49.700
 Well, it's when

00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:50.920
 you turn a humble

00:33:50.920 --> 00:33:52.440
 seeking of God

00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:56.240
 into a prideful

00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.819
 desire to be seen

00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.519
 by men.

00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:00.480
 That's the hypocrisy.

00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:02.440
 And Jesus says

00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:03.400
 keep it secret.

00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:05.660
 Just do it for

00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:07.180
 your father's eyes

00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.280
 only.

00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:11.079
 It's all about

00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.639
 your motive.

00:34:12.200 --> 00:34:12.619
 That's what it

00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.300
 boils down to.

00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:15.139
 Who you are

00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:16.900
 fasting for.

00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:18.579
 Who you are

00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.220
 seeking

00:34:19.220 --> 00:34:20.740
 by fasting.

00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.940
 That's what Jesus

00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:24.019
 is getting at.

00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.720
 So faster

00:34:26.720 --> 00:34:27.599
 beware.

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.519
 Fasting

00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:30.340
 can get

00:34:30.340 --> 00:34:31.019
 hijacked

00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.800
 by hypocrisy.

00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:32.420
 That was a little

00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:32.960
 bit of a bitter

00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:33.580
 morsel,

00:34:33.700 --> 00:34:34.060
 wasn't it?

00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.519
 A little bit

00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:36.820
 of a sour

00:34:36.820 --> 00:34:37.380
 morsel,

00:34:37.620 --> 00:34:38.400
 but an important

00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:38.740
 one.

00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.220
 Morsel number

00:34:41.220 --> 00:34:41.700
 six.

00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:47.300
 Fasting

00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:47.860
 doesn't need

00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.600
 to be intimidating.

00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.240
 Fasting

00:34:54.240 --> 00:34:55.000
 doesn't need

00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:55.760
 to be intimidating

00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:56.500
 when you realize

00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:58.780
 it's a gracious

00:34:58.780 --> 00:35:00.120
 feast that awaits.

00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:04.480
 remember

00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.359
 Jesus assumed

00:35:05.359 --> 00:35:06.000
 his disciples

00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.719
 would fast.

00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:07.359
 It's not

00:35:07.359 --> 00:35:09.099
 if you fast

00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:09.839
 but when you

00:35:09.839 --> 00:35:10.239
 fast.

00:35:11.219 --> 00:35:11.719
 And remember

00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:13.219
 we forfeit

00:35:13.219 --> 00:35:14.039
 food in order

00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:15.079
 to feast

00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.880
 on God.

00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:16.539
 Communion

00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.079
 with God

00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:17.759
 is the goal.

00:35:18.759 --> 00:35:19.359
 We're pursuing

00:35:19.359 --> 00:35:19.920
 godliness

00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.480
 through this

00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:21.420
 spiritual exercise

00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.259
 but ultimately

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:22.900
 it is to

00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:23.259
 experience

00:35:23.259 --> 00:35:23.799
 his presence

00:35:23.799 --> 00:35:24.599
 for his glory.

00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:27.480
 So let me

00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:28.219
 just encourage

00:35:28.219 --> 00:35:28.639
 you very

00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:29.219
 specifically.

00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:30.119
 if you're

00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:30.579
 new to the

00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:30.959
 whole idea

00:35:30.959 --> 00:35:31.500
 of fasting

00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:33.980
 start with

00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:34.359
 lunch.

00:35:35.359 --> 00:35:36.119
 Just start

00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:36.959
 with one meal

00:35:36.959 --> 00:35:39.359
 and just

00:35:39.359 --> 00:35:39.759
 start with

00:35:39.759 --> 00:35:40.199
 forfeiting

00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:40.699
 the food.

00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:41.939
 Enjoy the

00:35:41.939 --> 00:35:42.299
 coffee.

00:35:42.659 --> 00:35:43.039
 Enjoy the

00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:43.719
 orange juice

00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:44.879
 but just

00:35:44.879 --> 00:35:46.059
 start simple.

00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.159
 And when

00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:48.799
 you start

00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:49.379
 make sure

00:35:49.379 --> 00:35:50.039
 you plan

00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:52.279
 your spiritual

00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:52.899
 feast.

00:35:53.819 --> 00:35:54.259
 Make sure

00:35:54.259 --> 00:35:54.619
 you know

00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:54.919
 what you're

00:35:54.919 --> 00:35:55.459
 going to do

00:35:55.459 --> 00:35:55.839
 when you

00:35:55.839 --> 00:35:56.339
 fast.

00:35:56.340 --> 00:35:56.460
 fast.

00:35:57.640 --> 00:35:57.920
 You've

00:35:57.920 --> 00:35:58.180
 got a

00:35:58.180 --> 00:35:58.440
 feast

00:35:58.440 --> 00:35:58.660
 you're

00:35:58.660 --> 00:35:59.140
 going to

00:35:59.140 --> 00:35:59.640
 dial up

00:35:59.640 --> 00:36:00.140
 a feast

00:36:00.140 --> 00:36:00.640
 whether

00:36:00.640 --> 00:36:00.940
 that's

00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:01.780
 Ecclesiastes

00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:02.559
 or praying

00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:03.000
 for North

00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.380
 Korea.

00:36:05.240 --> 00:36:05.840
 And when

00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:06.240
 you are

00:36:06.240 --> 00:36:06.780
 fasting

00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:08.720
 let the

00:36:08.720 --> 00:36:09.660
 hunger pains

00:36:09.660 --> 00:36:11.280
 lead you

00:36:11.280 --> 00:36:11.680
 to your

00:36:11.680 --> 00:36:12.019
 God.

00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:13.820
 Let them

00:36:13.820 --> 00:36:15.240
 focus

00:36:15.240 --> 00:36:16.240
 your

00:36:16.240 --> 00:36:17.320
 feasting

00:36:17.320 --> 00:36:17.940
 on

00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:18.620
 God.

00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:19.960
 Let them

00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:21.079
 help you

00:36:21.079 --> 00:36:22.300
 to think

00:36:22.300 --> 00:36:23.039
 about God's

00:36:23.039 --> 00:36:23.900
 word or

00:36:23.900 --> 00:36:24.519
 to pray

00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:25.079
 about a

00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:25.460
 specific

00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:25.739
 thing.

00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:25.960
 You're

00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:26.279
 saying

00:36:26.279 --> 00:36:27.400
 I'm

00:36:27.400 --> 00:36:27.719
 doing

00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:28.219
 this

00:36:28.219 --> 00:36:28.960
 because

00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.319
 I

00:36:29.319 --> 00:36:30.000
 want

00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:30.500
 to

00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:30.759
 bring

00:36:30.759 --> 00:36:31.259
 glory

00:36:31.259 --> 00:36:31.920
 to

00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.340
 God.

00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:35.059
 Keep

00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.299
 it on

00:36:35.299 --> 00:36:35.420
 the

00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:35.679
 down

00:36:35.679 --> 00:36:35.940
 low.

00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:37.239
 Remember

00:36:37.239 --> 00:36:37.539
 this is

00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.119
 for God's

00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:38.460
 eyes

00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:38.900
 only.

00:36:39.860 --> 00:36:40.139
 And if

00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:40.380
 someone

00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.019
 finds out

00:36:41.019 --> 00:36:41.619
 don't

00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:42.179
 panic

00:36:42.179 --> 00:36:42.759
 like your

00:36:42.759 --> 00:36:43.219
 private

00:36:43.219 --> 00:36:44.000
 fast has

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:44.460
 now gone

00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:44.900
 public

00:36:44.900 --> 00:36:45.139
 on

00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:45.679
 WikiLeaks.

00:36:45.799 --> 00:36:46.139
 Don't

00:36:46.139 --> 00:36:46.559
 worry

00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.319
 about

00:36:47.319 --> 00:36:47.799
 that.

00:36:48.659 --> 00:36:48.940
 Just

00:36:48.940 --> 00:36:49.119
 be

00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:49.420
 matter

00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:49.619
 of

00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:49.880
 fact

00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:50.219
 about

00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:50.420
 it

00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:51.400
 and

00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:51.659
 change

00:36:51.659 --> 00:36:51.840
 the

00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:52.239
 subject

00:36:52.239 --> 00:36:53.340
 and

00:36:53.340 --> 00:36:53.539
 move

00:36:53.539 --> 00:36:53.840
 on.

00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:56.579
 Now

00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:57.400
 you

00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:57.619
 maybe

00:36:57.619 --> 00:36:58.440
 notice

00:36:58.440 --> 00:36:58.719
 this

00:36:58.719 --> 00:36:59.139
 call

00:36:59.139 --> 00:36:59.619
 for

00:36:59.619 --> 00:36:59.799
 our

00:36:59.799 --> 00:37:00.019
 church

00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:00.219
 to

00:37:00.219 --> 00:37:00.559
 fast

00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:00.759
 and

00:37:00.759 --> 00:37:00.960
 pray

00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:01.139
 on

00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:01.420
 November

00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:02.299
 6th.

00:37:03.099 --> 00:37:03.659
 Remember

00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:03.980
 there's

00:37:03.980 --> 00:37:04.400
 precedent

00:37:04.400 --> 00:37:04.679
 in our

00:37:04.679 --> 00:37:05.019
 Bibles

00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:05.360
 to

00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:05.960
 pray

00:37:05.960 --> 00:37:06.500
 corporately

00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.980
 but

00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:08.179
 more

00:37:08.179 --> 00:37:08.739
 importantly

00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:09.559
 it's

00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:10.219
 why

00:37:10.219 --> 00:37:10.440
 we're

00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:10.559
 going

00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:10.679
 to

00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:10.960
 pray.

00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:12.500
 We're

00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:12.639
 not

00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:12.759
 going

00:37:12.759 --> 00:37:12.819
 to

00:37:12.819 --> 00:37:12.960
 do

00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.279
 this

00:37:13.279 --> 00:37:13.440
 in

00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:13.579
 order

00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:13.759
 to

00:37:13.759 --> 00:37:13.880
 be

00:37:13.880 --> 00:37:14.179
 seen

00:37:14.179 --> 00:37:14.420
 by

00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:14.759
 men.

00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:16.380
 We're

00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:16.480
 going

00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:16.599
 to

00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:16.880
 fast

00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:17.059
 and

00:37:17.059 --> 00:37:17.219
 pray

00:37:17.219 --> 00:37:17.599
 together

00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:17.779
 on

00:37:17.779 --> 00:37:18.039
 November

00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:19.179
 6th

00:37:19.179 --> 00:37:19.579
 in

00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:19.739
 order

00:37:19.739 --> 00:37:20.000
 to

00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:20.279
 seek

00:37:20.279 --> 00:37:20.759
 God

00:37:20.759 --> 00:37:21.159
 together

00:37:21.159 --> 00:37:21.440
 for

00:37:21.440 --> 00:37:21.960
 wisdom

00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:23.440
 and

00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:23.659
 the

00:37:23.659 --> 00:37:24.059
 welfare

00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:24.519
 of

00:37:24.519 --> 00:37:24.659
 our

00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:25.019
 nation.

00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:26.299
 This

00:37:26.299 --> 00:37:26.579
 falls

00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:26.839
 along

00:37:26.839 --> 00:37:27.000
 the

00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:27.259
 lines

00:37:27.259 --> 00:37:27.399
 of

00:37:27.399 --> 00:37:27.879
 Esther

00:37:27.879 --> 00:37:28.159
 and

00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:28.759
 Nehemiah

00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:29.019
 and

00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:29.719
 Daniel.

00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:31.759
 So

00:37:31.759 --> 00:37:32.119
 six

00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:32.559
 morsels

00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:32.960
 this

00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:33.319
 morning.

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:33.639
 I

00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:34.019
 hope

00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:34.539
 they

00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:34.779
 whet

00:37:34.779 --> 00:37:34.960
 your

00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:35.460
 appetite

00:37:35.460 --> 00:37:35.819
 to

00:37:35.819 --> 00:37:36.059
 feast

00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:36.319
 on

00:37:36.319 --> 00:37:36.619
 God

00:37:36.619 --> 00:37:36.839
 through

00:37:36.839 --> 00:37:37.359
 fasting.

00:37:39.199 --> 00:37:39.719
 But

00:37:39.719 --> 00:37:39.859
 in

00:37:39.859 --> 00:37:40.139
 closing

00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:40.359
 I

00:37:40.359 --> 00:37:40.519
 want

00:37:40.519 --> 00:37:40.599
 to

00:37:40.599 --> 00:37:40.899
 remind

00:37:40.899 --> 00:37:41.139
 you

00:37:41.139 --> 00:37:41.480
 of

00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:43.619
 this

00:37:43.619 --> 00:37:43.899
 that

00:37:43.899 --> 00:37:44.639
 Jesus

00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:45.279
 fasted

00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:45.460
 for

00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:45.719
 you.

00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:47.480
 Jesus

00:37:47.480 --> 00:37:48.059
 fasted

00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:48.199
 that

00:37:48.199 --> 00:37:48.420
 we

00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:48.579
 could

00:37:48.579 --> 00:37:48.920
 feast

00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:49.159
 on

00:37:49.159 --> 00:37:49.440
 God

00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:49.639
 and

00:37:49.639 --> 00:37:50.339
 I'm

00:37:50.339 --> 00:37:50.500
 not

00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:50.819
 talking

00:37:50.819 --> 00:37:51.039
 about

00:37:51.039 --> 00:37:51.219
 the

00:37:51.219 --> 00:37:51.420
 40

00:37:51.420 --> 00:37:51.699
 days

00:37:51.699 --> 00:37:51.819
 and

00:37:51.819 --> 00:37:52.039
 40

00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:52.379
 nights

00:37:52.379 --> 00:37:52.619
 he

00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:52.899
 spent

00:37:52.899 --> 00:37:53.039
 in

00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:53.139
 the

00:37:53.139 --> 00:37:53.539
 wilderness

00:37:53.539 --> 00:37:53.879
 getting

00:37:53.880 --> 00:37:54.160
 ready.

00:37:55.099 --> 00:37:55.280
 I'm

00:37:55.280 --> 00:37:55.400
 not

00:37:55.400 --> 00:37:55.700
 talking

00:37:55.700 --> 00:37:55.960
 about

00:37:55.960 --> 00:37:56.240
 that.

00:37:56.920 --> 00:37:57.119
 He

00:37:57.119 --> 00:37:57.300
 was

00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:57.740
 faithful.

00:37:58.240 --> 00:37:58.340
 That

00:37:58.340 --> 00:37:58.579
 was

00:37:58.579 --> 00:37:59.380
 essential

00:37:59.380 --> 00:37:59.640
 to

00:37:59.640 --> 00:37:59.820
 our

00:37:59.820 --> 00:38:00.300
 salvation

00:38:00.300 --> 00:38:00.680
 but

00:38:00.680 --> 00:38:01.760
 I'm

00:38:01.760 --> 00:38:01.980
 talking

00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:02.160
 about

00:38:02.160 --> 00:38:02.400
 another

00:38:02.400 --> 00:38:02.640
 kind

00:38:02.640 --> 00:38:02.780
 of

00:38:02.780 --> 00:38:03.079
 fast

00:38:03.079 --> 00:38:03.280
 the

00:38:03.280 --> 00:38:03.420
 Son

00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:03.539
 of

00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:03.720
 God

00:38:03.720 --> 00:38:04.200
 conducted

00:38:04.200 --> 00:38:04.500
 for

00:38:04.500 --> 00:38:04.800
 you.

00:38:06.720 --> 00:38:07.260
 He

00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:07.480
 gave

00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:07.619
 up

00:38:07.619 --> 00:38:07.780
 his

00:38:07.780 --> 00:38:08.220
 glory.

00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:10.660
 He

00:38:10.660 --> 00:38:11.260
 fasted

00:38:11.260 --> 00:38:11.460
 from

00:38:11.460 --> 00:38:11.680
 the

00:38:11.680 --> 00:38:12.180
 rightful

00:38:12.180 --> 00:38:12.700
 worship

00:38:12.700 --> 00:38:13.160
 he

00:38:13.160 --> 00:38:13.700
 deserved

00:38:13.700 --> 00:38:14.059
 in

00:38:14.059 --> 00:38:14.240
 order

00:38:14.240 --> 00:38:14.579
 to

00:38:14.579 --> 00:38:15.320
 make

00:38:15.320 --> 00:38:15.660
 himself

00:38:15.660 --> 00:38:16.160
 nothing.

00:38:17.160 --> 00:38:17.680
 Taking

00:38:17.680 --> 00:38:17.880
 the

00:38:17.880 --> 00:38:18.099
 form

00:38:18.099 --> 00:38:18.700
 of a

00:38:18.700 --> 00:38:18.980
 servant.

00:38:19.599 --> 00:38:19.700
 He

00:38:19.700 --> 00:38:20.019
 humbled

00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:20.460
 himself

00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:20.680
 by

00:38:20.680 --> 00:38:21.160
 becoming

00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:22.239
 obedient

00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:22.659
 to the

00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:23.019
 point

00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:23.339
 of

00:38:23.339 --> 00:38:23.920
 death

00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.739
 so that

00:38:24.739 --> 00:38:25.179
 we

00:38:25.179 --> 00:38:25.579
 could

00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:26.159
 feast

00:38:26.159 --> 00:38:26.460
 on

00:38:26.460 --> 00:38:26.639
 the

00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:27.319
 salvation

00:38:27.319 --> 00:38:28.319
 God

00:38:28.319 --> 00:38:28.579
 has

00:38:28.579 --> 00:38:29.079
 provided.

00:38:31.079 --> 00:38:31.699
 He

00:38:31.699 --> 00:38:32.139
 lived a

00:38:32.139 --> 00:38:32.599
 33

00:38:32.599 --> 00:38:33.019
 year

00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:33.659
 fast

00:38:33.659 --> 00:38:34.059
 from

00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:34.699
 glory

00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:35.899
 that

00:38:35.899 --> 00:38:36.239
 we

00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:36.739
 could

00:38:36.739 --> 00:38:37.480
 feast

00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.399
 forever

00:38:38.399 --> 00:38:39.119
 in the

00:38:39.119 --> 00:38:39.719
 presence

00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:40.239
 of

00:38:40.239 --> 00:38:40.619
 God.

00:38:42.619 --> 00:38:43.339
 Jesus

00:38:43.339 --> 00:38:44.019
 fasted

00:38:44.019 --> 00:38:45.219
 that we

00:38:45.219 --> 00:38:45.399
 could

00:38:45.399 --> 00:38:45.879
 feast

00:38:45.879 --> 00:38:47.460
 on

00:38:47.460 --> 00:38:47.799
 God.

00:38:48.379 --> 00:38:49.179
 Let

00:38:49.179 --> 00:38:49.500
 pray.

00:38:58.500 --> 00:38:58.940
 God

00:38:58.940 --> 00:38:59.099
 in

00:38:59.099 --> 00:38:59.279
 heaven

00:38:59.279 --> 00:38:59.460
 we

00:38:59.460 --> 00:38:59.559
 do

00:38:59.559 --> 00:38:59.819
 thank

00:38:59.819 --> 00:38:59.960
 you

00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:00.159
 so

00:39:00.159 --> 00:39:00.539
 much

00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:00.839
 for

00:39:00.839 --> 00:39:01.799
 your

00:39:01.799 --> 00:39:02.239
 word.

00:39:03.099 --> 00:39:03.219
 We

00:39:03.219 --> 00:39:03.460
 thank

00:39:03.460 --> 00:39:03.599
 you

00:39:03.599 --> 00:39:03.879
 God

00:39:03.879 --> 00:39:04.099
 that

00:39:04.099 --> 00:39:04.299
 you

00:39:04.299 --> 00:39:04.480
 are

00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:04.619
 a

00:39:04.619 --> 00:39:04.819
 God

00:39:04.819 --> 00:39:05.019
 who

00:39:05.019 --> 00:39:05.539
 speaks

00:39:05.539 --> 00:39:05.719
 and

00:39:05.719 --> 00:39:05.879
 is

00:39:05.879 --> 00:39:06.299
 speaking.

00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:07.799
 God

00:39:07.799 --> 00:39:08.019
 would

00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:08.239
 you

00:39:08.239 --> 00:39:08.879
 move

00:39:08.879 --> 00:39:09.079
 the

00:39:09.079 --> 00:39:09.440
 ball

00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:10.000
 in

00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:10.460
 as

00:39:10.460 --> 00:39:10.699
 we

00:39:10.699 --> 00:39:11.059
 seek

00:39:11.059 --> 00:39:11.259
 to

00:39:11.259 --> 00:39:11.539
 follow

00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:11.859
 you.

00:39:12.139 --> 00:39:12.319
 Would

00:39:12.319 --> 00:39:12.519
 you

00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:13.159
 help

00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:13.440
 us

00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:13.899
 to

00:39:13.899 --> 00:39:14.199
 take

00:39:14.199 --> 00:39:14.579
 these

00:39:14.579 --> 00:39:15.179
 steps

00:39:15.179 --> 00:39:15.500
 of

00:39:15.500 --> 00:39:16.619
 practicing

00:39:16.619 --> 00:39:17.919
 our

00:39:17.919 --> 00:39:18.619
 righteousness

00:39:18.619 --> 00:39:19.400
 in a

00:39:19.400 --> 00:39:19.559
 way

00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:19.759
 that

00:39:19.759 --> 00:39:20.179
 pleases

00:39:20.179 --> 00:39:20.500
 you.

00:39:21.059 --> 00:39:21.299
 God

00:39:21.299 --> 00:39:21.440
 we

00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:21.619
 want

00:39:21.619 --> 00:39:21.679
 to

00:39:21.679 --> 00:39:21.799
 be

00:39:21.799 --> 00:39:22.299
 perfect

00:39:22.299 --> 00:39:23.179
 as

00:39:23.179 --> 00:39:23.400
 you

00:39:23.400 --> 00:39:23.839
 are

00:39:23.839 --> 00:39:24.279
 perfect

00:39:24.279 --> 00:39:25.639
 and

00:39:25.639 --> 00:39:25.759
 we

00:39:25.759 --> 00:39:25.980
 want

00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.059
 to

00:39:26.059 --> 00:39:26.179
 do

00:39:26.179 --> 00:39:26.380
 that

00:39:26.380 --> 00:39:26.500
 in

00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:26.599
 a

00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:26.759
 way

00:39:26.759 --> 00:39:27.019
 that's

00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:27.380
 pleasing

00:39:27.380 --> 00:39:27.619
 to

00:39:27.619 --> 00:39:27.759
 you.

00:39:27.859 --> 00:39:27.980
 God

00:39:27.980 --> 00:39:28.199
 would

00:39:28.199 --> 00:39:28.339
 you

00:39:28.339 --> 00:39:28.599
 give

00:39:28.599 --> 00:39:28.759
 us

00:39:28.759 --> 00:39:29.079
 strength

00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:29.299
 would

00:39:29.299 --> 00:39:29.420
 you

00:39:29.420 --> 00:39:29.759
 fill

00:39:29.759 --> 00:39:29.960
 our

00:39:29.960 --> 00:39:30.500
 sails

00:39:30.500 --> 00:39:30.779
 by

00:39:30.779 --> 00:39:30.980
 your

00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:31.359
 spirit

00:39:31.359 --> 00:39:31.839
 for

00:39:31.839 --> 00:39:32.000
 the

00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:32.319
 glory

00:39:32.319 --> 00:39:32.480
 of

00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:32.599
 your

00:39:32.599 --> 00:39:32.920
 name

00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:34.039
 Amen.