WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.919 I don't know what you think our greatest need is. As a church, what is our greatest need? 00:00:08.779 --> 00:00:15.040 Well the answer to that, if you know your Bible, is your greatest need and my greatest need is God. 00:00:16.580 --> 00:00:21.059 And that's one of the reasons why we have the day of prayer, particularly why we're having a day of fasting. 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:25.940 I preached a similar sermon to this before, about four years ago, on fasting. 00:00:25.940 --> 00:00:28.379 But I want us to think about it again. 00:00:28.379 --> 00:00:36.159 And because on Friday, we all have a day to encourage each other and to experience this blessing. 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:44.599 The blessing of repenting of our sin and seeking for the living God, more than anything else. 00:00:46.820 --> 00:00:52.640 It's absolutely vital that we as a church understand what fasting is. 00:00:53.599 --> 00:00:57.840 There are lots of myths and lots of misunderstandings about what fasting is. 00:00:58.920 --> 00:01:02.780 Usually when I've talked about it with other people, they say, well yeah, it would be good to lose some weight, wouldn't it? 00:01:02.800 --> 00:01:05.159 But it's got nothing to do with losing weight. 00:01:06.219 --> 00:01:09.700 And there are all kinds of misunderstandings about what fasting is. 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:14.280 So the first thing I want you to notice, it will run from morning to evening. 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:16.579 For one day. 00:01:17.040 --> 00:01:17.780 I know there's Lent. 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:19.340 Some of you are into Lent. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:21.859 I'm not in any way, shape or fashion. 00:01:22.040 --> 00:01:23.840 Jesus fasted for 40 days. 00:01:24.480 --> 00:01:25.320 He didn't give up chocolate. 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:29.000 And we are going to go from morning to evening. 00:01:29.540 --> 00:01:31.960 And then we'll eat together with a feast at 7 o'clock. 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:34.879 And have a time of worship and teaching and the Lord's Supper. 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:39.399 And the morning to evening fasting happens at least twice in the Bible. 00:01:40.579 --> 00:01:41.439 The whole church does that. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:42.599 Joshua chapter 7. 00:01:43.679 --> 00:01:47.340 And that's one of the occasions when the church is defeated really. 00:01:48.079 --> 00:01:50.919 And they are faced with this non-Christian world. 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:51.879 They're at a place called Ai. 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:54.060 And they can see we're never going to win. 00:01:54.060 --> 00:01:57.519 We're never going to win unless the Lord is with us. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:01:58.420 And so they fast. 00:02:00.140 --> 00:02:03.680 And so we'll spend a day, morning to evening, seeking the Lord. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:08.159 And they did that in Joshua chapter 7 because they knew they needed God. 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:10.340 And that they couldn't win anything without him. 00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:13.699 So again, Judges chapter 20, the church leaders. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:18.520 That seemed to get the church members to do a fast from morning to evening. 00:02:19.560 --> 00:02:20.840 Because the church was divided. 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:27.620 And they were saying, we need the Lord to come and sort us out. 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:28.780 And to help us. 00:02:29.480 --> 00:02:30.319 We need him. 00:02:31.420 --> 00:02:32.500 So they did a day like that. 00:02:32.580 --> 00:02:33.560 They were seeking the Lord. 00:02:34.740 --> 00:02:36.740 And they didn't know how much they needed the Lord. 00:02:37.740 --> 00:02:39.300 So they took a day to fast. 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:44.300 Nehemiah, he fasted in concern for the building up of the church. 00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:45.860 Nehemiah chapter 1 and verse 4. 00:02:45.860 --> 00:02:49.100 And then in Esther chapter 4 and verse 6. 00:02:49.480 --> 00:02:50.780 The whole church. 00:02:50.920 --> 00:02:53.200 The whole church across the whole world. 00:02:53.920 --> 00:02:55.480 Had this massive fast. 00:02:56.960 --> 00:02:59.680 But they fasted because they needed the Lord. 00:02:59.820 --> 00:03:00.660 They needed him. 00:03:02.660 --> 00:03:04.840 How much do we need the Lord? 00:03:04.840 --> 00:03:08.640 And that is what this day is about. 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:11.000 As it raises the question, why fast? 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:11.780 Why fast? 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:13.520 Why is it in the Bible? 00:03:13.900 --> 00:03:16.060 Why does Jesus say, when you fast? 00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:17.340 Not if you fast. 00:03:18.180 --> 00:03:21.340 He assumes, Jesus does, that you will fast. 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:22.120 What is it for? 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:24.740 Well that is what we are going to look at. 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:27.640 And we want to take this day on Friday. 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:29.840 To call on the living God together. 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:31.439 Because we are desperately concerned. 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:35.599 We are desperately concerned about our own lives. 00:03:35.800 --> 00:03:36.680 And this church family. 00:03:37.139 --> 00:03:38.520 And this area that we live. 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:40.560 And we need the almighty God. 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:41.919 We need the power of God. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:42.659 We can't do it. 00:03:44.460 --> 00:03:45.199 And believe it or not. 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:47.439 You cannot reach one person. 00:03:49.139 --> 00:03:49.719 And neither can I. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:54.599 We need God to show up. 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:57.199 And to give the victory. 00:03:57.340 --> 00:03:58.400 That is why we are doing it. 00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:01.360 Without him. 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:03.240 We can do nothing. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:06.560 We fight, don't we? 00:04:06.640 --> 00:04:07.240 The Bible tells us. 00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:08.920 Against strongholds of darkness. 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:11.219 We have no power. 00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:14.700 And he has all the power. 00:04:15.780 --> 00:04:17.199 And we need to learn that. 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:18.819 And we want to learn that. 00:04:19.740 --> 00:04:21.500 How much we need the Lord Jesus. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:24.720 We need the Lord Jesus more than food. 00:04:24.720 --> 00:04:27.880 More than anything else. 00:04:31.260 --> 00:04:32.540 The living God. 00:04:33.440 --> 00:04:35.200 Must be our greatest desire. 00:04:36.400 --> 00:04:38.640 And we want to share the bread of life. 00:04:38.760 --> 00:04:39.540 The living water. 00:04:39.720 --> 00:04:42.340 With all the spiritually hungry and thirsty people here. 00:04:42.460 --> 00:04:43.720 In Ealing and Furthering Field. 00:04:43.720 --> 00:04:46.200 So this morning. 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:48.220 I want you to see that Jesus himself fasted. 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:49.820 Why did Jesus fast? 00:04:50.220 --> 00:04:51.040 And then warnings. 00:04:51.700 --> 00:04:53.320 On how not to do fasting. 00:04:53.860 --> 00:04:55.680 And then I'll remind you what's going to happen on Friday. 00:04:56.680 --> 00:04:57.240 So number one. 00:04:57.340 --> 00:04:57.720 The first point. 00:04:57.800 --> 00:04:58.980 Jesus himself fasted. 00:05:00.760 --> 00:05:02.560 The fact that the Lord Jesus fasted. 00:05:02.660 --> 00:05:03.660 Is really foundational. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:04.980 It is very important. 00:05:05.200 --> 00:05:06.700 We wouldn't do it if he hadn't. 00:05:07.060 --> 00:05:07.360 Done it. 00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:08.520 He shows us the way. 00:05:10.200 --> 00:05:12.120 Whatever are the reasons for fasting. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:14.019 The Lord Jesus needed to fast. 00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:15.360 And the Holy Spirit. 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:16.759 According to Matthew chapter 4. 00:05:16.840 --> 00:05:17.800 Drove him into the wilderness. 00:05:17.980 --> 00:05:18.840 For an extended time. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:19.800 Of fasting. 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:22.220 Before Jesus could begin his work. 00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:22.819 Of preaching. 00:05:23.340 --> 00:05:24.060 And healing. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:24.819 And teaching. 00:05:25.959 --> 00:05:27.120 And in Mark 1 verse 5. 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:28.540 The Spirit drove him. 00:05:28.840 --> 00:05:30.500 As if the Holy Spirit was saying. 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:31.019 Right. 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:32.519 The first thing we've got to do. 00:05:33.240 --> 00:05:34.199 Is fast. 00:05:35.660 --> 00:05:37.600 Now even the Lord Jesus fasted. 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:39.420 Why does he need to fast? 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:40.259 Is there something important? 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:43.120 The Holy Spirit drives him up. 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:43.939 This deep time. 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:45.000 Of fasting preparation. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:45.879 So come with me. 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:47.079 To Matthew chapter 3 and 4. 00:05:48.180 --> 00:05:48.920 And let's think about. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:50.039 Not what just happened. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:51.019 When he came out of the wilderness. 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:51.680 The fast. 00:05:52.279 --> 00:05:53.360 But what happened immediately. 00:05:53.659 --> 00:05:54.019 Before. 00:05:55.740 --> 00:05:56.699 And he had this encounter. 00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:57.719 With John the Baptist. 00:05:57.819 --> 00:05:58.439 John the Baptist. 00:05:58.579 --> 00:05:58.819 The Baptist. 00:05:58.980 --> 00:05:59.899 Is baptizing. 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:00.939 Lots of people. 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:03.300 And that leads into the fast. 00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:04.300 And we need to think about that. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:05.860 John the Baptist. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:07.120 Is calling all the people. 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:07.899 Of all the world. 00:06:08.039 --> 00:06:08.899 To come and get washed. 00:06:08.899 --> 00:06:09.919 Come and get washed. 00:06:10.019 --> 00:06:11.000 Because God is coming. 00:06:13.799 --> 00:06:15.319 We're going to save our lives. 00:06:16.739 --> 00:06:18.120 And he was talking to everyone. 00:06:18.219 --> 00:06:19.219 Not just religious people. 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:20.259 But irreligious people. 00:06:20.359 --> 00:06:20.839 Pagans. 00:06:21.539 --> 00:06:23.500 And people came from all over the world. 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:25.459 To get baptized by John the Baptist. 00:06:25.919 --> 00:06:26.679 He was saying. 00:06:26.799 --> 00:06:27.699 God is coming. 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:29.439 And our lives are filthy. 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:30.699 And our hearts are filthy. 00:06:31.099 --> 00:06:32.399 And our minds are filthy. 00:06:32.779 --> 00:06:33.519 And you and I. 00:06:33.579 --> 00:06:34.500 We need to get washed. 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:36.099 Because God is about to come. 00:06:36.100 --> 00:06:38.300 And he preaches. 00:06:39.760 --> 00:06:41.580 And when you read the preaching. 00:06:41.580 --> 00:06:42.180 Of John the Baptist. 00:06:42.320 --> 00:06:43.420 It's terrifying stuff. 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:43.780 Isn't it? 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:46.900 It is not seeker sensitive. 00:06:47.260 --> 00:06:48.920 It is not warm and fuzzy. 00:06:49.080 --> 00:06:50.040 It is not entertaining. 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:52.200 He says judgment day is coming. 00:06:52.640 --> 00:06:54.200 And he says the living God. 00:06:54.320 --> 00:06:55.620 Is coming with an axe. 00:06:56.580 --> 00:06:57.540 And he's going to cut down. 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:58.640 Everything that isn't pure. 00:06:59.100 --> 00:07:00.280 And clean and ready. 00:07:00.420 --> 00:07:00.939 God is coming. 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:03.920 Everyone needs to wash. 00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:04.500 And repent. 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:06.600 And turn away from what is sinful. 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:07.519 And unclean. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:09.319 God is coming. 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:10.420 And you can imagine. 00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:11.699 As John was preaching. 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:13.160 That it must have been terrifying. 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:14.120 To have heard it. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:17.060 He was the greatest of all the prophets. 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:20.600 I don't know if he actually had an axe. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:21.459 As he preached. 00:07:21.779 --> 00:07:22.819 The prophets did that sort of thing. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:23.180 Didn't they? 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:24.620 And it was terrifying. 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:25.600 And sinful people. 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:26.680 Like you and I. 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:28.759 If we've got any self-awareness. 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:29.660 At all this morning. 00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:31.139 We will be able to say. 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:32.100 Yes I'm dirty. 00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:35.060 My conscience is dirty. 00:07:36.740 --> 00:07:38.500 I'm ashamed of what I've done. 00:07:38.660 --> 00:07:40.500 I'm ashamed of what has been done to me. 00:07:40.640 --> 00:07:41.420 I feel ashamed. 00:07:41.580 --> 00:07:42.439 And I need to be washed. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:45.760 And so people in their droves. 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:46.379 Were coming. 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:47.520 Into the water. 00:07:48.620 --> 00:07:49.800 And they were facing up. 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:51.660 With all their messed up lives. 00:07:51.760 --> 00:07:53.180 And all their shameful secrets. 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:54.420 And as that is happening. 00:07:54.820 --> 00:07:56.300 John the Baptist looks up. 00:07:56.379 --> 00:07:57.800 And who is in the water. 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:00.300 But the Lord. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:03.660 The God man. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.160 Is in the water. 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:08.780 He's in the water. 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:10.160 With all those messed up. 00:08:10.220 --> 00:08:10.660 Sinful. 00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:11.259 Dirty people. 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:11.860 Isn't that amazing? 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:12.939 Isn't it incredible. 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:14.519 That the living God. 00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:15.600 Came. 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:17.860 And got into the waters of repentance. 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:21.080 Because that is what they are. 00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:22.379 They are waters of repentance. 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:23.580 To turn away from sin. 00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:26.519 And the God man. 00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:27.039 Has. 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:28.719 Got into the water. 00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:31.779 To turn away from sin. 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:33.039 With all the sinners. 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:34.340 And all the dirtiest. 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:36.159 And all the most shameful people. 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:38.319 Can you imagine the look on John the Baptist's face? 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:41.639 It says. 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:41.960 This is. 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:44.519 In a glorious understatement. 00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:45.279 That John. 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:47.019 Tried to deter him. 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:49.360 He must have said. 00:08:49.439 --> 00:08:50.240 Get him out. 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:51.120 What are you doing? 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:52.899 You're not part of this. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:53.779 You're different. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:57.439 You don't want to be touching all these dirty sinners. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:08:57.840 Get out. 00:08:57.899 --> 00:08:58.779 You shouldn't be in the water. 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:01.039 You don't need to be washed. 00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:02.840 You've got nothing to repent of. 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:05.519 You are the pure and perfect Lamb of God. 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:08.360 You don't have anything to repent of. 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:11.740 That day. 00:09:11.819 --> 00:09:12.539 There were people there. 00:09:13.799 --> 00:09:15.720 And they were spiritually depressed. 00:09:18.100 --> 00:09:20.079 There were people that couldn't lift up their eyes. 00:09:20.199 --> 00:09:21.319 They just felt wretched. 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:24.080 There's things they'd done. 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:24.860 And said. 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:25.420 And imagined. 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:26.360 That they felt sick. 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:27.340 When they remembered them. 00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:29.820 And they'd come to that water. 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:32.160 And they think. 00:09:32.300 --> 00:09:33.960 That axe is going to cut me down. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:35.160 God must hate me. 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:37.680 God would not want anything to do with me. 00:09:38.260 --> 00:09:40.160 There's no point in me being in this water. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:42.160 You can't wash away what I have done. 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:42.600 God. 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:46.259 And at that moment they realise. 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:48.339 It is the God man. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:50.419 Who is in the water. 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:51.899 With him or her. 00:09:53.379 --> 00:09:54.059 And he's saying. 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:54.539 I'm here. 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:56.480 I'm with you. 00:09:58.199 --> 00:09:59.519 Let's repent together. 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:03.899 Can you imagine that scene. 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:04.559 We're with. 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:04.819 Are we. 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:05.379 John the Baptist. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:05.879 Aren't we. 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:06.860 What's he doing. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:07.840 Jesus can't repent. 00:10:10.179 --> 00:10:11.759 Jesus is perfectly clean. 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:13.939 He is the holy God. 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:14.319 And yet. 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:16.179 He is in the water of repentance. 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:17.240 With sinners. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:18.120 How can he repent. 00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:20.659 He's got nothing to repent of. 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:21.240 Which is true. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:23.279 But the Lord Jesus is making clear. 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:23.759 Isn't it. 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:25.879 That he was going to be one of us. 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:28.519 Really one of us. 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.279 And he would take our mess. 00:10:30.439 --> 00:10:31.120 And our shame. 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:33.600 And all that is worse about us. 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:35.500 And he was going to take that upon him. 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:36.460 As if it were his own. 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:41.220 He took my sins and my sins. 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:44.200 And he made them his very own. 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:48.259 And he washes with the water of repentance. 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:49.639 And he's washed with us. 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:50.940 He would repent. 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:52.080 Of sin. 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.120 And of selfishness. 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:53.980 And shame. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:55.559 As if he were you and me. 00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:57.840 As if he'd done everything. 00:10:57.939 --> 00:10:59.080 That you and I have done. 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:00.340 He would repent of that. 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:02.759 As if he'd done the bad. 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.879 And the shameful things. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:06.820 Now John the Baptist. 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:08.820 I do think he is this moment of recognition. 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:12.299 He knows that this man Jesus. 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.879 He is the Lamb of God. 00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:15.120 Who takes away the sin of the world. 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:16.159 So he probably gets it. 00:11:16.659 --> 00:11:19.000 He gets that you are taking on the sins of the world. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:20.340 Of course that is the right thing to do. 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:22.539 Of course you are being washed. 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:25.059 As the one who has taken on the sin of the world. 00:11:26.439 --> 00:11:28.100 Jesus had never done anything wrong. 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:29.399 He'd never thought anything wrong. 00:11:29.799 --> 00:11:32.600 He'd only ever done exactly what a human being should do. 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:34.120 He'd loved the Lord his God. 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:36.700 With all his soul and mind and strength. 00:11:36.820 --> 00:11:37.539 And all his heart. 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:38.939 And he loved his neighbours himself. 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:42.820 And yet his love for us. 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:46.500 For messed up people like us. 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:47.740 Is so great. 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:49.700 That he took on our sin. 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:52.120 As if he had personally done it. 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:54.620 And he repented of it. 00:11:54.680 --> 00:11:56.580 And he got washed in the water with us. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:57.940 He confessed his sin. 00:11:58.420 --> 00:12:00.220 And he got washed in the water as a sinner. 00:12:01.280 --> 00:12:02.800 It wasn't the first time he'd done it. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.060 If you know the Psalms. 00:12:05.180 --> 00:12:06.080 You'll know that the Messiah. 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:07.920 That Christ prays in the Psalms. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:09.840 Repentance for sin. 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.480 On behalf of his people. 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:13.980 Nehemiah does it. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:14.659 In chapter 1. 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:15.940 He repents of sins. 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:17.259 That he hasn't done. 00:12:17.420 --> 00:12:18.420 But he takes responsibility. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.759 It's all in the Bible. 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:22.580 But it is a shock. 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:22.840 Isn't it? 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.379 It is a shock. 00:12:23.420 --> 00:12:24.420 When you realise what he's doing. 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:25.980 He bears our sins. 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:27.779 And he carries our sorrows. 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:28.720 As if they were his own. 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:31.840 As if he were the worst sinner of all. 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:35.560 And that is what is going on then. 00:12:37.940 --> 00:12:38.600 And yet. 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:39.740 If you think that is strange. 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:41.120 What happens next is he's a stranger. 00:12:42.780 --> 00:12:44.360 Because when the Holy One of Israel. 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:46.100 Was standing in the water of repentance. 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.280 As if he was the sinner. 00:12:47.680 --> 00:12:48.500 Being washed. 00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:51.420 As if he were covered in moral dirt. 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:52.320 And shame. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.240 And grime. 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:54.399 Then the heavens open. 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:57.220 And the Most High God. 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:58.639 The Father in the Highest Heaven. 00:12:58.820 --> 00:12:59.560 Shouts down. 00:12:59.920 --> 00:13:00.879 Isn't he brilliant? 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.700 Isn't he wonderful? 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:05.019 That is my son. 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:05.680 Look at him. 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.420 Look at him. 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:08.420 Look what he's doing now. 00:13:09.580 --> 00:13:10.480 He's in the water. 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:11.879 With the worst people in the world. 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:12.700 Isn't he brilliant? 00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:13.399 I love him. 00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:15.280 I delight in him. 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:17.720 Everything he does. 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.920 Is better than I could have dreamed. 00:13:19.060 --> 00:13:19.519 Look at him now. 00:13:19.560 --> 00:13:20.160 Isn't he fabulous? 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:21.060 That's why I love him. 00:13:22.280 --> 00:13:23.460 And that's why you should listen to him. 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.800 And that is why he's the answer to everything. 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:29.100 Look at him now. 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:30.259 Repenting with sinners. 00:13:30.420 --> 00:13:31.580 That is why he shouts down. 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:32.060 From heaven. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:34.600 It's as if the Father cannot keep quiet at this point. 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:38.240 He's so thrilled at this moment. 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.060 That he's. 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:41.379 If I can say it reverently. 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:42.620 It's like he's saying. 00:13:42.660 --> 00:13:44.100 Well I don't normally do this sort of thing. 00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:44.940 Speaking out loud. 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.920 I usually leave it up to him. 00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:48.379 But I've just got to say something. 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:49.120 It's so brilliant. 00:13:52.540 --> 00:13:53.700 It's such a brilliant moment. 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:56.460 That the people who feel the furthest away. 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:59.860 He's got his arms around. 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:02.580 And then the Holy Spirit. 00:14:02.680 --> 00:14:04.300 He visibly comes down from heaven. 00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:06.300 And he wants people to know that he is involved. 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:08.440 He wants to see this is the one. 00:14:08.560 --> 00:14:09.300 This is the one. 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.839 I give all my power to. 00:14:11.319 --> 00:14:12.139 And my gifts to. 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:12.979 And my energy to. 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:14.459 And he is doing the work. 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:15.639 That I have given him to do. 00:14:15.719 --> 00:14:16.259 Look at him. 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:19.979 And the Father wants everyone to know. 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:22.979 And the Spirit wants everyone to know. 00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:23.799 That he is the one. 00:14:23.859 --> 00:14:24.719 Right here and right now. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:28.740 Doing this repentance with the worst of sinners. 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:32.919 How can any of us feel. 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:35.000 That we can't come near to God this morning. 00:14:36.700 --> 00:14:38.680 When Jesus is there to embrace us. 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:42.360 Why is that so important for you to grasp. 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:44.180 In preparation for fasting on Friday. 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:47.840 Jesus the eternal son. 00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:50.180 Who the father utterly loves. 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:51.539 The most loved by his father. 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.899 When he was repenting of sin. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:54.539 In a river full of dirty sinners. 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:56.259 With messed up people like you and me. 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:58.700 That's when the love of God. 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:00.159 Was publicly and visibly. 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:01.539 Shown so powerfully. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.379 He's about to go on this 40 day fast. 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.480 And all the way through the Bible. 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:08.139 The first step in the process of fasting. 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:10.600 The first step is that of deep repentance. 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:14.600 Where we come to God. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.360 And we say to God. 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:17.340 My heart has been captured by sin. 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:20.139 And by selfishness. 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.960 And by shameful things. 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:25.980 And my heart and my desires. 00:15:26.180 --> 00:15:26.799 Have gone away. 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:28.919 After things which are worthless. 00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:32.259 And I need to turn away from that Lord. 00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:33.079 And I need to repent. 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:34.059 And I need to be washed. 00:15:34.219 --> 00:15:36.259 And that is the first step in fasting. 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.719 All the way through the Bible. 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.219 Repentance. 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:41.379 To say no to all of that. 00:15:41.699 --> 00:15:44.079 No to all the things that have captured my desires. 00:15:44.359 --> 00:15:45.939 But yes to the living God. 00:15:47.359 --> 00:15:48.439 And that is what Jesus does. 00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:49.879 He's about to begin his fast. 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.879 The first thing he does is this. 00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:53.319 This repentance with sinners. 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:57.480 The first step was that. 00:15:59.280 --> 00:16:01.800 But it was in that time of repentance. 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.760 That the love of the Father. 00:16:04.020 --> 00:16:06.060 Was so strongly expressed towards him. 00:16:07.400 --> 00:16:09.620 And the Holy Spirit was poured out upon him. 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:12.140 As if he needed to repent. 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:13.960 As if he was the same as them. 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:14.940 But he does it. 00:16:15.060 --> 00:16:17.140 And doing that in the waters of repentance. 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:19.700 The Father publicly shouts his love out. 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:22.500 And the Spirit visibly comes down upon him. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.759 I love him. 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.540 But I love him now. 00:16:30.020 --> 00:16:31.759 When he's in the waters of repentance. 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:32.600 This is my son. 00:16:32.640 --> 00:16:33.259 Isn't he wonderful? 00:16:33.400 --> 00:16:34.960 God says I am delighted in him. 00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:35.900 Now more than ever. 00:16:38.020 --> 00:16:39.160 And so when we fast. 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:42.060 One of the key foundations. 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.280 Is to confess our sin. 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:46.440 Is to face up to really where we are. 00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:48.600 And the way that our desires have gone off. 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:51.740 And we've loved things. 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.860 More than the one who made the things. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.460 We've loved food. 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:57.759 More than the bread of life. 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.779 To face up to them. 00:16:58.820 --> 00:17:00.120 And to be honest with God about that. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.820 About our mess. 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:03.060 And about our hard hearts. 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.140 And our close minds. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:06.220 And our lack of love for each other. 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.700 And the world our own. 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:11.380 It's time to speak of our need for cleansing. 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.819 It's time to be honest. 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.319 About how we mess up. 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:18.700 To speak of shame. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.399 And guilt. 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.240 And bitterness. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.599 And deceitful desires. 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.399 That grip us. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.639 And maybe you've never done that. 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:34.419 And maybe you worry. 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:36.700 That you can't speak about those things. 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:40.980 Maybe there's things in your heart. 00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:43.039 And you don't want to face up to them. 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.640 And you say they're too bad. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:48.140 And they grip me too much. 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:50.200 And I don't actually want God to know about it. 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:53.440 I don't want to speak about those things. 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.840 Particularly on a fast day. 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:56.580 A fast day is a holy day isn't it? 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.600 It's a day of joy. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:00.400 I don't want to dwell on my sin. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.779 And my deceitful desires. 00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:02.740 That will put God off. 00:18:02.840 --> 00:18:03.059 Won't it? 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:06.299 If I'm honest about the mess that I made. 00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:07.440 Then God will think. 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.480 That's awful. 00:18:08.659 --> 00:18:09.700 Why are you even talking to me? 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.879 On this day. 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.599 We might think that. 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.960 Sin and shame. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:17.159 And confessing our sin and shame. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.259 Will put God off. 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.299 Will push him away. 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.099 But the truth is no. 00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:23.359 The truth is that when we confess our sin. 00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:24.359 When we are honest. 00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:26.279 About our need for cleansing. 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:26.980 When we say. 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.559 I am messed up. 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:30.159 And I have deceitful desires. 00:18:30.159 --> 00:18:31.740 And they control me. 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:33.779 And actually I hate that Lord. 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:36.559 I want to tell you about the things that I've done. 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:39.019 The things that I've said. 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:41.480 The things that I've watched. 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:43.140 The things that I've fantasised about. 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:45.120 And I want to be set free from all of that. 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.380 Then God will be appalled at us. 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.660 No. 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.160 Not at all. 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:51.700 No. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.620 He will love you more than ever. 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:55.900 How can he? 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:58.299 Because that is the kind of God he is. 00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.779 He loves sinners. 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.779 And God loves it. 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:04.680 When we repent. 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.779 And come to him. 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:11.319 The power and the presence of the living God. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.460 More than ever. 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.559 We'll know. 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.120 And the Lord Jesus. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.120 Began. 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.599 By showing us. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.740 That it's completely safe. 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.599 To get into the waters. 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.539 It's completely safe. 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:24.240 To be honest. 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.180 With the living God. 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:28.319 John the Baptist has said. 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:29.519 There is a judgment day coming. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:31.720 And that axe is going to come on all of you sinners. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:33.559 But Jesus got in the waters. 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.720 And did he come with an axe? 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.259 There is a day. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:39.819 When there will be a judgment day. 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:42.779 But he says. 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:44.200 If you get in the waters of repentance. 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.079 I'll join you. 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:48.259 And the axe won't fall on you. 00:19:48.379 --> 00:19:49.420 The axe won't fall on you. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.279 Let it fall on me. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.059 Come and be honest. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:53.480 Come. 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:56.420 And speak about who you are. 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.220 And what you've said. 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:57.880 And what you've done. 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.559 And what you've watched. 00:19:58.620 --> 00:19:59.180 And what you've thought. 00:19:59.259 --> 00:19:59.839 And what you've desired. 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.880 And what you've fantasised. 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:01.759 It's safe. 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:02.900 God says. 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.759 I'd love you to do that. 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.579 And that's how we begin. 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.559 Well that's what happens. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.900 And as soon as Jesus comes out. 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:13.259 In that time of washing and preparation. 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.440 And fasting. 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:16.059 This preparation for fasting. 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:17.400 The Holy Spirit sent him. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.579 Drove him into the wilderness. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.519 For 40 days. 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:20.460 It's a long time isn't it? 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:23.180 It's a time of no food. 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:24.559 But Jesus did drink water. 00:20:26.360 --> 00:20:27.920 It's important to be aware. 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.000 That in the Bible. 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:29.579 Normally. 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.460 A fast means no food. 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.840 But you can drink water. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.900 Plenty of water. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:36.019 There is of course. 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.380 Isn't there? 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.019 You may know. 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:38.079 The example of Moses. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.220 He went for 40 days. 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.380 With no food and no water. 00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.740 So he's kind of off the charts. 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:44.120 He went to Sinai. 00:20:44.340 --> 00:20:45.720 And into the thick darkness. 00:20:45.880 --> 00:20:46.519 And then he comes down. 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.440 With the stone tablets. 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.980 And there's those kind of. 00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.840 The golden calf. 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.380 And all that stuff. 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:51.020 And he smashed them. 00:20:51.060 --> 00:20:51.600 And then he goes up. 00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:52.780 And he does another 40 days. 00:20:53.060 --> 00:20:54.000 Without food and water. 00:20:56.340 --> 00:20:57.220 He was showing us. 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:59.100 He was up in the heavenly realms. 00:20:59.200 --> 00:20:59.540 He's saying. 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.080 If you are that close. 00:21:01.260 --> 00:21:02.100 With God. 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:03.160 In the heavenly realms. 00:21:03.260 --> 00:21:04.920 From the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 00:21:05.020 --> 00:21:05.820 To the rivers of life. 00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:06.900 Then you don't need food and water. 00:21:09.040 --> 00:21:09.560 That's Moses. 00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:10.840 Let's leave that there. 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.980 But in the rest of the Bible. 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:13.780 You don't have food. 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:14.980 But you do have water. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:17.100 There may be people here. 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.580 This morning. 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.160 Who are diabetic. 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.460 And you just say. 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.300 Well I can't cope with that. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.879 I need to be careful. 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.220 There's. 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.119 Those who maybe. 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:23.960 Never done it before. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:25.379 I can't do a whole day. 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.680 Well maybe you can do breakfast. 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.859 If you can't do breakfast. 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.700 You can do lunch. 00:21:31.419 --> 00:21:31.740 Elevances. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:35.400 And you need to be careful. 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.280 Or maybe there's people. 00:21:36.280 --> 00:21:37.120 People who are diabetic. 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:39.920 And you go to diabetes.org.uk. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.080 There's really good stuff on there. 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:41.519 On fasting. 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.880 In Daniel 10. 00:21:44.040 --> 00:21:44.720 Verse 2 to 6. 00:21:44.800 --> 00:21:45.780 Daniel went for three weeks. 00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:47.200 On a limited kind of fast. 00:21:47.860 --> 00:21:48.540 He ate veg. 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:50.160 Drank water. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:50.780 You might think. 00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:50.980 Well. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.500 I can do that. 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.620 There's Jesus. 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:57.180 He fasted for 40 days. 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:57.759 And at the end of it. 00:21:57.800 --> 00:21:58.960 We're told that he is hungry. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.920 And that is when the devil. 00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:02.040 Gave him the first temptation. 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:02.879 So let's focus on one. 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:04.259 Let's go to chapter 4. 00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:04.639 Matthew. 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.599 And verses 2 to 5. 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:08.279 Why did Jesus fast? 00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:13.559 After fasting. 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:14.480 40 days and 40 nights. 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.159 Jesus was hungry. 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:15.379 Well. 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.079 No surprise. 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:17.319 And the tempter came. 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:17.819 And said to him. 00:22:17.879 --> 00:22:18.740 If you are the son of God. 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.659 Command these stones. 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.659 To become loaves of bread. 00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:21.279 But he answered. 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:21.960 It is written. 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.019 Man shall not live. 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.220 By bread alone. 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:25.079 But by every word. 00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:26.299 That comes from the mouth of God. 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:30.039 What does fasting do? 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.379 Fasting teaches you. 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:33.160 That you need the word of God. 00:22:33.260 --> 00:22:34.100 More than anything else. 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:36.460 And that we need God. 00:22:36.560 --> 00:22:37.320 More than anything else. 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:38.880 That's the purpose of fasting. 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.340 Our desire for food. 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.460 Can be very strong indeed. 00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:43.580 If I preach long enough. 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:45.120 Your desire for food. 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:46.320 Will be very strong indeed. 00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:48.940 And if we don't eat food. 00:22:49.020 --> 00:22:49.980 We will eventually die. 00:22:51.020 --> 00:22:52.220 Not as quickly as we think. 00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:54.040 We say. 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:54.840 I'm starving. 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.780 I'm dying. 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.140 We're not. 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.380 We can go for weeks without food. 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:01.180 I can eat a horse. 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:04.340 We vastly overestimate. 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:04.720 Don't we? 00:23:04.780 --> 00:23:05.480 The importance. 00:23:05.860 --> 00:23:06.540 Of our hunger. 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.200 And our desires. 00:23:07.300 --> 00:23:08.020 And our appetites. 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.720 And one of the things. 00:23:10.780 --> 00:23:11.880 That fasting does. 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:13.640 Is to say to you and I. 00:23:13.760 --> 00:23:14.900 Settle down a little bit. 00:23:17.080 --> 00:23:17.980 They're not that important. 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.160 They're not that important. 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.920 Your need for the word of God. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.640 Is more important. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:25.060 Do you know. 00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:25.660 It would be better. 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.600 To never eat again. 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.980 Than to miss out on the word of God. 00:23:29.320 --> 00:23:30.160 It would be better. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.360 To die of starvation. 00:23:31.560 --> 00:23:33.020 Than to miss the living God. 00:23:33.580 --> 00:23:35.180 And that's what it reminds us of fasting. 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:37.560 We think we can't manage without food. 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.380 But when we fast. 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:39.060 It reminds us. 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:40.580 Actually we can manage without food. 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.759 For quite a long time. 00:23:43.560 --> 00:23:44.740 More than food. 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.420 You and I need the living God. 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:48.680 And we need Jesus. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:52.180 And it's not only the appetite for food. 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.600 That comes to the surface when we fast. 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.400 When we fast. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:56.140 We find that all sorts of desires. 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.160 Come into perspective. 00:23:58.580 --> 00:24:00.100 We might think that our desires. 00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:01.519 They are just too strong. 00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:02.380 For us to control. 00:24:03.580 --> 00:24:05.600 There may be all sorts of sinful desires. 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.279 And appetites. 00:24:06.340 --> 00:24:06.600 And we think. 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:08.160 Well I can't deny that appetite. 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.920 I can't deny that desire. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.519 And a fast teaches us. 00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:12.360 That's not true. 00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:15.039 That we're not ruled by. 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.340 Disseal desires. 00:24:16.820 --> 00:24:17.840 We think we can't say. 00:24:18.060 --> 00:24:20.019 We can never say no to them. 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:21.360 But fasting shows us. 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:23.539 That Jesus will teach us to say no. 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.519 To our deceitful desires. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.360 Even now. 00:24:27.580 --> 00:24:28.480 In the here and now. 00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:32.180 Fasting is about learning. 00:24:32.300 --> 00:24:34.039 That the most powerful desires. 00:24:34.320 --> 00:24:35.220 And appetites I have. 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.240 I don't need to obey them. 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:40.300 But I do need to obey him. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:44.419 And when we fast. 00:24:44.419 --> 00:24:45.059 And the devil. 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:46.579 And our own flesh. 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:48.980 Tells us to go and get a snack. 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.299 Or to go to McDonald's. 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:52.980 Or to get a bowl of pasta. 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.480 That pasta. 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:55.059 At two or three in the afternoon. 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.920 How are we going to answer? 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:59.539 We can answer as Jesus answered. 00:24:59.660 --> 00:24:59.839 No. 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.460 I don't live by bags of crisps. 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:03.420 Or Big Macs. 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:05.599 Or bowls of pasta. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:07.420 Even though I can't stop thinking about them. 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.259 I don't live by them. 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:10.480 I don't live by them. 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.299 Or any other desire. 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.019 Or appetites. 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:13.720 Or all my bodily appetites. 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:15.200 Constantly crave satisfaction. 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:15.700 But I know. 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:17.039 They never give me satisfaction. 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:20.160 Because only the word of God. 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.059 Can give me true life. 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:21.900 And true satisfaction. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.819 I want God. 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.839 More than any other desire. 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.039 From the flesh. 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.079 Or appetite of the body. 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.359 Maybe that's what we'll cry out. 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:31.859 And we need to remember. 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.859 We need to remember. 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.460 To be able to say. 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.140 And ready to say. 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:36.019 I don't need these things. 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.940 I don't live. 00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.740 For those things. 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.440 I live for him. 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.319 He is the one. 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.940 Who I live to. 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.620 He's the one. 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.180 In whom I live. 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.220 And move and have my being. 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.480 And I get real satisfaction. 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.140 From him. 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.240 Because food. 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:51.940 Never ultimately satisfies me. 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.319 Does it? 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:54.380 And when Jesus. 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.240 Spoke these words. 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:56.380 About living by bread alone. 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.099 He's quoting from. 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.120 Deuteronomy chapter 8. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.720 And Deuteronomy 8. 00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:01.500 Chapter tells us. 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:01.980 That the Lord. 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.660 Brought his people. 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.400 Into the wilderness. 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.400 To make them hungry. 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.880 He took them to a place. 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.680 Where they couldn't get. 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.019 Food. 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:09.120 To make them hungry. 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:11.039 Hunger can be a discipline. 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:11.819 In the hands. 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.400 Of a holy God. 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.720 Deuteronomy 8. 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.940 It speaks about testing. 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:19.279 To see what's in our hearts. 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.940 Because when we're denied. 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:22.019 Our appetites. 00:26:22.380 --> 00:26:23.940 And can't fulfill our desires. 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.240 Well. 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.339 What comes to the surface? 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.480 You see. 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.259 It stirs things up. 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:30.519 Doesn't it? 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.259 When we're denied. 00:26:32.120 --> 00:26:33.120 When we're hungry. 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:34.099 From a craving. 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.380 It stirs things up. 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:35.980 And you and I. 00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:36.400 We'll see. 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.600 What we really desire. 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:40.380 What really is in the depths. 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:41.260 Of our hearts. 00:26:42.520 --> 00:26:43.920 Do we really love him. 00:26:44.020 --> 00:26:44.880 And trust him. 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:45.800 Or actually. 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.340 Is it. 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.180 A bowl of pasta. 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.740 Or a snack. 00:26:48.800 --> 00:26:49.520 That means more to us. 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:49.920 Than Jesus. 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:50.680 Or we'll find out. 00:26:52.060 --> 00:26:52.920 That's what Deuteronomy. 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.340 Chapter 8. 00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:53.940 Teaches us. 00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:56.240 Do we believe. 00:26:56.300 --> 00:26:56.920 That in the end. 00:26:57.040 --> 00:26:57.780 True satisfaction. 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.960 Can only be given by him. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:01.319 And it's better to say no. 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:02.480 To all my desires. 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.920 And all my appetites. 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:05.140 Because I don't really believe. 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.740 That they'll ever give me satisfaction. 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.720 But he will. 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.900 For all eternity. 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:10.880 Do you believe that? 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:14.420 Our flesh demands satisfaction. 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.140 It craves it. 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.680 The life of this passing age. 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.980 Pleasure and food and treasure. 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:23.500 But the word of God. 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.259 Promises us. 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.660 That he's taking us. 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.480 To a new creation. 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:29.299 A future beyond this dying body. 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:31.759 He promises you. 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:33.420 A future when your deepest desires. 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.220 Will be fully met. 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.579 Do we believe that? 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.700 In these times of hunger. 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:42.500 Are times when we can face up. 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.819 To the issue of trust. 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.559 Do we trust him. 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.640 To satisfy us. 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.900 Even when our flesh. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.059 Cannot get what it wants. 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:53.140 Will we say in the end. 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.440 Well no. 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.839 My flesh must come first. 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:57.380 I'm not going to deny my flesh. 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.079 No we say. 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:59.539 Even if my flesh fails. 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:02.559 Even if I never get what I desire. 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.880 He is my true life. 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:05.000 My true satisfaction. 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:08.900 We discover it. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.920 In Deuteronomy chapter 8. 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.620 That the Lord God. 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.500 Took them into the desert. 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.019 To discipline. 00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:13.240 To make them face up. 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:13.940 To the deep question. 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.819 What is more important. 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:16.059 Food or Jesus. 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:18.839 And if I'm hungry. 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:20.079 Will I grumble against the Lord. 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:22.960 And if my desires aren't satisfied. 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:24.140 Do I grumble against him. 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:25.519 Or will I rejoice in him. 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.599 Whether I have nothing. 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.460 Or whether I'm full. 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:31.620 Jesus is enough for me. 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:35.559 Will I rather die of hunger. 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.399 Than miss out on him. 00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:39.279 Well I want to say to you. 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.159 You can't answer that question. 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.500 If you've eaten a big Sunday lunch. 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.659 So Jesus began his work. 00:28:44.719 --> 00:28:45.819 With repentance and fasting. 00:28:45.939 --> 00:28:46.539 And he showed us. 00:28:46.659 --> 00:28:48.000 It's safe to do it. 00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:48.859 That is the way. 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:49.679 To know the love. 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:50.219 And power. 00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:50.819 And presence. 00:28:50.919 --> 00:28:51.639 Of the living God. 00:28:52.979 --> 00:28:54.179 To repent and fast. 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.559 And seek him above all else. 00:28:57.159 --> 00:28:58.159 Fasting has showed us. 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:59.500 That nothing matters more. 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.320 Than the word of God. 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.600 Thirdly. 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.040 And quickly. 00:29:03.560 --> 00:29:04.320 One of the mistakes. 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:04.980 That we might do. 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:06.259 As we fast on Friday. 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:09.200 You remember in Matthew 6. 00:29:09.300 --> 00:29:10.100 And in Isaiah 58. 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:10.600 Jesus said. 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:11.120 When you fast. 00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:11.880 Don't look somber. 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.220 As hypocrites do. 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:16.180 Because they disfigure their faces. 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:17.360 To show that they're fasting. 00:29:18.800 --> 00:29:19.440 And he links. 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.120 That teaching. 00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:21.300 With religious hypocrisy. 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.920 Don't fast. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.740 So that others can see. 00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:24.320 You're doing it. 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.200 And you want to make. 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.420 Sure others know. 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:27.259 That you're doing it. 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:29.879 I don't like to brag. 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.980 But I give a lot to charity. 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:33.599 It's the best people don't know. 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:33.879 Is it? 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:36.319 Whose attention do you need? 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.299 Jesus already told us. 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:40.240 If we're trying to get praise. 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.859 And respect. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.960 From other human beings. 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:43.720 Then our majestic. 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.339 Father in heaven. 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.579 Has got no interest in us at all. 00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:48.220 So we either look to him. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.339 As the unseen father. 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:51.299 We either look to him. 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.059 For our value. 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.160 Or we look to other people. 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.940 But we can't do both. 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.319 It's either him. 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:56.740 Or others. 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.599 But you can't have both. 00:29:59.180 --> 00:30:00.180 And fasting is something. 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:01.799 That may well make you feel ill. 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.079 And tired. 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.099 And a headache. 00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:05.460 And cold. 00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:06.059 And hungry. 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.480 And maybe even a little bit depressed. 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.220 And irritable. 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:08.740 And miserable. 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:13.579 All that is when Jesus said. 00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:16.259 To the hypocrites. 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:17.039 Do you want to know. 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:18.120 You're feeling all those things. 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.500 Do you want other people to know that? 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.599 Why? 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.460 So the people say to you. 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:22.620 Oh. 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.440 You're on a fast. 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:23.660 Aren't you? 00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:25.299 That's brilliant. 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:26.399 Don't do that. 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.399 Make it obvious. 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.200 That no one knows. 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:30.079 That you're on a fast. 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.440 No one knows. 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.119 That you're on a fast. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.740 Do everything you can. 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.359 So that it's hidden. 00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:37.639 Because if it's hidden from them. 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:39.200 It's seen by the father. 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:42.220 And if it's known to them. 00:30:42.419 --> 00:30:43.500 It's hidden from the father. 00:30:44.159 --> 00:30:45.039 You can't have it both ways. 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.960 The temptation will be. 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.519 On Friday. 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.559 To let everyone know. 00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:49.359 About your symptoms of fasting. 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:50.139 So they will be. 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:52.559 Impressed by your heroic self-efforts. 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.740 I'm so hungry. 00:30:55.159 --> 00:30:56.119 I'm fasting today. 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:57.720 I'm really. 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:59.259 I'm really struggling with my fast. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:02.839 I'm finding it a real challenge. 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.539 This fasting. 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.779 But it's okay. 00:31:04.879 --> 00:31:06.019 My burning zeal. 00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:06.639 For righteousness. 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.480 Sustains me. 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.960 Let me post on Facebook. 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.700 To update everyone. 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:10.980 Jesus. 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.019 Cuts through all of that. 00:31:12.100 --> 00:31:12.380 Doesn't he? 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:14.759 He says. 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.900 Make sure you look good on Friday. 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.580 Freshen up. 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.480 Have an upbeat mood. 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.519 No matter how angry you feel. 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.259 Don't mention it. 00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:20.960 To everyone. 00:31:21.840 --> 00:31:22.819 So that it won't be obvious. 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:23.519 To human beings. 00:31:23.580 --> 00:31:24.259 But it will be known. 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:24.980 To your father. 00:31:26.600 --> 00:31:27.220 So on Friday. 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:28.400 Let's not go on at one another. 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.000 When we see each other. 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:29.440 How are you doing? 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.120 I'm starving. 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:32.400 I can murder a bird. 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:32.860 Couldn't you? 00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:34.759 I can't wait for tonight. 00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:37.620 It's no good. 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:41.200 Let's not speak about ourselves. 00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:41.960 On this day. 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.940 Let's focus our attention. 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.779 On the bread of life. 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:47.860 The one we really desire. 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.620 Fix our eyes. 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.180 And minds. 00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:50.019 On him. 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:50.940 And encourage one another. 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:51.620 To desire him. 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:52.680 And to forget all that other stuff. 00:31:54.580 --> 00:31:54.960 And of course. 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.680 Jesus acknowledges. 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:57.160 We might feel pretty grotty. 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:58.360 When we're fasting. 00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:59.460 And that's why he gives us. 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.340 This advice. 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:03.380 People sometimes say to me. 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.940 I find fasting really helpful. 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:06.080 Because it helps me concentrate. 00:32:06.340 --> 00:32:07.059 On the Bible and prayer. 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:08.019 I've never found that. 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:10.500 And in fact. 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.400 The Bible never says that. 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:11.700 In fact. 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:14.140 You will find it harder to concentrate. 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:14.819 If you have no food. 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.660 And that's important to face up to it. 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.380 It's not actually. 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.900 So that you will concentrate better. 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.500 No. 00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:21.900 It's that you'll say it. 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:23.080 I cannot live one moment. 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.080 Without you Lord. 00:32:25.600 --> 00:32:26.480 That's what it's about. 00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:28.180 Fasting. 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:29.259 It's not about earning merit. 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:30.100 With the living God. 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:31.400 But it's about dealing with our hearts. 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.100 And our minds. 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:33.460 It's not about what it does to God. 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:34.920 As if we're twisting God's arm. 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:35.779 Behind his back. 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:37.519 But what fasting does to us. 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:39.139 It gets to the root of our hearts. 00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:39.879 And our desires. 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:42.039 And it forces you and I. 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.460 To find out. 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.660 What are our true cravings. 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:46.339 It's nothing to do with dieting. 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.000 Or weight loss. 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:50.759 There's a man who went to his minister. 00:32:50.879 --> 00:32:51.720 And asked him to pray. 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:53.779 Could you pray that I lose lots of weight. 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:56.119 And the minister said. 00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:57.839 This does not come about without much fasting. 00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:59.160 But that's not the point. 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.619 We're seeking the living God. 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.680 It's not about health benefits. 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.819 It's about eternal benefits. 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:06.059 The body is going to die. 00:33:06.139 --> 00:33:07.159 No matter how much you fast. 00:33:07.939 --> 00:33:09.419 But you get an eternal perspective. 00:33:09.419 --> 00:33:11.000 To think about how you use your body. 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:13.519 It's not trying to improve yourself. 00:33:15.179 --> 00:33:16.500 It's when I forget myself. 00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:17.220 And say Jesus. 00:33:17.399 --> 00:33:17.879 And his way. 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:18.339 And his truth. 00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:18.779 And his life. 00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:19.559 Are all that matters. 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.460 In Isaiah 8.58. 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.559 The Lord sees his church. 00:33:23.599 --> 00:33:24.460 And that they do fast. 00:33:24.659 --> 00:33:25.639 And that they go through rituals. 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.679 And they do all this stuff. 00:33:26.919 --> 00:33:27.859 But it's just a ritual. 00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:28.500 And a duty. 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:30.619 And they're sort of expecting God. 00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:31.939 To kind of give them extra blessings. 00:33:32.279 --> 00:33:33.379 We've done all this fasting. 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.159 Lord you owe us. 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:35.100 And the Lord says. 00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:36.240 That is not the kind of fasting. 00:33:36.360 --> 00:33:36.980 I'm interested in. 00:33:37.040 --> 00:33:37.560 It's rubbish. 00:33:44.300 --> 00:33:45.240 Why are you doing it? 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.500 It's for yourselves. 00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:48.480 I'm not interested in it. 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.259 But if you're doing it. 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.160 Out of love for others. 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:51.940 Out of love for me. 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:52.740 Then life will come. 00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.580 Why are we doing it? 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.620 Why bother? 00:34:01.619 --> 00:34:07.799 Because we cannot see one person saved. 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:12.599 We cannot reach Ealing, Hanwell, Greenford without it. 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:16.480 We cannot plant a church at Neffsbridge without it. 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:19.339 We cannot put sin to death. 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:23.779 Our own desires lead to destruction. 00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:27.780 And we want those desires put in their proper place. 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:29.060 And we want to feast on Christ. 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:33.280 And so during the day we'll try and send you Bible verses. 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:37.320 And the Lord will deal with each one of us in specific ways. 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:41.240 But our great overall prayer is that the Lord God would be glorified. 00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:43.859 For the Lord Jesus will be lifted up. 00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:46.519 And then we'll break our fast. 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.399 And we'll rejoice. 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:49.039 And we'll sing. 00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:51.259 And we'll hear God's word. 00:34:52.359 --> 00:34:53.639 And we'll celebrate the Lord's Supper. 00:34:54.439 --> 00:34:54.959 Let's pray. 00:34:54.959 --> 00:34:55.000 Let's pray.