God does not reject the weak. He cares for the weak. He expects the strong to care for the weak.
However, He fully intends to give strength to His people. He receives us as we are, yet loves too much to keep us there.
God loves the weak and the strong; He promises to provide strength to His people and wants us to access it.
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Since Jesus won the battle, why do we still have warfare?
In this episode, Pastor John Carmichael answers this question. Jesus took Satan's authority away. However, Satan still has tremendous ability. We are standing against the ability of Satan, using delegated authority Christ has given the church.
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You have an enemy. His name is Satan. He wants to stop you from becoming all that God wants you to become. God wants us to bind Satan so that we can become all that God wants us to become.
Composite story: Mark 3:13-30; Matthew 10:1-4 and 12:22-29
Particular attention to the first step in overcoming and becoming unstoppable: Mark 3:27 and Matthew 12:29.
We are going to take back what the enemy has stolen. We are going to plunder him. God is making us unstoppable.
What do we need to know about dealing with Satan to become unstoppable?
Here is the why and how of binding Satan to become unstoppable.
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What is This Fasting About?
[Mat 6:16-18 NASB]
Fasting is about food, not activities.
The Greek word for fasting is νηστεύητε which is a compound word. The first part is “not”. The second part is “to eat”. So, fasting is not eating.
This is important. Fasting is not neglecting everything. Really is about food. It can include sex (1 Cor. 7:5, some translations).
Food can become a god to us. [Phl 3:18-20 NASB]
Gluttony is a sin.
Self-righteousness is a sin. Many times false religion was more about what they eat or did not eat than about God. Acts 10, God tells Peter to rise kill, and eat. This was counter to anything he would have done.
[Mat 4:4 NASB]
Within fasting, the preoccupation with food should lead us to God.
Fasting is about Him, not them.
Fasting is about honoring and seeking Him.
Attitude: The real issue Jesus was dealing with is when we fast for the purpose to be seen by people. This does not mean your fast is negated when people find out you are fasting or you are part of a corporate fast, the issue is INTENT. Are you fasting to seek to know God or to seek the praise of people?
Action: See to it that you are praying while you fast. Take the time you would be eating and spend that time in prayer to God.
Fasting is about discipline, not abuse.
The disfigurement of the face was paramount to not washing. They saw fasting as absolute neglect/abuse of the body. Yet, Jesus said anoint your head, wash your face.
“Oil does not here symbolize extravagant joy but normal body care.” (Carson) Jesus taught that they should take care of their body as they normally would.
Do not abuse the body, but discipline it.
[1Co 9:23-27 NASB]
Kenneth Boa – there is a renewed call to the traditional disciplines (fasting, giving, praying, solitude, corporate worship, and service.) He says, “Today’s Christian leaders pitch their message so low that if their members practiced the spiritual regiments they propose, it is unlikely they would be distinguishably different from their neighbors.”
In the NT, Jesus engaged in all the spiritual practices. They are not an end in themselves, but a means to know and obey the Father. (KB)
[1Ti 4:7 NASB]
Spiritual disciplines and habits need to be our responses to His Grace!
We are disciples of Jesus Christ. That means disciplined learners. A Christian is a disciplined learner of Jesus Christ.
It is about growing in discipline in your walk with God.
Fasting is about receiving not earning.
V. 16 – “Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” GR: μισθὸν – BDAG “pay” “wages” even if is God Who would pay.
V. 18 – “. . . and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.” GR: ἀποδώσει – BDAG “recompense” “reward” “restore”
Similar definitions, but different usages. The first is mere wages, the second is more about getting more than you “earned”.
[Rom 11:6 NASB]
More about receiving and abundance than earning a wage.
Japanese Culture: In the standard model, workers receive two fairly large bonuses as well as their regular salary, one mid-year and the other at year’s end. In 1988 workers in large companies received bonuses equivalent to their pay for 1.9 months while workers in the smallest firms gained bonuses equal to 1.2 months’ pay. In addition to bonuses, Japanese workers received a number of fringe benefits, such as living allowances, incentive payments, remuneration for special job conditions, allowances for good attendance, and cost-of-living allowances. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_work_environment)
American Work Culture “hours = dollars” and “work = pay” no more.
As great as the American work culture is naturally, do not bring that mentality into your relationship with God.
God desires to bless you way beyond what your work for Him earns.
You fast; God blesses you, your family, your finances, and your God-given dreams and goals. Your fasting connects you to His resources.
It is not about earning, it is about receiving.
Fasting is/should be a normal part of Christianity as we avoid eating for the purpose of seeking God in a disciplined lifestyle while receiving a grace-based reward.
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What is involved in fighting for the things that God has specifically spoken to us?
Here are three things involved in the fight for the things God has spoken to us.
We need to go to war over the things that God has spoken to us.
Paul commands Timothy to go to war. This informs us that war for the things of God is expected. In most cases, there are no easy victories.
[2Ki 13:18-19 NASB95]
We must be all in if we will fulfill His call on our lives. [Col 4:17 NASB95]
The promises of God are worth fighting for. Be strong in the Lord. Be willing to fight for it just because God wants to give it to you.
We need to keep fighting for what God has spoken to us.
The term keeping the faith has a meaning of endurance to it.
What God says to you does not always come to pass quickly. During those waiting times, the Word will try you. [Psa 105:17-19 NASB95].
Are we going to keep holding on to the word?
Don’t become weak in faith. Don’t waver in unbelief. Become fully assured. [Rom 4:16-22 NASB95]
We must refuse to compromise about what God has spoken to us.
The end does not justify the means. Saul had the kingdom taken from him because he disregarded what God said for him to do so he could keep his victory.
Jeroboam had one of the greatest personal prophecies not come to pass because he compromised the commands of God.
The promise. [1Ki 11:31, 37-38 NASB95]
The compromise. [1Ki 12:26-28 NASB95]
The tragic result. [1Ki 13:34 NASB95]
Stay in obedience and integrity as you pursue the promise of God in your life.
God wants us to fight for what He has spoken to us, which will require us to persevere as we walk in obedience and integrity.
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What are some guidelines that will help us as we learn to hear from God?
Here are three guidelines that will help us as we learn to hear from God.
What did God say?
Revelation. Never add to NOR take away from what you heard. [Rev 22:18-19 NASB95]
Blood pressure story? Apple story?
Compare it to scripture. [2Co 13:1 NASB95]
Not knowing the Word of God will cause you to be deceived. [Mat 24:24 NASB95]
The deception comes when we think we have heard from God but are wrong.
What did God mean?
Interpretation. Never assume you know.
Requires humility.
“I have given that church to you.” (Paris, Clinton.)
In Daniel 9, he sought God for the understanding of the prophecy of Jeremiah (v2.) [Dan 9:2 NASB95]
Timing? Allegorical?
Requires us to be patient and to continue to seek God.
What do I do with it?
Application. Act? Pray? Speak?
Ask God what He wants you to do with what He said.
Timing – when do act.
Action. Sometimes the revelation and interpretation show us what we are to do. Brain surgeon = medical school, bachelor, masters, and doctorate degrees. [Act 16:9-10 NASB95]
Sometimes, God will want you to speak. Sometimes not. [2Co 12:1 NASB95]
Many (if not most) of what God shows you will require you to pray.
As we learn to hear from God, we need to find out what God said, then discover what God means while we find out what God wants us to do.
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