FASTING - HUNGRY FOR GOD (6 OF 7)
by Roger Thomas
Scripture: MATTHEW 6:1, MATTHEW 6:16-18
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Fasting - Hungry for God (6 of 7)
Series: The Care and Feeding of a Soul
Roger Thomas
Matthew 6:1, 16-18
Today we come to the third of three illustrations Jesus uses to teach that motives matter to God. It is possible to do a good thing for the wrong reason. He outlines the principle in verse one. ''Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness before men,' to be seen by them.'' He first applies the principle to giving to those in need. Of course, sharing is good. Doing it to show off, however, doesn't impress God.
The same principle applies to praying. The Lord wants us to pray. But he wants us to remember who we are praying to when we do. This is not just an old problem. I know that preachers and leaders who lead public prayer have to deal with this. We can be tempted to use big words or fancy phrases so that we sound ''religious.'' It is all too easy to forget who you're talking to.
We can even confuse prayer time and announcement time. I've never seen it here, but I have known prayers that almost sounded like this. ''Lord, we thank you for your blessings. We ask for your forgiveness. And Lord help everyone remember the potluck dinner next Tuesday, at 6:30 in the fellowship hall. Lord we are grateful that those whose last names begin with A-J are bringing vegetables, those with last names beginning with J-S, salads, and names starting with T-Z, desserts. In Jesus Name, Amen.''
Jesus' third illustration may seem less familiar to us. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if most of you have never heard a sermon or lesson on fasting. It is altogether possible that this topic has never been addressed from this pulpit in the last fifty years except in passing. Why are so many of us inclined to view fasting as out-dated and maybe even weird? I suspect there are a number of reasons. First, going without anything, especially food, is contrary to everything we consider normal. Self-gratification is almost an American right.
Secondly, we are almost obs ...
Series: The Care and Feeding of a Soul
Roger Thomas
Matthew 6:1, 16-18
Today we come to the third of three illustrations Jesus uses to teach that motives matter to God. It is possible to do a good thing for the wrong reason. He outlines the principle in verse one. ''Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness before men,' to be seen by them.'' He first applies the principle to giving to those in need. Of course, sharing is good. Doing it to show off, however, doesn't impress God.
The same principle applies to praying. The Lord wants us to pray. But he wants us to remember who we are praying to when we do. This is not just an old problem. I know that preachers and leaders who lead public prayer have to deal with this. We can be tempted to use big words or fancy phrases so that we sound ''religious.'' It is all too easy to forget who you're talking to.
We can even confuse prayer time and announcement time. I've never seen it here, but I have known prayers that almost sounded like this. ''Lord, we thank you for your blessings. We ask for your forgiveness. And Lord help everyone remember the potluck dinner next Tuesday, at 6:30 in the fellowship hall. Lord we are grateful that those whose last names begin with A-J are bringing vegetables, those with last names beginning with J-S, salads, and names starting with T-Z, desserts. In Jesus Name, Amen.''
Jesus' third illustration may seem less familiar to us. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if most of you have never heard a sermon or lesson on fasting. It is altogether possible that this topic has never been addressed from this pulpit in the last fifty years except in passing. Why are so many of us inclined to view fasting as out-dated and maybe even weird? I suspect there are a number of reasons. First, going without anything, especially food, is contrary to everything we consider normal. Self-gratification is almost an American right.
Secondly, we are almost obs ...
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