Prayer and Fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, deal with how not to pray and fast. Jesus is showing the disciples by teaching through bad examples on how not to pray and fast. What might help us is to think about how these will further our growth in Jesus Christ. The following are excerpts from a couple commentaries and bible dictionaries all mashed together.
This model prayer is concerned in the first instance with the glory of God. Before we ask anything for ourselves, we look for the hallowing of God’s name, the extending of God’s kingdom and the doing of God’s will. These are the issues that weed out all that is self-centered in our prayer lives. It’s not just a matter of coming with our requests: it is coming with requests for things that will give glory to God, that will be in the interests of his gospel and that will produce more obedience to him in our own lives and in the lives of others.
Then we can start asking. We can ask for our needs to be met in the present, for forgiveness for the past and for protection in the future. By asking God for ‘our daily bread’, we acknowledge that all our material possessions are his to give and his to withhold. This is the language of dependence on the giver of all good gifts. By asking him to ‘forgive us our debts’, we are acknowledging a lifetime of accumulating debts we cannot repay before a God who can forgive. And by asking that he ‘lead us not into temptation’, we are looking forward realistically, knowing that we need to be kept and protected every step of life’s way.
FASTING: Refraining from eating food. The Bible describes three main forms of fasting. The normal fast involves the total abstinence of food. Luke 4:2 reveals that Jesus “ate nothing”; afterwards “He was hungry.” Jesus abstained from food but not from water.
In Acts 9:9 we read of an absolute fast where for three days Paul “did not eat or drink” (HCSB). The abstinence from both food and water seems to have lasted no more than three days (Ezra 10:6; Esther 4:16).
The partial fast in Dan. 10:3 emphasizes the restriction of diet rather than complete abstinence. The context implies that there were physical benefits resulting from this partial fast. However, this verse indicates that there was a revelation given to Daniel as a result of this time of fasting.
Fasting is the laying aside of food for a period of time when the believer is seeking to know God in a deeper experience. It is to be done as an act before God in the privacy of one’s own pursuit of God (Exod. 34:28; 1 Sam. 7:6; 1 Kings 19:8; Matt. 6:17).
Fasting is to be done with the object of seeking to know God in a deeper experience (Isa. 58; Zech. 7:5). Fasting relates to a time of confession (Ps. 69:10). Fasting can be a time of seeking a deeper prayer experience and drawing near to God in prevailing prayer (Ezra 8:23; Joel 2:12). The early church often fasted in seeking God’s will for leadership in the local church (Acts 13:2). When the early church wanted to know the mind of God, there was a time of prayer and fasting.
What Fasting really means, therefore, is abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.
Fasting is not Discipline it is something unusual and exceptional. Discipline is something we should do all the time not something that happens once in a while.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Matthew 5:21-6:4 Anger, Lust, Divorce, Oaths, Retaliation, love your enemies and giving to the needy.
Heart Issues: We all have them and they are where we find out who we are. The Heart Not just the center of the blood circulation though it means that. Not just the emotional part of man’s nature, but here the inner man including the intellect, the affections, the will. Jesus knows exactly what he is doing as he speaks on these very specific issues. It is no secret that he was speaking to the spirit of the law not the letter of the law. Think about this phrase from the section previous: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees.” Jesus
The people Jesus would have know that what Jesus was speaking was about to show them the truth of who they were. They would soon see that this was not about what they did not do but why they did what they did. This quotes helps me grasp this perspective: “Confess not only for the reasons you have done wrong, but also for the reasons you have done right.” T. Keller
Think about Jesus words on the heart:
Matthew 12:34-For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45- The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Here is a small perspective on the illustrations of Jesus.
Anger- Words Kill
Lust- Looking in Lust/ Thinking in Lust: “The eye and the heart are the two brokers of sin.” “Passions lodge only in him who sees.”
→
Divorce- Only for unfaithfulness
→
Oaths- Yes be Yes and No be No “not on your life”
Retaliation- turn the other cheek, give your jacket too
Love your Enemies- Even unbelievers love those who love them. pray for your enemies as well
Give to the needy- no for you but for Jesus
1 John2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Jesus did not come to deal with your actions in specific; he came to deal with the motives of your heart.
Heart Motives
- Who are you really?
- This is the stuff only you and Jesus Know.
- Most of us are Fake.
4 things your heart says about you:
1. What you Love most
2. Who you are
3. Where your deepest secrets are
4. How much you need a savior
Jesus came to change your heart, and what is amazing is that your heart tells your story.
This paragraph helps to bring understanding as Christians how we deal with our heart problems:
“The one test, which you must always apply to yourself, is this, what is my relationship to God? Do I know Him? In other words, as you examine yourself before you go to bed, you do not just ask yourself if you have committed murder or adultery, or whether you have been guilty of this or that, and if you have not thank God that all is well. No. You ask yourself rather, has God been supreme in my life today? Have I lived to the glory and honor of God? Do I know him better? Have I a zeal for his honor and glory? Has there been anything in me that has been unlike Christ- thoughts, imaginations, desires, and impulses? That is the way. In other words, you examine yourself in the light of a living person and nit merely in terms of a mechanical code of rules and regulations.” D. Martin Lloyd-Jones
I have the feeling if we asked these questions we might find heart perspective. One other thought is that we might pray through Luke 11:1-13 we will find hope and joy in the fight we are taking on inside of us.
The people Jesus would have know that what Jesus was speaking was about to show them the truth of who they were. They would soon see that this was not about what they did not do but why they did what they did. This quotes helps me grasp this perspective: “Confess not only for the reasons you have done wrong, but also for the reasons you have done right.” T. Keller
Think about Jesus words on the heart:
Matthew 12:34-For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45- The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Here is a small perspective on the illustrations of Jesus.
Anger- Words Kill
Lust- Looking in Lust/ Thinking in Lust: “The eye and the heart are the two brokers of sin.” “Passions lodge only in him who sees.”
→
Divorce- Only for unfaithfulness
→
Oaths- Yes be Yes and No be No “not on your life”
Retaliation- turn the other cheek, give your jacket too
Love your Enemies- Even unbelievers love those who love them. pray for your enemies as well
Give to the needy- no for you but for Jesus
1 John2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Jesus did not come to deal with your actions in specific; he came to deal with the motives of your heart.
Heart Motives
- Who are you really?
- This is the stuff only you and Jesus Know.
- Most of us are Fake.
4 things your heart says about you:
1. What you Love most
2. Who you are
3. Where your deepest secrets are
4. How much you need a savior
Jesus came to change your heart, and what is amazing is that your heart tells your story.
This paragraph helps to bring understanding as Christians how we deal with our heart problems:
“The one test, which you must always apply to yourself, is this, what is my relationship to God? Do I know Him? In other words, as you examine yourself before you go to bed, you do not just ask yourself if you have committed murder or adultery, or whether you have been guilty of this or that, and if you have not thank God that all is well. No. You ask yourself rather, has God been supreme in my life today? Have I lived to the glory and honor of God? Do I know him better? Have I a zeal for his honor and glory? Has there been anything in me that has been unlike Christ- thoughts, imaginations, desires, and impulses? That is the way. In other words, you examine yourself in the light of a living person and nit merely in terms of a mechanical code of rules and regulations.” D. Martin Lloyd-Jones
I have the feeling if we asked these questions we might find heart perspective. One other thought is that we might pray through Luke 11:1-13 we will find hope and joy in the fight we are taking on inside of us.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Matthew 5:17-20 Christ came to fulfill the law
"Jesus is Lord! This is the triumphant witness of the New Testament. The gospel proclaims that our Creator entered our world. It is a world enslaved to sin and opposed to him. And yet by grace he did not come to destroy it, but to redeem it — to provide a means for the forgiveness of sins, adoption into his family, and the restoration of all that he has made (John 1:1–14; cf. Romans 8:20–21). By his death, Jesus defeated God‘s enemies, and ours: sin, death, and the devil (1 Corinthians 15:25–26, 54–57; Colossians 2:14–15). His resurrection is an indisputable witness to his victory, and the sure promise that all who believe in him can share in his triumph (1 Corinthians 15:20–23). It also declares him to be the judge of all the earth (Acts 17:30–31). He has ascended as ruler of the universe, and he will return to destroy his enemies and to bring his people into the fulness of a new creation where we will live with him, face to face, forever (Revelation 21–22)."Keeping it Missional Porterbrook network.
Jesus lived what we could not "perfection" he died the death we could not die. When Jesus said he came to fulfill the law he was referencing that all that was required he came to do. The law required perfection, we know that we are not perfect. The joy in knowing that God has sent the perfect sacrifice for us brings joy and peace. I am so thankful that the law was fulfilled for me. I am so blessed that the gospel was preached to me. I could not live what the law required but Jesus lived it to the letter. In his life, death, and resurrection we are forgiven and redeemed. We are clothed in Christ righteousness and God views us as he views his son. Praise be to God who is rich in mercy and grace towards his kids.
Jesus lived what we could not "perfection" he died the death we could not die. When Jesus said he came to fulfill the law he was referencing that all that was required he came to do. The law required perfection, we know that we are not perfect. The joy in knowing that God has sent the perfect sacrifice for us brings joy and peace. I am so thankful that the law was fulfilled for me. I am so blessed that the gospel was preached to me. I could not live what the law required but Jesus lived it to the letter. In his life, death, and resurrection we are forgiven and redeemed. We are clothed in Christ righteousness and God views us as he views his son. Praise be to God who is rich in mercy and grace towards his kids.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Matthew 5:13-16 Salt and Light
Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
The power of the beatitudes have now shaped us to the point of no return. Jesus is lord and savior and in full control. Our reflection upon the beatitudes and the simple yet extraordinary happiness they provide as we are poor in spirit changes us eternally. They also change us in our present condition. Jesus says that we are salt and light. We are to very significant and important elements in the ancient world. Jesus calls us a preservative and a tool for illumination.
Salt has lots of uses to us: taste and medicinal but when Jesus called us salt he communicated specifically preservative. Why preservative? I thinking being flavor of the world might be more interesting but preservative is clearly what the world needs. The world needs something to keep the evil out when Christians are present. Jesus desire for his people is to be a neutralizing agent to keep sin from growing. Salt when acting as a preservative makes bacteria unable to grow and survive. Christian should by their very lives create a more holy living space. People should act differently when Christians are present by their lives not by what they tell others to do.
Light illuminates it exposes darkness. Jesus says that we are light, we expose the world for what it is. When Christians live the way the beatitudes call them to they will always expose the world and its hidden agenda. Listen to Jesus words in John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” So disciples must function in society as an alternative and challenging community. It is by their visible goodness that they will bring glory to the God who has made them so.
So the question I asked my self; "what impurities have I let into my life to remove my salty taste? where am I allowing "my life" to cover up the light that should point to the father?"
We are the salt and Light Jesus made no mistake in choosing those to illustrations to show us who we are.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
The power of the beatitudes have now shaped us to the point of no return. Jesus is lord and savior and in full control. Our reflection upon the beatitudes and the simple yet extraordinary happiness they provide as we are poor in spirit changes us eternally. They also change us in our present condition. Jesus says that we are salt and light. We are to very significant and important elements in the ancient world. Jesus calls us a preservative and a tool for illumination.
Salt has lots of uses to us: taste and medicinal but when Jesus called us salt he communicated specifically preservative. Why preservative? I thinking being flavor of the world might be more interesting but preservative is clearly what the world needs. The world needs something to keep the evil out when Christians are present. Jesus desire for his people is to be a neutralizing agent to keep sin from growing. Salt when acting as a preservative makes bacteria unable to grow and survive. Christian should by their very lives create a more holy living space. People should act differently when Christians are present by their lives not by what they tell others to do.
Light illuminates it exposes darkness. Jesus says that we are light, we expose the world for what it is. When Christians live the way the beatitudes call them to they will always expose the world and its hidden agenda. Listen to Jesus words in John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” So disciples must function in society as an alternative and challenging community. It is by their visible goodness that they will bring glory to the God who has made them so.
So the question I asked my self; "what impurities have I let into my life to remove my salty taste? where am I allowing "my life" to cover up the light that should point to the father?"
We are the salt and Light Jesus made no mistake in choosing those to illustrations to show us who we are.
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