SERMON: February 11, 2024
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MORNING PRAYER
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
VIRTUAL SERMON
SERMON NOTES:
Fasting for Spiritual Revelation
Recap: last two weeks
Fasting and prayer to humble oneself (Psalm 35:13)
I humbled my soul with fasting (David testifies)
We humble ourselves, and God does the exalting
Fasting to Releasing Holy Spirit Power in Me
Fasting changes me in order that I can be in a better position to receive what God has already given me
Fasting with the right motives is a supernatural way to get the flesh under control
Removes pride that comes from carnal mind
Allows holy spirit to flow freely through my spirit, soul, body to affect others and the rest of the world
Intro: Hearing or seeking God’s will on a situation
Ezra 8:21-23 - Amplified Bible
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava, so that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our [a]children, and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request troops and horsemen from the king to protect us from the enemy along the way, because we had told the king, “The hand of our God is favorable toward all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who abandon (turn away from) Him.” 23 So we fasted and sought [help from] our God concerning this [matter], and He heard our plea.
He could have asked the king for soldiers for protection
Natural faith, but he had already bragged and testified about God’s power of protection
Ezra declares a fast for direction and protection from robbers.
Fasting is invoking the supernatural for help
Women, children, great possessions (gold, silver, bronze as offerings to God)
Ezra 8:31-32 - Amplified Bible
31 We set out from the river Ahava on the twelfth [day] of the first month to go to Jerusalem; and the hand of our God was upon us, and He rescued us from the hand of the enemy and those who lay in ambushes along the way. 32 So we came to Jerusalem and remained there for three days.
2 Chronicles 20:1-4 - The Message
20 1-2 Some time later the Moabites and Ammonites, accompanied by Meunites, joined forces to make war on Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat received this intelligence report: “A huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight you. There’s no time to waste—they’re already at Hazazon Tamar, the oasis of En Gedi.”
3-4 Shaken, Jehoshaphat prayed. He went to God for help and ordered a nationwide fast. The country of Judah united in seeking God’s help—they came from all the cities of Judah to pray to God.
Ordered a nationwide fast to seek God’s help/ voice
2 Chronicles 20:12-15 - New Living Translation
12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”
13 As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.
15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Put the praise and worship leaders up front in robes singing
“Give thanks to the Lord;
his faithful love endures forever!”The Lord set ambushes for the enemies and they killed each other
Took 3 days to collect all the gold, silver, valuables
Called that place Valley of Blessing
Acts 13:1-3 - New Living Translation
13 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”[a]), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas[b]), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
5 leaders prophets & teachers worshipping God through fasting
Even after receiving a special message from the Holy Spirit they prayed & fasted some more
Then laid hands on them- beginning of 1st Missionary Journey/ Apostles
Acts 13:9-12 - New Living Translation
9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10 Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11 Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. 12 When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.
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