For No Reason

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

Hosea 6:6 ESV

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Amos 5:21–24 ESV

“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them.

Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen.

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

We have dedicated a month to prayer and fasting at the beginning of the last three years, but WHY? -

We want to see God, be transformed, and glorify him.

Argumentation: saw God and it transformed their lives - Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Peter, Paul, Mary

But now, in this text, in our context we must evaluate purpose and motivation.

Illustration: Let’s say Erika is cleaning our bathroom, what might be her motivation? To feel better or have company. What if I was cleaning it? Could be that I love her and want her to be happy, or that I think my life will go better, or that I want something, then at best it is buttering her up, at worst manipulating circumstances for my gain.

Application: However, with our fast we will ask the question about fasting prior the end of the fast, and prior to any results demonstrated in our lives, with the hope that transformation is seen. I think this is one of the reasons that I felt Steve and I felt led for our church to look upon the face of God. If you want true transformation in our lives, look upon Him.

Even though we are seven days into our fasting and prayer, let’s do some evaluation of WHY. The WHY is incredibly important! John Piper’s example of giving flowers to Noel on their anniversary as a duty. We do not want God to reject our fasting or it to be fruitless. Questions for your heart and mind that only you can answer honestly that we can ask:

Why did you sign up?

What’s your approach on the day that you have chosen?

What about the days that you haven’t selected to own?

What do you expect to gain?

What is your goal?

Of course, these questions could/ be asked of everything we do. Also, especially, as this is a church effort, we should ask what is the church’s goal, what should it expect to gain. If the glorification of God is not at the top of these answers, we are not doing it right...

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Application: We must pray once we see our heart for purity of motivation, even if your motivation now is right. For the next 23 days let your fasting cause you to look toward God, and ask him to reveal himself to you. OK, pastor, how do I do that. Glad you asked. This week, on Tues, we looked and meditated on Jehovah M’Kaddesh - The LORD who Sanctifies. One of the ways we see God is through his Word, His truth.

John 17:17 ESV