04-14-19 DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE LORD DO SOMETHING GREAT AT NLBC MATTHEW 17:14-21 ISAIAH 58:6-8
Tonight I would like to start by asking you a question: DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE LORD DO SOMETHING GREAT AT NLBC.
2ND Question – Are you willing to do what it is going to take for the Lord to do something great at NLBC?
This evening I would like to preach on DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE LORD DO SOMETHING GREAT?
MATTHEW 17:14-21
KEY: VS 21
PRAYER
The disciples were sent out 2 X 2 to do the work of the Lord, when they came to this man in our text.
VS 15
And the disciples could not heal this man son. So he comes to Jesus
Vs 16
Jesus responds
Vs 17-18
Disciples being confused go to Jesus with a question
Vs 19
We can learn something that most Christians and Churches have lost with Jesus’ answer.
Vs 20 - Because of your unbelief:
Let me ask you a question: Did Jesus’ disciples have the ability to heal this man’s son and see the Lord do something great through them? YES
WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM? Their Unbelief or the lack of faith or no faith!!!
UNBELIEF IS DISOBEDIENCE AND DISOBEDIENCE IS SIN
ROMANS 14:23
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Then Jesus like He does so many times not only rebukes and tell His disciples that they had no faith, but then He tells them how to fix the problem.
VS 21
And in this verse lies the key for NLBC to see the Lord do something great for Him.
PRAYER AND FASTING
I. DEFINTION
A voluntary withdrawing from food and/or drink, or other fleshly appetite, for a specified period of time and spending that time in prayer.
II. PURPOSE OF FASTING
A. A WAY TO SEEK GOD BY DENYING THE PHYSICAL IN ORDER TO FOCUS ON THE SPIRITUAL.
For this reason, prayer and fasting must always go together or it does you no good spiritually!
II CHRONICLES 20:3-4
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
Ezra 8:23
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
B. IT IS LETTING GO OF THE PHYSICAL TO FOCUS ON THE SPIRITUAL.
When we fast it ought to be from ALL physical desires, not just food!
TURN TO ISAIAH 58:6-8
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
III. REASONS WE NEED TO FAST
A. TO GET FREEDOM FROM ADDICTIONS
VS 6 “loose the bands of wickedness”
Things you would like to get victory over but have been unable to.
Drinking Smoking Drugs Cussing Pornography Or any other sin or thing that you have put in front of the Lord that you are struggling with
God has ordained that when we get serious about walking in victory we demonstrate it thru prayer and fasting, then He knows we are serious now!
B. TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
VS 6 “undo heavy burdens”
Finances! Marriage Family Job solution?
When it seems hopeless, no way out!
God will deal with in an instant what you have been stressed for weeks and months!
When we Pray and Fast
C. REVIVAL AND SOUL- WINNING
VS 6 “and to let the oppressed go free”
Oh that we would pray and fast before we go out to share the Gospel
Do you really want to see revival? Join me in the month of May 1 day a week to pray and fast for revival for NLBC
D. TO CONQUER MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS
VS 6 “and to let the oppressed go free”
Everyone seems to be totally stressed out and under deep emotional strain.
E. A CLEARER INSIGHT IN DECISION MAKING
Different that problem-solving…this is when you are seeking God’s will in a major area of life.
Job offers Transfers Dating Marriage College Ministry Life Changing Decisions
VS 8 “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning”
It is like God turns on the lights and now you know what to do!
F. HEALTH REASONS
VS 8 “thy health shall spring forth speedily”
G. FOR A GODLIER LIFE AND A GREAT TESTIMONY FOR THE LORD.
VS 8 “thy righteousness shall go before thee”
It is easy for us to grow cold so say, Lord, light a fire under me! Make me like I was when I was first saved!
If you get serious enough to deny yourself in the physical realm, it will be amazing what God will do in your soul spiritually!
H. FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD, TO PROTECT US FROM SATAN.
VS 8 “rereward” - protection
III. THE BENEFITS OF FASTING
A. SPENDING MORE TIME WITH THE LORD
Burdened for revival in our church! Have you you willing to pray and fast?
Prayer and Fasting is also a way of encouraging grief over sin, ever wished you were more burdened over sin? one way to cultivate grief is by prayer and fasting.
C. MAKING OUR HEARTS MORE IN TUNED WITH GOD
PSALM 37:4
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
C. PRAYER & FASTING DEMONSTRATES TO GOD OUR SERIOUSNESS
D. PRAYER & FASTING WILL INCREASE OUR FAITH TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE
In closing turn to Matthew 17:14-21
His disciples could not help this father’s son and Jesus rebukes them
VS 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
The disciples ask Jesus why they could not heal this boy. And what did Jesus say?
VS 20 Because of your unbelief – lack of faith
DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE LORD DO SOMETHING GREAT AT NLBC?
Jesus gives us the answer
VS 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
IN CLOSING
TURN TO EZRA 8:21
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
I would like to Proclaim a Fast in the Month of May
A voluntary withdrawing from food and/or drink, or other fleshly appetite, for a specified period of time and spending that time in prayer.
I would like to have at least one person to fast and pray for NLBC every day except for Sunday for at least one hour.
I will have a calendar for you to sign up and you can do it more than once a week or month and let us bombard heaven with our prayers for our church.
So we must answer this question, do you want to see the Lord do something great at NLBC?
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
