Sermons on Holding Fast:

Week Two Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Mar 15, 2021

Lent is a ritual of the Church that leads us into the hope we have in Jesus. Fasting and Prayer are disciplines of Lent to bring about suffering to draw a person closer to God

“Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar. Like all Christian holy days and holidays, it has changed over the years, but its purpose has always been the same: self-examination and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial, in preparation for Easter. Early church father ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:13, Matthew 19:15, Luke 2:37, Jonah 3:5, Esther 4:1-4, Acts 13:2, Matthew 6:16-18, Romans 4:13-25, 2 Samuel 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Facing Overwhelming Odds Series

Contributed by Brett Crosson on Jun 17, 2019

Sometimes we face impossibly difficult situations. And we get afraid and lose hope. But the Word encourages us to stay in faith and focussed upon the Lord. And fasting can help us do just that.

Facing overwhelming odds Psalm 3 Sometimes we face situations that are overwhelming. The opposition might be too numerous. The medical report might be too negative. The time you have to solve the problem might be hopelessly too short. Your lawyers want you to count your losses. Your family and ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Are John’s Disciples So Worried About Jesus’ Disciples Fasting?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 2, 2021

The question from John's disciples about fasting reveals a serious disconnect to what Jesus is trying to accomplish.

WHY DON'T THEY FAST? The question from John’s disciples shows that they missed the point that Jesus just made. - Matthew 9:13-14. - In v. 14, John’s disciples come and ask about why Jesus’ disciples aren’t fasting. In other gospels, it gives us more information that the Pharisees were in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14

Denomination: Baptist

The Pre-Conditions God Sets For Us In His Mercy Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 22, 2023

God turns away from our fasting unless we are getting our behavior together

Saturday of the First Week in Lent Today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah is the second part of a very late prophecy, one that appears to have been written down years after the Babylonian exile. The prophet Zechariah tells us that in this late period, there were fasts in the fourth, fifth, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32, Psalm 86:1-6, Isaiah 58:9-14, Zechariah 8:18

Denomination: Catholic

Why You Do Not See?

Contributed by Bala Samson on Feb 25, 2023

Now, now ,now… don’t think by just giving your tithes and offering, your job is over, God expects you to participate in His work.

Why you do not see? Isaiah 58:3 'Why have we fasted and You do not see? For those who do not know, just want to inform you about the upcoming 40 days of fasting which Christians also call it Lent days. I have watched many people, do fasting after fasting….well, good…but let us also examine ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

An Audience Of One Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Sep 1, 2023

This passage of Scripture teaches us that when we pray to the Lord, and even give monetarily, that it is to be done entirely for Him and not as a public display for others. Every act of worship is to be seen only by an audience of One.

I have entitled our message this morning, “An Audience of One,” based on a song by Christian music artist Big Daddy Weave. Allow me to share some of the lyrics of this song: “I come on my knees, to lay down before You; bringing all that I am, longing only to know You. Seeking Your face, and not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

To Find God In His Secret Place Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 20, 2023

Where is God? He is waiting to meet you in your private (secret) place. You can find God’s presence when you seek Him.

“When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing … your Father who sees in secret.” Matthew 6:3-4, NLT “When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place.” Matthew 6:6, NKJV “When you fast ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:3-4, Matthew 6:6, Matthew 6:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

When Facing Midnight Danger Lesson 7 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 20, 2023

Your fasting bridges the gap between your pain and God’s provision.

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were loosed.” Acts 16:25-26 “At ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-26, Matthew 25:6

Denomination: Baptist

A Still Small Voice Lesson 7 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 1, 2023

You cannot achieve what you cannot conceive. Focus on positive actions that will establish good habits.

A. INTRODUCTION: 1 KINGS 19:8-17 1. Prepare physically. “Then he lay down and slept” (v 5). There … was some bread … a jar of water! So he ate and drank” (v. 6). Preparation is physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. 2. Recognize and face your limitations. “The journey ahead will be too ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9, 1 Kings 19:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Triumphant Over Tragedies

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Are you in a position where all self-sufficiency is gone? As you turn your eyes on the Lord and put your hope in Him, you have God’s reassuring promise that you need nothing more.

Opening illustration: A wise Bible teacher once said, “Sooner or later God will bring self-sufficient people to the place where they have no resource but Him – no strength, no answers, nothing but Him. Without God’s help, they are sunk.” He then told of a despairing man who confessed to his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Feasting On God In Prayer

Contributed by Jim Erwin on Dec 15, 2007

Fasting is feasting on God in prayer

Feasting on God in Prayer Zechariah 7:1-5 "Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: "When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me--for Me? (Zechariah 7:5 NKJV) INTRODUCTION Heike and I have been at a few weddings ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The "Us" Petition: Lesson 5

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 20, 2014

Fasting and Praying for Our Spirituality

A. FAST AND PRAY THE US PETITION “Lord, when I pray, I’ll follow this pattern: My Father in heaven, may Your name be holy, in my life on earth as Your name is holy in heaven. 10May Your kingdom come in my life on earth as Your kingdom rules in heaven. May Your will be done in my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Standing On The Promises Of God Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 3, 2020

Our faith in the promises of God are the anchor that holds us secure no matter what storm we are facing. The lifeline of God's promises anchors us to the very throne of God. Our job is to trust and hold on!

A. One day a young mother was feeling rather down and hopeless when she heard the phone ring. 1. The young mother picked up the phone and said, “Hello.” 2. A woman’s voice immediately said, “Honey, it’s mom. I called because I know that you’re overwhelmed with the three children, and I want to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:17-20, Romans 15:13, 1 Timothy 4:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

That's Tempting

Contributed by Tim Zukas on Feb 12, 2005

Temptation - Fasting - Lent - Temptation - Forgiveness

Our text today tells us that Jesus was fasting. It should be obvious that I am not an expert on fasting, but I can answer a couple common questions. Should we fast? Jesus never commands us to fast, but he assumes that we will. In Matthew 6:16 he says “When you fast” not “If you fast”. “When you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Peace & Joy: Keeping It Real Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

We often hold inaccurate perspectives on things. Paul reminds us today of a few things: the importance of real joy, the power of real peace, and the disciple's mentality that secures these two.

I. Intro: Perspective A. Newsweek magazine recently made a side-by-side comparison of "threats" of which people have an inaccurate perspective: 1. Murders: 14,180 (2008)—Suicides: 33,289 (2006) 2. Children abducted by strangers: 115 (1999)—Children who drown in pools: 288 ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9