The Abundent Life Series

• Fasting is a Scriptural means to humble yourself before God. David said that he had “humbled myself with fasting.” Ps 35:13

• It can intensify your prayer time. During the times that you feel the desire for the thing given up, turn the desire God-ward and pray. The desire will intensify your prayer giving it new power.

• Through fasting you show your sincerity concerning your requests. 2 Sam 12:16, Ezra 8:21, 23

• Fasting is often used in conjunction to a call to repentance and revival. 1 Sam 7:6, Joel 2:12

• It can help when making important decisions Acts 13:1-3, 14:21-23

III. How should one fast?

• Do it in such as way so as not to draw attention to yourself. Matt 6:16-18

• Fast demonstrating the sincerity of your heart and not just as a religious activity. Isaiah 58:3-14

IV. A Practical example for fasting at lunch.

• On the day of the fast, eat a breakfast that you would normally eat.

• Consume nothing but water during the day until you get home for dinner; during dinner eat as you would normally eat.

• During lunch time, go to a place where there is quiet and use the time to pray.

• During the day as you feel hungry, pray for the requests you have a burden for, you will find that your prayers will have a new intensity.

• Do not tell others that you are fasting, your objective is not for others to think you are a super Christian, but your desire is to intensify you prayer time and communicate to the Father the sincerity of your heart.

8 Being a Witness

The Abundant Life Series

INTRODUCTION

1. The importance of sharing the goodnews of salvation with others cannot be over-emphasized...

a. Jesus wants everyone to hear the good news of salvation - 2 Pet 3:9

b. He has provided the gospel as God’s power to save all who receive the free gift of salvation

- Ro 1:16

2. But what is the most effective way to reach people today? The Institute For American Church Growth asked over 10,000 people this question: "What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?" Their replies were:

• I had a special need - 3%

• I just walked in - 3%

• I liked the minister - 6%

• I visited there - 1%

• I liked the Bible classes - 5%

• I attended a gospel meeting - 0.5%

• I liked the programs - 3%

• A friend or relative invited me - 79%

3. The obvious point of the survey is this: If our churches are to grow and people are to come to Christ then it will be through the efforts of individual!

I. What the church Can do:

• Be a caring congregation, it is our love for one another that the Lord intended to convince the world that we are truly His disciples! Jn 13:35

• Be hospitable to visitors

• What we are planning for Palm Sunday and Easter.

II. What we can do as individuals:

• Pray at the beginning of each day that the Lord will bring someone into you day in whose life you can make a difference.

• Be sensitive to the opportunities the Lord gives you during the day, remember those opportunities are God initiation to you to allow Him to work through you and to make a difference. Col 4:3-6

• Make a targeted list of at least 3 people of those you would like to see to come to know Christ