What Are Our Motives

Text: Isaiah: 58:1-11

Topic: “ FOR WHAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR OUR FAST” “WHAT ARE OUR MOTIVES”

1. WHY ARE WE FASTING, MAKING SACRIFICES, WORSHIPPING GOD?

2. ARE WE TRYING TO GET EARTHY GAIN, IS THAT OUR OBJECTION?

3. ARE WE TRYING PLEASE OUR PASTOR, PARENTS, OR ANYONE ELSE BESIDES GOD?

4. ARE WE SEEKING THE GLORY OF MEN HERE, ARE WE FASTING TO BE SEEN? ARE WE LIKEN UNTO THE PHARISEES ?

5. ARE WE SEEKING RELIGIOUS BELIEFS FOR OUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, TO BE LOOKED AT HIGHER OR BETTER THEN OTHERS?

6. DO WE LIVE OUR LIVES TO GIVE GLORY AND THANKFULNESS TO GOD IN EVERYTHING WE DO?

7. WHAT DO WE SEEK GOD FOR? COMPROMISE TO THIS WORLD OR SEGREGATION FROM THIS WORLD.

 The church world today, is like the children of Israel. They are willing to fast, sacrifice and worship God as long as He compromises or does not become an inconvenience to their way of living.

 Many want a form of religion, a form of worship, but truly do not long for the divine presence of God in their lives.

 They are willing to give as long as God repays them for their giving. They are seeking gain of this world and pleasures of the world instead of his divine presence with them.

 God does not change nor does he compromise. His requirement of us is nothing short of all of us. For GOD sacrificed, his son JESUS CHRIST, his best so that we may life and have it more abundantly. Therefore he requires nothing less of us. Then to fast, sacrifice, to worship, and to desire him with all 100%of our heart. Romans 12: 1 “ I beseech you ( request earnestly), by the mercies of GOD, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto GOD, which is your RESONABLE SERVICE.

 All down through the bible and through time man has tried to compromise GOD to be praised through their righteousness instead God getting the praise. The Pharisees went about in New Testament during fast all sad showing signs of agony and despaired to gain praise of people instead of desiring the GOD’S divine presence and will in their hearts. They were seeking rewards and exaltation here in this world, and therefore received nothing from GOD for their sacrifices.

 In our text GOD beckons unto Isaiah CRY aloud, spare not ( hold nothing back proclaim what I am speaking unto you to say). Lift up thy voice like a trumpet( In other words do not be ashamed or afraid to hurt some one feelings. Speak aloud so everyone can hear what I have to say about their worshipping me). Shew then their transgressions ( sins). We need to stand up and declare unto the people their sins and quit compromising for the crowds. GOD states I know their desires of their heart. I see and know the reason for their worship and sacrifices unto me.

 The bible teaches us that prayer, fasting and sacrifices is a powerful time of refocusing our lives spiritually. It is not a time to force GOD’S hand, but a time to focus us toward him and his divine will in our lives. I CORINTHIANS 1: 9 “ BUT AS IT IS WRITTEN, EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NEITHER HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN, THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM” VERSE 10 “ BUT GOD HATH REVEALED THEM UNTO US BY HIS SPIRIT: FOR THE SPIRIT SEACHETH ALL THINGS, YEA, THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD”. The priest under the old law went in once a year to lift up sacrifices for the people sins. He entered into the holy of holies, in the very presence of GOD. JESUS CHRIST became our high priest and by denying ourselves and worshipping him in spirit we are lifted through the body of JESUS CHRIST at the righthand side of our FATHER. In the present of GOD is where we find his will for us, the deep things of GOD. The very reason for our creation. We must crucify our wants of the flesh and be resurrected spiritually in his presence. For this should be our purpose in our fasting and worshipping GOD. His requirement of us is nothing less in that we desire to be in his presence. For this reason our focus and our purpose should be a living sacrifice unto him so we can dwell in his presence. This is just our reasonable service unto GOD for his many mercies he has given us.

 The church world is becoming all about compromise. This is all right. This is as long as it is kept in a measure. Where is our focus? Conforming to the world for our pleasure or transforming from this world for GOD pleasure. To become a perfect sacrifice unto him. ROMANS 12 : 2 “ AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND THAT YE PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT, WILL OF GOD”. Many are saying the definition of holy, consecrated and separated life. Is nothing but a tradition or extremist of religion, not really an ordinance of GOD. They are the one falling into the traditions of so many before them like the children of Isreal. They are becoming conformed unto the things of this world, seeking to be recognized of this world, seeking the pleasures and recreation of this world. In II TIMOTHY Paul warns of perilous times ( dangerous times). II TIMOTHY 3: 4 “ LOVERS OF PLEASURES MORE THAN LOVERS OF GOD.” People are coming to church for the recreations, the dinners, and all the form of pleasures that men can come up with, instead of coming to worship GOD and the longing for his pleasures in their lives.