The Messiah’s Secret – Faith, Fasting and Prayer
Romans 10: 8-13. Luke 4: 1-13
Verses three and four of Romans chapter ten shows us that righteousness and faith are closely linked.
“For being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they do not submit to God’s righteousness, For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified (declared not guilty).”
“For being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they do not submit to God’s righteousness, For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified (declared not guilty).”
The righteousness in relation to faith is explained to us when we read about Abraham’s faith. Abraham and Sarah were old and childless; God promised Abraham and Sarah they would have a son. Abraham believed God and his faith was counted as righteousness, Genesis 15: 5,6.
Visual Aid A daffodil in bloom in a pot. One bulb, a flower pot and soil
The bulb, which represents the righteousness of God, it is then placed in a flower pot and covered with soil.
The green leaves and stem represent faith.
The rain falls into the soil, the roots of the bulb takes nutriments from the soil and from the goodness coming from the bulb green shoots begin to appear. Followed by the stem and leaves.
“Now faith is being sure of what we do not see” Hebrews 2: 1.
Salvation represented here by the flower of a daffodil.
Faith and righteousness working together produce by grace something beautiful, the flower of Salvation.
The righteousness of God is constant. Matthew 5: 45. Whereas, our human righteousness or goodness is impure it’s not constant, which the Bible calls self righteousness.
Jesus has made it possible for us to receive God’s righteousness through faith in what Jesus has done for us on the cross.
“For, “every one who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
“For, “every one who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
All who come to Jesus in repentance having recognised that unrighteousness separates us from God and that a penalty for sin must be paid for? Neither Jew nor Gentile can by our own effort pay the price or penalty for sin.
The Member of Parliament who asked his wife to take his penalty points on her driving license for his speeding offence. He found out this is not allowed under the law, he has to pay the penalty for it.
Unlike Jesus who by God’s grace which is undeserved giving from God, takes our wrongdoing upon himself, becoming our substitute for sin and so paid the penalty for us, by laying down his life and dying on the cross.
After repentance, forgiveness is realised and thereby we receive the righteousness of God in our being, we are saved. Jesus is our Saviour, we can’t save ourselves.
Romans 10: 8-13.
Anyone reading this blogg who feels moved by the Spirit of the Lord to ask for forgiveness, please don’t delay, the Lord Jesus loves you and wants you to know his redeeming love.
When we come to faith, we begin a journey of faith and witness.
Jesus’ journey began by spending 40 days in the wilderness, where he fasted and prayed.
Biblical fast means – “To pour out your heart like water, before the presence of the Lord.” Lamentations 2: 19.
Having a deep sorrow for sin, a person humbles themselves in repentance before the Lord.
Isaiah gives guidance on fasting: “Is this the fast that I choose: to lose the bands of wickedness, to undo the throngs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Isaiah 58: 6, 7
.Isaiah’s words remind us of Jesus’ ministry which he read out at the Synagogue at Nazareth.
”The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Luke 4: 18.
Jesus’ fasting and prayer prepared him for his ministry.
After the forty days were ended (not during his fast) we read Jesus was tempted by the devil. At this point Jesus was at his most venerable, physically weakened by fasting for that length of time. The devil took the opportunity to attack his motivation he tried to disqualify Jesus’ ministry through his humanity.
A summary of the three temptations.
First the devil tempted him to turn a stone into bread. This was to tempt Jesus in order to satisfy his physical hunger.
Secondly he was tempted to satisfy human ambition to become the ruler of the world.
Thirdly he was tempted to take his own life. This would have disqualified the plan of God which was to redeem us through Jesus’ death on the cross.
Jesus withstood the devils temptations through the righteousness of God dwelling within him.
“Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.
Jesus was not deceived; he came to release us from the bondage of the devil, sin, death and hell. “Since the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has power over death that is the devil.” Hebrews 2: 14
“Because he himself suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.”
Hebrews 2: 18.
When we are tempted and need help to resist, the Lord understands and he will be strength to us, as we feed on the words of scripture.
Preacher D L Moody describes temptations as being like weeds, we need to uproot the weed, before it develops into a plant.
Lent.
Through the centuries Jesus has given his followers his ministry. Were Jesus calls us to fast and pray; The church encourage us to fast and pray during the season of Lent Pointing to the scripture “When the bridegroom is taken from them, then they shall fast.” Matthew 9:15.
Two types of fasting.
One – To deny ourselves a particular food that we enjoy.
Two – During the day, fasting by missing a meal or fasting for a whole day or more going without food, remember always to drink plenty of fluids.
Whether we fast or if we are not able to fast for health reasons etc Keeping in mind the words in Isaiah 58 for our payers to focus on the needs and concerns of others.
Fasting and Prayer with a Promise..
Isaiah reveals in the same chapter of how the Lord feels when we are prepared to fast and pray for the needs of his church and world.
“Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, here I am.” Isaiah 58:8, 9.
This is a wonderful promise from the Lord as he watches over us, and he delights to answers our prayesr.
The Member of Parliament who asked his wife to take his penalty points on her driving license for his speeding offence. He found out this is not allowed under the law, he has to pay the penalty for it.
Unlike Jesus who by God’s grace which is undeserved giving from God, takes our wrongdoing upon himself, becoming our substitute for sin and so paid the penalty for us, by laying down his life and dying on the cross.
After repentance, forgiveness is realised and thereby we receive the righteousness of God in our being, we are saved. Jesus is our Saviour, we can’t save ourselves.
Romans 10: 8-13.
Anyone reading this blogg who feels moved by the Spirit of the Lord to ask for forgiveness, please don’t delay, the Lord Jesus loves you and wants you to know his redeeming love.
When we come to faith, we begin a journey of faith and witness.
Jesus’ journey began by spending 40 days in the wilderness, where he fasted and prayed.
Biblical fast means – “To pour out your heart like water, before the presence of the Lord.” Lamentations 2: 19.
Having a deep sorrow for sin, a person humbles themselves in repentance before the Lord.
Isaiah gives guidance on fasting: “Is this the fast that I choose: to lose the bands of wickedness, to undo the throngs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Isaiah 58: 6, 7
.Isaiah’s words remind us of Jesus’ ministry which he read out at the Synagogue at Nazareth.
”The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Luke 4: 18.
Jesus’ fasting and prayer prepared him for his ministry.
After the forty days were ended (not during his fast) we read Jesus was tempted by the devil. At this point Jesus was at his most venerable, physically weakened by fasting for that length of time. The devil took the opportunity to attack his motivation he tried to disqualify Jesus’ ministry through his humanity.
A summary of the three temptations.
First the devil tempted him to turn a stone into bread. This was to tempt Jesus in order to satisfy his physical hunger.
Secondly he was tempted to satisfy human ambition to become the ruler of the world.
Thirdly he was tempted to take his own life. This would have disqualified the plan of God which was to redeem us through Jesus’ death on the cross.
Jesus withstood the devils temptations through the righteousness of God dwelling within him.
“Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.
Jesus was not deceived; he came to release us from the bondage of the devil, sin, death and hell. “Since the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has power over death that is the devil.” Hebrews 2: 14
“Because he himself suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.”
Hebrews 2: 18.
When we are tempted and need help to resist, the Lord understands and he will be strength to us, as we feed on the words of scripture.
Preacher D L Moody describes temptations as being like weeds, we need to uproot the weed, before it develops into a plant.
Lent.
Through the centuries Jesus has given his followers his ministry. Were Jesus calls us to fast and pray; The church encourage us to fast and pray during the season of Lent Pointing to the scripture “When the bridegroom is taken from them, then they shall fast.” Matthew 9:15.
Two types of fasting.
One – To deny ourselves a particular food that we enjoy.
Two – During the day, fasting by missing a meal or fasting for a whole day or more going without food, remember always to drink plenty of fluids.
Whether we fast or if we are not able to fast for health reasons etc Keeping in mind the words in Isaiah 58 for our payers to focus on the needs and concerns of others.
Fasting and Prayer with a Promise..
Isaiah reveals in the same chapter of how the Lord feels when we are prepared to fast and pray for the needs of his church and world.
“Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, here I am.” Isaiah 58:8, 9.
This is a wonderful promise from the Lord as he watches over us, and he delights to answers our prayesr.