Embracing Dominion Through Fasting, Prayer, and Faith
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! Today, we are diving into the importance of fasting and prayer as a community. Twice a year, we come together for 21 days of fasting and prayer, and our next season starts in two weeks. This is a time to surrender something that takes up our time and dedicate that time to the Lord. Whether it's a meal or social media, the goal is to spend that time in worship and prayer, allowing God to speak to us in new ways.
We also celebrated the incredible experiences our students had at camp. They learned about the Great Commission, the fear of the Lord, and the armor of God. These teachings are not just for them but for all of us. God gave me a word from Numbers 14:31, emphasizing that our children are not victims of society but are being brought into His kingdom. We need to declare dominion over their lives, believing that God will bring them in and fulfill His promises.
In these challenging times, it's crucial to remember that God is in control. We must build memorials in our hearts to remember what God has done for us, especially when He seems silent. Just like Joshua was instructed to build a memorial after crossing the Jordan, we need to remember God's faithfulness in our lives.
Our children are facing immense pressures, but God promises to pour out His Spirit on them. We must declare dominion over their lives, believing that they will fulfill Acts 2:17, prophesying and seeing visions. Let's not see them as victims but as overcomers who will walk in God's power and authority.
Finally, we are called to live in dominion, not just seeking deliverance. We need to declare God's promises over our lives and our children's lives, believing that He will do great things. Let's stand together, pray, and declare dominion over our families, our church, and our community.
### Key Takeaways
1. Fasting and Prayer as a Community: Fasting is about surrendering something that takes up our time and dedicating that time to the Lord. It's a powerful way to focus on prayer and worship, allowing God to speak to us in new ways. This communal act strengthens our unity and deepens our spiritual walk. [28:22]
2. Our Children Are Not Victims: In Numbers 14:31, God promises to bring our children into His kingdom. We must declare dominion over their lives, believing that they are not victims of society but overcomers who will fulfill God's promises. This perspective shifts our prayers from worry to faith. [46:27]
3. Building Memorials of God's Faithfulness: Just as Joshua was instructed to build a memorial after crossing the Jordan, we need to remember God's faithfulness in our lives. When God seems silent, it's often a test. We should focus on what He has done for us in the past, building memorials in our hearts to sustain us through difficult times. [01:00:28]
4. Living in Dominion, Not Just Seeking Deliverance: We are called to live in dominion, declaring God's promises over our lives and our children's lives. This means recognizing our authority in Christ and walking in the freedom and power He has given us. It's a shift from seeking deliverance to living as overcomers. [52:44]
5. The Power of Declaration: Declaring God's promises over our lives and our children's lives is a powerful act of faith. We must speak life, hope, and dominion, believing that God will fulfill His word. This act of declaration aligns our hearts with God's will and releases His power into our circumstances. [53:46]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[27:44] - Introduction to Fasting and Prayer
[28:22] - How to Participate in the 21 Days
[29:17] - Details of the Prayer Calls
[30:37] - The Tabernacle Prayer
[31:27] - Understanding Fasting
[32:05] - Types of Fasting
[32:38] - The Importance of Giving Time to God
[33:16] - Encouragement to Join
[33:39] - Fun Activities and Camp Recap
[35:50] - Student Experiences at Camp
[39:21] - Messages from Camp Leaders
[41:47] - Prayer for the Word
[43:14] - God's Promise for Our Children
[46:27] - Declaring Dominion Over Our Children
[52:44] - Living in Dominion
[53:46] - Prayer and Declaration
[55:24] - Celebrating Student Baptisms
[56:05] - Responsibility for Our Relationship with Christ
[57:16] - Declaring Victory in Our Lives
[59:12] - Understanding God's Silence
[01:00:28] - Building Memorials of God's Faithfulness
[01:05:31] - Jesus in the Waves
[01:08:09] - Final Prayer and Declaration
[01:13:20] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[01:15:05] - Closing Worship and Celebration
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Numbers 14:31 (NIV) - "But your children, whom you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected."
2. Acts 2:17 (NIV) - "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."
3. Joshua 4:5-7 (NIV) - "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
#### Observation Questions
1. What is the purpose of the 21 days of fasting and prayer mentioned in the sermon? ([28:22])
2. According to Numbers 14:31, what does God promise regarding our children?
3. What are the two offensive weapons mentioned in the sermon that are part of the armor of God? ([40:41])
4. What does the pastor suggest we should do when God seems silent in our lives? ([01:00:28])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of fasting and prayer as a community strengthen our unity and spiritual walk? ([28:22])
2. In what ways can we declare dominion over our children's lives, as suggested in Numbers 14:31? ([46:27])
3. Why is it important to build memorials of God's faithfulness, and how can this practice help us during challenging times? ([01:00:28])
4. What does it mean to live in dominion rather than just seeking deliverance, according to the sermon? ([52:44])
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasizes the importance of fasting and prayer. What is one thing you can surrender during the upcoming 21 days of fasting and prayer to dedicate more time to the Lord? ([28:22])
2. Reflecting on Numbers 14:31, how can you shift your prayers for your children from worry to faith, declaring God's promises over their lives? ([46:27])
3. Think of a time when God seemed silent in your life. How can you build a memorial in your heart to remember His past faithfulness during such times? ([01:00:28])
4. The sermon encourages us to declare dominion over our lives and our children's lives. What specific declarations can you make this week to align your heart with God's promises? ([52:44])
5. How can you practically support and encourage the young generation in your community to fulfill Acts 2:17, prophesying and seeing visions? ([49:35])
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of community in our spiritual journey. How can you actively participate in your church community to strengthen your faith and support others? ([56:43])
7. What steps can you take to ensure that you are living in dominion, recognizing your authority in Christ, and walking in the freedom and power He has given you? ([52:44])
Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering Time to the Lord
Fasting is about surrendering something that takes up our time and dedicating that time to the Lord. It's a powerful way to focus on prayer and worship, allowing God to speak to us in new ways. This communal act strengthens our unity and deepens our spiritual walk. When we fast, we are not just giving up food or activities; we are making a conscious decision to prioritize our relationship with God. This act of surrender opens up space for God to move in our lives and speak to us in ways we might not have experienced before.
As a community, coming together for 21 days of fasting and prayer twice a year is a significant spiritual discipline. It allows us to support one another, share our experiences, and grow together in faith. Whether you choose to fast from a meal, social media, or another activity, the key is to use that time to draw closer to God. Spend it in worship, prayer, and reading the Word, and be open to what God wants to reveal to you during this dedicated time. [28:22]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Reflection: What specific activity or habit can you surrender to dedicate more time to the Lord during the upcoming 21 days of fasting and prayer?
Day 2: Declaring Dominion Over Our Children
In Numbers 14:31, God promises to bring our children into His kingdom. We must declare dominion over their lives, believing that they are not victims of society but overcomers who will fulfill God's promises. This perspective shifts our prayers from worry to faith. Our children face immense pressures from the world, but we are called to see them through the lens of God's promises. They are not helpless; they are empowered by the Spirit to overcome and thrive.
As parents and a church community, it is our responsibility to speak life and hope over our children. We must pray for them, declare God's promises over their lives, and believe that they will fulfill the purposes God has for them. This act of faith not only strengthens our children but also aligns our hearts with God's will for their lives. Let us stand firm in the belief that our children are destined for greatness in God's kingdom. [46:27]
Isaiah 44:3-4 (ESV): "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams."
Reflection: How can you actively declare God's promises over your children's lives today? What specific words of affirmation and faith can you speak to them?
Day 3: Building Memorials of God's Faithfulness
Just as Joshua was instructed to build a memorial after crossing the Jordan, we need to remember God's faithfulness in our lives. When God seems silent, it's often a test. We should focus on what He has done for us in the past, building memorials in our hearts to sustain us through difficult times. These memorials serve as reminders of God's goodness and faithfulness, helping us to trust Him even when we don't see immediate answers to our prayers.
Building memorials can take many forms. It could be journaling about answered prayers, sharing testimonies with others, or even creating physical reminders in your home. The key is to keep God's past faithfulness at the forefront of your mind, especially during challenging seasons. By doing so, you strengthen your faith and encourage others to trust in God's unchanging nature. [01:00:28]
Joshua 4:6-7 (ESV): "that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."
Reflection: What are some specific instances of God's faithfulness in your life that you can memorialize today? How can you create a tangible reminder of these moments?
Day 4: Living in Dominion
We are called to live in dominion, declaring God's promises over our lives and our children's lives. This means recognizing our authority in Christ and walking in the freedom and power He has given us. It's a shift from seeking deliverance to living as overcomers. When we understand our identity in Christ, we begin to operate from a place of victory rather than defeat. This mindset empowers us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
Living in dominion involves daily declarations of God's truth over our circumstances. It means speaking life, hope, and victory, even when situations seem bleak. By aligning our words with God's promises, we activate His power in our lives and the lives of those around us. Let us embrace our identity in Christ and walk boldly in the authority He has given us. [52:44]
Ephesians 1:19-21 (ESV): "and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."
Reflection: What areas of your life do you need to start declaring God's promises over? How can you begin to live in the dominion and authority that Christ has given you?
Day 5: The Power of Declaration
Declaring God's promises over our lives and our children's lives is a powerful act of faith. We must speak life, hope, and dominion, believing that God will fulfill His word. This act of declaration aligns our hearts with God's will and releases His power into our circumstances. When we declare God's promises, we are not just speaking words; we are activating our faith and inviting God's intervention in our lives.
Declarations can be made daily, and they should be specific and rooted in Scripture. By consistently speaking God's truth over our lives, we build our faith and create an atmosphere of expectancy. Let us commit to making declarations a regular part of our spiritual practice, trusting that God will honor His word and bring His promises to fruition. [53:46]
Job 22:28 (ESV): "You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways."
Reflection: What specific promises from God's Word can you declare over your life and your family's life today? How can you make declarations a consistent part of your daily routine?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The goal with fasting is to surrender something that's taking away time and you give that extra time back to the Lord. Amen. And so it's very easy to give the Lord time when you do a food fast, because if you decide and you got to pray to the Lord for yourself, what you want to do, but you can say, Hey, I'm not going to eat lunch or I'm not going to eat whatever meal. I'm not going to eat breakfast, but I'm going to eat lunch and dinner. And in my breakfast time. I'm going to praise and worship to the Lord." [31:27] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I promise you, God will speak to you like he's never spoken to you before if you commit to it. And so I don't know about you guys, but if you're watching the world, we need to pray over some stuff. Amen. Somebody, we need to cover some things in prayer and this is a perfect opportunity. So go to the app, sign up for 21 days of prayer and fasting. Just jump in. If you don't understand it all, don't worry. We'll teach you. We'll talk to you about it and we'll help you grow in your prayer life. Amen. And your connection with God." [33:16] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Recognizing who God is that He is our Abba father and having a healthy, reverent fear for him is the beginning of his power and authority and light to flow through you. Amen, somebody come on, that's good." [40:41] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are no longer in the land of Pharaoh where we need deliverance church. We are in the promised land. And in the promised land, what God says for you and me is that we have dominion. We don't need deliverance. We need dominion. There are times where deliverance takes place, but we're walking. If you start declaring what God has already said you have, you're declaring dominion. I am free. I am an overcomer. I am a child of God. That's dominion." [52:44] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You need to declare victory over your own life. You need to declare victory that you are an overcomer, that you are a child of God, that you are walking with the Holy Spirit. He is speaking to you. And when you don't hear him say, I don't care, he's going to speak to me tomorrow then, but he's going to keep speaking to me and just stand in what you have promised in the Bible. The Bible is, is full of promises for you to entrust and believe in and walk out in your life." [57:16] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The very first section we go through in this book, I love it. It's the tabernacle prayer. And it's literally the tabernacle as it was laid out in the tent and it shows you each station. And it tells you how to pray in each one of those stations and it helps you memorize how I should pray as I walked through those stations. When you memorize it in your head, super awesome way to pray and praise the Lord and all that. And we want to walk you through all that." [30:37] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And then Seth came back with another message on the armor of God and the two weapons that we have in the armor of God is the sword, which is the word of God. Amen. And to pray and pray over the things. And he talked about those two offensive weapons in the armor of God. He also said this, he said, be alert when God delivers a piece of word into your heart, the enemy's going to try to come and attack you and steal the seed. And I want to tell you today, I'm about to give you a word of God. Do not let the enemy steal it from you. Sit on it." [41:47] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need to quit looking at our children as victims of society and start declaring, God, bring them in. God, bring them in. God, bring them in. And declare that over their life. Amen. Don't worry about parents. Listen to me. Don't worry about if your kids haven't experienced God yet. Just keep praying over them. You start worrying about them, not experienced God. And you're going to start making decisions out of your flesh versus waiting on the Lord to do what he's going to do. You need to be covering them in prayer that God's going to do what his word says." [48:00] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are responsible to teach you 100% of what the Bible says. But you are responsible for declaring the dominion of your life that you have. Through Jesus Christ. You have to make that decision. You have to declare it. Church is not about a single pastor that preaches really good anymore. Church is about the community of believers going out to a prayer walk and praying that Jesus is back in the schools. That's what church is about. It's you and me. It's not one of us. Amen. That has changed." [56:43] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When God is silent, silent in your life, I'm telling you right now, it's a test. And instead of focusing on what he hasn't done or isn't doing or whatever, you think focus on the memorial of the last thing he did for you. And remember, he did something for you and you're walking through a test. He's saying, I'm going to take you through the lowest Valley and I'm going to remind you of that Valley and you need to pick that memory up. Every single thing you walk through, pick it up and put it in your mind. Remember what God did and what he continues to do in your life." [01:02:16] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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