Resting in God: The Power of Rejuvenation and Fasting
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of rejuvenation and preparation in our spiritual lives. The speaker emphasized that we often go until we have nothing left and then turn to God for rejuvenation, but this is not the design of life that God has called us to live. Instead, we should rest in Him from the beginning, finding joy and strength along the journey. This idea of rejuvenation is not about laying down our tools to recover, but rather to prepare for what God has next for us. The speaker also discussed the concept of fasting, encouraging the congregation to participate in a week-long fast as a way to seek God behind closed doors.
The sermon also touched on the concept of rewards. The speaker explained that what is done in secret has open rewards. However, these rewards can be negative if they are the result of actions such as bitterness, anger, and frustration. On the other hand, when we seek God in secret, we can expect positive rewards. The speaker also emphasized that God does not need our strength, but rather our weakness. By yielding our weakness to Him, we can receive His strength in return.
Key takeaways from this sermon include:
- The importance of resting in God from the beginning, not just when we are at our breaking point ([57:53])
- The concept of fasting as a way to seek God in secret and prepare for what He has next for us ([01:00:49])
- The idea that what is done in secret has open rewards, which can be either positive or negative depending on our actions ([01:01:25])
- The understanding that God does not need our strength, but rather our weakness ([01:31:39])
- The encouragement to participate in a week-long fast as a way to seek God and prepare for what He has next for us ([01:33:38]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:1-4 - The Father sees in secret and rewards openly when we do charitable deeds not for the glory of men but for God. [01:08:55]
2. Matthew 5:6 - Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled. [01:38:00]
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 6:1-4, what does it mean to do charitable deeds not to be seen by men but for God?
2. How does Matthew 5:6 relate to the concept of self-denial and seeking God's strength in our weakness?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the principle of doing charitable deeds in secret, as mentioned in Matthew 6:1-4, challenge our understanding of generosity and giving?
2. What does it mean to "hunger and thirst after righteousness" as stated in Matthew 5:6? How does this relate to the idea of self-denial and seeking God's strength in our weakness?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you did a charitable deed not for the recognition of others but for God. How did that experience impact your understanding of generosity?
2. How can you practice self-denial this week in a way that helps you to hunger and thirst for righteousness?
3. Can you identify an area of weakness in your life that you need to yield to God in order to receive His strength? How can you practically do this?
4. How can you cultivate a lifestyle of generosity that is not dependent on the recognition or approval of others?
5. What is one specific way you can seek God's strength in your weakness this week?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Secret Devotion
The secret place, the place behind closed doors, is where we encounter God in a profound way. It's where we build ourselves up in faith, where we seek Him earnestly, and where we find the treasure of His presence. This is not about public displays of piety, but about genuine, intimate connection with God. [01:02:37]
Psalm 91:1 - "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper, more intimate relationship with God in your secret place this week?
Day 2: The Expectation of Fasting
Fasting is not an optional practice for believers, but an expectation. It's a way of shifting our desires from the things of this world to hungering after God's righteousness. When we fast, we are filled with His righteousness. [01:28:23]
Isaiah 58:6 - "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"
Reflection: What worldly desires do you need to shift away from in order to hunger after God's righteousness?
Day 3: The Strength in Weakness
God doesn't need our strength; He has more than enough power on His own. He asks for our weakness, longing to use it as an instrument in His mighty hand. When we yield our weakness to Him, we receive His strength. [01:31:39]
2 Corinthians 12:9 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Reflection: What weaknesses do you need to yield to God this week to receive His strength?
Day 4: The Reward of Humility
Humility is key in our relationship with God. It's not about looking good or appearing holy, but about genuinely seeking God and honoring Him. When we humble ourselves before Him, He rewards us openly. [01:03:52]
James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Reflection: How can you practice humility in your relationship with God and others this week?
Day 5: The Victory Over Sin
Fasting is a powerful tool in defeating sin. It's about denying our flesh, crucifying our desires, and seeking God's righteousness. Through fasting, we can overcome sin and be filled with His Spirit. [01:30:57]
Romans 6:6 - "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin."
Reflection: What sin do you need to overcome through fasting and seeking God's righteousness?
Quotes
1. "If we don't pray it means we know all the answers. We've got it all worked out, we have the solution, we know what's going to happen. That's just Pride. You can be organized and humble at the same time. You can be organized and rely on God at the same time." - 01:25:21
2. "God is with us always but it doesn't mean we're always with him. He's actually inviting us into this place of prayer to go behind closed doors not so that we could just ask for stuff but we could be with him." - 01:22:27
3. "God does not need your strength, he has more than enough power on his own. He asks for your weakness. He has none of that in himself, for he is longing therefore to take your weakness and use it as an instrument in his own Mighty hand." - 01:31:39
4. "We're designed to be generous. We're designed to give. We're designed to pour out of ourselves to bless those around us. We're designed to give of ourselves. How do we know? Because it was how Jesus displayed it." - 01:10:41
5. "Right now is the perfect opportunity to draw a line in the sand and say I'm going to draw a line right now and I'm not going back. I'm going to Crucify My Flesh, I'm going to Crucify My thoughts, I'm going to crucify my desires and I'm going to fast." - 01:34:50
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