Seeking God's Guidance Through Prayer and Fasting
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today, we are blessed to gather outside in this beautiful park, reminding us that the church is not confined to a building but is the community of believers filled with the Spirit of God. We are the church, and wherever we go, we carry the Spirit with us. This morning, we acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit among us and pray for the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness—to grow within us.
We are embarking on a week of prayer and fasting to seek God's guidance on whether North Star Church should take on the responsibility of the Nourish Food Bank. This decision is significant as it involves feeding the poor, homeless, and broken in our community. We need to discern if this is the path God wants us to take. Prayer and fasting are powerful spiritual disciplines that help us focus on God and resist the temptations and distractions of the world.
Reflecting on 1 Timothy 4, we are reminded that in the later times, some will depart from the faith, influenced by deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. We must submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from us. Our actions and influences matter, and we must be vigilant about what we consume and how it affects our spiritual walk.
As we pray and fast, let us examine what we turn to in times of stress and temptation. Do we turn to God or to worldly comforts? This week, let us focus our hearts on God, resist the enemy, and seek His will for our church and community.
We also pray for our leaders, our community, and the ongoing war in Russia and Ukraine. We ask for God's wisdom, peace, and guidance in all these areas. Finally, we celebrate the testimonies of Caitlin, Jason, and Vivian, who have grown in their faith and are stepping into new seasons of their lives. We pray for their continued growth and protection.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Church is the People, Not the Building: The church is not confined to a physical structure but is the community of believers filled with the Spirit of God. Wherever we go, we carry the Spirit with us, and we are called to be the church in every situation and place we find ourselves. [00:59]
2. The Power of Prayer and Fasting: Prayer and fasting are essential spiritual disciplines that help us focus on God and seek His guidance. They remind us to turn away from worldly distractions and to rely on God for direction and strength. This week, we are called to pray and fast to discern God's will for our church's involvement with the Nourish Food Bank. [18:33]
3. Resisting Temptation and Spiritual Warfare: We are in a spiritual battle, and the enemy seeks to lead us astray. By submitting to God, resisting the devil, and fleeing from poor influences, we can stand strong in our faith. Our actions and what we consume influence our spiritual walk, and we must be vigilant in turning to God in times of temptation. [21:39]
4. Examining Our Comforts: In times of stress and temptation, we often turn to worldly comforts instead of God. This week, let us examine what we turn to and make a conscious effort to focus our hearts on God. By doing so, we can resist the enemy and grow closer to God. [22:53]
5. Unity and Seeking God's Will: As a church, we seek unity and God's will in all our decisions. We pray for clear direction and wisdom, especially regarding our potential involvement with the Nourish Food Bank. We trust that God will guide us and unify us in His purpose. [24:51]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:59] - The Church is the People
[02:13] - Prayer for the Fruits of the Spirit
[16:43] - Using the Bible Outdoors
[17:26] - Experience and Theology
[18:33] - Week of Prayer and Fasting
[19:30] - Different Forms of Fasting
[20:21] - Spiritual Battle and Temptation
[21:39] - Resisting the Devil
[22:53] - Examining Our Comforts
[23:39] - Focus on God
[24:51] - Seeking God's Will for Nourish Food Bank
[26:09] - Turning from Negative Thoughts
[27:23] - Praying for Leaders and Community
[29:04] - Testimonies and Celebrations
[30:03] - Introduction to Testimonies
[33:44] - Caitlin's Testimony
[41:39] - Jason's Testimony
[58:33] - Praying for the Youth
[59:08] - Congregational Prayer
[59:37] - Praying for Each Other
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (ESV) - "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared."
2. James 4:7 (ESV) - "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
3. Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Timothy 4:1-2, what are some of the influences that can lead people away from the faith?
2. In James 4:7, what are the three steps mentioned to resist the devil?
3. What are the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23?
4. How did the pastor describe the church during the outdoor service? ([00:59])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "submit yourselves therefore to God" as mentioned in James 4:7? How can this submission impact our daily lives?
2. Reflecting on 1 Timothy 4:1-2, how can we identify and avoid deceitful spirits and teachings in today's world?
3. How can the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 be cultivated in our lives, especially during times of stress and temptation?
4. The pastor mentioned the importance of prayer and fasting in seeking God's will for the church's involvement with the Nourish Food Bank. How can these spiritual disciplines help in making significant decisions? ([18:33])
### Application Questions
1. The pastor emphasized that the church is the people, not the building. How can you carry the Spirit of God into your daily interactions and environments? ([00:59])
2. During times of stress and temptation, what are some worldly comforts you tend to turn to? How can you make a conscious effort to turn to God instead this week? ([22:53])
3. Reflect on a recent decision you had to make. How did you seek God's guidance in that situation? How might prayer and fasting have influenced your decision-making process?
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of resisting the devil and fleeing from poor influences. What are some specific influences in your life that you need to resist or flee from? ([21:39])
5. Think of a person in your life who tests your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit?
6. The pastor mentioned the ongoing war in Russia and Ukraine and the need to pray for leaders and communities. How can you incorporate prayers for global issues and leaders into your daily prayer routine? ([27:23])
7. The testimonies of Caitlin, Jason, and Vivian were celebrated during the service. How can you support and encourage someone in your community who is stepping into a new season of their life? ([33:44])
Devotional
Day 1: The Church is the People, Not the Building
The church is not confined to a physical structure but is the community of believers filled with the Spirit of God. Wherever we go, we carry the Spirit with us, and we are called to be the church in every situation and place we find ourselves. This understanding shifts our focus from a location to a lifestyle, emphasizing that our faith and actions should reflect God's presence in our lives at all times.
As we gather in different places, like the beautiful park mentioned, we are reminded that the essence of the church is the people who come together in faith and unity. This perspective encourages us to live out our faith in our daily interactions, showing love, kindness, and compassion to those around us. It also challenges us to be mindful of how we represent the church in our communities and beyond. [00:59]
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."
Reflection: How can you embody the presence of the church in your daily life, especially in places outside of the traditional church setting?
Day 2: The Power of Prayer and Fasting
Prayer and fasting are essential spiritual disciplines that help us focus on God and seek His guidance. They remind us to turn away from worldly distractions and to rely on God for direction and strength. This week, we are called to pray and fast to discern God's will for our church's involvement with the Nourish Food Bank.
Engaging in prayer and fasting allows us to quiet our minds and hearts, making space to hear God's voice more clearly. It is a time to reflect on our dependence on God and to seek His wisdom in our decisions. As we embark on this week of prayer and fasting, let us be intentional in setting aside time to connect with God, asking for His guidance and clarity in our church's mission and personal lives. [18:33]
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 distractions or comforts can you set aside this week to focus more on prayer and seeking God's guidance?
Day 3: Resisting Temptation and Spiritual Warfare
We are in a spiritual battle, and the enemy seeks to lead us astray. By submitting to God, resisting the devil, and fleeing from poor influences, we can stand strong in our faith. Our actions and what we consume influence our spiritual walk, and we must be vigilant in turning to God in times of temptation.
Reflecting on 1 Timothy 4, we are reminded that in the later times, some will depart from the faith, influenced by deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. This calls for a heightened awareness of the spiritual warfare around us and the importance of grounding ourselves in God's truth. By staying connected to God through prayer, scripture, and community, we can resist the enemy's attempts to lead us astray. [21:39]
James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you feel spiritually vulnerable. How can you actively submit this area to God and resist the enemy's influence?
Day 4: Examining Our Comforts
In times of stress and temptation, we often turn to worldly comforts instead of God. This week, let us examine what we turn to and make a conscious effort to focus our hearts on God. By doing so, we can resist the enemy and grow closer to God.
It's easy to seek comfort in things like food, entertainment, or other distractions when we are stressed or tempted. However, these comforts can often lead us away from God and hinder our spiritual growth. By intentionally turning to God in these moments, we can find true peace and strength. This week, let us be mindful of our tendencies and make a deliberate effort to seek God's presence and guidance instead. [22:53]
Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV): "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Reflection: What is one worldly comfort you often turn to in times of stress? How can you replace this with seeking God's presence and comfort instead?
Day 5: Unity and Seeking God's Will
As a church, we seek unity and God's will in all our decisions. We pray for clear direction and wisdom, especially regarding our potential involvement with the Nourish Food Bank. We trust that God will guide us and unify us in His purpose.
Unity in the church is crucial for effectively carrying out God's mission. When we come together in prayer and seek God's will, we align ourselves with His purpose and can move forward with confidence. This week, as we pray and fast, let us also pray for unity within our church, that we may be of one mind and heart in discerning God's direction for our involvement with the Nourish Food Bank. [24:51]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of our church as we seek God's will together? What steps can you take to foster a spirit of cooperation and understanding within our community?
Quotes
1. "When we say, hey, we're going to church this morning, it doesn't mean we're going to a building. It means we're going to hang out with our family. And so these people around you are your family. These people are the church. These people who know Christ around you have the spirit of the living God infilled in them and therefore we are all a part of the kingdom of God." [00:59] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It feels at times the church puts so much pressure on people to go into the world and make disciples, but sometimes we forget that you build your church. And what you ask us to do is to go into the world, to exist in the space, to be full of the fruits of the spirit, that others may ask of us, what is different about you?" [02:13] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I had an experience this week, which is kind of sometimes our experience drives our theology rather than sometimes our theology needs to drive our experiences. And so when God shows up in mighty and powerful and majestic ways that are unexpected, it sometimes blows your theology out of the water. You have to think, oh, do I really believe that anymore?" [16:43] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What does that mean? When we give our life to Jesus, we become owned by Christ. He owns us. We are, he has bought us at a price. However, we are influenced by what we consume. We are influenced by what we consume. If a Christian and a non-Christian go out to the bar and they are both get drunk, they are still both influenced by what they took in, what they involved themselves in." [21:39] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "What are those influences that you turn to when you're tired and broken and sad? Do you turn to Christ or do you turn to that brokenness? Do you turn to? That thing that's more comforting. Do you turn to food? Do you turn to watching things you shouldn't be? Do you turn to spending time with other people?" [22:53] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I want you to this morning to just think about those things. Think about what you're turning to this week. Think about focusing your heart on God. Think about resisting the enemy, resisting temptation, and staying strong in your fast as we seek out what God wants us to do in light of nourish and in light of feeding the poor and the broken and the outcast and the hurting in our community." [23:39] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Father, this morning, may we turn our hearts from focusing on maybe negative and broken thoughts and lies and beliefs that we're not good enough, that you may not want us, that we can never meet up to your standard. And may we bask in the reality that, yeah, we actually will never meet God's standard. It is only through his grace. It is only through his righteousness." [26:09] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "You intended church to love one another, to care for one another, to be intimate, true and real. So, Holy God, I pray for that. I pray for more of that. Father God, I continue to pray that you will shape our community into a place that puts you first in all things, in a community that's okay with church being messy. Please continue to turn us into a church that is not judgmental but of accepting of all people, whilst trying to find the balance of not compromising on your word, on your truth." [29:04] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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