Sunday Evening 10.23.11
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jmichaelwalls
Oct 23, 2011, 6:55:55 AM10/23/11
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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT PRAYER?
Luke 11:1-4
Part 10
Introduction: The condition of prayer that we explored last time was
fasting. Fasting has to do with the idea of abstaining from food. It can
be important in prayer.
Let me review quickly what we saw last time. We saw the examples of
fasting in the Bible. We saw that there is a fast that you don't eat.
There is a fast when you don't eat or drink. I cautioned that you must
have water. You can live three days without water. The Lord does not want
to kill ourselves to show how spiritual we are. I am not saying that we
should never do this type of fast. I am saying that you should make sure
that you have the guidance of the Holy Spirit in regards to this type of
fasting. Then there is the fast from pleasant food. There is the fast
from sleep. Last of all, there is the fast from martial relations. You
can fast from that brings you pleasure. For our children, it could be
giving up their soccer. But this should not be just your decision but a
family decision. Teaching our children life lessons can be taught in this
matter too.
We see how fasting works in the body. When we eat, an increased amount of
blood is needed for the digestive process. Have you ever noticed that
after you eat that try to do a simple task and you get sleepy? That is
why we have problems concentrating. When we do physical exercise, a
greater amount of blood is used in building up our muscles. But if we
neither eat nor exercise a greater amount of blood is available for
mental and spiritual concentration.
Remember that there are some that can not fast for long periods of time
because of health concerns. This fact does not exempt them following the
condition of prayer when needed. They just need to use wisdom. James 1:5
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Today we are going to examine the explanation of fasting from the mouth
of the Lord Jesus.
V. THE EXHORTATION FOR FASTING FROM THE LORD JESUS
Let's turn to Mark chapter nine and verse seventeen. Here we find our
exhortation from our Lord Jesus. I have four thoughts in regards to this
passage.
A. THE PLIGHT OF THE CHILD.
This account is found in Matthew, Mark and Luke. In Matthew chapter
seventeen tells us that the father called his boy a "lunatic". The
definition of lunatic is one affected by the stages of the moon. But we
know that this child's affliction was that he was possessed by a demon.
In Matthew chapter seventeen and verse eighteen tells us that Jesus
delivered the child by rebuking "the devil"; and Mark chapter nine and
verse seventeen tells us that the boy was possessed by "a dumb spirit".
This was clearly this was a case of demon possession, and the description
given of this boy's condition reminds us of the way in which the Word of
God describes the condition and plight of unsaved people. Unsaved people
are under the dominion of Satan. This is very unpopular doctrine, but it
is scriptural. A spirit of evil controls every unsaved person, just as an
evil spirit controlled this boy.
B. THE PLEA OF THE PARENT.
If our child were in the same mental and physical condition as this boy,
would we not be filled with pain and deep concern? This account tells us
that the plea of the parent was sincere, definite, urgent and tender, for
he was pleading for his "only son". It is a great thing to hear a child
pray. It is greater to hear a parent praying as this man did. There would
be fewer prodigal sons if there were fewer prodigal parents. We must have
a deep concern for the spiritual welfare of our children, and other
people's children, who are growing up in an age where Christ is rejected.
God's holy laws are disregarded and the Devil is gaining ground on every
hand.
C. THE PREDICAMENT OF THE DISCIPLES.
Why did the disciples fail in this moment of opportunity and challenge?
There would seem to be three reasons.
1. There was lack of Faith. They did not have faith to believe that the
Lord would work through them and grant deliverance in this needy case. We
fail many reasons for the same reason. Psalm 78:19
"Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the
wilderness?"
We doubt the Lord's ability to put forth "the mighty power of God."
2. There was lack of Prayer. Certain "kinds" of situations require
special, urgent and persistent prayer, and if there is a deficiency of
prayer there must be a deficiency of power. Evidently these disciples
were powerless because they had not prayed enough.
3. There was lack of Fasting. Mark 9:28-29
"And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately,
Why could not we cast him out?" "And he said unto them, This kind can
come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."
Fasting denotes such an intensity of desire and purpose that we are
willing to put aside even legitimate things in order to see God and His
blessing. It means to deny us of temporal and secondary things so that
spiritual power may be released, that souls in bondage may be delivered
and that people may be amazed at the mighty power of God.
Conclusion: There are several cases in which you fast and pray. This
account is one of those cases. When you are dealing with people
possession by demons, you need to fast and pray before you try to deal
with them.
Luke 11:1-4
Part 10
Introduction: The condition of prayer that we explored last time was
fasting. Fasting has to do with the idea of abstaining from food. It can
be important in prayer.
Let me review quickly what we saw last time. We saw the examples of
fasting in the Bible. We saw that there is a fast that you don't eat.
There is a fast when you don't eat or drink. I cautioned that you must
have water. You can live three days without water. The Lord does not want
to kill ourselves to show how spiritual we are. I am not saying that we
should never do this type of fast. I am saying that you should make sure
that you have the guidance of the Holy Spirit in regards to this type of
fasting. Then there is the fast from pleasant food. There is the fast
from sleep. Last of all, there is the fast from martial relations. You
can fast from that brings you pleasure. For our children, it could be
giving up their soccer. But this should not be just your decision but a
family decision. Teaching our children life lessons can be taught in this
matter too.
We see how fasting works in the body. When we eat, an increased amount of
blood is needed for the digestive process. Have you ever noticed that
after you eat that try to do a simple task and you get sleepy? That is
why we have problems concentrating. When we do physical exercise, a
greater amount of blood is used in building up our muscles. But if we
neither eat nor exercise a greater amount of blood is available for
mental and spiritual concentration.
Remember that there are some that can not fast for long periods of time
because of health concerns. This fact does not exempt them following the
condition of prayer when needed. They just need to use wisdom. James 1:5
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Today we are going to examine the explanation of fasting from the mouth
of the Lord Jesus.
V. THE EXHORTATION FOR FASTING FROM THE LORD JESUS
Let's turn to Mark chapter nine and verse seventeen. Here we find our
exhortation from our Lord Jesus. I have four thoughts in regards to this
passage.
A. THE PLIGHT OF THE CHILD.
This account is found in Matthew, Mark and Luke. In Matthew chapter
seventeen tells us that the father called his boy a "lunatic". The
definition of lunatic is one affected by the stages of the moon. But we
know that this child's affliction was that he was possessed by a demon.
In Matthew chapter seventeen and verse eighteen tells us that Jesus
delivered the child by rebuking "the devil"; and Mark chapter nine and
verse seventeen tells us that the boy was possessed by "a dumb spirit".
This was clearly this was a case of demon possession, and the description
given of this boy's condition reminds us of the way in which the Word of
God describes the condition and plight of unsaved people. Unsaved people
are under the dominion of Satan. This is very unpopular doctrine, but it
is scriptural. A spirit of evil controls every unsaved person, just as an
evil spirit controlled this boy.
B. THE PLEA OF THE PARENT.
If our child were in the same mental and physical condition as this boy,
would we not be filled with pain and deep concern? This account tells us
that the plea of the parent was sincere, definite, urgent and tender, for
he was pleading for his "only son". It is a great thing to hear a child
pray. It is greater to hear a parent praying as this man did. There would
be fewer prodigal sons if there were fewer prodigal parents. We must have
a deep concern for the spiritual welfare of our children, and other
people's children, who are growing up in an age where Christ is rejected.
God's holy laws are disregarded and the Devil is gaining ground on every
hand.
C. THE PREDICAMENT OF THE DISCIPLES.
Why did the disciples fail in this moment of opportunity and challenge?
There would seem to be three reasons.
1. There was lack of Faith. They did not have faith to believe that the
Lord would work through them and grant deliverance in this needy case. We
fail many reasons for the same reason. Psalm 78:19
"Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the
wilderness?"
We doubt the Lord's ability to put forth "the mighty power of God."
2. There was lack of Prayer. Certain "kinds" of situations require
special, urgent and persistent prayer, and if there is a deficiency of
prayer there must be a deficiency of power. Evidently these disciples
were powerless because they had not prayed enough.
3. There was lack of Fasting. Mark 9:28-29
"And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately,
Why could not we cast him out?" "And he said unto them, This kind can
come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."
Fasting denotes such an intensity of desire and purpose that we are
willing to put aside even legitimate things in order to see God and His
blessing. It means to deny us of temporal and secondary things so that
spiritual power may be released, that souls in bondage may be delivered
and that people may be amazed at the mighty power of God.
Conclusion: There are several cases in which you fast and pray. This
account is one of those cases. When you are dealing with people
possession by demons, you need to fast and pray before you try to deal
with them.
Pastor Mike Walls
Freedom Baptist Church Smithfield, NC
http://freedombaptistchurchnc.wordpress.com/
http://iglesiabautistalibertad.wordpress.com/
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