{ Prayer & Fasting: Freedom From Self Pastor Rod EnosSunday, January 19, 2014

I. Prayer & Fasting: Empowering Resolve

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Daniel 1:1-8 (NIV)

3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility-- 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve Daniel 1:1-8 (NIV)

in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service. 6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Daniel 1:1-8 (NIV)

Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:1-8 (NIV)

A. A.Can Expose Our Flesh I. Prayer & Fasting: Empowering Resolve

"Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the Isaiah 58:1-5 (NIV)

commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 3 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Isaiah 58:1-5 (NIV)

4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Isaiah 58:1-5 (NIV)

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)

mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God-- through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)

A. A.Can Expose Our Flesh B. B.An Opportunity to Crucify our Flesh I. Prayer & Fasting: Empowering Resolve

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)

A. A.Can Expose Our Flesh B. B.An Opportunity to Crucify our Flesh C. C.Can Release God’s Grace To Us I. Prayer & Fasting: Empowering Resolve

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… 4b …who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:1a, 4b 8 (NIV)

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NASB)

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:28-29 (NIV)

A. A.Can Expose Our Flesh B. B.An Opportunity to Crucify our Flesh C. C.Can Release God’s Grace To Us D. D.Can Change Our Mind I. Prayer & Fasting: Empowering Resolve

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, Romans 8:5-8 (NASB)

7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 (NASB)

Fasting and Prayer is a unique opportunity to find victory over sin and selfishness so that we may be better prepared to be vessels God can flow through. Something to Think About…