This Week’s Experience – 3/31/2018

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Our children’s program. We have age-appropriate programming for infants through 5th graders during our Adult Worship Experience.

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Using our message outline to help you follow along with today’s speaker.

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Order of Service

Music……………………..Worship Team
Wonder
Welcome……………………….Bill Butler
Music……………………..Worship Team
Real Love
Do It Again
Red Letters
Message……………..Gilbert Thurston
When You Pray…
Offering & Announcements
Music……………………..Worship Team
Real Love
Dismissal………………………Bill Butler

Message notes

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.   But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

-Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting is when I refrain from food for a predetermined  of for a purpose.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must deny yourself what you want and daily take up your own cross and follow me.

-Luke 9:23

When I fast it must be a true for me.

I will not offer to the Lord my God sacrifices that have cost me nothing.

-2 Samuel 24:24

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him. After Jesus had gone without eating for forty days and nights, he was very hungry.

-Matthew 4:1-2

1. My hunger will lead me to fast.

a. Jehosaphat hungered for .

Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

-2 Chronicles 20:3

b. Esther hungered for .

Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.

-Esther 4:16

c. Joel hungered for a .

Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.

-Joel 1:14

2. My fasting should lead to a .

If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus answered “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

-Matthew 4:3-4

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these other things will be given to you as well.

-Matthew 6:33

LIFE APPLICATION
To discuss during the week with your family or Life Group

1. Have you ever fasted? Why? What was it like? What were the results?
2. Why does a fast have to be sacrificial?
3. Why does Jesus include this as a “when” instead of as an “if”? What implications does that have for you?
4. What is it that you need to fast for right now to get a breakthrough you haven’t yet gotten?
5. What is your next step as a result of this message?