1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,040 Welcome to the Illuminate Church podcast. 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:05,640 We hope today's message is encouraging to you. 3 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:11,080 At Illuminate Church, we start. Each year since our first year 4 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:14,400 in 2012 with a time of fasting together and this year we're 5 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:16,360 doing a 21 day. All Church. 6 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:21,880 Fast from next Sunday January 18th to February 7th. 21 days 7 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:24,880 now. I had to clarify someone, 8 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:30,800 someone said 21 days of no food. No, in fact, I would not 9 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:33,320 encourage that. That sounds kind of dangerous. 10 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:35,800 OK. Unless the Lord's very. 11 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:38,480 Clear to you. It means 21 days of fasting 12 00:00:38,480 --> 00:00:41,440 something or from something and we'll talk. 13 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:46,520 About that today, we hope you choose to be part of the Church. 14 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:47,840 21 day fast. You. 15 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:50,800 We hope you. Participate and that is what? 16 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:57,040 Today is all about because. Fasting Biblical fasting will 17 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:01,720 impact your life and. Today we'll talk about why. 18 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:04,959 And how? But I don't want to assume. 19 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:09,440 You're already a fasting expert. I don't want to assume. 20 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:12,560 You're already excited about. Fasting In fact, you may not be. 21 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:16,600 You may be like I was when I first became a. 22 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:17,800 Believer. I was 32. 23 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:21,520 Years old and the church I went to in Minnesota back then, they 24 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:24,880 said something about fasting and I thought to myself, that sounds 25 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:28,720 terrible, miserable. I mean that sounds. 26 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:31,400 Bad. I don't know about you, but I 27 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:37,360 like to eat food. And the idea of being hungry, I 28 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:39,840 mean it just I don't like missing a meal. 29 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:45,480 So I not only didn't understand it, I didn't want to hear about 30 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:47,200 it. I didn't want to learn. 31 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,200 I was. Like La La La La La La. 32 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:53,040 Ears plugged. And how many of you, if you were 33 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:55,760 completely honest, when you hear we're going to talk about 34 00:01:55,760 --> 00:02:01,360 fasting, you're kind of like, yay, I think we can all. 35 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:04,080 We're all we're all there, and we'll talk about why that is. 36 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:07,000 But today we're going to. Talk about the. 37 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:09,479 Benefits of fasting because that's. 38 00:02:09,479 --> 00:02:14,480 How I was, that's the way I was before. 39 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:19,000 I understood the reasons and the benefits to my life for fasting 40 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,200 about 10 years ago. I decided. 41 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:24,640 I want to learn more about this for the first time. 42 00:02:24,640 --> 00:02:26,400 I went from La La La La. I don't want to hear. 43 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:28,560 It to I really? Want to learn more about what? 44 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:29,520 What is the purpose? Why? 45 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:32,040 Why did Jesus fast before? He went out in the desert, and 46 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:34,120 Satan was tempted by. Satan, what is this? 47 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:36,960 Purpose to fasting. What's it all about? 48 00:02:37,920 --> 00:02:40,040 South About 10 years ago, I studied fasting. 49 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:41,000 What is it? What is? 50 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,800 Its purpose and today I'm going to share with. 51 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:48,640 You what I. Learned through that process, I 52 00:02:48,640 --> 00:02:51,400 have found one thing about people, myself included, and 53 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:54,160 that is we don't like being. Told what to do if. 54 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:57,240 We don't understand the reason for it, the why. 55 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:59,640 Tell me why. Starts when we're little kids, 56 00:02:59,640 --> 00:03:02,840 right? Why my wife Heather. 57 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:10,120 We've been married 39 1/2 years. She buys this stuff at the 58 00:03:10,120 --> 00:03:12,840 store, this bottle with the lid. You know. 59 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:20,240 It's a pressed green juice. Drink pressed green juice a 60 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,120 vegetable drink called suja. That's what it's called, suja. 61 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:26,400 You can buy it at the stores. We call it green drink. 62 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,240 Doesn't that sound yummy? Green drink? 63 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:32,400 MMM. On a cold, on a refreshing day, 64 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:33,840 it's like, what? What's in it? 65 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:38,560 There's only six ingredients. Cucumber, celery, grapefruit, 66 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:43,520 lettuce, lemon and Chard. Those are the ingredients. 67 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:47,440 What is Chard I have? No idea, but I do know it's 68 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:50,360 green. That's all I know. 69 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:52,760 Chard sounds like something that's been on the. 70 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:57,640 Barbecue grill a little too. Long and someone says is that 71 00:03:57,640 --> 00:03:59,880 burnt? God, it's just a little Chard 72 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:04,480 Chard. And at first when you drink. 73 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:07,040 This stuff called suja, it's pressed green juice. 74 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:08,800 I'll be. Honest with you, it tastes. 75 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:11,440 Really, really bad. It tastes bad. 76 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,920 It's it's. Juice from these vegetables only 77 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:16,399 do mix. In a little grapefruit. 78 00:04:16,399 --> 00:04:19,279 And lemon to kind of. Add a little whatever. 79 00:04:21,079 --> 00:04:25,840 But after you've had it a while after you get used to it, it 80 00:04:25,840 --> 00:04:29,680 still tastes really, really bad. That's the truth. 81 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:34,960 But because. I understand the benefits to me, 82 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:40,880 the nutrition, the vitamins, what it's good stuff in there. 83 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:43,680 I choose to drink it. Can you believe that? 84 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:45,560 Not by how it. Tastes. 85 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:48,280 I would there's. Things that taste much, much 86 00:04:48,280 --> 00:04:53,480 better, including water, right? But I want to drink it because 87 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:56,160 of the benefits to me and my life. 88 00:04:57,240 --> 00:04:59,480 So today, we're not going to just announce that the church is 89 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:01,480 going to do a fast and you should do it, whether you 90 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:03,720 understand it or not, or because everyone's going to do it. 91 00:05:04,840 --> 00:05:06,320 We're going to explain what a fast. 92 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:09,680 Is what it's for. Its purpose and why we. 93 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:12,640 Fast. So if you've never fasted. 94 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:14,520 Before. That's OK if you're. 95 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:17,120 Not excited about fasting? We're glad you're here. 96 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,520 But what I do ask you today, I ask you for your. 97 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:24,840 Benefit. If you're kind of feeling like 98 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:29,240 you when we talk about the word fasting, will you at least 99 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:33,360 listen today? Will you open your minds? 100 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:36,520 Your ears, your hearts to hear what God has to say, what the 101 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:38,920 purpose. Is what the benefit is to you 102 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:43,040 and your life regarding fasting. Happy New Year to the mezzanine 103 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:45,080 people. I also don't want to forget the 104 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:48,600 people over and overflow. They are no less important than 105 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:50,760 anyone sitting in this room. I don't want them to feel that 106 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:54,120 way. Everybody say hello Overflow. 107 00:05:56,760 --> 00:06:00,040 So listen with. An open mind and open hearts. 108 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,000 And I encourage you, if you have something to write with, take 109 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:03,680 notes. I'm going to go through some 110 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:06,960 points today. I find I take notes every Sunday 111 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:11,120 and it just helps me retain information or or kind of just 112 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:13,760 so another way of hearing it actually is by writing it down. 113 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:16,520 But the mission of Illuminate Church. 114 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:19,400 You might have heard it before. You may know what it is that the 115 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:21,720 mission of this. Church is to help you. 116 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:24,960 Find abundant life in Jesus and I hope. 117 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,440 That what you hear today. Is how fasting. 118 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:32,000 Is a big part. Or an important part of how you 119 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:36,840 find abundant. Life but I believe through 120 00:06:36,840 --> 00:06:42,680 especially the study that I've. Done and have been doing that. 121 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:47,960 Fasting might be one of the most overlooked and ignored parts. 122 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:51,520 Of a Christ followers life. We don't like it and we tend to 123 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:55,360 avoid we don't things we don't like unless we understand 124 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:58,600 there's enough benefits So let's start we're going to talk about 125 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:01,400 fasting today we're. Going to talk about what it is 126 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:02,200 but. We're also going to talk. 127 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:04,920 About what? It isn't what? 128 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:06,880 Fasting isn't. Let's start with. 129 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:10,440 That is biblical. Fasting isn't a punishment. 130 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:16,080 Biblical fasting isn't taking away things we like as a 131 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:18,320 punishment for our sin or. Because. 132 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,920 We're bad, or we've done. Bad things, Jesus. 133 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:24,600 Paid the punishment for our sin, so that's not what. 134 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:29,400 It's about also biblical. Fasting isn't primarily. 135 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:31,320 For health reasons or health? Benefits. 136 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:35,320 You'll hear a lot of. Health experts in the. 137 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:38,720 World talk about the health. Benefits of fasting and 138 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:44,960 intermittent fasting and. It's all true how it helps 139 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:46,640 people lose weight, how it helps people. 140 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:49,320 Have more energy? Because it gives your digestive. 141 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,960 System an opportunity to rest so it can heal. 142 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:55,120 Other parts of your body. And and that's kind of the 143 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:59,720 theory behind and it's true, but that isn't what biblical fasting 144 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:00,800 is about. Or for. 145 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:03,080 It might be a side. Effect. 146 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:07,760 It might be a byproduct benefit of biblical fasting, but it 147 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:10,280 isn't the reason we do it. Fair enough. 148 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:13,560 What biblical fasting is the definition? 149 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:17,200 What it is for? Is this biblical fasting? 150 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:20,880 Is intentionally giving up something? 151 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:26,560 Physical, usually for a. Specific period of time to gain 152 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:31,200 something in the spiritual. That's what fasting is for. 153 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:35,760 Fasting is taking something. Physical that you value and. 154 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:39,200 Giving that up intentionally, voluntarily. 155 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:43,000 Usually for a specific. Period of time, but sometimes 156 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,320 permanently if God's telling us to. 157 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:49,480 Do that to gain. Something spiritual or grow 158 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:53,680 spiritually or to gain strength. In your spiritual life. 159 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:57,280 I'll say it one more way. Fasting is giving something up 160 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:01,120 that's important to us in the physical to gain or. 161 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:02,840 Grow spiritually. Which is more? 162 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:06,880 Important that in a nutshell. Is what? 163 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:11,760 Biblical fasting is now the physical thing we might give up 164 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:15,160 usually and often involves food or certain kinds of food, 165 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:18,400 something that our physical. Body craves. 166 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:23,800 I have a sweet tooth so I love. December and it's hard for me to 167 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:27,960 say I am going to. Fast, all sugar, all things that 168 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:31,400 taste good. In the month of January, why 169 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:34,440 would I do that? It's not just for health, it's 170 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:39,240 because my physical body is craving it and that taking that 171 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:40,920 away. Is what gets our physical. 172 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:45,880 Body's attention the most. If that doesn't make sense yet, 173 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:48,880 stick with me and hopefully this will make sense what I'm talking 174 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:52,120 about when I say physical and spiritual. 175 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,800 Everything you see and touch, look around the room. 176 00:09:56,200 --> 00:10:00,640 Look at the Earth. Everything you see and touch is 177 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:04,400 the physical. But reality is, there is also. 178 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:08,600 A spiritual realm, a spiritual world, and they exist at the 179 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:11,680 same time. They both exist now if. 180 00:10:11,680 --> 00:10:14,280 People say yeah, but I can't see the spiritual. 181 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:16,560 World that may be true, but it doesn't make. 182 00:10:16,560 --> 00:10:19,520 It less real. In fact, some people. 183 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:23,280 Would say the physical world is less real because it's. 184 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:25,520 Temporary. The spiritual realm is forever. 185 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:30,640 It's eternal. So they both. 186 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:32,640 Exist at the same time, and God is a. 187 00:10:32,640 --> 00:10:36,440 Spirit God is a spirit. But he created everything we see 188 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:41,000 in the physical, John 424 says. God is, God is. 189 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:45,440 Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and 190 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,080 truth. So the spiritual. 191 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,960 Created everything we see in the. 192 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:55,920 Physical Are you with me? So question, what created 193 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:58,760 everything in the physical? The planet, the stars, the 194 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:01,880 earth, life, animals, everything. 195 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:09,120 A God denier would say nothing created everything. 196 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:13,880 It's incredible to me that anyone could believe that 197 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:21,440 everything came from nothing. Nothing created everything in 198 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:26,000 perfect order. It takes a lot of faith to 199 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:29,480 believe that. Our answer is the Bible. 200 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:32,680 'S answer is a creator. Created everything. 201 00:11:32,680 --> 00:11:34,520 His name is. God with a capital. 202 00:11:34,560 --> 00:11:38,240 G and God the Creator. Who is a spirit created the 203 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:40,960 physical? And you and I. 204 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:44,160 Have a physical body? You're here. 205 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:48,760 Right, you're on this. Side of the grass, right? 206 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:51,840 You have a physical body. And you have a spirit. 207 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:54,480 You don't get a spirit. When you die. 208 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:59,760 You have a physical body. And you have a spirit right now, 209 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:03,040 so say this with me. Say I have a body. 210 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:07,920 And. I have a spirit both. 211 00:12:08,680 --> 00:12:11,320 Got it. Thank you. 212 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:16,840 So when this physical body. Perishes, which it will for all 213 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:21,320 of us, your. Spirit continues forever, 214 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:23,320 eternally. That's why Jesus said. 215 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:26,720 In John 11/26 he said everyone who lives and believes in me 216 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:28,880 shall never die. He wasn't talking about. 217 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:30,960 Our physical body. He's talking about our spirit. 218 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:33,520 You have both. He doesn't say you'll get a 219 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:36,240 spirit. So right now you have a. 220 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:38,360 Body, what the Bible calls your flesh. 221 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:43,360 And you have a spirit. And here's the key. 222 00:12:43,680 --> 00:12:45,560 To fasting. Here's the key to. 223 00:12:45,560 --> 00:12:48,760 This morning's message. So if I'm losing you already, 224 00:12:49,680 --> 00:12:52,960 pay attention to this one line one of. 225 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:56,400 Those two your flesh or your spirit? 226 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:00,520 One of those two. Is going to rule your life. 227 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:03,640 It's going to rule your decisions. 228 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:06,160 It's going to rule everything you do 1 of. 229 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:10,800 Those two will dictate. Your decisions, your words, your 230 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:14,320 actions, your life and those two. 231 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:19,640 Parts of you which exist. Right now are in a battle flesh. 232 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:25,320 Versus spirit for which? One is going to rule and run and 233 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:28,920 control your life. Have you ever felt that battle? 234 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:30,360 Going on inside. Of you before. 235 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:33,040 Inside your mind, inside your. Thoughts. 236 00:13:33,560 --> 00:13:36,720 Inside your decisions, which one wins? 237 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:40,960 A battle. Is going on inside your soul, 238 00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:42,960 between your flesh and your spirit all the time. 239 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:46,240 And here's the key point. We are designed and created by. 240 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:48,640 God, our Creator to live. By and be. 241 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:55,160 Ruled by our spirit. And not our flesh, but sin and 242 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:58,280 the sin nature we are born with. And the sin nature that exists 243 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:04,040 in this world defaults to, leans to, bends to The world we live 244 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:10,720 in, pulls us to, and encourages. Us to the flesh, the writer Paul 245 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:13,480 the Apostle Paul tells us about the results. 246 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:17,080 In our lives, depending on which decision we make. 247 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:22,000 If we are led by our spirit or we are led by our flesh, those 248 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,440 are the 2. Options we have now the majority 249 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:26,360 of the world. Without Jesus are led by their 250 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:30,160 flesh. Our the majority of people. 251 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:32,960 Live their lives led by their flesh. 252 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,720 But we have the option. Our spirit is alive when we are 253 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:38,200 saved. When? 254 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:40,520 We're born again. We have a spirit that becomes 255 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:45,880 born again when we accept Jesus and we get to choose. 256 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:49,720 This is what Paul. Says in Galatians chapter 5, 257 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:52,560 verses 16 through 24. If you have your bibles. 258 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:55,840 Turn to the book of Galatians. It's in the New Testament. 259 00:14:56,640 --> 00:15:01,520 Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, 260 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:03,400 Galatians. Somebody tell me I got. 261 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:08,720 That right? Praise God, Galatians. 262 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:10,920 Turn to chapter 5. If you need a Bible, raise your 263 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:12,040 hand. I'm not sure we'll bring one to 264 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:13,960 you. If you don't have a Bible. 265 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:16,480 Keep it, take it home. We'd love to give that to you. 266 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:19,000 Keep. It everyone should have a Bible. 267 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:22,080 But this is what Paul. Wrote in Galatians chapter 5. 268 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:24,160 Now listen. Don't just listen to the. 269 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:26,760 Words listen to what he's. Saying to the church. 270 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:31,280 About the effects of living by our flesh or living by our 271 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:32,240 spirit. Will you do that? 272 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,200 Let's read it together. I'll say it, but just. 273 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:37,920 Listen, but I say walk in the spirit. 274 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:39,600 Walk by the. Spirit and you will not. 275 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:43,640 Gratify the desires of the flesh, for the desires of the 276 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:47,000 flesh are. Against the Spirit and the. 277 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,800 Desires of the Spirit are. Against the flesh for these. 278 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:52,240 Are opposed to each other opposite. 279 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:56,600 Ends of the spectrum to keep you from doing things you want to 280 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:57,640 do. Or you feel like. 281 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:01,240 Doing but. If you are led by the spirit 282 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:05,560 keyword if. You are not under the law now 283 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:07,640 the. Works of the flesh are. 284 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:09,280 Evident what does the? Works of the flesh. 285 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:13,440 Mean the results, what comes from it, what comes from living 286 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:14,960 by the flesh. This is what it says. 287 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:23,200 Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, 288 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:29,080 enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, 289 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:33,440 dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and things. 290 00:16:33,440 --> 00:16:35,880 Like these he could go. On and on and on. 291 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:39,480 You get the point. Right now I was thinking about 292 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:42,080 this and I was thinking about the people Paul was writing to 293 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:44,280 at that time when he said things like this. 294 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:47,080 We have the. Same results in our lives. 295 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:49,160 Today, but the world. Has made it much more 296 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:54,200 convenient. It used to be to have a fit of 297 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:56,720 anger on someone, you had to actually meet a person you. 298 00:16:57,400 --> 00:17:05,319 Had to be face to face today. Sexual or morality right here. 299 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:14,839 Fits of anger stir division. Idolatry, envy, jealousy. 300 00:17:14,839 --> 00:17:15,960 We can, we can. We don't. 301 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:17,480 We don't. We don't need to go meet 302 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:18,720 somebody. We got it right in our pocket. 303 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:21,440 Isn't it nice, the world? Has made it. 304 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:23,440 Easier and more convenient for the works of our. 305 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:28,240 Flesh, but it has. Let me go. 306 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:29,840 Back to what Paul says. He says. 307 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:31,400 I warn. You, as I warned you before, 308 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:33,880 that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of 309 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:37,600 God. But the fruit of the Spirit, the 310 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:39,760 results? Of living by the Spirit, the 311 00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:41,400 results in your life of being led. 312 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:42,960 By your spirit. Are you with me? 313 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:48,200 Are. What Love, joy, peace. 314 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:52,320 Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and 315 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:55,240 self-control. Against such things there is no 316 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:59,320 law and those who belong to. Christ Jesus has crucified the 317 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:02,720 flesh with its. Passions and desires. 318 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:04,040 Now let me ask you a question. Let me ask. 319 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:08,960 You a question which life a life led by the flesh or LED by the. 320 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:13,480 Spirit do you think sounds like? A better life which? 321 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:17,320 One do you think lead sounds like a more satisfying life, a 322 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:20,640 more fulfilling life? Which one do you think would 323 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:26,640 lead to a better marriage? Which one do you think leads to 324 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:28,480 the abundant? Life, that Jesus said, is. 325 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:30,800 Possible when he said I have come that they might have life 326 00:18:30,800 --> 00:18:36,240 and have it more abundantly and what fasting does and only 327 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:41,320 fasting does say only. Fasting does is tell our flesh 328 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:43,520 it gives a loud. Message to our flesh that you 329 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:48,160 are not in charge, You are not the ruler of my life. 330 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:52,440 You will not lead my life. You are not in charge my life. 331 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:54,840 Will be ruled by dictated by led. 332 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:58,920 By my spirit like God intended and not my. 333 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:02,920 Flesh because we know. From God's Word, and many of us 334 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:07,520 know from our past experiences what it means in Romans. 86 335 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:08,600 where it says. The mind. 336 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:13,200 Governed by the flesh is death, but the. 337 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:17,160 Mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace now. 338 00:19:17,160 --> 00:19:19,480 Tough decision Quiz time. You ready? 339 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:20,480 You didn't. I didn't tell you. 340 00:19:20,480 --> 00:19:24,080 There's going to be a quiz. Which one do you want? 341 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:27,720 Which life do you want? A or B? 342 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:31,200 Death or life and peace, It seems like a no brainer. 343 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:35,080 It seems like an easy decision, but the world makes. 344 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:39,440 It very difficult. We have a choice. 345 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:40,880 God gives us free will. But he won't. 346 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:45,240 Force us to choose the. One that benefits us the most. 347 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:50,200 Our body and our spirit are working in us all the time, 348 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:54,240 seven days a week, and one of them is the dominant decision 349 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:55,240 maker. It can't be both. 350 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:56,240 It can't. Be a tie. 351 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:58,440 It can't be both. I want to live in the world and 352 00:19:58,440 --> 00:19:59,480 I want to live in the spirit. I want. 353 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:02,040 I want to do these things and I want to do these things. 1 is 354 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:05,680 going to be in charge. One of them is going to dominate 355 00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:06,600 the other. Which one? 356 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:11,800 Whichever one's the strongest. When our flesh is dominant. 357 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:17,280 When our flesh is strongest. We do whatever. 358 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:23,240 We want to do whatever we feel like doing, whatever we want to 359 00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:26,760 do right now. We cast off restraint and many 360 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:30,360 times we regret those decisions. Later, like have you ever said 361 00:20:30,360 --> 00:20:32,560 or thought to yourself, what was I thinking? 362 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:36,640 Why did I do that? Again. 363 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:42,920 And all that is, is evidence of our flesh ruling our lives. 364 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:50,760 When our spirit is dominant, when we are led by our spirits, 365 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:52,480 then our life can be. Lived how God? 366 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:55,560 Designed us to live. We can live a. 367 00:20:55,560 --> 00:20:57,560 Satisfying, fulfilling fruit of the. 368 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:01,320 Spirit. Filled life and what makes 369 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:06,800 fasting and prayer together so powerful is fasting weakens our 370 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:11,200 flesh and puts it in its place, and at the same time prayer 371 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:14,440 strengthens. Our spirit, so it's. 372 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:17,800 Doing this at the same time, it's not just suppressing one, 373 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:20,480 it's raising the other, it's putting things back in. 374 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,440 Order. It's like a good chiropractic 375 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:28,000 adjustment. What's the I? 376 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,560 Go to a chiropractor. People say you have a bad. 377 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:35,120 Back No, I don't want a bad. Back I go to a chiropractor 378 00:21:35,120 --> 00:21:37,920 because the world. Gets things out of alignment. 379 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:41,320 I carry a shoulder. Bag I carry grandkids I do. 380 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:43,840 I sit at a computer. I do all. 381 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:48,360 These things that gets the the design of my spine out of 382 00:21:48,360 --> 00:21:51,520 alignment and I go to the chiropractor so he can. 383 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:57,320 Go and put it back like it should be. 384 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:01,520 That's. What fasting is, And that's what 385 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:06,000 fasting is for in our lives. So I'm hopeful that you now have 386 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,800 a better understanding of what fasting is and what and what 387 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,680 it's for. And I hope you are willing to 388 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:15,920 make the decision to join or participate in the All Church 21 389 00:22:15,920 --> 00:22:21,160 Day Fast starts next Sunday, not just because Illuminate Church 390 00:22:21,160 --> 00:22:23,560 says we're doing. This or other people are. 391 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:26,000 Doing it, but because you want your spirit. 392 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:31,400 To rule over your flesh this year, you want your life to be 393 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:33,440 led by your spirit, which results. 394 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:37,200 In life and peace and the. Fruit of the Spirit. 395 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:43,200 In our lives so. Today I have 5 biblical. 396 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:48,800 Fasting principles for you to apply fasting to your life to 397 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:51,400 understand it better hopefully you have an understanding now of 398 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:56,040 what it's for but five principles that you can apply to 399 00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:59,440 your life #1 fasting should. Be. 400 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:05,600 A regular discipline. A regular discipline. 401 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:10,000 Fasting should be a normal. Regular part of our lives. 402 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:13,960 Because unfortunately we can't fast once a year and say I'm 403 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:19,160 good till next January. It'd be nice, but it's not. 404 00:23:19,160 --> 00:23:20,520 Reality. The world we live. 405 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:25,640 In we need to fast and reorder re prioritize our lives often 406 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:29,600 and regularly in Matthew chapters 5 through 7. 407 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:32,720 Jesus gave. A message on a mountainside. 408 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:36,160 To a crowd of people. So they named it in the Bible, 409 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:39,800 Sermon on the Mount, great name, right Sermon on the mountainside 410 00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:42,040 3 chapters long in the book of Matthew. 411 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:47,480 And in chapter 6 he said 3 when you. 412 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:50,560 Phrases 3. Times, he said when you do 413 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:55,840 something 3 when you statements. That he expected to be regular 414 00:23:55,840 --> 00:23:59,360 parts of his. Followers lives normal things. 415 00:23:59,920 --> 00:24:04,560 First, he said. When you pray second, he said. 416 00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:07,960 When you give third, he said. When? 417 00:24:08,560 --> 00:24:15,160 You fast. Jesus didn't say if you pray, if 418 00:24:15,160 --> 00:24:19,960 you give, or if you fast. His expectation was an hour. 419 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:21,960 That we will pray we. Will give and we will. 420 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:25,000 Fast. There's a big difference between 421 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:27,720 when you and if you and Jesus said when you. 422 00:24:29,120 --> 00:24:35,360 If I say to. You when you shower, when you 423 00:24:35,360 --> 00:24:36,200 brush your. Teeth. 424 00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:40,360 I'm assuming those are normal regular things you do. 425 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:42,040 I would hope I wouldn't say to you. 426 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:45,680 If you brush your teeth. You with me? 427 00:24:46,320 --> 00:24:48,280 We'd have to have a. Personal conversation about why 428 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:50,000 people are avoiding you in the lobby. 429 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:55,320 Right. Fasting is designed to be normal 430 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:58,040 and regular. Part of a follower of Jesus's 431 00:24:58,040 --> 00:25:00,320 lives as. Regular and normal as prayer, 432 00:25:00,720 --> 00:25:06,280 giving, church attendance, worship, a normal discipline of 433 00:25:06,280 --> 00:25:08,840 A. Disciple of Jesus it was. 434 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:11,840 Then and it. Is for his followers. 435 00:25:11,960 --> 00:25:13,920 Now now a question you might have then is. 436 00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:17,040 Why doesn't the church talk? About it more I was having 437 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:20,680 dinner with my wife. About two weeks ago and. 438 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:23,000 We were talking about this message and things I was 439 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:24,840 learning and things I was hearing and things I was going 440 00:25:24,840 --> 00:25:28,560 to share and how I, I was like, this is really, I mean, Can you 441 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:30,400 imagine the church not talking? About prayer and. 442 00:25:31,040 --> 00:25:32,680 I'm not talking. About this church, we talk about 443 00:25:32,680 --> 00:25:35,800 it OK, but of course we do. And she? 444 00:25:35,800 --> 00:25:38,080 Asked me, she said why do you? Think it is that the church 445 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:41,000 doesn't talk more about fasting. And I said that's a good 446 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:42,560 question. Let me let me do some research. 447 00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:47,880 So I found out one of the reasons the church in general 448 00:25:47,880 --> 00:25:53,040 doesn't talk a lot about fasting is that 4 or 500 years ago, the 449 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:58,760 church in Rome, centuries after Jesus had become very religious 450 00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:03,360 about fasting. In fact, they made mandatory 451 00:26:03,360 --> 00:26:05,360 fasting rules. That the church said. 452 00:26:06,480 --> 00:26:08,680 Don't eat this. Don't eat this on this. 453 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:13,280 Day all all these. Rules that everyone was required 454 00:26:13,280 --> 00:26:17,720 to follow. Keyword mandatory and part of 455 00:26:17,720 --> 00:26:20,800 the Protestant Reformation in the 1600s said fasting should 456 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:23,280 not be mandatory or. A rule set by the church. 457 00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:26,200 It should be a. Decision someone makes, but not 458 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:29,080 because it's a rule. But but the pendulum on fasting 459 00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:30,880 went so. Far the other way. 460 00:26:31,320 --> 00:26:37,560 That it became not talked about. It went from mandatory to gone. 461 00:26:39,120 --> 00:26:42,960 Not talked about at all. That's one reason fasting isn't 462 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:44,760 talked about a lot in the church, or at least as much as 463 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:46,560 it should be. But I think another reason might 464 00:26:46,560 --> 00:26:49,920 apply more to the United States than any other part of the 465 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:53,080 world. Now, this is not United States 466 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:54,640 bashing. I love the United States. 467 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:57,160 I'm proud of the United States, greatest country in the world. 468 00:26:57,160 --> 00:26:58,320 Glad to. Live here, How about you? 469 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:04,120 But tell me if I'm wrong. Our culture is in America. 470 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:08,440 Abundance, comfort, and immediate gratification, 471 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:10,960 especially. With food. 472 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:15,480 And fasting is the. Exact opposite of that. 473 00:27:15,480 --> 00:27:17,960 It's the. Exact opposite of the American 474 00:27:18,120 --> 00:27:22,560 culture and fasting, especially in the United States is counter 475 00:27:22,560 --> 00:27:25,760 cultural. It's uncomfortable to our flesh. 476 00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:30,480 Being hungry doesn't appeal to comfort and. 477 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:34,120 Prosperity focused people America. 478 00:27:34,120 --> 00:27:36,440 I think this could be I could be wrong but I. 479 00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:39,160 I would say it's at least. One of the few countries in the 480 00:27:39,160 --> 00:27:40,600 world. You will ever hear this phrase? 481 00:27:41,120 --> 00:27:44,320 I could eat. Are you hungry? 482 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:49,520 I could eat. Great. 483 00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:53,520 We don't we don't like being hungry is the point. 484 00:27:54,440 --> 00:27:57,560 I looked on Amazon doing some more research and found there 485 00:27:57,560 --> 00:27:59,560 were over 2000 books that I just. 486 00:27:59,560 --> 00:28:01,240 Pulled up right away. On the topic. 487 00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:03,880 Of prayer, I thought, great. That's good. 488 00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:05,200 I'm sure there's some good. Resources there. 489 00:28:05,200 --> 00:28:07,280 I'm glad there's. But I looked on the topic of 490 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:08,680 fasting and there was less than 100. 491 00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:11,480 Why is? That I would say probably 492 00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:14,560 because no one would buy it. People aren't interested. 493 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:21,200 Who would buy that book? Maybe we all should So this 494 00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:25,240 year. In 2026, we're not going to just 495 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:26,800 fast together to church once a year. 496 00:28:27,920 --> 00:28:30,040 We're going to fast together one day per month. 497 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:34,640 All of 2026, not just 21 days. To start the year. 498 00:28:34,640 --> 00:28:36,480 And you'll hear more about that soon. 499 00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:39,600 And you may choose to even do more than that. 500 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:41,320 You may choose to do something once a week. 501 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:43,360 You may choose to do something. I don't know. 502 00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:46,080 I'm not going to tell. You what to fast How? 503 00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:47,480 Often to fast that's between you. 504 00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:52,000 And God, but I hope. That you're starting to think I 505 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:53,600 want. To do whatever it takes. 506 00:28:53,880 --> 00:29:01,280 To keep my spirit on the throne of my life #2 Fasting is for 507 00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:06,880 spiritual strengthening. We fast to increase or boost our 508 00:29:06,880 --> 00:29:11,120 spirit's. Strength and even the original. 509 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:14,600 Disciples back. Then 2000 years ago. 510 00:29:15,760 --> 00:29:18,840 Who were with Jesus? In the flesh walked. 511 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:22,400 With Jesus, listened to Jesus, lived with Jesus. 512 00:29:22,520 --> 00:29:26,080 Needed to do this this. Is a story that takes. 513 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:29,040 Place in Matthew chapter 17 and this is a quick summary in 514 00:29:29,040 --> 00:29:32,400 Matthew 17. Jesus is with his disciples. 515 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:33,360 You don't have to go there right now. 516 00:29:33,360 --> 00:29:35,640 I'm going to paraphrase it. And he takes. 517 00:29:35,640 --> 00:29:39,200 Three of his. Disciples John, James and Peter 518 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:43,120 up on a mountain, up on a mountaintop, and he has an 519 00:29:43,120 --> 00:29:46,560 experience there with Elijah and Moses, and it's incredible. 520 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:50,000 It's called in your Bible the Transfiguration. 521 00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:54,040 But when that was over and the four of them came back down the 522 00:29:54,040 --> 00:29:57,280 mountain, they ran into Jesus, ran into a problem. 523 00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:03,680 The 9 disciples who were who had stayed behind ran into a problem 524 00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:05,200 they couldn't fix and they needed. 525 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:08,440 Jesus's help so. Picture this scene. 526 00:30:08,440 --> 00:30:10,800 I'm going to read it to you. This is when they came back down 527 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:13,320 the mountain. Jesus comes back to the 9. 528 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:15,680 He's probably wondering like. How'd it go? 529 00:30:17,320 --> 00:30:18,320 How were? Things. 530 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:22,160 Let me tell you about my. Day, this is what he. 531 00:30:22,160 --> 00:30:24,560 Says in first. This is what it says in verse 14 532 00:30:24,560 --> 00:30:28,440 of Matthew chapter 17. It says when they came back and 533 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:30,760 when they had come to the multitude, a man came to him, 534 00:30:30,760 --> 00:30:33,560 kneeling down to him and saying, Lord have mercy on my son, for 535 00:30:33,560 --> 00:30:37,680 he is an epileptic and suffers. Severely, for he often falls 536 00:30:37,680 --> 00:30:39,080 into the. Fire and often into. 537 00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:40,520 The water. So I brought him to your 538 00:30:40,520 --> 00:30:45,760 disciples. But they could not cure him. 539 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:49,760 And Jesus answered and said, Hey, that's. 540 00:30:50,760 --> 00:30:52,800 What? He said sigh. 541 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:56,680 I roll. Oh, faithless and perverse 542 00:30:56,680 --> 00:30:58,480 generation, how long shall I be with you? 543 00:30:58,480 --> 00:31:00,760 How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to me. 544 00:31:01,720 --> 00:31:04,040 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the 545 00:31:04,040 --> 00:31:06,200 child was cured from that very hour. 546 00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:11,600 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said privately 547 00:31:12,360 --> 00:31:15,400 crowd was gone. Jesus, why couldn't we do? 548 00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:18,440 That you did it. It was so easy. 549 00:31:20,040 --> 00:31:21,760 You you cured him. Why couldn't we do it? 550 00:31:21,760 --> 00:31:24,360 Why couldn't we cure him? And this is what Jesus. 551 00:31:24,360 --> 00:31:26,640 Said. Because of your unbelief for. 552 00:31:26,640 --> 00:31:28,000 Assuredly, I say to you, if you have. 553 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:29,760 Faith as a mustard. Seed you will say to. 554 00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:32,280 This mountain move from here to there and it will move and 555 00:31:32,280 --> 00:31:34,400 nothing will be impossible. For you, however. 556 00:31:35,560 --> 00:31:39,680 This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. 557 00:31:41,440 --> 00:31:42,760 So. Jesus, you can see, was 558 00:31:42,760 --> 00:31:44,640 disappointed. He expected more from his 559 00:31:44,640 --> 00:31:46,360 followers. How many of you think him even 560 00:31:46,360 --> 00:31:47,320 maybe? A little bit. 561 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,640 That calling his disciples. Perverse was maybe a little 562 00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:54,320 harsh. Was he having a bad? 563 00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:56,440 Day. Was he tired? 564 00:31:57,120 --> 00:31:58,480 Maybe he's in a bad mood that day. 565 00:31:58,480 --> 00:32:00,400 We don't know. But what, what when? 566 00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:04,080 When you understand it more? The word in Hebrew that Jesus 567 00:32:04,080 --> 00:32:06,000 used when we translate it to the word. 568 00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:09,480 Perverse is the word. I'm going to try to say this 569 00:32:09,480 --> 00:32:12,760 right. The extremity, the extremity, 570 00:32:13,800 --> 00:32:15,760 That's what he said when he said. 571 00:32:16,120 --> 00:32:20,080 You're you're perverse. Faithless and perverse, he has 572 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:22,720 D. Extremity, which means twisted, 573 00:32:23,920 --> 00:32:28,200 distorted. Turned away from what is right 574 00:32:28,200 --> 00:32:33,840 or turned away from? The right path Jesus wasn't. 575 00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:36,000 Calling them perverted, he was saying. 576 00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:37,680 You're not living like you should be. 577 00:32:39,240 --> 00:32:41,480 So the disciples thought their. Problem was, we couldn't. 578 00:32:41,480 --> 00:32:42,520 Heal the boy. What? 579 00:32:43,160 --> 00:32:44,080 What's? Wrong. 580 00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:45,200 Why couldn't we? Do it, but Jesus. 581 00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:47,400 Said no, your real problem is you're not operating. 582 00:32:47,400 --> 00:32:50,000 Spiritually. Like you're designed by. 583 00:32:50,000 --> 00:32:52,000 Your creator. That's your problem. 584 00:32:53,560 --> 00:32:57,000 So in Matthew Chapter 7 verse 19 he says then the disciples came 585 00:32:57,000 --> 00:32:58,640 and said why? Couldn't we cast it out if? 586 00:32:58,640 --> 00:33:02,560 You jump to verse 21. Jesus answer is this kind does 587 00:33:02,560 --> 00:33:05,520 not go out. Except by prayer and fasting. 588 00:33:05,520 --> 00:33:07,880 He said the solution, the answer, what you need to do. 589 00:33:08,600 --> 00:33:11,760 To get your life back to the way it should be, that's what. 590 00:33:11,960 --> 00:33:16,320 The extremity means is prayer and fasting. 591 00:33:17,840 --> 00:33:20,520 Prayer connects us with God. Prayer strengthens our 592 00:33:20,520 --> 00:33:24,840 relationship with. God, but Jesus said prayer and. 593 00:33:24,840 --> 00:33:29,160 Fasting, and it's like this. Prayer is our spiritual acts. 594 00:33:30,560 --> 00:33:36,520 And fasting is our axe sharpener because fasting. 595 00:33:36,520 --> 00:33:38,920 Decreases the power and control of the flesh. 596 00:33:39,120 --> 00:33:41,120 That's its purpose, that's its tool. 597 00:33:42,200 --> 00:33:44,560 If there was a better one or a different one, God. 598 00:33:44,560 --> 00:33:48,000 Probably would have told us about that and told us to do it, 599 00:33:48,720 --> 00:33:53,200 but he told us to fast. And that's the best tool we have 600 00:33:53,200 --> 00:33:56,600 available number. 3 Fasting requires a clear. 601 00:33:56,600 --> 00:34:02,760 Plan a clear, precise plan. How long am I going to fast? 602 00:34:02,760 --> 00:34:04,040 What am I going to? Fast. 603 00:34:04,800 --> 00:34:07,520 Which food is it? All food. 604 00:34:07,520 --> 00:34:11,120 Certain times, certain days, How long, Which meal? 605 00:34:12,280 --> 00:34:16,440 Maybe it's something other than food, TV or entertainment. 606 00:34:17,080 --> 00:34:18,719 Shopping or. Spending. 607 00:34:19,239 --> 00:34:21,360 Maybe we need to fast from that after December. 608 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:27,639 Social media phones, fasting our phones. 609 00:34:27,639 --> 00:34:31,880 Let's not go overboard. Secular music, What is it? 610 00:34:33,239 --> 00:34:35,360 What is it that our flesh craves? 611 00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:37,639 The most that you denying yourself of it. 612 00:34:37,639 --> 00:34:39,360 Will get your flesh's. Attention. 613 00:34:40,600 --> 00:34:42,719 We'll get the message clearly. Across. 614 00:34:42,719 --> 00:34:44,440 To your flesh. I think one of the mistakes when 615 00:34:44,440 --> 00:34:47,679 it comes to fasting that many of us make is we want to say we're 616 00:34:47,679 --> 00:34:49,960 fasting, but we choose something that's not. 617 00:34:49,960 --> 00:34:54,719 Really a sacrifice, But it's expected to be a sacrifice. 618 00:34:54,719 --> 00:34:58,440 Something our flesh really cares about, and you'll know you're on 619 00:34:58,440 --> 00:35:01,160 the right. Track if your flesh start 620 00:35:01,160 --> 00:35:02,760 because you had. That battle going on, right? 621 00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:07,280 If your flesh starts going, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, let's 622 00:35:07,720 --> 00:35:10,920 no, not that. Let's not get crazy here. 623 00:35:12,120 --> 00:35:13,720 Let's not go. Overboard. 624 00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:15,920 I mean, let's keep some balance to this. 625 00:35:15,920 --> 00:35:17,400 Thing right if we're going to do this. 626 00:35:17,960 --> 00:35:20,480 Not that anything, but that if that's what you're hearing, 627 00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:21,480 you're probably on the right track. 628 00:35:24,080 --> 00:35:27,000 This is what Jesus said. When he talked about fasting in 629 00:35:27,000 --> 00:35:32,480 Matthew chapter 616 through 18, he said when you fast, do not 630 00:35:32,480 --> 00:35:34,520 look gloomy like the. Hypocrites, for they disfigure. 631 00:35:34,520 --> 00:35:40,640 Their faces, they walk around like, oh, so I'm fasting, I'm 632 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:43,160 fasting, I'm just. Getting holy with the Lord. 633 00:35:43,160 --> 00:35:47,040 I'm fasting. They disfigure their faces. 634 00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:51,280 To be seen by. Others, truly, I say to you, 635 00:35:51,280 --> 00:35:53,480 they have received. Their reward but when you fast 636 00:35:53,480 --> 00:35:56,040 anoint your head, wash your. Face that you're fasting. 637 00:35:56,040 --> 00:35:58,120 May not be seen by. Others, but by your father. 638 00:35:58,120 --> 00:36:00,240 Who is in secret and your father who sees in secret? 639 00:36:00,240 --> 00:36:03,640 Will reward you. You can read between the lines 640 00:36:03,640 --> 00:36:04,480 to. See that what you're? 641 00:36:04,480 --> 00:36:07,920 Fasting might affect how you. Feel how you look. 642 00:36:07,920 --> 00:36:12,680 It might affect your mood. Your flesh might get mad at you, 643 00:36:14,080 --> 00:36:15,320 upset with you. It might. 644 00:36:15,320 --> 00:36:17,640 Throw a hissy fit like a toddler. 645 00:36:19,320 --> 00:36:21,640 Your flesh. Your flesh is pretty used to 646 00:36:21,640 --> 00:36:25,600 getting its. Way and and I don't want to say 647 00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:26,880 that like a fact, but for most of us. 648 00:36:26,880 --> 00:36:31,680 That's probably true. So pray first, Jesus said. 649 00:36:31,680 --> 00:36:33,480 Don't let. Anyone know God knows your goal 650 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:34,840 isn't sympathy or attention from? 651 00:36:34,840 --> 00:36:36,360 People ask God. What? 652 00:36:36,360 --> 00:36:38,360 He wants you to fast? Listen to His spirit. 653 00:36:39,000 --> 00:36:42,760 Don't listen to your flesh. Do what your Holy Spirit. 654 00:36:42,760 --> 00:36:47,960 Says and obey #4 Fasting creates self-control, and if there's one 655 00:36:47,960 --> 00:36:50,760 thing we need more of in this world. 656 00:36:50,760 --> 00:36:54,320 Is self. Control, but let me. 657 00:36:54,320 --> 00:36:58,480 Tell you a fact, our willpower isn't very powerful. 658 00:37:00,440 --> 00:37:04,320 We know that our willpower is weak. 659 00:37:04,320 --> 00:37:06,800 Jesus. Said in Matthew 2641, the spirit 660 00:37:06,800 --> 00:37:11,120 is willing, but the. Flesh is weak. 661 00:37:12,640 --> 00:37:15,800 We can't. Count on rely on our own, our 662 00:37:15,800 --> 00:37:19,600 willpower alone to do or accomplish anything. 663 00:37:20,840 --> 00:37:24,040 It's only by the power of the Spirit in US and through us that 664 00:37:24,040 --> 00:37:27,600 we have the self-control we need to live. 665 00:37:27,840 --> 00:37:32,720 A victorious life over sin. And one of the fruits of the 666 00:37:32,720 --> 00:37:35,960 Spirit, not the only and I believe there are more than 667 00:37:35,960 --> 00:37:37,520 nine. There were nine listed by Paul. 668 00:37:37,520 --> 00:37:41,240 There are many, many other good things, but one of the. 669 00:37:41,240 --> 00:37:44,880 Fruits of the Spirit. Is self-control, and that means 670 00:37:44,880 --> 00:37:47,720 it naturally comes out of you when you're walking in the 671 00:37:47,720 --> 00:37:51,000 spirit, not by our power. But the. 672 00:37:51,000 --> 00:37:54,640 Holy Spirit's power in us. So one of the questions people 673 00:37:54,640 --> 00:37:57,360 ask sometime is OK. I've been fasting for a while. 674 00:37:57,360 --> 00:37:58,600 I've been making it a part of my life. 675 00:37:58,600 --> 00:38:01,280 How do I know if it's working? How do I know? 676 00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:05,760 I mean like sometimes you can't like see unless other people 677 00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:07,680 comment like I've noticed a difference in you. 678 00:38:07,680 --> 00:38:08,800 What? How do I know if it's? 679 00:38:08,800 --> 00:38:12,640 Working. Here's how if you. 680 00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:17,160 Notice more good fruit more. Fruit of the Spirit More. 681 00:38:17,160 --> 00:38:18,920 Joy. More peace, more love, more 682 00:38:18,920 --> 00:38:21,760 patience. If you see those. 683 00:38:21,760 --> 00:38:25,880 Things coming out of you naturally and less fruits of the 684 00:38:25,880 --> 00:38:29,200 flesh like anger, envy, impatience. 685 00:38:29,520 --> 00:38:32,000 That's how you know it's making a difference. 686 00:38:33,240 --> 00:38:37,160 You'll see those things changing you on the inside, and you'll 687 00:38:37,160 --> 00:38:40,000 know. By your fruit so. 688 00:38:40,000 --> 00:38:42,200 If you need more. Self-control or if. 689 00:38:42,200 --> 00:38:45,040 You don't have strong. Self-control, which is most of 690 00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:47,120 us when we're. Living in the flesh. 691 00:38:48,280 --> 00:38:51,040 That is a. Symptom that we're walking or 692 00:38:51,040 --> 00:38:53,200 being led. By the flesh poor. 693 00:38:53,320 --> 00:38:56,640 Self-control is a fruit. Of the flesh a result. 694 00:38:56,640 --> 00:38:59,880 Of being led by the flesh and when we try to change. 695 00:38:59,880 --> 00:39:01,800 Ourselves by our willpower or our. 696 00:39:01,800 --> 00:39:04,080 Determination Have you ever. Said things like this today. 697 00:39:04,160 --> 00:39:06,120 Before, I will never do that again. 698 00:39:07,240 --> 00:39:09,360 I am determined. I will try harder. 699 00:39:09,360 --> 00:39:12,400 I will be stronger. I will not do that. 700 00:39:12,400 --> 00:39:17,520 How long does that last? We almost always fail. 701 00:39:17,520 --> 00:39:21,840 We are not strong enough without the Spirit leading our lives and 702 00:39:21,840 --> 00:39:23,560 then the make it to make it worse. 703 00:39:23,560 --> 00:39:27,760 The enemy says you. Are a failure you? 704 00:39:27,920 --> 00:39:32,000 Are a disappointment to God. But the truth is, it's just a. 705 00:39:32,000 --> 00:39:36,200 Symptom that we're human and we're being led by our flesh and 706 00:39:36,200 --> 00:39:38,560 it can change. It can change. 707 00:39:39,120 --> 00:39:41,960 That's a good news. People can have lived in their. 708 00:39:41,960 --> 00:39:43,680 Flesh their whole lives. And from. 709 00:39:43,680 --> 00:39:45,400 This day forward, start living by the Spirit. 710 00:39:45,480 --> 00:39:48,360 That's when you're going to see a changed life in a home, in a 711 00:39:48,360 --> 00:39:55,280 marriage, more joy, more peace. It can change and God wants it 712 00:39:55,280 --> 00:39:59,200 to change for all of us. So if you need more 713 00:39:59,200 --> 00:40:03,840 self-control. Walking by the Spirit. 714 00:40:04,320 --> 00:40:06,440 When the Spirit is controlled, you will see the evidence. 715 00:40:06,440 --> 00:40:09,680 The fruit of the Spirit. And we all need that to have 716 00:40:09,680 --> 00:40:12,080 victory over sin in our lives. Number. 5 This is the last. 717 00:40:12,080 --> 00:40:19,320 One say yay, last one fasting. Can lead to spiritual 718 00:40:19,320 --> 00:40:22,560 breakthrough. Fasting can lead. 719 00:40:22,560 --> 00:40:26,400 To spiritual breakthrough so if you've ever felt stuck 720 00:40:26,400 --> 00:40:30,240 spiritually if you've ever felt like God is quiet if you've ever 721 00:40:30,240 --> 00:40:32,480 felt like. I'm not really feeling very 722 00:40:32,480 --> 00:40:36,360 close to God right now. If you're in a dry season of 723 00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:39,200 your life spiritually or if you've never felt ever in your 724 00:40:39,200 --> 00:40:41,200 life close. To life close to God. 725 00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:44,440 Fasting can be like a soaking rain on a. 726 00:40:44,440 --> 00:40:47,160 Dry field. And turn everything green again. 727 00:40:48,920 --> 00:40:51,880 So it's OK to be. Expected to be optimistic. 728 00:40:51,880 --> 00:40:54,640 It's good to be excited about what God is going to do. 729 00:40:55,680 --> 00:40:57,360 I'm. Excited to see spiritual 730 00:40:57,360 --> 00:41:00,440 breakthrough. In this church in lives. 731 00:41:01,520 --> 00:41:04,040 I believe there will be. Answers to uncertainty and 732 00:41:04,040 --> 00:41:07,280 direction people need. I believe there will be healing, 733 00:41:08,360 --> 00:41:11,000 physical and emotional healing. I believe God is going to do 734 00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:13,240 great things during the season. I really do. 735 00:41:14,360 --> 00:41:17,000 He is faithful. There will be miracles. 736 00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:18,280 There will be breakthroughs. There will be. 737 00:41:18,280 --> 00:41:21,240 Chains broken, do you believe? That do you believe? 738 00:41:21,240 --> 00:41:23,680 It can happen. For you I do. 739 00:41:26,320 --> 00:41:27,840 Here's my encouragement to do to you. 740 00:41:27,840 --> 00:41:30,760 Today, if you're still. Feeling uncomfortable or unsure 741 00:41:31,360 --> 00:41:32,960 about fasting? Maybe you're even feeling 742 00:41:32,960 --> 00:41:34,280 skeptical. You know what I say. 743 00:41:34,440 --> 00:41:37,800 Try it. Do it and see what happens. 744 00:41:39,720 --> 00:41:43,640 Taste and see. For yourself, what will your 745 00:41:43,640 --> 00:41:45,680 life be like if you start your year? 746 00:41:46,240 --> 00:41:49,160 By connecting more with God and choosing to allow your spirit. 747 00:41:49,160 --> 00:41:51,760 To lead your life. How will things change? 748 00:41:52,640 --> 00:41:56,520 How will things? Change in your life you'll. 749 00:41:56,520 --> 00:42:00,560 Experience more joy, more peace doesn't always happen overnight, 750 00:42:01,280 --> 00:42:03,520 but wouldn't it be nice to get on that trajectory in life? 751 00:42:05,720 --> 00:42:07,160 So as we close today, I want to talk. 752 00:42:07,160 --> 00:42:08,320 To you about what to do next. What? 753 00:42:08,320 --> 00:42:10,760 To do this week. The church 21 day Fast begins 754 00:42:10,760 --> 00:42:14,400 next Sunday, and I hope that now you're more excited than you 755 00:42:14,400 --> 00:42:18,960 were 30. 5 minutes ago. Good. 756 00:42:23,920 --> 00:42:27,080 Here's some things to do between now and next Saturday. 757 00:42:27,080 --> 00:42:28,600 Next Sunday, Number one, make a plan. 758 00:42:28,600 --> 00:42:31,200 Spend this week making your plan a clear plan. 759 00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:34,440 Pray and ask God what to do. What to fast? 760 00:42:34,440 --> 00:42:36,080 Listen to what the Holy Spirit reveals to. 761 00:42:36,080 --> 00:42:40,320 You #2 choose. What type of fast you will do 762 00:42:41,440 --> 00:42:43,320 there are. Resources the church has sent up 763 00:42:43,320 --> 00:42:45,120 on the church center rap there's videos on. 764 00:42:45,360 --> 00:42:46,920 How to fast? What to fast? 765 00:42:46,920 --> 00:42:50,000 There's resources there. Use those to really decide what 766 00:42:50,000 --> 00:42:52,920 type of fast you will do. And #3 get. 767 00:42:52,920 --> 00:42:55,600 Excited about the results Focus? On the benefits? 768 00:42:55,600 --> 00:42:57,680 There are people. Around this room that are going 769 00:42:57,680 --> 00:43:02,840 to help you and encourage you. It will be an amazing year, 770 00:43:02,840 --> 00:43:04,600 possibly like we've never seen before. 771 00:43:06,160 --> 00:43:08,960 So as I've said. A few Times Now 21 day fast, all 772 00:43:08,960 --> 00:43:11,640 church fast starts next Sunday. So that means when you arrive 773 00:43:11,640 --> 00:43:13,840 here next Sunday. The fast will have already 774 00:43:13,840 --> 00:43:16,080 started Saturday. Night. 775 00:43:16,080 --> 00:43:17,760 Whatever. I mean, whatever, Whatever time. 776 00:43:18,920 --> 00:43:20,800 So today isn't. The day to start the. 777 00:43:20,800 --> 00:43:22,680 Fast. But what we can do today is make 778 00:43:22,680 --> 00:43:29,720 a commitment and I'm going to give you a moment right now to 779 00:43:29,720 --> 00:43:34,240 listen and make a decision. It doesn't have to be a decision 780 00:43:34,240 --> 00:43:36,320 of what you're going to fast or what you're going to do. 781 00:43:37,440 --> 00:43:40,120 It's just making decision that I will fast this year. 782 00:43:41,560 --> 00:43:46,120 I'm in you're saying I will take part in the church 21 day fast? 783 00:43:46,120 --> 00:43:49,360 This year I will start. My fast next Sunday morning, 784 00:43:49,680 --> 00:43:55,960 whatever my personal fast is, if you are going to be a part of 785 00:43:55,960 --> 00:43:59,560 the church 21 day fast, you've made that decision. 786 00:44:00,560 --> 00:44:02,440 Maybe you don't know the details, but you're say I am 787 00:44:02,440 --> 00:44:05,960 going to do that this year. I'm going to see in my own life 788 00:44:06,400 --> 00:44:10,320 what changes in 21 days. I'm going to ask you to just 789 00:44:10,320 --> 00:44:12,200 stand up at your seat right now. I want to pray for you. 790 00:44:12,280 --> 00:44:14,840 Just stand up right where you're at right now. 791 00:44:14,840 --> 00:44:16,800 I encourage you, but this isn't mandatory. 792 00:44:16,800 --> 00:44:19,400 It's not about rules. It's about. 793 00:44:19,400 --> 00:44:21,240 You wanting to be? Led by your spirit. 794 00:44:21,800 --> 00:44:24,440 In 2026 if. That's you, which I hope it is. 795 00:44:25,840 --> 00:44:29,840 Wow. And if you're not standing yet, 796 00:44:29,840 --> 00:44:31,840 don't feel left out. You can still make that decision 797 00:44:31,840 --> 00:44:34,440 this week. Or as we pray. 798 00:44:34,800 --> 00:44:36,080 Stand up. If the Holy Spirit. 799 00:44:36,080 --> 00:44:39,680 'S leading you or encouraging. You I understand. 800 00:44:39,680 --> 00:44:41,560 It's not an easy decision. It's countercultural. 801 00:44:42,480 --> 00:44:44,440 It's like, oh, my flesh may not like this. 802 00:44:46,080 --> 00:44:51,840 Some of this might be. Hard, but the results of the of 803 00:44:51,960 --> 00:44:53,200 of. Being led by our. 804 00:44:53,200 --> 00:44:55,400 Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. 805 00:44:56,600 --> 00:45:03,000 So worth it so. Let me pray for you, Father God, 806 00:45:03,000 --> 00:45:06,520 we come to you today. As your people, your church, and 807 00:45:06,520 --> 00:45:10,400 we thank you for the gift of this church where we seek you. 808 00:45:10,400 --> 00:45:13,080 Together and grow in faith as one body in Christ. 809 00:45:14,920 --> 00:45:20,000 Holy Spirit, we invite you to lead us in this time, search our 810 00:45:20,000 --> 00:45:23,320 hearts and reveal to us any place we have become perverse, 811 00:45:23,720 --> 00:45:26,640 the extremity. Where are we off? 812 00:45:29,480 --> 00:45:32,680 We confess that too often We. Rely on our own strength, our 813 00:45:32,680 --> 00:45:36,160 own plans and the comforts. Of this life instead of. 814 00:45:36,160 --> 00:45:40,400 Depending on you, Father, as we deny ourselves. 815 00:45:40,400 --> 00:45:43,240 Food or whatever form of. Fasting we choose may this act 816 00:45:43,240 --> 00:45:45,800 become a living sacrifice of. Worship to you. 817 00:45:47,640 --> 00:45:49,560 Replace. Our physical hunger with 818 00:45:49,560 --> 00:45:56,120 spiritual hunger for you. Draw us closer to you and let 819 00:45:56,120 --> 00:45:58,760 this facts fast break every yoke. 820 00:45:58,760 --> 00:46:01,480 Of bondage, loose the chains of oppression and bring 821 00:46:01,480 --> 00:46:06,200 breakthrough in our lives, our homes, our families, our church 822 00:46:06,200 --> 00:46:11,040 and our nation. We trust you, Lord, to meet us 823 00:46:11,040 --> 00:46:13,960 in powerful ways over the 21 days of the Fast, and we do not. 824 00:46:13,960 --> 00:46:17,360 Fast buy our own power. But it is strength of Christ who 825 00:46:17,360 --> 00:46:20,600 is in US. Thanks for joining us today. 826 00:46:21,080 --> 00:46:23,640 We hope God is speaking to your heart through this message. 827 00:46:24,000 --> 00:46:26,640 If you'd like to connect with us, you can text Connect to 828 00:46:26,640 --> 00:46:33,160 4:07. 588. 0115 or visit Illuminate dot Church. 829 00:46:33,640 --> 00:46:34,880 Have a great week.