The Great Commission Resurgence

Transcription

1 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:17-18 DAILY DEVOTION The Great Commission Resurgence Honeywell Worship Center ifast-2018 Fasting Devotion by Pastor Cephas Kafui

2 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power 1 Corinthians 2:4 From the Pastor s Desk: A Clarion Call To Fasting & Prayer The Church is not made up of historians and archeologists. We do not study relics; we are not collectors of antiquities. If God is not the same today, as He was in Biblical times, we will not worship Him. If He is unable to save today as He did yesterday, we will disavow and disown our Bibles. If He is unable to Heal and Deliver today as He did in Biblical times, we will close down our churches. My greatest fear is a church, where God is a great philosopher, instead of a great physician. I cannot give my whole life to a church that sings and read Bible stories, but God never shows up in supernatural power. Give Me Power Or Take My Bible. The world is not waiting for another expositor of the Gospels. Check our church libraries and you will find out we have written volumes without end of expository works. Quality preachers are indeed a gift to any church; of such teachers of the gospel we do not lack in quality and quantity. But the world is not moved by our many vocabularies, revelations of mysteries, and oratorical diction in the pulpit; neither is a massive congregation turned into cheerleaders proof of divine power. What the world is waiting for is another demonstration of the power of God. Throughout the Bible and early church history, what made God who He is, and why many turned to Him was signs, wonders and miracles. Our God was not pacified in scrolls or books, without tangible and notable works to prove His existence. What we lack today is the power of God. There are many still in our churches who have never seen God in action before. They have never seen the cripples walk, the blind see, the deaf hear and tumors and incurable diseases heal. I wonder how they continue in the faith with no true assurance of the power of God. The church of Jesus, owes the world proof of the gospels, not in relics, not in antiquities, not in scientific measurements but in the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit. The prophet of old, Elijah, settled the controversy of who is the true God, by organizing a spiritual showdown. He said to the King of his days and the prophets of the idol called Baal, Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh. The god who responds with fire will demonstrate that he is the true God let Him be our God." All the people answered, "That is a fair test 1 Kings 18:24. What we need today is another demonstrator of the gospel and not expositors of it. For there to be power in our churches, we need a church on its knees night and day. We need to call the church and believers back to Fasting and Prayer. This has been the old means of church growth and the widespread of Christianity. The church was not born out of organizations and administrations or marketing. It was born in the upper room, with 120 individuals given entirely to fasting and prayer; and it can only be maintained with a generation of Christians committed to fasting and prayer. Hence, Honeywell Worship Center is calling for an entire month of Fasting and Prayer to seek the face of our God, until power is send from on-high. We cannot replace God s power with our intellect and organizational skills. We must return to the ways of our fathers in biblical times and early church history. The early church fasted: In the early Christian Church they fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays. The early church fathers like Jerome, Athanasius, Clement of Rome, John Chrysostom all I could find - practiced fasting. One day a week, twice a week, whole weeks, even whole months! Martin Luther was criticized Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 1

3 because he fasted too much. John Calvin fasted and prayed until most of Geneva turned to God. John Knox fasted and prayed and the wicked Mary, Queen of Scots said, I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe. Jonathan Edwards, who was God s instrument in the revival in New England, fasted and prayed. He fasted for 22 hours prior to preaching his famous sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. John Wesley fasted twice a week. Charles Finney one of the greatest revival leaders in history was a man who fasted and prayed. D. L. Moody was not unfamiliar with fasting and praying. During the Prayer Revival in America in 1859, Christians fasted during their lunch hours and attended prayer meetings in churches near their places of employment. In two years 1 million people came to Christ! The Moravian Revival is the longest prayer movement that ever endured. They were a group of refugees in Germany during the late 16 th century that devoted their lives to fasting and prayer for 100 years. They kept the watch of prayer 24 hours and 7 days a week for a century. It was at their gatherings that John Wesley (the founder of the Methodist Church learnt to fast and prayer). Wesley said, at midnight, whilst we were praying, the Holy spirit fell upon us Charles G. Finney was a revivalist whose meetings were filled with power and demonstration. At one point it was said that he visited a factory to see a friend. Upon entering the factory, a sudden conviction of God fell upon all the workers; on their knees they went crying out loud to God for deliverance and salvation. But Finney s ministry was great because he had one Father Daniel Nash, who abandoned his pastoral ministry to become an intercessor for Finney. Nash, will hide himself in a building nearby unseen by people, praying and fasting whilst Finney was preaching across the streets. When Nash died, Finney ended his revival meetings 3 months afterwards. He recognized that it only takes fasting and prayer to demonstrate the power of God, and without Nash it will never be the same again. Richard Riss who has documented the mid-twentieth century evangelical awakening in America quotes George Hawtin: The truth of fasting was one great contributing factor to the revival. One year before this we had read Franklin Hall s book, entitled Atomic Power With God Through Fasting and Prayer. We immediately began to practice fasting. Previously we had not understood the possibility of long fasts. The revival would never have been possible without the restoration of this great truth through our good brother Hall. Hall s book on fasting and prayer was a major influence in the ministries of Oral Roberts, William Branham, A. A. Allen, O. L. Jaggers, David Nunn, Tommy Hicks, W. V. Grant and other healing evangelists who were raised up in the late 1940 s and 1950 s. Billy Graham had the largest conversion crusade in England. He reports fasting and praying during his voyage to England before the great work began! Even this small selection is an impressive testimony of the power of fasting. Now, is it possible that you and I can also put fasting back on the menu? Give Me Power or Take My Bible. Sincerely, Cephas Agbesi (Pastor) 2 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

4 INTRODUCTION: And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:17-18 WHAT IS FASTING? Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is taught in the Bible. Jesus expected His followers to fast, and He said that God rewards fasting. Fasting, according to the Bible, means to voluntarily reduce or eliminate your intake of food for a specific time and purpose. When you give up eating, don't put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They make their faces look sad to show people they are giving up eating. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you give up eating, comb your hair and wash your face. Then people will not know that you are giving up eating, but your Father, whom you cannot see, will see you. Your Father sees what is done in secret, and he will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 (NCV) WHY MUST YOU FAST? Man's first temptation was through food; he made a voluntary decision to disobey and separate himself from God. It becomes inversely proper that in order for man to attain his rightful position with God and earn that absolute intimacy with his maker, he must make another voluntary decision to deny himself of food. So then, fasting is an inevitable practice for any true believer. In other words, if it was through the desire of food that the first man Adam was cut off from Jehovah, then if you and I can deny ourselves of food, we can gain access to the Heavenly realms, vis-à-vis intimacy with God. As Leonard Ravenhill once said, a man or woman that is intimate with God is not intimidated by men. Adam and Eve failed God because they were not able to deny themselves of a particular food; today you have an opportunity to seek the face of God by temporarily and voluntarily denying yourself food. The question remains, what is more important to you: Food or the Power of God? You decide! There are many good reasons, and even health benefits, for fasting. However, our united ifast 2017 is for five primary reasons: 1. In the anchor scripture above, upon His ascension into Heaven, Jesus said to the disciples, these signs shall follow them that believe He did not say these signs will follow the apostles, or the pastors or some spiritual guru. But Jesus specifically stated that the signs of miracles will follow those who only believe. He meant any Christian is a candidate to demonstrate God s power. Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 3

5 You and I can do what Jesus did if only we can submit to His will and fast to see divine action. 2. One of the most tearful verse of scripture is record in the Old Testaments. The prophet of old lamented, Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, Where is their God? Joel 2:17. Friends, it s time. This is why I have invited four pastor friends of mine to weep from the entrance of the church, through the pew and to the altar and pulpit. Give me power or take my Bible, LORD. 3. Fasting gives you more time for prayer. You can use the time you d normally spend eating as time in prayer for what God wants to do among us during this Campaign. In the Bible, fasting is always connected with prayer. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2-3 (NIV) 4. Fasting demonstrates the depth of your desire when praying for something. It shows you that you are serious enough about your prayer request to pay a personal price. God honors deep desire and praying in faith. 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 (NIV) Even now, declares the Lord, return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Joel 2:12 (NASB) 5. Fasting releases God s supernatural power. It is a tool we can use when there is opposition to God s will. Satan would like nothing better than to cause division, discouragement, defeat, depression, and doubt among us. United prayer and fasting has always been used by God to deal a decisive blow to the enemy! So we fasted and prayed about these concerns. And he listened. Ezra 8:23 (Msg) 4 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

6 God says, Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 (NIV) WE LL MANIFEST HIS GLORY BY FASTING & PRAYER: Man is a little world consisting of heaven and earth. Which is "flesh = earthly nature" and "spirit = heavenly nature." It is a true saying that man is first of all a spirit, who has a soul (independent nature) and dwells in a house called flesh (body). The order is especially crucial in this sense: The Spirit first, then the Soul, then the Flesh. But after man disobeyed God and ate of the tree of knowledge (good and evil), he made a choice to be separated from God. In this sense, the original order changed to: The Flesh, Soul and Spirit. This new order is against God's original design. Man with the help of the Holy Spirit in covenant with the superior blood of Jesus, must make a new decision to avert the failure in Eden. The flesh must fall, and die if the spirit will gain life and originality. Moreover, because we are made of the dust of the earth, we are more attached to earthly things and not godly things. In contrast, our spirit is given from above, and it is more attracted to divine things. So if we allow the Flesh to reign in us, we will continue to fail in life and be attracted to earthly manners. Likewise, if we Fast we allow our spirit to gain control, and we will be attracted and affected by the divine power of Jehovah and His transcendent glory. WHY ASK THE WHOLE CHURCH & FRIENDS TO PARTICIPATE TOGETHER? Group fasting is a part of Biblical history, Old Testament and New. Let s look at an example found in Acts 13:2-3: Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them. So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. As this group worshipped and fasted, the Holy Spirit spoke a specific instruction to the leaders of the church at Antioch that resulted in the Apostle Paul s first missionary journey. Following that journey would be many, many more resulting in the rapid spread of Christianity throughout Asia Minor, Greece, Rome, and Spain. God is no respecter of persons. What He did then, He can do now. When we unite and Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 5

7 participate in this fast together, we can expect to receive specific instructions that can impact our lives, our church, our communities and beyond. WHY IS OUR CHURCH DOING THE DANIEL FAST? You can read the account of Daniel s fast in Daniel 1:1-21. To summarize, here s what happened when Daniel and his friends fasted from eating the food and wine provided by the Babylonian king and ate only vegetables and drank only water: They looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. They manifested the glory of God in their lives God gave them an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any others. They were fit spirit, soul, body. It s a condition we all need to aspire to so we can manifest God s glory and power in our lives. WHAT IS THE DANIEL FAST? The Daniel Fast is a partial fast with a biblical background tied directly to the prophet Daniel. In Daniel 1:8 (ESV)it states: "But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself." Daniel felt that the king's foods were not in accord with the Mosaic law, and not only that, but also that the king's foods were offered up to false gods and idols. Thus Daniel asked the guard to allow him, and his three friends, Hananiah (also known as Shadrach), Mishael (also know as Meshach), and Azariah (also known as Abednego), to only have vegetables (which included fruits) to eat, and to drink only water. Because the chief eunuch was commanded to bring servants (Dan. 3,4 ESV) of good appearance to stand in the palace in order to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans, the guard assigned to Daniel was reluctant to honor his request for a change in diet. Daniel asked the guard to give them the diet for ten days and then compare he and his three friends health to the other young men who eat the king's foods. 6 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

8 The guard obliged, and at the end of ten days saw that Daniel and his friends appearance was much better than that of the other men and allowed them to continue the diet. In Daniel 10:2,3 (ESV) the prophet states: 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. The prophet Daniel's fast was not only good spiritually, but it also had significant health benefits. Daniel knew the importance of consecrating himself and being holy before God. The purpose of participating in the Daniel's Fast today is not to do exactly as Daniel did, but more importantly, to do it in the spirit in which he did. Fasting is not a diet! Fasting is not done for weight loss! Fasting is ALWAYS done for spiritual purposes. Fasting should be done with a PURPOSE! Before you begin the fast you should decide on the purpose of your fast. Without a purpose, you will be simply dieting. Take the time to prayerfully consider the reason of your fast. What is your greatest need at this time? Can your marriage grow stronger? Are you seeking to be married? Are you facing financial difficulties? Do you want to learn to trust God and develop a deeper relationship with Him? Do you want God to manifest and use you? Take the time in prayer to decide on the purpose of your fast. When you are fasting, set time aside for prayer, worship, meditation and Bible study. Keep a journal of your revelations, of what God is speaking to you. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you and to reveal areas in your life that need purification. WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE FAST? Daniel Fast is undertaken by people of all ages for many various reasons. However, whatever your need/reason is you can be certain that your entire being will benefit from it: Spirit, Soul and Body. We are a triune being. When we fast we learn to allow God-intended order into our life: human is a spirit that possesses a soul and lives in a body. Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 7

9 BODY Our bodies are most definitely going to be effected as we change our diet for 28 days. For some the change is going to be very dramatic. You might experience detoxing from food addictions, such as: caffeine, processed or unnatural foods, chemicals and sugar. The symptoms that accompany detox process might be light or more pronounced: headaches, leg cramps, fatigue, nausea and even light depression. As the body will detox, the symptoms will alleviate and you will experience more energy, better sleep, clearer and sharper mind, and many other benefits. So, take the time to ride it out. If you need support, ask others for prayer. Most people will lose weight during the fast. Many experience healings from various maladies, such as: diabetes, allergies, arthritis, high cholesterol and even cancer. SOUL The soul is the central place of our emotions, intellect and will. It is the place where we make decisions, experience anger, fear, love, frustration and cravings. During the fast your soul may rebel against the change in your diet. You will get an opportunity to experience and win this battle over the flesh, which might prove to be one of the most powerful lessons of the fast. SPIRIT Our spirit is the part of us that has been born-again when we gave our lives over to Christ. It should be the part that surrenders to God. When we are fully surrendered we can truly abide with the Father and the Son. Our spirit is filled with the Holy Spirit if we yield to Him. The purpose of the fast is to place our spirit in control of the other two parts of us: soul and body. When our flesh is acting out with a craving, we take control of it with our spirit (just imagine as parents would take control of a rebellious child). 8 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

10 DURING THE FAST Physically, especially in the beginning of the fast, you might experience hunger pains. Before going for a snack or a meal drink some water most people misunderstand signs of dehydration for hunger. If you drink some water the hunger pains might go away. If hunger does not go away, make sure to snack, not to experience sugar spikes. By snacking throughout the day, you will be able to aid your body in processing the foods you eat faster and easier, while maintaining the level of clarity needed to perform daily tasks. This minor snacking is only necessary if you re working and you need to maintain your strength and composure at work. Be moderate, and remember that you re not to eat anything that takes focus from your fast. Spiritually, you will experience a more successful fast when you spend time each day in prayer and communion with God. Establish a time during the day for quite time and meditation on the Word of God. Study His Word and seek His face. You might have to set aside some time at home, or, if you have a long commute to and from work, take it to talk to the Savior, worship and listen to an audio Bible. Emotionally you might be tempted during the fast to break a few rules and eat/drink something your body craves. For example, you might decide not to drink water only but include herbal teas. However, think that Daniel refused to eat any pleasant food/drinks, and for the most part the herbal teas that we consume are to add a pleasant taste. There are exceptions when you might be drinking certain herbs for therapeutic reasons, such as parsley, chamomile or clover teas. If the temptation comes, I hope you can learn a lesson by examining yourself. Ask yourself why you would want the thing you desire. If you respond in the manner that will indicate that it is because YOU WANT it, it will be a good time to exercise control over your flesh and show it who is truly in control. However, I would highly recommend not to get too legalistic with some of the guidelines after all, it is the condition of your spirit (your heart) that matters most to God. Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 9

11 14 WAYS YOU COULD FAST: 1) All meals for 28 days. 2) 1 juices meals a day for 28 days. 3) 1 meal a day for 28 days. 4) All meals 3 days a week for entire month. 5) All meals 1 day a week for entire month. 6) Only Eat Nuts, Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables for 28 days, Daniel s Fast. 7) All Juice and drink Water only 1 day a week for entire month. 8) All meal fast for 14 days 9) Simply greens and water for 28 days. 10) Only drink water for 28 days. 11) Bread and water for 28 days duration. 12) Television, Myspace, Video games, Facebook, or other social websites for 28 days (for children). 13) Junk food, Desserts, Sweets, Soft Drinks, or Chocolate for 28 days (for children). 14) All meals for 7 days, 2 meals a day for 7 days, 1 meal a day for the rest of the Fast. CHOOSING THE RIGHT FASTING METHOD FOR YOU There are many types of fasts, and the option you choose depends upon your health, the desired length of your fast, and your preference: A Water Fast means to abstain from all food and juices A Partial Fast means to eliminate certain foods or specific meals A Juice Fast means to drink only fruit or vegetable juices during meal times I know the prospect of going without food for an extended period of time may be of concern to some. But there are ways to ensure that your body is getting the nutrients it needs, so you can remain safe and healthy during your fast. 8 THINGS YOU CAN EXPECT: 1) You can expect it to be challenging and difficult. This will take discipline and focus on your part. Disciples are known by their discipline. 2) If you ll stick to your commitment to the Lord you should see a great increase in your faith and your personal spiritual transformation. 3) God may answer your request during these 28 days but he may not. There is no way for people to know exactly what God is going to do. We do know that during this emphasis we will draw closer to the Lord and that is our responsibility. One way or the other, God will do something during or after 28 days. 4) You will be more sensitive to God s Holy Spirit in your life. Removing the necessities and distractions of life will add a new sense of clarity to the voice of God. 10 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

12 5) You will have an increased fellowship with God and have a greater understanding of what it means to depend upon Him to meet your needs. The biblical word for this is the Supplication of God. 6) You should find yourself praying more direct prayers throughout the day. Your prayer life will astronomically grow. 7) You should expect an increase in spiritual tension and resistance from the Devil. The Bible doesn t speak at all on the physical dangers of fasting. However, on several occasions mentions the spiritual danger of fasting, specifically the pride and acknowledgement of being a devoted, zealous and admirable disciple. 8) Expect nothing short of a Divine Visitation and escalated Favor for your life, this church and every member. A MESSAGE TO FAMILIES ABOUT PRAYER AND FASTING TOGETHER: Your children may hear you speak about the upcoming 28 Days Prayer and Fasting with much anticipation. They may wonder if this is something that they can do along with their family, and the answer is yes! Explain to your children that fasting will help them grow stronger as a Christian and closer to Jesus. When they take special time out to pray to Jesus and at the same time, take special effort to not enjoy a favorite food/snack item or activity during a certain period of time, they are fasting. As a family, sit down together and talk about whom or what your children are seeking God about and in which way they are going to Fast. Then, have your children write down their decisions, just like you are doing and seal it in a self-address envelope with no names on it. We will collect the sealed envelopes during our prescribed services. Explain to your children that there will be times when they will find it hard to fast and may even want to change their minds in the middle of the fast. However, as parents, gently encourage them and help them keep the commitment they made to the Lord and see how He answers their prayers. Following the 28 Days of Fasting and Praying, sit down with them and talk about what the Lord did during this special time. As a church family, we will then break the fast together at a special service on Tuesday, February 28 th 2017 Before you begin the 29 Days Prayer Guide keep in mind your family s schedule and decide which days of the week you are going to meet together to pray. Be sure to explain in simple words the prayer emphasis for that particular day, so your children can be a part of the prayer time. Remember that a child s body needs the proper nutrition and activity as well as rest to keep them healthy and whole. They don t need to fast complete meals or healthy food choices for days at a time or give up the exercise that playtime affords. Children respond best with a set schedule, so be sure to create one where they will know which days during the 28 Days of Prayer and Fasting that they will be fasting and what exactly they are fasting. Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 11

13 FOR PREGNANT AND NURSING MOTHERS If you are an expectant mother OR if you are nursing you would need to ease into Daniel Fast. If your diet is far from vegan, you might want to limit yourself by excluding only certain food groups from your diet and taking a few days to transition into the Daniel Fast. If you are currently eating a lot of animal products and try to stop abruptly your body might detox too quickly, which might be harmful to your baby. If you are eating a clean, plant based diet, then excluding a few more items should not pose a problem. However, in either case, I do have to advise for you to seek suggestions from your doctor. 12 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

14 GUIDELINES: ifast 28 Days Fasting & Prayer WHEN: Thursday, February 1 st 2018 to Wednesday, February 28 th 2018 WHY: To fulfill the promise of the Father: To manifest our God-given potentials and purpose; To receive power to manifest God s glory in every avenue of our lives. To possess the land; To rule at the gates of our families, cities and nations. HOW: Observe 12 Twilight to 6:00PM only water for the entire duration of the fast. It is better to warm your water, and add pure honey, when possible. You may nourish yourself with prescribed foods between the hours of 6:00PM to 12:00 Twilight. See food guidelines below. Also restrict your media, communications, and entertainment activities to necessity. It is beneficial to use those leisure time for your personal Bible Study, listen to Bible on Audio; a good preaching on the subject of fasting and pursuing God will be great as the occasion presents itself. Listen to devotional worships and praises to stir up your spirit to pray earnestly. FORMAT: Follow The Daniel Fast Principle. Meals are to consist of the following wholesome foods provided in the guidelines. The Daniel Fast Principle is chosen as a norm for the entire church, but you may choose which fast you will do. READINGS: Isaiah 58: Please read the entire chapter as a devotional for the first week. Pray carefully verse by verse and seek the Holy Spirit guidance for understanding. This will help you to understand the Chosen Fast that God has prescribed for us. Other scriptures are provided on a day by day digest. HELPS: Visit church website, and read Atomic Power through Prayer & Fasting by Franklin Hall. It is a highly recommended read for all, please read it. Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 13

15 BREAKING THE FAST: BETWEEN 6:00 PM TO 12:00AM Twilight Please be sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods. CHOICE OF FOOD: The Daniel Fast Principle All Fruits (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned): Including but are not limited to - apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupes, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruits, grapes, guavas, honeydew melons, kiwis, mangoes, nectarines, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, and watermelons. All Vegetables (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned): Including but are not limited to - artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, and veggie burgers (optional) if you are not allergic to soy. All Whole Grains: Including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes, and popcorn. All Legumes (canned or dried): Including but not limited to - dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, and white beans. All Nuts and Seeds: Including but are not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, and sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter. All Quality Oils: Including but not limited to Olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame. Beverages: Spring water, distilled water, or other pure waters. Other: Tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs, and spices. 14 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

16 Foods to Avoid on the Fast/Consecration: All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish. All dairy products including but not limited to - milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs. All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, syrups, molasses, and cane juice. All refined and processed foods products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives. All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, french fries, corn chips. All solid fats including but not limited to shortening, margarine, lard, and foods high in fat. Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol. Acidic fruits, including but not limited to orange juices, oranges, lemon or lime, grape juices and so forth. BREAKING FAST: SUGGESTED DAILY GUIDE FOR JUICE FAST If you are beginning a juice fast, there are certain juices you may wish to avoid and certain ones that are especially beneficial. You may find the following daily schedule helpful during your fast. 5:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Fruit juices, preferably freshly squeezed or blended, diluted in 50 percent distilled water if the fruit is acid. Orange, apple, pear, grapefruit, papaya, grape, peach or other fruits are good. 10:30 a.m. - noon Vegetable juice made from lettuce, celery, and carrots in three equal parts. 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Herb tea OR simply hot water with a drop of honey. Make sure that it is not black tea or tea with a stimulant. 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Broth from boiled potatoes, celery, and carrots (no salt). Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 15

17 I suggest that you do not drink milk because it is a pure food and therefore a violation of the fast. Any product containing protein or fat, such as milk or soy-based drinks, should be avoided. These products will restart the digestion cycle and you will again feel hunger pangs. Also, for health reasons, stay away from caffeinated beverages such as coffee, some teas, or cola. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it has a more powerful effect on your nervous system when you abstain from food. This works both against the physical and spiritual aspects of the fast. Another key factor in maintaining optimum health during a fast is to limit your physical activity. Exercise only moderately, and rest as much as your schedule will permit (this especially applies to extended fasts). Short naps are helpful as well. Walking a mile or two each day at a moderate pace is acceptable for a person in good health, and on a juice fast. However, no one on a water fast should exercise without the supervision of a fasting specialist. HOW TO FINISH YOUR FAST IN A HEALTHY WAY Most experts agree that breaking a fast with vegetables, either steamed or raw, is best. Your stomach is smaller at this point, so eat lightly. Stop before you feel full. Stay away from starches like pastas, potatoes, rice, or bread (except for "Melba toast"). Also avoid meats, dairy products, and any fats or oils. Introduce them slowly and in small amounts. Extended fasts are not the only fasts which need to be ended with caution. Even a 3-day fast requires reasonable precautions. It is wise to start with a little soup - something thin and nourishing such as vegetable broth made from onion, celery, potatoes, and carrots - and fresh fruits such as watermelon and cantaloupe. In terms of resuming any sort of exercise routine, the advice is the same. Start out slowly, allowing time for your body to re-adjust to its usual regime. 16 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

18 DAILY DEVOTION FOR WEEK ONE Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence 17

19 PASTORAL EXHORTATION: THE GREAT COMMISSION RESURGENCE 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:16-20 King James Version (KJV) When Jesus spoke these words directly to His disciples and indirectly to all of us, He was giving the Church her marching orders. He was telling the Church what He wanted her to do in His physical absence. Those early disciples took this Great Commission so seriously that they went out into all the known world at that time and brought hundreds of thousands of souls to Christ. In fact, in Acts 17:6 (NKJV) we read that the early Christians had been so effective in taking the gospel to the lost, their critics accused them of turning the world upside down. That was then, and this is now. What was given as The Great Commission has become what many have labeled The Great Omission. When something is omitted it is left out...undone...or neglected. Consider these disturbing statistics: 95% of those who profess to be Christians have never won another soul to Christ. 80% of those who profess to be Christians do not even speak about Christ around lost loved ones, friends or co-workers. Less than 2% of professing Christians are actively involved in evangelistic ministry. And 71% of those who profess to be Christians never give a dime to missions or any type of evangelistic ministry. These statistics reveal a very sad truth about the state of today's Churches. It shows that we ourselves are satisfied to be saved but we have little or no concern to see others saved. ILLUSTRATION: The late FRITZ KREISLER ( ) was a world-famous violinist who earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions; but Kreisler generously gave away most of the money he made, so when he came across an exquisite violin on one of his trips he couldn't afford to buy it. 18 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

20 Later, after raising enough money to purchase the violin, Kreisler returned to the seller hoping to buy the beautiful instrument. But to his dismay he learned that the seller had already sold the violin to a collector. Kreisler traveled to the new owner's home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said the instrument was his most prized possession and he could not part with it. Greatly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave, when he turned and asked the owner, Could I play the instrument one last time before it consigned to silence? Permission was granted and soon Kreisler filled the home with beautiful violin music. The collector was so moved he said, I have no right to keep this instrument to myself; it is yours' Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world and let people hear it! (V.C. Grounds, Our Daily Bread ) And so it is with the good news of the gospel. We have no right to just keep it all to ourselves. We must take into all the world and let people hear it! As we turn our thoughts back to our scripture text here in Matthew 28:16-20, I would like to make four key points about The Great Commission. First of all, I would have you to notice... I. The Great Commission Is A POWERFUL POWERFUL Command (v.18) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18 (NKJV) 1. Ever since the day you and I were born we have been under someone's authority. As children, we were under the authority of our parents. As students, we were under the authority of the principal and our teachers. As employees, we are under the authority of our boss or supervisor. As citizens, we are under the authority of the government. Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 19

21 2. But ultimately, all of us are under the authority of Jesus Christ, including those who are in positions of authority. Jesus is called The King of kings and LORD of lords. He has ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth! He has no equal. 3. Who gave JESUS this supreme authority over heaven and earth? His heavenly Father. In MATTHEW 11:27 (NKJV) Jesus says, All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Colossians 1:16 (NKJV) says, For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 4. If you and I truly believe that Christ has ALL authority in heaven and on earth, and that He has authority over us, then we MUST NOT and CANNOT take The Great Commission lightly! We must not view The Great Commission as a suggestion or an option, but rather we must view it as a direct order or a direct command from the One who has the powerful authority over us and thus we cannot simply choose to ignore or disobey His command. But not only is THE GREAT COMMISSION A POWERFUL COMMAND... II. The Great Commission Is A PERSONAL Command (v.19a) Matthew 28:19a (NKJV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. 1. There is one little word that was included in the original King James Version that has been omitted in the newer versions. It is the word ye. Go YE therefore. Ye is the Old English word for YOU. Go YOU and YOU and YOU and YOU and make disciples of all nations. 20 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

22 2. The Great Commission is a personal command to each, and every one of us. It is for ALL FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST. 3. While the very first evangelists were the apostles, they certainly were not the only ones sharing the gospel with the lost. In Acts 6 we read about the powerful ministry being carried on by a non-apostle named Stephen who spoke the word of God with wisdom and the Holy Spirit. (Acts 6:8-10) 4. Stephen's ministry was so powerful the Jewish authorities decided the only way to silence him was to kill him. And in Acts 7 we learn that they took Stephen outside the city walls of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. One of the eyewitnesses to Stephen's execution was a man named Saul, who was responsible for looking after the coats of the men who stoned Stephen. And Acts 8:1 tells us Now Saul was consenting to his death. In other words, Saul approved of Stephen's execution. 5. In fact, Saul was so invigorated by Stephen's execution he launched an all-out persecution against the Church in Jerusalem. 6. Listen carefully to ACTS 8:1-4 (NKJV) 1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, (now listen closely) except the (now listen closely) except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. (now listen closely to verse 4...) 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 7. Do you see what happened here? When the gospel spread over into Judea and Samaria, it wasn't initially done by the apostles, because they remained in Jerusalem. The evangelizing was done by Christian Grandpa's and Grandma's...and Moms and Dads...and Husbands and wives...and young people...just like you and me. Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 21

23 8. Each and everyone in the early New Testament Church understood The Great Commission was a personal command given to ALL followers of Jesus Christ. RECAP: The Great Commission is a POWERFUL command given by the One who has ALL authority in heaven and on earth. The Great Commission is a PERSONAL command given to each and every follower of Jesus Christ. Thirdly... III. The Great Commission Is A PLAIN Command (v.19,20a) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you 1. When you break this Great Commission down to its basic elements you see it is a very plain and simple command. a) First, Jesus commands us to Go. The word go is an action verb. It literally means As you go or As you are going. You and I are always on the go aren't we? What Jesus is saying is As you go about your daily business share the gospel with others. As you go to work, tell others about Me. As you students go to school, tell the other students about Me. As you go to the store...as you go to the bank...as you go to the Post Office...tell others about Me. b) Next, Jesus commands us to Make disciples. GO MAKE DISCIPLES. Remember a disciple is one who follows the teachings of another. We are to go make more followers of Christ. Our job is NOT to change our society. Our job is not to make Church members or even to make converts. Our job is to make disciples... make more followers of Christ. How we do that? By teaching them the good news of the gospel. 22 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org

24 Romans 10:14 (NKJV) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? You and I became disciples or followers of Christ because someone taught us the good news of the gospel. We aren't to keep that good news to ourselves. We are to share it with others who haven't heard. c) Next, Jesus commands us to BAPTIZE THEM in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. By including BAPTISM in His Great Commission Jesus is stressing just how important baptism is in becoming one of His disciples. It is through BAPTISM one publicly identifies himself as a follower of Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:27 (NKJV) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. It is through BAPTISM one symbolically experiences the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Romans 6:3,4 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. So we are to GO TO THEM (the lost)...make DISCIPLES OF THEM...BAPTIZE THEM... d) Then Jesus says we are to TEACH THEM AGAIN...V.20a says, Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. You see, baptism isn't the end of the process of making disciples, it is only the beginning. This is why it is vitally important that new disciples be integrated into a Church where they can receive on-going instruction through solid Bible preaching and teaching. This on-going teaching provides a solid foundation for new disciples to grow and mature in their faith. Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org 23

25 RECAP: The Great Commission is a POWERFUL command The Great Commission is a PERSONAL command The Great Commission is a PLAIN command IV. The Great Commission Is A PERPETUAL Command (v.20b) v.20b And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. AMEN 1. The Great Commission does not have a statute of limitations. The Lord commissioned the first disciples to make disciples of all nations and that is His commission to the Church in The Great Commission will be the Church's primary work until the end of the age or until the return of Christ. 3. But let's not overlook the wonderful promise Jesus gives us in this verse. He promises that He is with us always even to the end of the age. 4. Jesus is reassuring us that when we seek to carry out the Great Commission we're not alone! We are part of a divine partnership with Jesus and He is with us every step of the way. 5. You see, when you and I talk to our loved ones, and friends, and neighbors, and coworkers, and fellow students about Jesus, we're not doing it all by ourselves. Christ is with us! And His blessings are upon us! And the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say and the courage and boldness to say it. 6. Remember this the next time you sense the Holy Spirit prodding you to say something to a lost soul. Remind yourself, I can do this because Christ is with me! 24 Honeywell Worship Center ifast 2018 The Great Commission Resurgence info@honeywellchurch.org