01 – Staying Focused – Investing in the Kingdom – Pastor David Payne – Ask the Pastor
1. Is there anything intrinsically important or valuable about fasting? Or is it a simple act of obedience?
It is both an act of obedience and has intrinsic value. Our lives easily focus on the things of this world. Physical needs tend to demand our attention. We naturally give priority to the everyday needs around us. If we are not careful, soon our lives and loves are centred on the earthly. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that draws our attention away from the physical and gives priority to the greater spiritual need. It was at a time when Jesus was fasting that the devil came to him and said that he could relieve His hunger by turning stones into loaves of bread. Jesus replied that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God’s mouth. In other words, the spiritual filling of the mind and heart with God’s words is more important than filling the stomach with bread.
2. Comment…” The Father knows what you need even before you ask .” This is difficult to understand when you were abandoned by your earthly father who did not model love nor supply your needs as a child, and did NOT genuinely supported you in life.
It is a problem for many people to relate properly to God as their Father when their earthly father failed to love them as children. This is a sad reality. That is why is so important to understand the word “Father” as it relates to God from your study of the Scriptures. We see there the perfect model of what a father should be. See Matthew 6:8; Psalm 103:13-17; Matt. 6:26; Matt.10:29-31; Romans 8:15-17.
We can also see from this question how very important it is for we who are fathers to reflect clearly the love of the Father in heaven. He is who we represent to our children. How we represent God as our Father can mean the difference between spiritual success and spiritual disaster in the lives of our children.
3. How do you separate secret actions that don’t draw attention to yourself from actions where you publicly show people your a genuine, God-fearing Christian?
We really cannot separate the two. The central issue is one of motives. The Bible teaches that we are to live out our faith openly in the public forum, but the motive is for the honour and glory of God and not for our personal approval rating (1Peter 2:11,12; Matthew 5:13-16). The discipline of secrecy is designed to foster and refine Christ-honouring motives within us. The cultivation of this inward discipline will shape right motives for our outward behaviour.
4. If we are not intentional in “giving” in either tithes or Alms, are we putting a restriction on how God can “reward” us?
Absolutely. Yes. We must not confuse “unconditional love” with conditions that God places upon us for blessing. In many ways, God responds to us conditionally and relatively to how we respond to Him. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse…IF you do…I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you” (Malachi 3:8-11)! “IF you give, you will receive…Whatever measure you use in giving – large or small – it will be used to measure what is given back to you” (Luke 6:38). Read also 1 Timothy 6:17-19. You cannot out give God. Sadly, we often restrict God on how immensely He wants to bless us because our response to His grace is so mediocre to poor. The law of the harvest says that we reap what we sow. A very important passage that addresses this matter is 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. The well is deep and the spring of water is ever-bubbling; we simply fail to turn on the tap.
5. Why would a person be this kind of hypocrite (Matthew 6:2,5)? What purpose would it serve them?
In Jesus’ day, the parading of one’s spirituality was a way of gaining approval from people. Our culture and society is different. Today in our culture, parading one’s spirituality around the water cooler would more likely result in ostracism. But the principle still applies. The issue is one of motives and inner heart condition. Why do you do what you do? Does your exterior (what you want people to think about you) reflect the real you or not. (A hypocrite was an actor…someone who played a part behind a mask) Are you a genuine Christian or a pretend one? Is what you portray of yourself about approval ratings or about a heart that is surrendered to Christ?
6. As a church,how does fasting work?
Sometimes we fast as a corporate body, the whole church. We fast and pray for a specific time regarding a specific need or matter. We should probably exercise this spiritual discipline more regularly. There can be great benefit to the church. On the other hand, fasting does not need to be formalized into a corporate event. It is something that every believer should do on a private level. There is great reward to an individual who enjoys this time with God alone (Matthew 6:18).
7.How many forms of fasting do we have based on the bible?
The common idea behind fasting was to go without food for the sake of a greater spiritual purpose. But the greater idea behind fasting was godliness. Having a heart that is surrendered to God. In Isaiah chapter 58, Israel had come together at the Temple to fast, going without food and asking God to take particular action on their behalf. God, however, knew what was going on in their lives and laid out for them a different kind of fast. “Free the wrongly imprisoned. Stop oppressing your employees and begin to treat them fairly. Share your food, clothing and homes with the needy (Isaiah 58:1-7). Fasting is a heart issue that results in treating the needy with justice and mercy. We must be careful, then, of reducing fasting to merely going without food… without regard to the heart.
Fasting can be to go without anything in the physical realm…such as food, TV, the computer or reading etc. etc… for the purpose of a greater spiritual purpose. But at its core is a surrendered and obedient heart.
What is Worship – Pastor Keith Sparrow – Video
What is worship? Pastor Keith explains this by answering three questions …. Who do we worship … Why do we worship and how dose worship
06 – Going beyond the limits – Pastor David Payne – Ask the Pastor
Outstanding teaching…thanks. I am a manager of a credit dept. how do I implement “give to them that ask of thee” in my career?
We must differentiate between the response of a public institution and a personal response. Jesus is referring to a personal response to an enemy in need. For instance, a retail department store exists legitimately to make money. But an individual Christian exists to bless others. A retail store would “sell” a chair to a person in need. Whereas, a Christian would “give” a chair to a person in need for the purpose of blessing. Blessing embraces giving without any interest in receiving. A bank, by the very nature of being a bank, exists legitimately to make money. A Christian, by the very nature of being a Christian, exists to give as God has given to us. The same differentiation applies to a person working for a credit department. One works in any institution to forward the legitimate interests and purposes of that particular institution. As a credit manager, you must be a steward of the resources that the company has entrusted to you. Therefore, you must faithfully follow the requirements to extend credit or resources. People still need to meet the means test. As a person working in a credit department you would lend money to make money for the institution, however, you might also lend personal funds to a needy person to bless them without any interest in receiving. There is no conflict.
If by credit department one is speaking of a collection agency, it is important to do one’s job with grace or within the principles of Christian character. We should not lower ourselves to threat and intimidation.
It should be mentioned, also, that if anything is required of you within an institution that is in conflict with your biblical convictions, you should choose convictions over employment.
Does not resisting an evil person not make you a pushover? Won’t a person who is evil take advantage of you if you don’t resist them?
No, it makes you like Jesus. This follows the example of Jesus at the cross. And, yes, you can be taken advantage of. In God’s eyes, however, being taken advantage of, is not a position of weakness, but a position of strength. Anyone can strike back. It takes a strong person to not strike back when everything in you is saying to retaliate. I think of David, when he was running from a ruthless King Saul who was hunting him down to kill him ( 1 Samuel 24; 1 Sam. 26). David had opportunity to strike King Saul twice, and refused. The reason? He would leave vengeance to God. And in God’s time He would lift David to the throne.
Again, Jesus is not speaking here about self defence, or the issue of justice or punishment against wrongdoers. He is speaking about personal retaliation. To retaliate has the greater potential of lowering yourself to the same level as the evildoer by overcoming evil with evil. To refuse to retaliate puts that evildoer in the hands of God to punish, and puts you in a position of trust in the hands of God to bless
What if going beyond the limits gets you hurt?
Then you are following in the footsteps of Jesus
Satan is our enemy….are we to love him and his fallen angels?
There is nowhere in Scripture that says we are to love Satan or his fallen angels. Satan is outside the bounds of God’s eternal love or eternal forgiveness
What if you want to love your enemy but you don’t want to get involved with bad company?
Loving your enemy does not mean that you should not have boundaries. You must continue to be wise and discerning. One of those boundaries is to not keep bad company that can corrupt you. You don’t need to become best friends to bless someone. You can find ways to love and bless someone without getting so close that your convictions or character are compromised. It depends on the degree of “badness.” For some enemies, you can get closer to bless in a more hands-on way. For others, however, as Jesus says, you can bless and love them by praying for them (Matt. 5:44). And pray you can.
Having said that, it is important to find ways to connect with bad company with the love of Jesus and the Good News. The only way to reach such people is to somehow touch them with the love of Christ. Just be wise and discerning in how you do it
Does Jesus’ teaching mean to rather take abuse than retaliate?
No, one should never subject themselves to abuse. The question is how should one respond to abuse? Do not retaliate. Rather, expose the abuse by going to the right and proper authorities. Let justice and punishment be handed out by the authorities ordained by God to do so
What about family members who torch through their own money – they don’t really budget or live within their means – who then fall on hard times and ask you for money you can’t afford to give. Is there not a point where giving to people is just enabling their carefree and careless lifestyle? Is it always christian to give?
Yes, if we are not careful, we can, in fact, be enabling a careless and carefree lifestyle. It is “Christian” to give. The question is, “What should you give?” Sometimes what someone needs is not money. Money may only facilitate and enable bad behaviour. What they need to be given is instruction on how to formulate and implement a budget. They need accountability. They need help in building discipline into their lives. They need to learn basic life skills. So always give, but be discerning about what to give… to the real need that must be addressed
Could you help children who are experiencing bullying apply Jesus message?
Bullying is a growing problem that is bringing harm and despair on so many children and young people. My answer would be the same as in question #6 above. Bullying and bullies need to be exposed despite their threats to “never expose them or else.” To retaliate often exacerbates the problem. Do your best to walk away. But do not ignore the problem. Expose the bully to the proper authorities ie. parents, teacher, and police if necessary.
As parents and teachers, we must also be on the look out for the symptoms of abuse and bullying in our children and be prepared to do something about it.
06 – Going Beyond the Limits – Enemies Bring Out the Best – Pastor David Payne – Video
Matthew 5:38-48…Jesus teaches about living beyond the limits in how we relate to our enemies. Love is the essence of everything that God has taught in the scripture.
05 – Going beyond the Limits – Giving Your Word – Pastor David Payne – Video
Jesus emphasizes the importance of telling the truth. Your word alone should be enough.
04 – Going Beyond The Limits – February 5, 2012 – Sermon Notes
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04 – Going Beyond the Limits – Raising the Bar – Pastor David Payne – Video
Matthew 5:21-30…Righteousness is more than righteous behaviour. It reaches down into the heart.