What’s the Purpose?

May 3, 2015

Scripture Reading:

Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:9-149 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

Luke 18:9-1411 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

Luke 18:9-1412 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

Luke 18:9-1414 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

What’s the Purpose?

What’s the Purpose?

Prayer:Not a speech but a conversation

Luke 18:11,1211 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’

Genesis 24:12-1412 Then he said, “O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.

Genesis 24:12-1414 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”

What’s the Purpose?Prayer:Not a speech but a conversationExpressing real need to God

Matthew 7:7,87 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Psalm 37:3-53 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

What’s the Purpose?Prayer:Not a speech but a conversationExpressing real need to God

Fasting:Focus deeper on God

Luke 2:36,3736 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

Luke 2:36,3737 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

What’s the Purpose?Prayer:Not a speech but a conversationExpressing real need to God

Fasting:Focus deeper on GodA sacrificial lifestyle

Isaiah 58:3-73 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,And exploit all your laborers.

Isaiah 58:3-74 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high.

Isaiah 58:3-75 Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

Isaiah 58:3-76 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?

Isaiah 58:3-77 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?

What’s the Purpose?Prayer:Not a speech but a conversationExpressing real need to God

Fasting:Focus deeper on GodA sacrificial lifestyle