Ten Days of Awe

September 13, 2015
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Description: In this message Pastor Richard prepares the congregation for Ten Days of prayer and fasting. He uses the story of Esther and the story of King Jehoshaphat to illustrate the value of seeking the Lord in this way, especially in times of crisis. In both these stories, not only did God’s people survive the ordeal, but they actually ended up even better off than before. Let this message inspire and equip you for a season of consecration to the Lord. You may be surprised what God will do for you!

Ten Days of Awe
OUTLINE

Richard Tow 9-13-15

        (Begins at sunset today and ends at sunset September 23rd, the Day of Atonement)

  1. Two Occasions of Prayer & Fasting in Scripture when Israel facing challenges.
  2. Story of Queen Esther.
    Her Uncle Mordechai learned about a diabolical plot, led by a politician named Haman.
    Haman persuaded King Ahasuerus to issue Executive Order authorized killing of all Jews (Adar 13). In effect calling for riots and civil war in his own domain—kinda crazy.
    Mordechai asked Esther to appeal to the king—but very dangerous.
    Esther’s reply (4:16) “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
    End result: disaster turned into a great victory for the people of God.
  3. Jehoshaphat got news enemy launching attack from Syria against Judah.
    2 Chron 20:3-4 “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.”
    God caused enemy’s alliance to fall apart and they destroyed one another.

    These two stories illustrate a biblical response to trouble.
    Key to victory: God’s people humbling themselves & seeking God thru prayer & fasting (2Chron. 7:14).

We are facing some alarming challenges in our own nation today.
Moral decline: Own Supreme Court justices warning Christians of impending persecution.
In minority report on court’s same-sex decision, Justice Thomas explained how June 26th
decision will threaten religious liberty. (Already happening with Kim Davis case in Kentucky).
Iranian Nuclear Agreement vote this week.

  1. Practical Suggestion of How Consecrate ourselves during these next ten days.
  2. Fasting:
    Yom Kippur is only mandatory fast during the Ten Days of Penitence (Lev. 23:27, 32).
    Fasting is a way of humbling ourselves before God (Ps 35:13). (Declaration of Dependence on God
    (Esther  & King Jehoshaphat)
    b. Most will not be able to do a full fast during the Ten Days of Awe.
    Some may fast one meal each day. Some may fast certain foods.
    c. Instead of pursuing pleasure –concerted effort to pursue God.
    Some may fast TV or other media.
    d. In 2 Samuel 24 a plague hit Israel killing 70,000 men; judgement on David’s sin of numbering Israel
    Make offering at Threshing Floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
    Araunah offered to give David Threshing Floor, altar, and oxen for the sacrifice.
    David’s response?  (Verse 24) “…No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer
    burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing    .”
  3. Prayer:
    Be Intentional about this. When will you pray during this next ten days and how long.
    Look with me a King Jehoshaphat’s prayer in 2 Chron. 20:5-12 (Read)
  4. Mediate on the Word of God: Suggested passages
    13 – 2 Chron. 20 & Lev. 23:23-44
    Sept. 14 – Lev. 26 & Ps 121
    Sept. 15 – Psalm 24 & 25
    Sept. 16 – Ezekiel 16 & Ps 37
    Sept. 17 – 2 Chron. 6 & Isa. 60
    Sept. 18 – Jerm. 6 & Ps 91
    Sept. 19 – Isaiah 58 & 59
    Sept. 20 – Psalm 51 & Hosea 14
    Sept. 21 – Jerm. 23 & Daniel 9
    Sept. 22 – Lev. 16 & Isaiah 53
    Sept. 23 – Mark 15 & 16
    Let your meditations in the word inspire and direct more prayer.
  5. Reconcile with others.
    Give & Receive Forgiveness
    Use some of your prayer time to pronounce blessings on family and others, even on enemies.
  6. Be Generous during this time.
    Give something away that you’ve been hoarding
    Perhaps God will show you a need that someone has that you’re empowered to meet.

    Ten Days of Awe is about our relationship with God, our relationship with things, and our relationship with other people.

What are we doing in all this?

  1. We’re positioning ourselves for blessing.
  2. We’re offering ourselves to God for ministry.
  3. We’re expressing our dependence on the Lord.
  4. We’re expressing our confidence in His all-sufficiency.
  5. We’re declaring our expectancy of great things ahead in Him.

QUESTIONS

  1. Define your fast for the next 10 days.

    I will fast _______________________________________________ for ten days.

    On Yom Kippur I will _______________________________________________.

  2. Define the additional prayer you’re committing to during this time.

    I will pray from _______________ to ________________________ for ten days.

  3. Reconcile with others: _______________________________________________
  4. Generosity to others: ________________________________________________
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