Sunday Recap - Pastor Jonny Kettle - 20 July 2025

July 21st, 2025
by Ps Jonny Kettle

Sunday 20 July 2025 – Pastor Jonny Kettle

Message Overview:

As a Church family we are approaching our annual 21 days of prayer and fasting from August 1st to August 21st. Last Sunday, Pastor Jonny spoke into the spiritual discipline of fasting and Jesus’ teachings on this topic in The Sermon on The Mount found in Matthew 6:16-18.

Biblical fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food for the purpose of drawing closer to God and depending on Him.

When Jesus taught about prayer and fasting, He assumed these were spiritual disciplines of his followers. Fasting can be difficult physically and mentally. In these passages, the point Jesus wants us to understand is that when we fast do not make it obvious by expressing externally the internal challenge we might experience in fasting but instead go about our days and relationships normally, allowing fasting to be a focus on our internal heart posture and connection with God.

Jonny encouraged us to prepare for our fast in these ways:

Prepare your heart
- Ask God what he would like this time of prayer and fasting to look like for you.
- Consider what food fast you will partake in.
- If you aren’t medically able to fast food, what else can you fast for the purpose of drawing closer to God.

Prepare your family and friends
- Who can you share that you are fasting with for the purpose of mutual encouragement.
- Share with those who you regularly eat with so they are ware of what you are doing and can support you.

Prepare to battle your body and mind
- Our minds and bodies and have been conditioned to eat meals at certain times of the day. When we fast our minds will play tricks on us and flesh will deceive us in order to convince us break out fast.

- Be ready for this battle and push through. Do not give into the flesh but live by the spirit.

Prepare you schedule
- Prayer and Bible reading are key in times of fasting so we can position ourselves to hear Gods voice. Consider what time you will intentionally make to pray and read the word during this time.

Prepare to listen
- As we remove distractions from our lives, the voice of God will become clearer for us to hear. Be prepared and ready to hear from God.

Prepare for when you finish
- This is a great opportunity to prioritise and establish some deeper spiritual disciplines. Consider what your praying, bible reading and fasting disciplines could be after the fast.

Consider joining Jonny each Wednesday in fasting after our time of morning prayer.

Key Scriptures:

Matthew 6:16-18
16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.