Fasting as a spiritual discipline can be found throughout the Scriptures, ‘though more in the Old Testament. In this passage it is linked with prayer and almsgiving quite naturally. Jesus says “when” rather than “if”, and contrasts the Pharisees, who did everything for human approval (and consequently only received human respect) from what we should do. God sees in secret: including the secrets of our hearts. Looking up to Him for blessing and grace, is the “righteousness” which pleases God. 

 God is, and He is not silent. Out of love for Him, we must listen to what He has to say to us. God made us with bodies, hearts, minds, and spirits: and longs to communicate and have fellowship with His creatures, who bear His image. He made us, knows us, loves us, and is full of grace and compassion. He asks that we love Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and spirits. (Matt 10 v 27). And the first duty of love is to listen. 

 Prayer filled Jesus’s life. The disciples noticed, and asked Jesus to teach them all how to pray. Jesus didn’t hesitate, telling them how to approach God as “Abba in the heavens” – their vital relationship. He gives them a model, a template for their prayers: and tells a parable to encourage them. All of us need to be taught to pray, and to give our relationship with our Father in the Heavens a central place in our lives. Although the idea is certainly there in the Old Testament, referring to God as “Father” was not common in Judaism: Jesus said people who come to Him are given power to become children of God: they have intimate and privileged access to God in the Name of Jesus. 

Because of who Jesus is and what He brings, He offers a clear path through the complicated rules people follow. Jesus invites everyone to come to him, have a relationship with Him, and make Him central. He calls people to take on His yoke, which gives rest: this is counter-intuitive: how can a yoke bring rest ? Jesus looks into the peoples’ tired eyes and sees into their souls. 

Jesus calls us to wholehearted devotion—living in relationship with the Father rather than seeking approval from people or material gain. Our righteousness should reflect true transformation, not religious performance. The Father sees, knows, and rewards those who seek Him in secret.

Jesus challenges the scribes and the Pharisees and exposes their hypocrisy as their attitudes and actions were not adding up with their God given authority!

The kindness of God is central to the story of salvation. In Titus 3:3-8, Paul reminds us of the transformation that takes place through God’s mercy and love. This passage invites us to examine our response to His kindness which is bespoke and powerful—whether in unbelief, or misunderstanding.

Isaiah 6:1-8 calls us to stand in awe of God’s holiness, confront our own sin, and

respond in faith to His call. It reminds us that God works through ordinary people

like us, cleansing, equipping, and sending us into the world with a mission to

bring His light into dark places. Our lives should reflect His holiness and grace,

inspiring others to see Him through us.


 4 main ideas:


1. Wholehearted discipleship is sharpened by the perspective of who is on the 

throne. God, the Holy, the Most High, reigns. We should be calling to each other, 

like the seraphim, in worship at His “otherness”, His holiness. Seraphim means 

“burning ones”: since Pentecost, we are the “fiery ones”! Discipleship comes from 

our bowing down, and calling out. 



2. Wholehearted discipleship is marked by encounter of his presence and 

worship. We need to be with God, become more like God, and do God’s will in this 

world. To take something of His presence into a world that does not know Him: 

that our words and lives are something of a reflection of our time with Him, as we 

change into His likeness. 



3. Wholehearted discipleship is immersed in the reality of confession. 

Isaiah looks  at the holiness of God and is appalled at the wickedness that is in 

his own heart. He confesses it openly, in God’s presence – and God faithfully and 

justly makes atonement for his sin. We must be honest with God: God is Holy and 

forgiving. He is RICH in mercy 



4. Wholehearted discipleship is equipped with readiness of the heart to usher in 

His Kingdom. God touches his lips. He is prepared for a difficult ministry: God still 

uses his people to do extraordinary things when they give themselves to Him. 

We’re setting out on a year of wholehearted discipleship.  Being a wholehearted  disciple is not just about gritting our teeth and following the example of Jesus.  Life as a disciple of Jesus is marked by offering ourselves to God, by seeing how sin is our old boss and how God is our new boos and He is a very very good one.  

We’re setting out on a year of wholehearted discipleship.  Being a wholehearted disciple is not just about gritting our teeth and following the example of Jesus.  Life as a disciple of Jesus is empowered by being united to Christ who died and is now risen.