Fasting
Notes
Transcript
There are some disciplines in the Christian life that we talk about often.
We talk about having a solid prayer life.
We talk about being dedicated to reading the Bible.
We also talk about going to church, or for some at least to come as often as they can.
But, there are however, some disciplines that seem to have quietly disappeared
these days, or rather from the modern church.
Not because they are unimportant.
But, rather because they are uncomfortable.
And the discipline of fasting is chief among them.
Now, mind you, It’s not flashy.
You can’t or at least you shouldn’t even let anyone know you are fasting.
So, there’s no real outward Glory or accolades to be had while fasting—
As it should be a private affair between you and God.
Also, — it is definitely not the easiest discipline
No, It’s not easy.
Especially if you’re new to it.
It does get tremendously easier the more often you practice the discipling of fasting.
And on top of that, —
It goes directly against everything today’s culture teaches us.
Because we live in a culture of instant gratification:
Anyone alive today knows exactly what I mean.
If you’re hungry—eat.
If you’re tired—rest.
If you’re stressed—escape.
But fasting says something radically different.
Fasting says:
“It is time I deny myself… so that I can draw nearer to God.”
Notice, Jesus didn’t treat fasting like an optional spiritual extra cirricular activity,
Or something novel you might want to try out one day.
No, He said in:
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
You see, at the beginning of verse 16, He started it out by expecting you to fast,
By saying, “When” you fast, Not “If” you decide to fast.
But rather, “When you fast…”
Not if,— Not maybe.
Or not “even this is only for those who are super-spiritual.”
But He said “when.”
Which means this:
If we are not fasting, we are neglecting something Jesus expected.
And not only that—we are missing something powerful.
At its core, fasting is about relationship.
But please understand, its not about proving anyting to God.
but rather its about pursuing God.
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Fasting is one of the clearest ways we say:
“God, You mean more to me than anything else I want or need.”
Illustration:
Think about someone in love.
When two people are deeply in love, they don’t say:
“I’ll spend time with you if nothing else is going on.”
No—they rearrange nay, they plan and map out the entirety of their rest of their lives
To be with you, the one they love.
When standing at the marriage altar, and their asked,
“Do you take this man or woman to be your wife,”
And they say “Yes” What they are in effect saying is yes to one, but NO to everyone else in the world.
They sacrifice their comfort, don’t they?
Anyone here who has ever been married can attest to that.
They give up other things just to be with that person.
Why?
Because love , out of all desires, prioritizes that person’s presence in their lives.
Well, Fasting brothers and sisters, is that kind of love toward God.
It says:
“You are not merely second in my life—you are everything.”
13 But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.
Here the psalmist said, Fasting has a way of bringing you low, or humbling you.
You realize very quickly how weak and dependent you are.
It demonstrates how much control your appetites actually have over you.
Illustration:
One could say, “Food doesn’t control me.”
Until you skip a meal.
And suddenly:
You’re irritated
You’re distracted
You’re thinking about food constantly
And in that moment, fasting exposes something to us:
We are not as in control as we’d like to think we are.
You seem, as the psalmist said, Fasting humbles us.
It brings us to a place where we say:
“God, I need You.”
By humbling themselves in the book of
Acts, the church is fasting and worshiping.
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
You see, it is in that moment that the Holy Spirit speaks clearly.
Direction comes.
Clarity comes.
Calling is revealed.
Many people today say:
“I just wish I knew God’s will.”
But they are surrounded by noise.
Social media
Entertainment
Opinions
and worst of all, Busyness
Fasting however has a way of cutting through the noise.
It silences distractions.
And it sharpens your spiritual hearing.
12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
The original Hebrew, we see again the word turn translated from the Hebrew, Sheen-bav-bed, which means to return
The Lord is saying here, RETURN to me with all of your heart, and fasting and mourning.
You see, Fasting is often connected to repentance.
Repentance mind you, is not casual.
It is serious, and is usually but not always, followed by a flow of tears.
It is intentional.
It is wholehearted.
Illustration:
When something is truly wrong in your life, you don’t respond casually.
If your house is burning down, you don’t say:
“Oh, I’ll get to that later.”
No, You’ll act immediately.
Fasting has that kind of urgency toward sin.
It says:
“I am turning back to God with everything I have.”
You see, “Your flesh is loud”
It constantly screams at us demanding:
Feed me
Comfort me
Please me.
But Fasting turns down the volume of the flesh
and turns up the sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
Illustration:
It’s like training a muscle.
If you never resist your appetites or desires, they grow stronger.
But every time you say “NO” to the flesh,
Your spiritual muscles gain strength and your ability to rule over your flesh increases.
You know something powerful happens when you fast.
Physical hunger becomes a steady reminder.
and every hunger pain says:
“Go to God.”
And over time, your soul begins to crave Him more than food.
Instead of saying:
“I’m starving.”
You begin to say:
“My soul needs God.”
Also, throughout Scripture, fasting is tied to breakthrough moments.
Jesus fasted before His ministry began.
The early church fasted before sending missionaries.
People fasted in times of crisis, danger, and desperation.
There are some moments in life where casual Christianity is not enough.
There will be battles that require deeper surrender.
Moments where you say:
“God, I’m not just gonna praying—But I’m gonna press in.”
Fasting as you see is expected by Jesus,
But, Isaiah chapter 58, makes it very clear:
God is not impressed with empty fasting.
He says:
If you fast but keep sin
If you fast but mistreat others
If you fast but remain unchanged
Then you’ve missed the point.
True fasting produces:
Compassion
Justice
Generosity
And most of all, Transformation
So you see, Fasting is not about starving your body—
It is about softening your heart.
To clarify, Biblical fasting is abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose.
It is not random, but rather intentional and it is focused.
There are several types of fasting that include,
A Normal Fast – No food, only water
A Partial Fast – Limiting certain foods
Short Fast — One day or part of a day
Extended Fast – Multiple days
I would suggest you start where you are.
You don’t need to jump into a 40-day fast.
—Start with one meal.
—Start with one day.
—Build your spiritual discipline over time.
But remember, Jesus warns us:
Don’t make it about appearance.
Don’t make it about recognition.
Don’t make it about performance.
Fasting is not about people seeing you—
It is about God meeting you.
Let me say it clearly:
If you fast without prayer, you’re just hungry.
Fasting must be filled with:
Prayer
Scripture
Worship
And Reflection
Be careful though, F
Fasting creates a vacuum.
And if you don’t fill it with God, the world will rush back in.
Since the beginning of Christianity, fasting was not only normal it was expected.
This was normal Christianity.
Before facing temptation,— Jesus fasted 40 days.
And when the enemy came,— He was ready.
Food — sustains the body.
But God — sustains life.
Fasting reminds us of that truth.
—Not for show.
—Not for applause.
—Not for recognition.
But for the Father.
Again, He says:
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
You see, there is a reward in fasting.
Not always material…
But spiritual in
—Closeness
—Clarity
—Power
—And your Peace
Let’s be honest.
We are overfed physically these days, and underfed spiritually.
We consume constantly, Food, Media, Noise, and Distractions
And yet we feel — Empty, Distracted, Weak
Fasting interrupts that cycle.
In short, Fasting resets your soul.
Imagine someone who refuses to eat.
Eventually, their body weakens.
They lose strength.
They can’t function.
The same is true spiritually.
If you never hunger for God, you will grow weak.
But fasting does something different.
It creates a temporary physical weakness,
And that produces lasting spiritual strength.
Let me ask you all,
What would happen…
If you made fasting part of your life?
What would change:
—In your prayer life?
—In your clarity?
—In your spiritual strength?
— How about In your overall walk with God?
I want to challenge you here this morning:
Don’t just hear this sermon…
Practice it, live in.
Start this week:
—Skip one meal
—Spend that time in prayer
—Seek God intentionally
Then, grow from there.
Don’t worry,
Fasting is not about losing food
It is about gaining God.
It is not about emptiness, its about your fullness in Christ.
Because, when you fast…God meets you there.
“Lord, awaken in us a hunger for You that surpasses every earthly desire.
Teach us to deny ourselves, not out of obligation, but out of love.
Strengthen our spirit over our flesh.Draw us closer as we seek You through fasting.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
