Fasting

I. INTRO

Last week, thankful to Greg for filling the pulpit (Explain reason for being out)

Before, spent two weeks on prayer, this week want to talk about fasting

CHURCH WIDE FAST: AUGUST 2ND - AUGUST 9TH

Be praying about what the Lord would have you fast

We will begin the fast immediately following service this morning, and break our fast with our fellowship meal next Sunday afternoon

Fast whatever you feel led (explain medical, etc.), it’s the rhythm of fasting together, not what you fast

Fasting reading in the foyer, online on the YouVersion App.

Let’s go to God’s word together

Matthew 4:1–11 NKJV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

(PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION)

Why fast? Why is fasting important

II. ORIENTS MY HEART

Matthew 4:1 NKJV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

I don’t know about you, but I want this to be true of my life. I want to live life “led by the Spirit

When I fast, I set aside what my heart desires, and ask Him to give me the desire of my heart. To show me what my heart should desire.

Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

My heart doesn’t naturally desire what’s right, my heart is deceitful, however it doesn’t have to stay that way.

That’s what fasting is for

It also aligns my heart so that I’m fasting with the right motive

Matthew 6:16–18 NKJV

“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. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 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.

If we’re not careful, fasting especially in a setting like this, can become more of a show.

Can I give you a practical example? (Facebook)

He says in vs. 18… “So you do not appear to men to be fasting”

I want to fast, to align my actions, decisions, and even my motives, with His heart!

III. OVERCOMES MY FLESH

Matthew 4:3–4 NKJV

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Free point… know Your Bible. You’ll fight the enemy a lot better when you know the word!

Vs. 2 tells us Jesus was hungry.

His flesh desired something.

Another reason we fast, we surrender our flesh to him, we remind our bodies who’s really in control!

Galatians 5:24–25 NKJV

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

When I fast, I crucify my flesh, say no to the passions and desires and choose to WALK IN THE SPIRIT!

IV. OVERPOWERS TEMPTATION

Matthew 4:5–7 NKJV

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

Imagine the temptation for Jesus, He could’ve set the record straight right then and there (EXPAND)

Sometimes temptation doesn’t come in the form of a fleshly desire…

Real practical in today’s time… the temptation to respond? (EXPAND)

Fasting reminds me that I don’t have to fall to my temptations

Temptation comes in all forms.

Little extra… temptation isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong, it’s a sign you are doing something RIGHT!

V. OPENS MY AUTHORITY

Matthew 4:8–10 NKJV

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

When I fast, it helps me to open my heart and mind to Him.

Reminds me that through His sacrifice, I have authority in the Name of Jesus!

Not just over my life and my body, but over the enemy and the powers of darkness!

“It’s just the way I am” (immature attitude)

It’s just a part of life… I can say “in the name of Jesus” (PREACH HERE)

VI. CONCLUSION

Fasting really should be regular rhythm in our lives

But as we set this time aside this week… GO AFTER GOD!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT PRAYER: 5:30 - 7:30 PM