Sermon Tone Analysis

I want to start by asking a simple question How many of you are waiting for God to do something?I’m referring to waiting for a healing, or a restored relationship, financial provision, an answer to a question, or maybe a fulfilled prophesy.things

that we know are God’s will for us to have, but we’re waiting none the less!Maybe like me you’ve been waiting patiently waiting for decades

I Love prophesy, Prophesy has driven me at many key points in my lifeEg.

When I was called to become a pastor.....

But prophesy can also drive you crazy if you simply wait for it to come about Over 2 years ago I received a word from Shawn Bolz that put me on a path I thought was just in my dreamsShow video Shawn Bolz Prophesy 2:51

There are many parts to this prophesy that excite my heart, but one more than any otheryou may think, the promise of financial provision, or rubbing shoulders with some of the greatest ministries on earth but what excites me the most is entering the season of Full faithI just begin to imagine what God can do through me, when I have full faith!Faith to see everyone healed in this placeFaith to see Heaven’s provision poured out on His peopleFaith to see 100 million souls come to saving faithMy heart jumps when I think of all the possibilitiesBut there are times of discouragement when I see where one day I can be, but then realize where I am nowAnd the waiting.....the waitingGod has shown me some of the parts of How we will get there.I know its through this Church, which has an amazing history, and wonderful peopleI know its through the power and leading of Holy SpiritI know its through the activation of every member into their spiritual gifting’s to carry out the great commissionreleasing people into their mission & ministry

But all these things are dependent, upon 1 very important thingIts the difference between being in a religion and being in a relationshipand that’s intimacy with GodIt has to be the primary driving force in everything we do!Even Jesus said in

​ NASB95“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting.

Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

​ NASB95Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

The Lord tells us in how to fast, we are to do it unto the Lord.3)

Who Should fast?The Lord tells us in that when we fast, in the passage we just read, He doesn’t say if we fast.Jesus expects His disciples to fast

I had a interesting conversation with God this weekI began with a complaint, never a good way to begin a prayer by the way!I started out “God you told me for my dreams to come about I need the Plan, the People, and the Provision.You said you help me to develop the plan, which your doingBut that you would provide the people and the provisionGod I’m waiting for the people and the provisionGod you promised to do all these great thingsThat’s was 2 years ago and I’m still waiting!Then He did it , He dropped the bomb!Shawn Your not waiting for me.....I’m waiting for you!

All these things I’ve told you, all the things I’ve put in your heart.

Are my desire for you.

But in order for you to accomplish these things, I must first prepare you I need greater intimacy with you!I need you to desire me above all else!

Humbled I asked God how do I do this, I pray almost continuously, I read your word regularly, I worship honestlyI thought we had an intimate relationship.God said…but there is so mush more.

Then he began to impress upon me the principle of fasting

Fasting is one of the least practiced actions of the modern Christian, at least in our cultureFasting is often ignoredI have personally fasted a few times, And enjoyed everyone of them.I must admit in my over 20 years of preaching I’ve only preached a handful of messages on FastingI don’t think I’m aloneI think this is a topic that is often neglected from the pulpit.Why is that?

After all there are dozens and dozens of examples in the Bible of fastingJesus even taught on fasting, with the expectation that His followers would fast.I think one of the primary reason we do not fast is simple ignorance, an ignorance that is perpetuated, and supported the enemy that is fearful when God’s people fastAnother reason is we really like food and don’t want to give it up!Today I want to teach on the Power of Fasting.

The Who, What When and Why and How, of Fasting?I want to answer some common questions, to dispel the ignoranceThe primary Biblical reason to fast is to develop a closer walk with God.

By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ.So let’s get started1) What is fasting?Answer: Giving up something good for a time, to get something better!Biblically, fasting is abstaining from food, drink, sleep or sex to focus on a period of spiritual growth.

Specifically, we humbly deny something of the flesh to glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper in our prayer life.1A)

You can give up food & water Jesus may have fasted 40 days without food or water

​ NASB95Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”

And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they?

But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

​ NASB95for forty days, being tempted by the devil.

And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.

And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’

”

If you are His disciple fasting should be a part of your growth process4) Why Should we Fast4A) It is a way to humble ourselves before God

Moses fasted 40 days without food or water

​ NASB95But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, And my prayer kept returning to my bosom.

​ NASB95So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water.

And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

​ NASB95Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.

Body can only last 3 days without waterFor Jesus & Moses to live 40 days without water is divine sustenance.

I do not recommend this without a direct word from GodThe Esther Fast- 3 days without food or water

4B) It brings revelation of our spiritual condition resulting in brokenness and change.

4C) It brings personal revival through the powerful moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

4D) It helps us better understand the Bible by making it more vital and practical.

4E) It transforms prayer into a richer and more personal experience.It’s all about intimacy

5) How long should we fast?We are never actually commanded to fast in scriptureIt is a personal decision on what to fast from, and how long to fastIn scripture we see people fasting for 1,3,21,40 days

6) When should we Fast?In the Bible there were many reason why people fasted6A) An act of repentance Ahab repents

​ NASB95“Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day.

I and my maidens also will fast in the same way.