Fasting Offers More Than A Cleanse.

Matthew 4:1–4 ESV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Introduction: What do you think of when you hear the word Fast?

Why Fast?, How does it empower our Mission?, How do we Fast?

Why Fast?

Good Things In Life Can Distract Us.

Brain Games TV Show - Everyone is addicted to something - Cell Phone Test.

Idolatry - Something that is Good that we put in place of God.

Nothing Better than Food - Isn’t it a basic need? Can we call it an Idol? Can we call it a distraction?

Was Jesus Fasting because he was distracted by food?

So the Purpose of Fasting is...

Fasting Helps us Focus on What’s First.

http://milesaminute.com/video/aim6.

Purpose of Jesus’ Fast

Holy Spirit Directed

To have the Devil Tempt Him with Distractions - Will Jesus follow his own appetite, Or God’s Direction (word)? Will Jesus test God’s goodness? Will Jesus be about the Wealth and prestige of ruling all Kingdom’s by following Satan, or will he put His Father’s will first (Take this cup from me, but thy will be done).

Ultimately it is to do what Israel could not do in their 40 year wilderness experience. Jesus becomes the true Israel by re-enacting the story, but by being victorious.

So Jesus’ Fast is not an exact model for us, But a model that we should fast, and to create a more focused environment to God’s Will.

Jesus Assumes that Christians Fast - - Only Spiritual Habit that is not constant.

Matthew 6:16–18 ESV

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Yet it was not necessary when he was present - - Fasting is key to helping us focus on God when he is not physically present. It will not be necessary in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Matthew 9:14–15 ESV

Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

It is not for salvation, It is not to seem more spiritual than others, You are not a better person than anyone else if you Fast. It is simply to sharpen our focus on God for a period of time.

How Does it help us focus on God.

It gives us a mindset of Focusing on God. - Every Fast should have a purpose - To hear God more clearly, You have a big decision to make, You are grieving to focus on God’s presence and comfort, You are dealing with Temptation/Sin and need God’s help/perspective. To work on overcoming an idol in your life. To gain a perspective on God’s Mission (ie. empathize with the hungry as you feed them)

Isaiah 58:5–7 ESV

Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Second, Every time your stomach growls - It reminds you to turn to God to sustain you. It trains you to Trust God that he will supply your need, and get you through.

Third, It is powerful when combined with Retreat/Prayer/Bible Study. Because you are able to replace feeding yourself with activities that focus on God.

How and When Do I Fast?

Holy Spirit Initiated - Modeled in this Story - Jesus is Holy Spirit Directed.

You’re Initiation - For One of the purpose above - Ask the Holy Spirit.

With Community

Our Building Renovation, Our Mission, Major Church Decision are good reasons.

Gospel Coalition Article - http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/fasting-for-beginners

Start Small

Plan Your Purpose - What will you do Instead. - Don’t Think of White Elephants - The principle of replacement.

Consider How it will effect others - Be loving.

Try Different Kinds of Fasts - Personal & Communal

Fast From Something Other than food.

Conclusion: 40 Days of Prayer - February 14.