Fasting for a Spiritual Breakthrough
Spiritual Breakthrough • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
A pastor and his wife were recently invited over to dinner at the house of a member of their congregation. When they arrived, dinner preparations were almost finished, and the member’s young son was just finishing his task of setting the table.
When they sat down to eat, the young boy’s mother said with surprise, "Why didn’t you give the pastor a knife and fork dear?"
"I didn’t think I needed to," the little boy replied "I heard Daddy say he eats like a horse."
Last week I preached on “The Keys to a Spiritual Breakthrough.” After David was anointed King over Israel, the Philistines went to search for him. David’s response:
David … went to the stonghold
David inquired of the Lord, the Lord gave him an answer
David obeyed the Lord and went out to fight
David defeated the Philistines
The Philistines attacked again
But what happens when the breakthrough doesn’t come?
Could we be missing our greatest breakthrough because we fail to fast?
Whether you desire to be closer to God or are in need of great breakthrough, remember that nothing shall be impossible to you. Fasting is truly a secret source of POWER!
What is Fasting?
Refraining from food for a period of time for spiritual purposes. (Fasting has always been a normal part of a relationship with God)
It means the voluntary abstinence from food. The literal Hebrew translation would be "not to eat." The literal Greek means "no food."
It means the voluntary abstinence from food. The literal Hebrew translation would be "not to eat." The literal Greek means "no food."
Fasting brings one into a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord.
Biblical fasting is linked with serious seasons of prayer. The more seriously we approach prayer and fasting, the more serious the results we will experience.
Absolute fast - nothing, no food or water
Normal fast - Only drink water
Partial fast - Similar to the Daniel fast
In scripture we see 3 days, 7 days, 21 days, and 40 days. There are also references to 1/2 day and 24 hour fasts.
Fasting brings one into a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord.
7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.
Wrong reasons to fast:
You do not fast to obtain merit with God or to get rid of sin. There is only one thing that does that … The Blood of Jesus
Fasting is not a Christian diet. You should not fast to lose weight, although weight loss is a normal side effect. When you fast, you focus on prayer and on God’s Word!
You do not fast so that others will notice you. A fast is not an opportunity to show others how deeply spiritual you are but an opportunity to focus on the needs of others!
Fasting for a Spiritual Breakthrough …
1 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.
2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi).
3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
“When you fast, your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God.” Jentezen Franklin
2 chron 20.
13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
2 chron
15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.
17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
2 chron
1. Fasting Cleanses us Spiritually and Physically
1. Fasting Cleanses us Spiritually and Physically
Fasting is like spring cleaning for your body!
Fasting cleans your body. Test have proven that the average American consumes and assimilates 4 pounds of chemical preservatives, coloring, stabilizers, flavorings, and other additives each year. These build up in our bodies and cause illness and disease.
Fasting slows your aging process. Moses fasted often, including two 40 days. This is what the Bible says about Moses:
7 Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.
deut
2. Fasting Prepares us for a New Anointing
2. Fasting Prepares us for a New Anointing
22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”
I had never seen the connection between fasting and the new wine before.
Jesus had just finished telling the Pharisees that His disciples would fast once He was gone. Fasting is what prepares you for a new anointing.
If you want new wine, new miracles, new closeness, new intimacy with Him, then it’s time to call a fast and shed the old wine skin for the new!
Fasting helps us to understand God’s will for our lives. Every assignment, every call of God, every direction from Him starts somewhere.
How do I discover God’s will? His plan for me?
Where should I live?
What job should I take?
Whom should I marry?
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Paul was fasting when God called him:
7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Peter was fasting on the rooftop in Joppa when God gave him a new revelation and called him to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. (Acts 10)
3. Fasting Unlocks the Power of the Holy Spirit
3. Fasting Unlocks the Power of the Holy Spirit
28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
28 “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.
God was going to pour out revival - “afterward.” He was revealing His will for His people - afterward. After What? After a fast.
Israel was in sin, and God was calling His people to fast in repentance.
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
Joel 2.
4. Fasting Brings Victory over the Enemy
4. Fasting Brings Victory over the Enemy
1 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.
2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi).
3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,
1 Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, and stored the silver, the gold, and all the vessels in the treasuries of the house of God.
2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.
3 And all the men of Israel assembled before the king at the feast that is in the seventh month.
4 And all the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark.
1 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.
2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi).
3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.
17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
2 chron
Closing
Closing
(Invite the worship team to return)
If Jesus could have accomplished all He came do without fasting, why would He fast? The Son of God fasted because He knew there were supernatural things that could only be released that way.
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
10 And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored.
luke
Let’s follow the example of Jesus and we will see Breakthroughs and Miracles in our lives and our church.
“I don’t know if I can fast!”
FASTING IS REALLY FEASTING!
Fasting is not just a physical discipline; it can be a spiritual feast!
FASTING IS REALLY FEASTING!
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
