Not So Fast
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A Christian disciple from India came to the United States a few years ago, and made the tour of a number of our Southern Baptist churches, both observing and speaking. After a few weeks, he asked a question of his host. He said he had enjoyed the worship services, and the preaching, and the fellowships, and he noted all the good food they had eaten together at their Baptist churches. “But,” he asked: “When do you fast?” That’s a good question. When DO we fast?
One of the pastor’s stated, “I grew up a Southern Baptist, and we are much more famous for our fellowships than our fasting!” Well the leadership here at CBC are hoping to change this characterization. The elders discussed recapturing the practice of Spiritual Disciplines.
Dr. Don Whitney, professor of practical theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, writes, “Although the Holy Spirit gives a believer the desire and the power for a biblical spirituality, a certain reformatting of the life and habits must also take place to practice a gospel-centered piety. Thus, Paul also wrote, “Train yourself for godliness” (). This doesn’t refer to physical training, for mere bodily activity — despite its health benefits — does not by itself build godliness, as the very next verse makes plain; rather, the kind of training or exercise that promotes godliness (that is, Christlikeness) is spiritual training.”
Today we are gonna focus in on the Spiritual Discipline of Fasting. Fasting is mentioned 77 times in the Bible, yet fasting is not a frequent subject in pulpits, publications, and Christian conversation. Yet it is important for us to know and realize… self-indulgence is the enemy of gratitude. Self-discipline is the friend of gratitude. Cornielious Plantinga showed why gluttony is a great sin. The early church fathers believed that our appetites are linked in the sense that full stomachs and jaded palates take the edge off of our hunger and thirst for righteousness. In other words, they spoil the appetite for God. We don’t want that.
But why such urgency? I am concerned about the church. I am concerned that it will disappear. This is why we should fast today. We are in trouble. In 2 Chronicles messengers told Jehosophat that there was a vast army coming for them from beyond the dead sea. This news terrified the king that they would be annihilated and so he begged the Lord for guidance and ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting together.
No today I’m not worried that the church will be exterminated by its annihilation. It seems hard to fathom, at this point, the complete annihilation of the church today, but what is real and happening today is the destruction of the church by assimilation. The church does not disappear because of extermination but disappear because of assimilation. The church becomes so much like the world that its separation, distinction, and influence become meaningless. If the world goes down, the church goes to. Sociologists see the church now as part of the world instead of transcending it like we are supposed to. As a result, we no longer have an influence on the world. Sociologist claim that Islam is now the current point of interest. There is just too much compromise in the church. Compromise does not inspire men to do better. Why in the world would the world follow the church if the church is part of the world. The church becomes part of the problem. How are we to help the world out of the pit if we are in there with them?
We are desperately out of shape. We need to recapture the beauty of spiritual disciplines. We need to recapture the beauty of fasting. Always keeping in mind that man does not by bread alone.
As we reflect on these Scriptures, we should make corporate fasting an important practice within the church community. A pastor’s calling the church to an “all church fast” is a good way to accomplish this. Community group leaders may encourage for the group to do a fast together. Accountability partners or friends could fast together. Fasting together is a mutually beneficial way to encourage each other during this time. And no, fasting is certainly not easy, and so being there for each other is extremely helpful.
We can send our friend and brother a text message just to let them know that we are praying, interceding and thinking about them during this time. We can and should remind each other to make sure we are reading the Word, praying and examining our motives. If we know that a person is on their lunch break we can call them and pray with them, read Scripture to each other, or share with each other what we are both learning and experiencing. It is helpful to know that someone else is going through the process with us, finding comfort in knowing we are not alone. Deep friendships can and do develop during corporate fasting, which is yet another way we foster attractive church community.
But it became clear to me a couple of days ago… in thinking of the coming fast, I thought, not so fast. Lets make sure we get some things straight before we start. So lets look today at fasting.
Matthew
But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.
When We Fast
Why We Fast
What to Fast
4. The Bridegroom is Coming
The first thing we will look at is the Biblical basis for fasting answering the question as to whether we should fast today. Second, we will look at why, the pourose of fasting. Third we will discuss what is means and how we are to fast. Finally, we see that our fasting will continue until our Lord, the bridegroom comes back for His church and until then we pray. Come Lord Jesus.
Thesis: Though sin and the pattern of this world ...
Thesis: Though sin and the pattern of this world cause us to fall into more and more self indulgence and ingratitude, it is the power of the Spirit and the coming king that will cause us to made more like Him, growing in the Spirit, hungering and thirsting for righteousness in Christ.
I. When We Fast
- Are we really supposed to fast?
A. The answer is simple. Yes. Though we do not have a direct imperative in the scriptures for fasting it is clearly assumed that we will.
Matthew
But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.
B. We also see that Jesus was questioned as to why the disciples never fasted.
One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?”
Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
C. So we see that until the ascended Bridegroom returns for His bride, fasting will be a spiritual discipline His disciples will occasionally practice. This was the understanding of Christians in the book of Acts.
who are reported fasting in 13:2 and 14:23. And church history reports that since the days of the New Testament, the followers of Jesus have likewise engaged in fasting.
One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”
who are reported fasting in 13:2 and 14:23. And church history reports that since the days of the New Testament, the followers of Jesus have likewise engaged in fasting.
Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
D. And church history, ancient, medieval, and the reformation report that since the days of the New Testament, the followers of Jesus have likewise engaged in fasting.
II. Why We Fast
- Weaken, Preparation and Repentance.
A. Well, now we know that we are too fast, do we know why we do it? Reformed theologian John Calvin says in his Institutes Book IV that fasting has three objectives: “Holy and Lawful fasting has three objectives. We use it either to weaken and subdue the flesh that it may not act wantonly, or that we may be better prepared for prayers and holy meditations, or that it may be a testimony of our self-abasement before God when we wish to confess our guilt before Him.”
1. Weaken and control the Flesh.
[1] John Calvin, Institutes of Christian Religion, vol. 2, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006), 1242.
2. To help us to be better prepared for prayer and meditation on the Word.
3. It will display our self-humiliation when we desire to confess our guilt before the Lord.
B. To control the flesh with discipline. Do do this we use spiritual disciplines namely fasting.
1 Corinthians 9:
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
C. Favorite quote from Martin Luther. “Of fasting I say this: It is right to fast frequently in order to subdue and control the body. For when the stomach is full, the body does not serve for preaching, for praying, or studying, or for doing anything else that is good. Under such circumstances God's Word cannot remain.
D. Self-control is something that we all struggle with in our culture today. Self-denial is just not the American way anymore. We strive to indulge not moderate. Laviousness not sensible. To consume not sacrifice. It is self-indulgence, not self -control that is in control. We cannot control ourselves today. But Christian, we are to be different. We are to be self-controlled. We are to say no when it is necessary. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Fasting is a way, a discipline, a practice, to help us learn how to say no. How to control the flesh. It helps us learn how to say to yourself... no.
E. Better preparation for prayer. Dr Don Whitney writes that one of the purposes of fasting is “strengthening prayer.”
F. He continues, “From the pragmatic perspective, the most common oversight is to fast without a clear biblical purpose. When you become aware of your hunger while fasting, you often remember, “Oh yeah, I’m hungry because I’m fasting.” Your next thought should be something like this: “And I’m fasting for this purpose.” There are at least ten purposes in Scripture for fasting, and most relate to prayer. So your hunger actually serves you during a fast in that it is a constant reminder about your biblical purpose, in this case to pray.”
G. John Piper calls it an “intensification of prayer.”
So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.
H. It is clear, at least for me, my prayer is more impassioned, earnest, intense, honest, passionate, personal, and prepared when I am fasting. I am always thinking about prayer and bible reading when I am fasting. I am always hungry. When fasting… prayer and bible reading is intensified. Not just me but many who I have talked to about it through my years in ministry.
I. Yes, hunger is a constant nagging feeling that you cannot ignore. As a result, it serves as a constant reminder to pray and read the Word of God, especially, during breakfast, lunch, and dinner times. Our physical hunger and thirst for satisfaction will lead to a hunger and thirst for satisfaction gratified only by God.
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
Psalm 42:1
As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. ()
[1] The Bible does not give us any real commands as to how long we are to fast. One day (). Three days (). Seven days (). Ten days (). Twenty-one days (). Forty days (, ).
[2] What kind of fast. There are other things to fast besides food. We can just do liquids only like juices. Just vegetables. No sweets and desserts. TV. Video games. Social media. Fasting some of this stuff in exchange for more devoted time in prayer and Bible reading. Instead of playing a video game for an hour, we use that time to pray and read our Bible. Now of course these have no direct biblical passage to substantiate, but it is done based on what could be deduced from the Scriptures. Fasting food is not the only thing we fast. We fast sex (). There might be something to take away here about fasting entertainment (). And we can fast in giving resources to help those in need ().
J. Repentance.
Pslam 39:13
Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist no more.
Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them.
I denied myself by fasting for them,
but my prayers returned unanswered.
So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah.
K. Fasting puts us in a place of deep humility before the Lord to come before Him humbly to confess, profess, and repent. But Shane do we really need to repent?
Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.
L. Yes my family… we all have lots to repent of. Fasting helps us in this. Helps us to have the right posture when we come before the Lord in humility. It helps us to not approach the Lord in a cavalier way especially when we are coming to him in repentance and grief.
III. What to Fast
- Normal, Partial, Absolute and Supernatural.
A. Fasting - A Christians voluntary abstnence from food for spiritual purposes.
Now it should be made clear here that the Bible strictly speaking primarily communicates fasting as abstaining from food. But there is good theological inferences to give certain variables commonly categorized by scholars.
B. With this it is commonly broken down into different categories.
Normal fasting - No food but still drinking water or some would even consider no food but still drinking liquids like juices and teas.
When Jesus was in the wilderness it says that he was hungry and abstained from food, but it can be deduced that he still drank at least water.
Partial Fasting - Limiting diet but still eating some foods.
When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.
Vegetarian Diet understood as no rich foods or choice foods, no candy or sweets, no pleasurable food, no wine, soda, voss water. No cake, donughts, pastries, brownies or chocolate. It includes even portions. It is said that he does not mention fasting here, but it is understood in the verbiage that he was voluntarily abstaining from certain foods in a time of repentance and mourning. Calvin writes, “implying his practice of uniting fasting with mourning.”
implying his practice of uniting fasting with mourning.
Absolute Fasting- No food or liquid.
“Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”
Supernatural Fasting - Nada for a long time.
This happened when I was on the mountain receiving the tablets of stone inscribed with the words of the covenant that the Lord had made with you. I was there for forty days and forty nights, and all that time I ate no food and drank no water.
C. So I did say that strictly speaking the Bible prescribes fasting in relation to food. But there seems to be something to say about fasting other things.
Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.
Daniel
This is the biblical pattern used for fasting things like Social Media, Netflix, Movies, TV, going out.
Martin Lloyd Jones - Fasting, if we conceive of it truly, must not . . . be confined to the question of food and drink; fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose. There are many bodily functions which are right and normal and perfectly legitimate, but which for special peculiar reasons in certain circumstances should be controlled. That is fasting.
Even Sex can be added to the list.
Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
D. Thats alot i’m sure to take in. But again this is something we should do and something i think we should do together. I am not forcing us to do it. I am asking if you would do it with us.
E. One final point. Fasting must be and always be motivated by the truth of the Gospel. If the motivation for fasting is to impress or please God enough that He will shower you with all you desire, then it is not Gospel motivated. Rather, we yearn to please God only because we are united with Christ and found in Him. Also, some will think that if there is something we want bad enough, just deny self for Him and He will be obligated to grant our request. Almost treating Him like some kind of genie or pagan god that will grant our request with the right formula (rub of the lamp) or right kind of sacrifice. Our confidence when in need should be in the grace of God and not with fasting. Therefore, our hearts must be right in the discipline of fasting motivated by the truth of the Gospel, focused on the grace of God, in humility, in love for each other, in unity in bonds of peace, in service, in sharing, and providing for others resting solely in the grace of God for all things. Take note.
What good is fasting
when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
will never get you anywhere with me.
You humble yourselves
by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the Lord?
F. We go to the Lord in prayer for the church and in repentance. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness.
G. Douglass Kelly writes, “Fasting is like silent prayer: simply turning away from human sustenance, toward the Sustainer of all, is a quiet and real means of beseeching Him to take our need seriously. It signals to God our commitment to Him and our conviction that humans means are inadequate. We are begging Him to send the presence of Christ.”
IV. The Bridegroom is Coming
- Do the wedding guests mourn when celebrating with the Groom?
A. Of course they don’t. Today we fast, but when Christ comes we will mourn no longer. All we are and all we do is for Christ and for Christ alone. He is our King and we desire Him.
B. But it is sin, oh that things that so easily besets us that continues to trouble us. Tries to deceive us and take control of us. This is a real issue. Sin is a violation of the law of God. Sin is not a mistake. Our fallen state is not something that requires fixing with good life coaching and principles.
C. We are called not to be fixed, but for us to repent. This is how we have life and life more abundant today. We get it from the active and passive obedience of Christ. He lived the life we should have lived and he died the death we all should have died.
D. Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures...
E. The promises continue… All who call upon the name of the Lord. If you confess with your mouth...
F. As we await the coming of our Lord and King. Let us continue to hunger and thirst after the righteousness. The righteousness of God.
G. As the deer thirsts for streams of water so our souls long after God.