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Introduction
We Fast –
Focus this month on Prayer.
Week of Prayer and Fasting ending today.
We Are Church series continuing with We Pray in January.
And Today we’re talking about fasting.
We Fast.
What Is Fasting?
Not My Fast
Do you ever feel like God isn’t listening?
Like you’re not getting through?
What About Mt.
Rock?
When you feel like you’re doing all you are supposed to do, but the answers aren’t coming?
Many get upset and disillusioned with God.
Some walk away from faith.
One solution that we are taught in a church setting is to fast and pray.
Fasting supposedly reaches the heart of God, gets His attention, makes Him listen, brings breakthrough and answers.
Is that really the way fasting is supposed to work?
What does God have to say about it?
Points
What is Fasting?
Turn to
Read Isaiah 58:1-2
1-2 Time to bring sin into focus, seem to be doing what's right
Fasting is self-denial, abstaining from something – usually food and drink, but there are examples of abstaining from other things as well.
Abstain from gratifying the flesh in order to strengthen the spirit.
Examples of Fasting and reasons:
Moses on the mountain receiving the commands from God. (Revelation)
Nehemiah when he heard the news of Jerusalem’s poor situation and exile (mourning)
Daniel praying for forgiveness for the nation (repentance)
Esther and Israel to humble themselves and ask for God’s help when Haman wanted to kill them.
(mourning, Intervention)
David – after his sin with Bathsheba – (repentance, mourning) and for their baby (mourning, intervention)
Jesus – 40 days in the wilderness at the beginning of His ministry (humility, self-denial, direction)
Jesus and new church in Acts often fasted and prayed for appointing disciples/leaders.
(direction)
Only one command to fast is in and 23.
Day of Atonement.
A sabbath day.
Day of denying self, no work, usually observed with no eating as well.
(repentance)
So, in Israel was fasting, seeking, looking like they were obeying.
v.2 seem eager, as if do what’s right, seem eager
Read a
3a Why don't you hear us
So, it wasn’t working out for them.
God not responding to their seeming self-denial.
Read Isaiah 58:3b-4
3b-4 fasting with wrong motives and wrong heart.
Don't expect answers.
Hearts are wrong.
Other actions are not humble.
It’s a show.
Self-interest.
Attitude and action toward God, others, household, all wicked.
But then when they want something come to God and go through the motions of a fast.
After election 3 1/2 years ago, many people said Not My President
Not My Fast
Read
Not my fast.
Not what I desire or require - only the signs of mourning, self-focused.
Fasting often looks like mourning.
Fasting often accompanies mourning.
and , questions from religious leaders about why Jesus parties and why His disciples do not fast.
Jesus responds –
6-7 Here is what I want to see in fasting… yes, deny yourself but not for yourself.
Invest in others, fast for the benefit of the oppressed, poor, helpless.
Pay attention to the heart of God
Read Isaiah 58:6-7
6-7 Here is what I want to see in fasting… yes, deny yourself but not for yourself.
Invest in others, fast for the benefit of the oppressed, poor, helpless.
walk through 6 and 7
This is what I want to see and this is what you will see, and God will answer.
Read
From .
This is Me.
This is why I’m here.
From .
This is Me.
This is why I’m here.
Read
Jesus teaches the heart of true humility in prayer, including fasting and tithing.
Jesus teaches the heart of true humility in prayer, including fasting and tithing.
Understand the heart of God.
Rescue, redeem, restore.
Setting free those held captive by the enemy.
Righting wrongs.
Justice.
Poverty, immigration, racism, abortion, slavery, oppression,
This is what fasting produces.
Read
-9a Then… God hears, lots of blessings,
When you fast… do not show it, present well and let God reward what you do in secret.
Do what you do in true humility and God will see and He will respond and He will be with you, and you will get what you need.
What About Mt.
Rock?
If… Then statements.
If you do this, then you can expect this, if your heart is this way, you can expect God's response
Read Isaiah 58:9b-10a
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