The Path is Already Established

Matthew 4:1–11 NKJV

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Jesus Christ has already established the path. He has already walked it to make it easier for us. We are going to break down this temptation in the wilderness into a 4 part series. There is a lot God would have us add to our tool belt if we are willing. Today we are going to discuss fasting. This was the first thing Jesus did when He went into the wilderness.

Throughout the Bible, the word fast is used as a noun and a verb. 28 times it is declared as a religious event and 32 times as an action. A fast was declared as a way of honoring the goodness of God, but a majority of times, it was as a form of repentance and a humbled spirit. Such was the example at Nineveh, the people repented and declared a fast and prayed, and God spared them.

Unfortunately as time went on, just like with the sacrifices, it became a ritual. People fasted because they thought it would merit God’s favor, even if nothing in their heart changed. Fasting goes much deeper than that. It is a time of denying the flesh while growing the spirit. By the time Jesus came in the form of His creation, fasting was viewed as a horrible experience to endure. Strict pharisees would fast every Tuesday and Thursday.

Prayer and fasting when it comes to spiritual warfare. It takes you to a deeper level than just intercession itself. The disciples found that out. When they were sent out, they were able to do many miracles through the power of Jesus Christ. But there was one boy they could not heal. They brought him to Jesus and of course Jesus healed the boy. Privately the disciples asked why they could not heal him and Jesus answered:

Matthew 17:21 NKJV

21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Prayer and fasting, joined together are powerful tools. But it takes dedication and sacrifice. It is not comfortable to fast, but if you need a breakthrough, I mean, a powerful and supernatural breakthrough in your life, fasting and prayer is another powerful tool.

Fasting and prayer is a way of discerning God’s will also.

Acts 13:2–3 NKJV

2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

When they were considering sending them out as missionaries, they knew they could be sending them to their death. With the persecution of the church more severe in other areas, they wanted to make sure they knew God’s will. No matter what God has called us to do, it is very important we are in God’s will and maybe fasting and prayer is the way for you to confirm for sure what God’s will is.

Here is a disclaimer. When we think of a fast, we think of no food for a specified period of time. There are many kinds of fasts. It could be a fast of a type of food, TV, social media, or anything that occupies our time. God may call you to a complete food fast, but make sure you work yourself up to it.

Prayer and fasting are such powerful tools, it was Jesus’ go to when He went into the wilderness to be tempted. God has provided such an arsenal at our disposal if we will just use it. This is how much God loves us.

Conclusion:

I was at the grocery store this morning and heard a loud crash and something shattering. Being nosy, I walked towards the sound and saw some people whispering and looking back to the end of the aisle. When I walked down the aisle, I saw an older lady had hit a shelf and many things had fallen to the ground and broke. She was kneeling on the floor embarrassed, frantically trying to clean up.

I felt so bad for her, and everyone was just standing there staring at her. So I went and knelt beside her and told her not to worry and started helping her pick up the broken pierces. after about a minute, the store manager came and knelt beside us and said, “Leave it, we will clean this up.” The lady, totally embarrassed said, “I need to pay for all this first.” The manager smiled, helped her to her feet and said. “No ma’am, we have insurance for this, you do not have to pay anything!”

God has done the same for you and for me.

Collecting the pieces of your broken heart from all the blows of life has thrown at you. The bill for your faults, sin and folly has already been paid through the precious blood of Christ. God will heal all your wounds. He wants to gently lift you to your feet again, clean up your mess, and pick up all the broken pieces. He wants to heal you! He wants to take care of your soul! We can have that same insurance.

God has made it as easy as A,B, C

A. Acknowledge

Romans 3:23 NKJV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

B. Believe

Acts 16:31 NKJV

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

C. Confess

Romans 10:9–10 NKJV

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.