Fasting
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Intro
Intro
Good morning
Today we are going to finish our quick series on prayer with a focus on another spiritual discipline that is associated with prayer.
And, as much trouble as we may have with a consistent prayer life, I’m afraid you and I have more trouble with fasting.
Did you know that if a boat is out to sea and does not have an anchor holding firmly to its place, it will eventually, little by little, drift away from it’s desired place. In order to keep our hearts and minds centered on Christ and his kingdom, we have to be intentionally anchored. We can use the spiritual disciplines of reading Scripture, fasting, praying, and solitude in order to anchor our hearts and minds and keep them focused on what really matters.
And as a people that are constantly hammered with something trying to get our focus and attention, it’s more important than ever that we seek to intentionally put our focus on God.
I don’t often preach a message that is purely topical in nature. As you know I primarily preach what’s known as an exegetical style of preaching where we will take a passage of scripture and go through it. Today I’m going to preach on the topic of fasting and seek to answer some questions about What fasting is, What it is for, and why you should be practicing it.
Follow along with me as we read this passage of scripture that will be our launching pad and landing pad for today
Matthew 17:14-21
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
PRAY
In the narrative we just read Jesus and three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, are coming down from what’s known as the mount of transfiguration.
These disciples had just witnessed Jesus commune with Moses and the prophet Isaiah. They had literally heard the voice of God speak about Jesus. And now, the 4 of them have come down from the mountain into the valley.
When they are met there, they are approached by a man seeking ot have a demon cast out of his son.
The disciples could have done this.
Matt 10:1
1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
In this case though, they were unable to wield the power that Jesus had given them access to.
So Jesus accomplishes the task and then his disciples pull him to the side and ask “why couldn’t we do that?”
In response to their question Jesus points out that they have little faith. Their lack of faith was evident in their lack of power and their lack of discipline.
The word disciple can sometimes be viewed as negative but in this context we must understand that there are spiritual disicplines to the Christian life. There are certain things that as Christians we practice, not because we have to but because we have the honor and privilege to.
One of the most often neglected disciplines is that of fasting.
I’d like to ask you to take notes today and take them with you as a help to you when you decide to fast.
Let’s talk first about what fasting is
I. Fasting is a personal decision to deny self and seek Christ
I. Fasting is a personal decision to deny self and seek Christ
Throughout scripture we find examples of people fasting
In Duet 9, Moses fasted 40 days and 40 nights.
Do you need to fast 40 days and nights? probably not. That is what most call a supernatural fasting. Can you do it? I’m not going to limit what God could do with you but be sure you take care of yourself.
David fasted at the death of Saul, Johnathan, and the fallen men of Israel. David was in a distressed state and instead of trying to fill his lonely sadness with the things of this world, he deprived his flesh and went to the only one who could fill the void.
In our weak flesh we are always seeking fulfilment. People leave jobs because they are “not fulfilling” or change spouses because they are not being fulfilled. Did you know that the things of this world, including relationships, are not meant to fill an empty void in our heart?
That emptiness can only be filled with Christ.
Does that mean as Christians we will never fill an emptiness? No. that emptiness could be God realigning your focus back to Him in order for Him to fill it.
The problem I see in modern society is that we don’t allow ourselves to be empty long enough to seek after God. We find something, most of the time in the form of social media, television, or something that gives us quick and short satisfaction.
When we are filling ourselves with all thats around us, we aren’t allowing God to fill us.
So as much as I can preach “empty yourself and let God fill you” if we don’t talk about what it means to fill yourself, then we can’t get the tank to empty.
As I continue speaking I’d like to ask you to take a moment and ask yourself “What do I fill my time and emptiness with that isn’t God?”
Filling ourself isn’t just with pride, anger, or anything like that. It could be as simple as filling your mind with something on your phone by giving your attention to it. It could be the binge watching of netflix shows. It could be throwing yourself into your work so you don’t have to deal with the other facets of life.
Whatever it is that is causing you fill yourself with short quick bursts of satisfaction, realize that short quick bursts of satisfaction is not what you are made for.
John 4:14
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Emptiness will come, how will you fill it? Realize it is your choice as to how you fill yourself up each day.
That’s what fasting does for us. it allows us to empty ourselves of whatever fleshly thing has been taking our focus on God and put it back on Him
Fasting is a personal decision that you must make to deny yourself the lusts of the world and put your focus on God.
Why should you fast though?
II. Fasting is an acknowledgement of our need for Christ.
II. Fasting is an acknowledgement of our need for Christ.
When Jesus came down from the mountain, he found his disciples unable to perform what He had given them power to do.
And instead of speaking about the methods they were using to accomplish the task, he goes after their faith.
I can only presume that when they went to cast out the demon from the child they went in their own power. They tried their “methods” and acted in their strength. They were relying on themselves to accomplish the task when in reality, they were just conduits of God’s power.
John 15:5
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
What’s the difference between abiding in Christ and not abiding with Him?
Not abiding with Christ means going about your day as though Jesus is there to be the cherry on top of this cupcake you call life. Rather than seeing Him as what He truly is.
Abiding with Christ isn’t just about thowing Jesus on top of what you are doing. It is about recognizing Him as being the foundtaion for everything you do.
Just as you wouldn’t want to bake a cake without flour, you don’t want to live your life without Jesus.
If you go to build a cake without flour, what happens?
It doesn’t rise to it’s fullest potential.
So is the same for any Christian who is seeking to live this life without an acknowledgement of Jesus and the role He plays in our lives.
When it comes to prayer and fasting, they are spiritual disciplines that we must be intentional about making time for.
I’m afraid that you and I as 21st century Christians too often neglect these disciplines and as a result are seeing the impact of that in our community and in our nation.
Why weren’t the disciples able to cast out that demon? because of their lack of faith and neglect of prayer and fasting. They had stopped acknowledging their place compared to Christ and began elevating themselves to a place where they could do it without Him. Then, when they tried to do that, they failed and faield miserably.
While Jesus is gone for now He said that it was good for Him to leave because He would send the Comforter.
john 16:7
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
that Comforter is the Holy Spirit of God that resides in each beleiver when they choose to trust Christ as their savior.
We have something that the disciples who could not cast out a demon didn’t have. We have the presence of God inside of us. We have access to the father at any moment through Christ. We can approach the throne of grace with boldness and pray to God about our needs and seek His Wisdom.
You don’t have to do things alone, you can accomplish them better with God.
When we fast, we deny ourselves what our flesh, our humanness, seeks after to fulfill an empty void and fill it with more of God’s desires.
Fasting isn’t just about how we can lose weight by not eating. Nor is it intended to be something done for show.
Matt 6:16
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Notice a couple of things about this passage.
First, see when Jesus spoke about fasting, it wasn’t a question of “if you fast” no , He said to them “When you fast.” He approached fasting as something they were going to be doing any way and then explains how they should accomplish it.
He says not to do it for show. Now, I’ve heard this interpreted as meaning we can’t talk to other people about our fasting. I don’t agree with that.
I think it should be something discussed, I think we should be able to share with others that we are fasting or praying. Not bragging about what we are doing but if asked we can share it.
Jesus speaks about how the pharisees would make it look as they were fasting and would over embellish the effects their fasting had on them to make them seem more spiritual.
I believe if a humble Christian is fasting they should be able to about it and get others to join them in prayer and fasting. Yet, if we never talk about it, no one ever knows whats going on.
Which is why I want to challenge our church to choose at least 1 day a month for the next 6 months that you could spend fasting. If your health doesn’t allow for you to fast from food, then please find some other earthly desire you have that you can fast from.
Paul mentioned this with married couples fasting from physical intimacy with one another as a means for us to understand fasting isn’t just about food. It’s about the desires of our hearts being realigned with God’s desire.
When we acknowledge our place in reference to Christ we will see the great need for Him in our lives. By being intentional with prayer and fasting, we are being intentional in developing our relationship with God and will see Him work in our lives.
Fasting is an acknowldgement of our need for Christ. Shouldn’t each of us be fasting?
No.
Y?
III. Fasting is not means to an end, it is a method to the master
III. Fasting is not means to an end, it is a method to the master
Fasting is not to appear spiritual. It is not a means to glorify yourself on how great or often your fasts are.
It is not the “get rich quick” scheme of prayer. Fasting is not something you should be doing to get God to answer your prayer. Fasting is something you do to align your will and heart with the Master.
Just as Jesus fasted in preperation for and during his ministry and time on earth, so did the Apostle Paul.
2 Cor 6:4-5
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
Fasting was a normal part of his life and he told others as such. Not in a braggadocios way though.
Jesus, Paul, and the early church were known for their fasting and praying.
Acts 13:2-3
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Fasting was a means to get the mind of God on a particular area and ensure they were proceeding forward in the right spirit, with the Lord’s wisdom.
So what does that have to do with not fasting?
Well, you should not fast if you are seeking for God to answer your prayer your way.
You shouldn’t fast if you don’t believe God will answer.
Rom 14:23
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
I admittely don’t fast like I should. I belive you can agree with me on that statement.
On occasions for big decision I seek to always fast for a period of time. Again, I’m not sharing this so you can think I’m super spirutal pastor that goes without food…that’s just not true. I’m sharing my experience with you so that you can see, in 21st century America, God still works through fasting and praying.
Before I surrendered to ministry, I fasted. before I took the job as an assistant pastor in Yuma, I fasted, and before I came here to be your pastor, the pulpit committee and I all fasted to ensure we had God’s mind on the matter.
God directed our paths and I believe we all have seen God’s blessings in some way as a result. When we approach him by faith and recieve His response by faith, and then act on it by faith, I believe God blesses our obedience.
you have to prepare yourself though. The answer you get, may not be the one you want.
But that’s ok. because the answer isn’t really what we should be seeking. We should be seeking a closer walk with God to know His will. Because fasting isn’t a means to an end, it’s a method to the master.
How do you approach the master? Do you intentionally pray and fast to know God? Do you spend time focused on something other than the things of this world to gain the mind of Christ?
If not, why not? What is stopping you from pursuing an intimiate relationship with God through prayer and fasting?
Whatever that is, fast from it and spend time with God in prayer. Find verses in the Bible that speak to your situation and study them out. Google the meaning of the words in the original language, ask me and I’ll help you by pointing you to commentaries on the subject or book the verses are from.
But don’t just sit there and receieve truth like this from God without choosing to do somthing with it.
Time of response
Time of response
What is fasting?
Fasting is depriving yourself of fleshly needs and desires in order to seek God’s desire power and desires for your life
Why should I fast?
Jesus modeled it
Jesus tells what it can bring
Why shouldn’t I fast?
If you don’t believe in God
If you haven’t trusted Christ as your Savior
If you don’t want to grow as a Christian and see God use you in a great way.