Untitled Sermon (3)

January 8th 2023

Series: Habits of A Healthy Christian

Sermon Title: The Habit of Holy Fasting

Topic:HABITS are actions that are engrained, that have become natural because of continued repetition. They are the things we do without thinking but accomplish with skill and precision. This is a message on developing the habit of holy fasting.

Key Passages: Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 13:2-3, Joel 1:14 & 2:12, Ezra 8:23, Isaiah 58:6, Exodus 34:28, 2 Chronicles 20:2-3, Daniel 9:3, Nehemiah 1:4

Sermon Blurb: Is fasting more than just giving up food? Should all Christians fast? In this message, we look at what the Bible teaches us about the habit of fasting.

Speaker: Grace – ADAM EBENEEZER – Keith

Family Moment

Happy New Year’s Family Church!!!

How many of you have made New Year’s resolutions that you are hoping to keep for once???

Give an example of one you or your family made here.

PAUSE

So, every January at Family Church, we spend the month talking about the things HEALTHY followers of Jesus do.

Because it is our goal for everyone at Family Church will become a healthy follower of Jesus.

So, our hope is quite simple this month....

We hope you will walk away from church every week with some additional ideas that you can put into practice in 2023 to become a healthier follower of Jesus.

PAUSE

Over the coming weeks, we will be talking about 6 Habits of a Healthy Christian…

And we chose to call it HABITS, not disciplines, for a couple of reasons;

First, we often think of discipline as a bad thing, so we wanted to rid our thoughts of any negative reactions.

But more importantly, we’re calling it HABITS because habits, by definition, are a better way to think about these spiritual tools that we are discussing.

PAUSE

Habits are actions that are ingrained, that have become natural because of continued repetition.

They are the things we do without thinking but accomplish with skill and precision. This is a message on developing the habit of Holy Fasting.

So, that’s why we called this HABITS of a healthy Christian because they should be things that over time just come natural as a rhythm of your life.

PAUSE

And to make it easier on everyone, we created an Acronym to go along with the series…

…So, let me give you the trajectory for the month…and then we’ll see it in the acronym.

This week we are going to talk about the habit of Holy Fasting. What is Biblical fasting? What’s the point? Why should I fast? And so forth.

Next week we’ll talk about the habit of Abundant Prayer.

What is prayer and what does it accomplish?

How did God teach us to pray?

How do we pray?

And so forth.

In week 3 we are going to talk about the habit of Bible Learning.

What is the Bible?

How did God give us the Bible?

How do we study the Bible and apply it to our lives?

And so forth

In Week 4 we are going to talk about the habit of Intentional Generosity.

That’s right, we’re going to talk about MONEY!

What is tithing?

How does God teach us to give and live generously?

And so forth.

Then we will wrap this series up by talking about the habit of Transformative Community.

What is community?

What does the Bible say about my friend’s circle?

How does being in community with other Christians transform me?

And so forth

PAUSE

So, here is our Acronym for the series.

It’s an acronym for the word HABITS…and it shows us, in order, the topics we’re going to be discussing over these weeks.

On the screen AND in notes

H – Holy Fasting A – Abundant Prayer B – Bible Learning I – Intentional Generosity T – Transformative Community S – Sacrificial Serving

Hopefully, this will help us to remember more easily what we’re going to be learning in this series.

PAUSE

So, let’s jump in today and tackle the first HABIT of a Healthy Christian…

The Habit of Holy Fasting

And what we’ll do is just ask and answer a few questions… and see what God, through the Bible, teaches us.

This message should be insightful but also quite practical as we learn together.

PAUSE

So, the first question is, What is a Holy Fast?

Or.....Why do we call it a HOLY fast and not just a fast.

Well, that’s intentional, it’s on purpose… because a holy fast is different than a health fast.

Write this down A Holy Fast is motivated by a spiritual desire to connect deeper with God.

The prophet Joel said it this way....

Joel 1:14 "Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.”

A Health Fast is motivated by a personal desire to become more physically or mentally fit.

Now, this isn’t to say that your physical body or your mentality won’t also benefit from a Holy Fast…

…Nor am I suggesting that God, at times, doesn’t call some to do a Holy Fast in light of a physical or mental deficit.

It is simply to say that the motivation of a Holy Fast is different than the motivation of a health fast.

PAUSE

In our culture, fasting has become quite a fad.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen an ad or commercial promoting fasting for your well-being. Almost always there is a picture of a super ripped dude like this picture....

I mean if fast made me look like that guy....GAME ON!!!!

I mean the only way I am getting abs that fast is more like this picture....fence abs

A newer fad is what they call intermediate fasting… which isn’t actually a new thing.....it has been around for decades....

Fasting is all around us.

It’s being pushed constantly by our culture.

PAUSE

But all health fasts are NOT HOLY fasts.

And God has given us the discipline of holy fasting as a means to spiritual health and often holistic well-being.

PAUSE

So, WHAT IS FASTING?

Write this down Fasting (according to the Bible) means I voluntarily reduce or eliminate my intake of food for a specific time and spiritual purpose.

Jesus said it this way in Matthew 6....

Jesus says, “when you fast”…

Jesus expected His followers to fast, it was an assumed habit.

Matthew 6:16-18 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Jesus said that God rewards,

That God responds to fasting.

PAUSE

Now, I realize not everyone can fast food because of medical conditions.

But you don’t get a pass!

You may not be able to fast food BUT you can fast something else you consume.

What other things do we consume?

Entertainment, TV, Movies, Romance Books, Social Media, Coffee, Tea....etc....

So, if you are unable to, OR feel led to fast something other than food… then do it!!!!

PAUSE

Ultimately, fasting is giving up something and replacing it with more of God time......

PAUSE

So, here’s another question, WHY?

WHY FAST? Why should a Christian fast?

Well, there are many good reasons.......but I’d like to suggest a few key reasons for fasting…

First, write this down…

1. Fasting gives me more time for prayer.

When you fast, you can use the time you'd normally spend eating, preparing meals, driving to get lunch, and so forth....you can replace that time with prayer.

In the Bible, fasting is almost always connected with prayer.

Let me show you an example in the book of acts....

Acts 13:2-3 "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."

There are numerous other passages we could look at that show us how fasting and prayer go hand in glove.

Fasting gives me more time in focused prayer.

PAUSE

Another reason we fast is…

2. Fasting demonstrates the depth of my desire to connect with God.

Joel 2:12 "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Fasting shows you that you are serious enough about connecting with God a greater measure that you will pay a personal price.

…And God honors deep desire and praying in faith.

PAUSE

Andrew Murray said it this way, “Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything…to attain what we seek for the Kingdom of God.”

Fasting reveals the depth of your heart’s desire.

PAUSE

And notice as well, along with the call to fast in Joel 2, He also calls them to repentance.

Repentance is when God reveals something in you, and you choose to turn away from it.

So, in that way, fasting reveals things in us for our good and for God’s glory.

Fasting strengthens us but it also changes us.

PAUSE

And a third reason to fast…

3. Fasting releases God's supernatural power.

Fasting is a tool we can use when there is opposition to God's will.

Satan would like nothing better than to cause division, discouragement, defeat, depression, and doubt among us.

When we pray and fast, it changes things… it can be used by God to deal a decisive blow to the enemy!

Ezra 8:23 "So we fasted and petitioned God about this, and He answered our prayer."

Isaiah 58:6 "God says, "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"

Fasting can lead to spiritual breakthrough!!!

Fasting often results in God’s miraculous movement in a direction that He wills, and we benefit!

LONG PAUSE

Often in the Bible, God's people fasted before a:

...major victory, ...miracle, ...answer to prayer, ...gaining special insight or vision...

Write this down: Fasting prepares people for a blessing!

Let me show you a few times in the Bible when fasting prepares people for a blessing from God…

Did you know that Moses fasted before he received the Ten Commandments?

Exodus 34:28 "Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant--the Ten Commandments."

So, fasting may result in receiving special insights from God in our lives or situations.

It helps us to get our thoughts aligned with Gods.

PAUSE

Look at 2 Chronicles with me… the Israelites fasted before a miraculous victory.

2 Chronicles 20:2-3 “Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah."

Sometimes, fasting is a weapon of spiritual warfare.

In Matthew 17 and Mark 9, Jesus’ disciples are unable to heal a person and cast out a demon.

When they reported this to Jesus, they asked Jesus, “how come we couldn’t heal that guy? How come the demon wouldn’t leave?

And Jesus, after challenging their faith, says, “this kind only comes out through prayer AND FASTING”.

So, fasting is a weapon of warfare that we need to tap into at times.

PAUSE

Daniel also fasted, and he received guidance from God.

Daniel 9:3 "So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes."

PAUSE

So, if you are searching for answers in life, guidance in decisions, wisdom for marriage or parenting, running a successful business, s, or whatever…

Have you tried fasting and praying?

Because God grants wisdom to us, and sometimes fasting is required to gain the clarity needed.

PAUSE

Another reason for fasting is seen with Nehemiah.

Nehemiah fasted before beginning a major building project.

Nehemiah 1:4 "When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."

At Family Church, we are in the middle of a building project.

At the Ebenezer Campus we are currently in a financial campaign to raise the money to expand and enhance the church building!

We are hot and heavy in the building project at the new location on Adam’s Street.

And yes, before we set out to launch these campaigns, we fasted and prayed!

Prayed for wisdom and favor Prayed for clarity of choices

Prayed for unity

PAUSE

On and on, we see how fasting is a point of preparation in the heart and mind of a person.

Fasting is an important, I would even suggest fasting is an essential discipline of a healthy follower of Jesus.

PAUSE

Let me close with this....

Don’t put your life in harm by fasting.....

If wisdom suggests you cannot fast food at this time or any time, then don’t be foolish.

If you are only able to do a partial fast OR a non-food related fast, as we mentioned earlier, than do it.

Honor God with your heart and intentions.

Because fasting is not so much about the food as it is the focus.

Fasting is not so much about saying “no” to the body as it is about saying “yes” to the Spirit.

Fasting is not about doing with-out, it’s about looking within.

Fasting is an outward response of an inward attitude and cry of the soul.

God sees the heart, the intent… and I don’t think for one moment God is holding back on your if you fast anything with sincerity.

He always meets you where you are.

LIFE APPLICATION: Is there an area in my life where I desperately need to see God move? Fast and pray, and let God do His work in me, through me, and around me.