Fasting: The Forgotten Discipline

Fasting: The Forgotten Discipline

11-03-2013

Act 13:1-4

13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 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.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Chapter 13 marks some significant transitions: We see a transition from Peter to Paul, Jews to Gentiles, Jerusalem to Antioch, & evangelism moves from providential (scattered) to purposeful (sent).

• Up to this point, evangelism occurred, but not missions.
• They fled to save their lives, not to save souls.

The Holy Spirit, not the church, chose Barnabas & Saul for the 1^st missionary activity. Acts 13:2-3

• The call was selective & specific…God has a personal plan for each of us. 
• There should be no guilt if we take a different path (college, marriage, missions).

God revealed His will in regular & special times of fasting & prayer.

• The early church modeled individual & group fasting to discern God’s will.
• Fasting was common then, but is not really a part of the normal practice of the modern church
• We usually fast in “emergency situations” or on special occasions.
• The New Testament does not require fasting but it is certainly assumed.   Mt 6:16 & 9:15

Fasting is denying the flesh/desires for a specific time to focus attention on God.

• Subduing the flesh to the spirit usually with food, drink, (except water)…now may include media/internet.
• Hebrew = “to cover the mouth”, Greek = “to abstain”

Fasting at its heart is an intensification of prayer.

• During fasting we rake time spent eating or watching TV in prayer/listen to God (script).

Biblical fasting brings spiritual & physical results. Is 58:6-12

• Many impurities are burned up in body thus clearing the mind & healing body.
• We automatically lose our appetites when sickness strikes.

The Christian primarily fasts for spiritual purposes & not for health reasons.

• Freedom from sin/bondage or prayer for self and/or others,

• Guidance: Generally hear Lord's voice more easily while fasting.
• Produces spiritual strength & leads to holiness.

Like prayer, the goal of fasting is not to manipulate God but  excersise our faith/trust in Him & experience fellowship w/God

·      But expect God to reward those who diligently seek Him. Not earned/merited.

• Our "reward" = intimacy with Jesus Christ.  Heb 11:6, Mt 6:16-18

• Not sin if seen fasting but sin if fasting to be seen.
• We fast not to impress others with our discipline, but in our weakness we are displaying our need that our sovereign God would act.

• The horizontal effect is not all bad…like kids see you praying, worship, etc.

Fasting should be God-initiated, God-centered, God-empowered.

• The purpose is for holiness, seeking His kingdom, & doing His will more than own emotional or physical comfort.

Fasting in itself (i.e. for health) is of no spiritual value, but it glorifies God.

• It says, “I am empty, but You, God, are full. I am hungry, but You are the Bread of Life. I am weak, but You are strong. I am poor, You are rich. I am foolish, You are wise. I am broken, You are whole.”
• Fasting expresses the cry of the heart that nothing on the earth can satisfy our souls like God.