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Fasting

Fasting. Biblical Definition: A Christian’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. (Donald Whitney) “Broader” Definition: The voluntary denial of a normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity. (Richard Foster). “And when you fast…” (Mt. 6:16a).

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Fasting

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  1. Fasting • Biblical Definition: • A Christian’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. (Donald Whitney) • “Broader” Definition: • The voluntary denial of a normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity. (Richard Foster)

  2. “And when you fast…” (Mt. 6:16a) • The spiritual discipline of fasting is expected • Can’t say, “I don’t have the time.” • Can’t say, “I don’t have the money.” • Can talk to a doctor if there are health concerns • Can do non-food fasts if health concerns are legit

  3. “And when you fast…” (Mt. 6:16a) • Normal Fast: No food; only water or sometimes juice (or coffee) (e.g. Matthew 4) • Partial Fast: Limited diet (e.g. Daniel 1) • Absolute Fast: No food or liquid (Ezra 10; Acts 9) • Non-Food Fast: Technology, phone, text, sports, tv, facebook, twitter, computer, any Apple product… • Length:Unspecified lengths of time, partial day, 1 day, 3 day, 7 day, 14 day, 21 day, and 40 day fasts

  4. How Not to Fast And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward in full. (Mt. 6:16) • Fasting is not self-focused • Fasting is not for mistreating the physical body • Fasting is not to be an empty “spiritual” ritual

  5. How to Fast But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. (Mt. 6:17-18a) • God-centered • Intense and intentional • Personal – setting aside something to focus on God • Private (Mt. 6), group (Mt. 9), congregational (Joel 2), national (2 Chron. 20), occasion-based (Esther 4, Mt. 4)

  6. How to Fast And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Mt. 6:18b) • Expectation of a response from God • Expectation of a reward from God for the spiritual discipline… • even if it isn’t what we are asking are seeking… • because His rewards are the best for us… • and we can grasp that through God-centered fasting

  7. Biblical Fasting in Action • To Strengthen Prayer (Ezra 8, Nehemiah 1, Acts 13) • To Seek God’s Guidance (Acts 14) • To Express Grief (1 Samuel 31) • To Seek Deliverance or Protection (Ezra 8, Esther 4) • To Express Repentance & to Return to God (Joel 2) *List from Spiritual Disciplines by Donald S. Whitney

  8. Biblical Fasting in Action • To Humble Oneself Before God (Psalm 35) • To Express Concern for the Work of God (Daniel 9, Nehemiah 1) • To Minister to the Needs of Others (Isaiah 58) • To Overcome Temptation and to Dedicate Yourself to God (Matthew 4) • To Express Love and Worship to God (Luke 2) *List from Spiritual Disciplines by Donald S. Whitney

  9. Biblical Fasting in Application • Set a time to fast (food or non-food) this week • Be specific • How long? • Fast from what? • What purpose? • Alone or ask others to join? • Put it in your calendar (even on “repeat”)

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