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Fasting

Fasting. Introduction. Luke 4. Introduction: Review. Lessons from the Temptations of Jesus Jesus standing firm Jesus resisting Satan and temptation Jesus emerging victorious. Introduction: Initial Questions. Luke 4:14

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Fasting

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  1. Fasting

  2. Introduction Luke 4

  3. Introduction: Review • Lessons from the Temptations of Jesus • Jesus standing firm • Jesus resisting Satan and temptation • Jesus emerging victorious

  4. Introduction: Initial Questions • Luke 4:14 • “And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread… (NASB) • Other Translations: • Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit (NIV) • Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee (NKJV) • Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit's power (NLT)

  5. Introduction: Initial Questions Luke 4:1,14 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit… returns in the power of the Spirit. James 4:7 Submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. • How does this work? • What’s going on when we fast?

  6. Introduction: Initial Questions • What role does fasting play in resisting temptations? • Is there something magical about fasting? 40 days? • Can we say that the more we fast the more power we get? • What about habitual/entrenched sins? What about chronic issues? Generational evils? • What about situations at work or at home?

  7. More Fast = More Power? “I just wanna go fast”

  8. Introduction: Contents • Conceptualize: Relationship between fasting, spiritual power and authority Principle behind attaining and growing in: 1. Appealed for Authority 2. Given Authority.* II. Applying Principles to Specific Fasting Events • How to fast effectively • What to Fast for in General • What to Fast for in Canaan (Observations) • What Fasting is NOT

  9. Introduction: Contents • Intimacy: How does this fit into growing closer with Christ? • Rest/Renewal: How does this fit into Spiritual Rest? (Isaiah 58, Luke 14 – it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath)

  10. Introduction: Definitions Fast (merriam webster): abstain from food Biblical Context: Fasting in the Bible occurs alongside prayer and in the pursuit of something – a petition*

  11. Introduction: Definitions in Context • Repentance / Averting God’s Judgment / Seeking God’s Mercy and Compassion - David’s fast for sick son, 2 Sam 12:15-25 - Nineveh fasts and repents, Jonah 3:4-7* - Daniel’s revelation, Daniel 9** • Devotion - Moses, 40 days and nights, Exodus 24:18 - Prophetess Anna, Luke 2:36 • Deliverance / Spiritual Power / Intersession - Matthew 17:21 - Gospels

  12. Introduction: Definitions • Fasting is a means of petition whereby through prayer and the abstinence of food, we act in submission to God’s authority so as to ask God to act on our behalf

  13. Introduction:Getting to the Point (Short Answer) • Fasting helps us access God’s authority 1. As we petition God to act – God acts on our behalf 2. As it is given to us – God allows us to act on his behalf Why is this the case?

  14. Introduction: Getting to the Point • Principle of Fasting: an act in submission • When applied continually and in context of Christian faith, fasting can result in greater applications of Given Authority and Appealed for Authority in our daily lives • Sanctification in the context of a relationship with God

  15. Spiritual Authority and Power • Matthew 17:21, “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” • Why could we not drive it out? • Because of the littleness of your faith… as small as a mustard seed…

  16. Authority and Power:Observation from these passages: • As Christ’s disciples, we are given authority over the enemy (temptation, sins, etc.) • But our authority tends to be limited

  17. Authority and Power: Sceva’s Seven Sons Acts 19:13-16 But also some of the Jewish exorcists who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

  18. Que Lastima! What happened?!

  19. Authority and Power: Sceva’s Seven Sons • Did they not fast and pray? • Did they lack faith? • What about the disciples who could not do it?

  20. "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” • Luke 7:7-9 “But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me…” [Jesus] marveled at [the Centurion] “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith”

  21. Authority and Power:Jesus was Submitted under Authority • Matthew 28:28 – all authority has been given to me • WHY? • John 14:31, “but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me…” • John 5:19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. • Matthew 26:39, He … fell on His face and prayed, saying “My Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.

  22. Authority and Power: Other Gospel References • Mark 1:27 They were all amazed… saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. Other References: Matthew 28:28… all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth Mark 6:7… he gave them (the twelve) authority over unclean spirits Luke 10:19… Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy

  23. Authority and Power: • Seven Sceva Sons’ Problem: • no Jesus Authority • Weren’t disciples, didn’t receive any authority • Disciples’ Problem: • Authority had been given • Not enough* • How does fasting remedy this problem? • Is this strictly an issue of authority?

  24. BUT HE WAS THE SON OF GOD! Who am I? That I should go…?”

  25. Authority and Power:Indeed…Who are we? • Matthew 12:49 – “And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mothers and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and my mother.” • John 14:12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greaterworks than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

  26. Authority and Power:Indeed…Who are we? • Fasting is a means and a process where we submit ourselves to God • So, by submitting ourselves to God, we are bringing ourselves under his authority* • When under his authority – you act in the authority given (jurisdiction) • Also, you ask God to use authority

  27. ??? • So, as long as Christ gives us authority, and we fast we got this Christianity thing down: • DONWURRY! SO EASSY! • Not exactly…

  28. Authority and Power:Indeed…Who are we? • Matthew 7:21-24 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. • ‘Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ • And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; Depart from Me, You who practice lawlessness” • Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

  29. Authority and Power:Indeed…Who are we? • Works: not authority that measures • Key: does He know you? Do you know him? • John 15:14-15, You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves…but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

  30. Authority and Power:Indeed…Who are we? As we continually obey God’s commands, we submit to God’s authority, we grow in: • Stewardship and Authority – he entrusts you with more tasks* and you have authority in that capacity. • Maturity and Intimacy (Another kind of stewardship) – he entrusts you with more of his counsel, he knows you, you know him, you become like David – someone after God’s own heart.

  31. The Beauty of It… Fasting leads to more than petitions answered and seeing results. Fasting leads you to know more of God’s mind and greater intimacy through the process. Greater intimacy leads to greater authority and faith to do greater things. Etc. etc. etc.

  32. How to Fast Effectively 1. Have a purpose 2. Get a partner who will pray with you 3. Use fasting WITH prayer 4. Start Small: Walk Before Running

  33. How to Fast Effectively: Purpose Proverbs 29:18, Where there is no vision, the people perish* Other translations: The people are unrestrained (NASB) The people run wild (NLT) The people cast off restraint (NRSV)/(NIV) Bottom Line: No vision is bad, have a purpose of what you accomplish.

  34. How to Fast Effectively: Partner • Partner with Someone • Someone: • Who will pray with you and for you • Who knows what you’re doing and will walk with you • (Ideally) Who will fast with you or is fasting for the same thing

  35. How to Fast Effectively: Partner Spiritual Warfare It is naïve of us to think we can try to affect spiritual change and not experience retaliation (beyond our natural struggles) Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

  36. How to Fast Effectively: Pray • Amazingly, when people fast meals, they use that time as an extra hour of work instead of praying • Fasting is acting in submission to petition • Fasting, Prayer, Listening - can have powerful results: heightened awareness of God’s presence, authority, new insights (see above), etc. … as we’ve discussed*

  37. How to Fast Effectively: Start Small Start with fasting one meal and use that time to pray Approaching the fast: (Un)prime the pump - steadily decrease food, set aside a day to rest and allow your body to adjust* Departing the fast: Prime the pump - steadily increase food

  38. DO NOT BREAK FAST WITH FRIED CHICKEN!!!!!

  39. What to fast for: Generally • Repentance / Averting God’s Judgment / Seeking God’s Mercy and Compassion - David’s fast for sick son, 2 Sam 12:15-25 - Nineveh fasts and repents, Jonah 3:4-7* - Daniel’s revelation, Daniel 9** • Deliverance / Spiritual Power / Intersession - Matthew 17:21 - Gospels • Devotion - Moses, 40 days and nights, Exodus 24:18 - Prophetess Anna, Luke 2:36

  40. What to fast for: Generally • Fast for someone else • Fast for needs of a community • Fast for someone who is sick • Fast for job/related issues*

  41. What to fast for: Canaan Church • Vision: What the Lord wants to do with Canaan* • God will accomplish his desires for Canaan • Repentance of not inquiring of his ways • Servants: serve out of love • Seekers: they would experience God here • Pastors: protection and growth

  42. What Fasting is NOT • Piety, Appearances (Matthew 6) • Furthering self-interest (Isaiah 58) • Saul’s “Fast” - Problematic • 1 Samuel 14:24-33 (Saul proclaims no food until their purpose was done) • 1 Samuel 13:5-14 (Saul disobeys God’s commandment) • Stress obedience • Fasting is not a protest (hunger strikes)*

  43. How Long Do I Fast? Why do people do extended Fasts? Start Small: one meal. Intermediate: 3 days* Listening is crucial.

  44. The Cost of Fasting • Fasting is hard. • 2 Samuel 24 • David’s census • 70,000 people die • David buys Araunah’s property • V.24 “For I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing”

  45. The Cost • A generation of Joshua and Calebs • They see what it could be, they see the formidable challenge • Joshua: • Hebrews: Christ, for the joy set before him, endured the Cross, scorning its shame.

  46. We are more than ConquerorsRomans 8:37 (NIV)

  47. We are more than ConquerorsRomans 8:37 (NIV)

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