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A Fast Teaching On Fasting. 19 February 2012. Spiritual Disciplines Overview. meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, celebration. Spiritual Disciplines Overview. Not just for monastics. Normal Christian practice. Fasting.
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A Fast Teaching On Fasting • 19 February 2012
Spiritual Disciplines Overview meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, celebration
Spiritual Disciplines Overview Not just for monastics Normal Christian practice
Fasting John Wesley – ‘Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it.’
Spiritual Disciplines Overview 1) Jesus speaks of fasting in the context of giving and prayer
Spiritual Disciplines Overview 2) Jesus says, ‘When you fast...’
Spiritual Disciplines Overview Examples in Scripture - Old Testament - New Testament
Spiritual Disciplines Overview 4) God’s people throughout history
Purpose of Fasting 1) Hunger for God Matthew 4:4 John 6:35
Purpose of Fasting Why bread? And why hunger and thirst? My answer is very simple: He created bread so that we would have some idea of what the Son of God is like when he says, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). And he created the rhythm of thirst and satisfaction so that we would have some idea of what faith in Christ is like when Jesus said, “He who believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). ~John Piper
Purpose of Fasting God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him. ~John Piper
Purpose of Fasting If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. God did not create you for this. There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened. I invite you to turn from the dulling effects of food and the dangers of idolatry, and to say with some simple fast: “This much, O God, I want you.” ~John Piper
Purpose of Fasting 2) Change for us John 4:34 1 Corinthians 6:12
Purpose of Fasting 3) Intercession for others Hebrews 7:25 Romans 8:26
Practical Considerations How? Who? When?