Fasting is something few Christians in the West practice. But is it important? What does Jesus say about it? And is it as hard or dangerous as it seems?
Fasting is something few Christians in the West practice. But is it important? What does Jesus say about it? And is it as hard or dangerous as it seems?
0:00 – INTRO. *RECOMMENDED RESOURCE DR. DON WHITNEY’S BOOK SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
0:53 – SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: HABITS THAT PROMOTE SPIRITUAL GROWTH, CHRISTLIKENESS & DRAW US CLOSER TO GOD
1:20 – JESUS EXPECTS US TO FAST (Matt. 6). AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK GOD’S GRACE.
2:22 – DIFFERENT KINDS OF FASTING:
1. NORMAL FAST – no food, yes water
2. PARTIAL FAST – limitation of diet (Dan. 1:12; Matt. 3:4)
3. ABSOLUTE FAST – no food or liquid (Acts 9:9)
4. SUPERNATURAL FAST – only God sustains (Deut. 9:9; Matt. 4:1-2)
4:55 – REASONS TO FAST: “P.R.E.S.S. H.O.P.E.”
1. P: PRAYER
2. R: REPENTANCE (Jonah 3:4-5)
3. E: EXPRESSING WORSHIP
4. S: SEEKING GUIDANCE – need God’s wisdom
5. S: SEEKING DELIVERANCE – enemies, circumstances
6. H: HUMBLING OURSELVES BEFORE GOD (Ps. 35:13)
7. O: OVERCOMING TEMPTATION (Matt. 4:1-2)
8. P: PROVIDING FOR THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
9. E: EXPRESSING CONCERN
9:18 – THE BIBLE DOESN’T TELL US HOW LONG TO FAST: JUST DO IT SAFELY!
IF YOU’VE NEVER FASTED BEFORE, START WITH 1-2 MEAL FAST
IF FAST MORE THAN 1 DAY, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.
11:26 – SO WHAT?
13:14 WHAT’S YOUR NEXT STEP? TRY FASTING WITH A GOAL
14:27 – THANK YOU & WRAP UP
