Passage: Spiritual Disciplines | Lesson 04
Spencer Sun | March 29, 2015
Opening Question:
When was a time you were most distressed and/or facing a daunting situation
Definition of Fasting: The self-denial of food. Note, by definition, fasting is just food. Absolute fasting is food AND drink.
From the passages below, we will be looking at the context and trying to answer 3 questions:
-What actions accompany fasting?
-What should our attitude be or not be when fasting?
-Why were they fasting?
1. Judges 20:26
Israel fasted before the civil war with the tribe of Benjamin. It was a battle they were losing, so while they fasted they sorrowfully offered burnt and peace offerings.
2. 1 Samuel 7:6
Samuel declared a fast for Israel to consecrate themselves after the ark returned from Philistine captivity.
3. 2 Samuel 12:21-23
David fasted and sought after God on behalf of the child. It was after his child got sick when Nathan rebuked him for his murder of Uriah and adultery with Bathsheba.
4. 1 Kings 21:27
Ahab fasted, tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and went about dejectedly/despondently.
5. Ezra 8:21-23
Ezra proclaimed a fast for protection while leading the exiles from Babylon back to Jerusalem.
6. Esther 4:16
Esther proclaimed a fast to the Jews before she went to see the king to ask him to rescind the decree to kill the Jews.
7. Psalm 69:10 *
David wept in his soul.
8. Isaiah 58:3-6 **
This passage is an example of what to fast for and what not to fast for. Fasting does not make you (more) spiritual; what you fast for and how your life is also matters. We shouldn't fast to seek our own pleasure, rather it should be to loosen the chains of the oppressed. What good is fasting if you don't act like a believer?
9. Jeremiah 14:1-12
We can fast to ask the LORD for something, although God did not listen to the Israelites' fasting to stop a drought because of their sin.
10. Daniel 9:1-19
Daniel fasted in sackcloth and ashes, with genuine repentance and an outward expression of sorrow. He had visions thereafter.
11. Jonah 3:5
The Ninevites fasted with sackcloth and an attitude of mourning after Jonah preached to them.
12. Zechariah 7
The Israelites fasted but they did not love mercy, nor did they practice justice.
13. Matthew 4:2
Jesus fasted 40 days and nights. There will always be a temptation to indulge in what you are fasting.
14. Matthew 6:16-18 ***
Don't fast to look (more) spiritual.
15. Luke 18:12
Fasting goes hand in hand with humility.
16. Acts 13:2-3
The church of Antioch fasted, then the Holy Spirit spoke about sending Paul and Barnabas. And then they fasted some more. Their fasting was accompanied with worship, prayer, intensity and obedience.
Conclusion
Fasting is not...
...a diet, a way to lose weight or be healthier
...a display, or a way to look more spiritual
Traits of Fasting:
Dependence * - in the same way we need food, we need God
Desperation ** - praying, mourning, weeping, sackcloth, ashes, seeking and imploring
Dedication *** - it's not for us to be or look like a "better Christian"
Application: Fast one meal to dedicate spring quarter and/or life after college. Fast to seek being more uncomfortable and to be more desperate for God.
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