Easter 2009 Message Life in Christ Bible Church LICBC Headquarters, 154 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA 91024, USA http://www.licbc.org ********************************************************************************************** SCRIPTURAL FASTING The Scripture has so much to teach by example and by precept on the importance of fasting. Fasting is a most beneficial spiritual exercise. It is a great spiritual weapon. Fasting was practiced in the Old Testament. And in New Testament times it was a channel of power. Fasting can be edifying and rewarding when practiced within the orbits of Scripture. Fasting is scriptural. It can accomplish great things when used in combination with prayer and faith. 1. MEANING OF THE WORD – TO FAST Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2; Matthew 15:32; Mark 8:1-3; Esther 4:16; Jonah 3:5-7; Acts 27:33. Note: 1. To fast does NOT mean abstaining from anything that hinders devotion to practice self-denial. The disciples had done that in Jesus’ days but had not started fating – Matthew 19:27; 9:14. 2. It does NOT mean to be so busy as not to find time to eat – Mark 3:7,20 6:30,31; John 4:6-8,27-38; Matthew 9:14. 3. The Greek word Nestove which is translated “fast” is derived from NE a negative prefix, and ESTHO, to eat. So ‘to fast” means “not to eat” i.e. abstain from all food, solid or liquid. II. ‘WHEN (NOT IF) YE FAST “– Matthew 6:16 1. Fasting is imperative Fasting was not a new teaching that Jesus taught His disciples. Kings, Prophets, saints, sinners, men, women and children fasted in the Old Testament. – I Kings 21:27-29; 2 Chronicles 20:1-25; Ezra 8:21-23; Nehemiah 1:2-4; Esther 4:1-3,16; Daniel 9:3; Judges 20:26-35; I Samuel 7:6-14; Deuteronomy 9:9,18,25-29; 10:10; Luke 2:37; Matthew 9:14; Jonah 3. Note: He did not say, “IF you give alms” but “WHEN” you give alms. “He took it for granted that disciples and Christians would recognize their obligations to give and only showed that it must not be done “to be seen of men” Also, He did not say, “IF you pray” but WHEN you pray” He knew you would not think prayer optional. Neither did Jesus say “IF you fast” but WHEN you fast”. It is not optional, is it? It is not something that a Christian may or may not do, is it? He said WHEN, not IF.GIVING and PRAYING are , then FASTING is not optional. Jesus recognized it as of vital importance III “THEY SHALL FAST” Apostles, disciples and Christian from that time understood and practiced what Jesus said – Act 9:9; 10:30,31; 13:1-5; Acts 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:5 11:27; I Corinthians 7:5. Note: “Then shall they fast” – Matthew 9:15; these words of Jesus were prophetic. The first Christian fulfilled this prophecy of Jesus (Acts 13:2,3) And so have many Christian men and women of this dispensation. Where are those who fulfill them today?. Do you? IV WHEN TO FAST a. When under chastening – 2 Samuel 12:16-23 b. When under judgment – I Kings 21:27 c. When in need – Ezra 8:21 a. When in danger – Esther 4 b. When worried – Daniel 6:18 c. When in trouble – Acts 27:9,33 d. During spiritual conflict – Matthew 4:1-11. e. When desperate in prayer – Acts 13:3. V.WHAT FASTING DOES IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER a. Fasting chastens and humbles the soul before God Ps. 35:13;69:10 b. It crucifies the appetites and denies them so as to give entire time to seeking the face of God 2 Samuel 12:16-23. c. It help the believer to focus his attention upon God to the exclusion of all else – I Corinthians 7:5 d. It makes prayer powerful and effective – Matthew 17:21 e. It aids in temptation and helps the believer to attain power over demons Matthew 4:1-11; 17:14-21. VI, SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED 1. Do I have to be on my knees praying all throughout a fast? David fasted for 7 days, Jesus for 40 days and you know they could not have been talking to God throughout without even sleeping. Jesus said “ to wash they face and anoint thine head” so that those who see you will not know you are fasting – Matthew 6:16-18. If fasting means praying alone in the closet, how can people even see you fasting? If you were not to go out, how could people see your “countenance? Matthew 6:16 2. Has fasting not been abolished with the law of Moses? No, the Apostles, who knew that the law was abolished still fasted. Paul taught that if any goes back to the Mosaic law, Christ shall profit him nothing (Galatians 5:1-4) Yet Paul fasted often and taught believers to Fast – 2 Corinthians 6:5; 2 Corinthians 11:27; I Corinthians 7:5. So fasting is not part of the law of Moses. Feel free. 3. Were not the Pharisees condemned for fasting twice in the week? No. The Pharisee paid tithes, fasted and kept away from open sin. Luke 18:11,12. He was not condemned for any of these but for “trusting in himself and despising others” (Luke 18:9). Anybody who “trusts in him-self and despises others” would be condemned even if he does not fast –Luke 18:9,14; 16:14,15. 4. Can we advise a person seeking Salvation or Sanctification or the Baptism In the Holy Spirit to fast? No. We don’t fast to get a GIFT. Come and take! Romans 6:23; Hebrews 10:10; Acts 2:38; Luke 11:13. 5. But false prophets and unbelievers fast. Do I not become like them if I Fast? No. False prophets and unbelievers pray, pay tithes and also observe the Lord’s Day. You don’t become like them because you also pray, pay tithes, observes the Lord’s Day and fast, do you? 6. Isn’t it possible that I may “fast for nothing”, just in vain? It is not possible for a believer, who avoids the hypocrisy of Pharisees, to fast for nothing. Jesus said, our heavenly Father would bless – Matthew 6:17,18. 7. When can I start? As soon as you desire the promised BLESSING of fasting – Matthew 6:18; 17:19-21; Mark 9:28,29 8. Can I fast for as long as I desire, that is, for as many days as I want? Jesus does not want you to lose your strength and health and be unfit for your daily tasks – Matthew 15:32; Acts 27:33,34; I Samuel 14:24-30. 9. If I feel hungry when fasting, Am I not carnal? Jesus felt hungry when He fasted! – Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2. Was He carnal? Of course, no. 10. Since fasting is a voluntary and personal thing between me and God, is it right for me to join in any fast in the church which I attend or in the ministry where I fellowship Such fasts are in the Bible and are always honored by God just as united prayer is honored by God – 2 Chronicles 20:1-5; Ezra 8:21-23; Joel 2:15 Jonah 3:5-8 Whenever in Scripture we read of a public emergency being met by a national call to fast, we find, without exception, that God responded in deliverance. If your Church is faced with discord and division, if spiritual life is waning and worldliness abounding, if conversions are few and backslidings frequent, would that not be a time for joint prayer and fasting? Those who follow scriptural practice would always have scriptural, heaven-sent result – Joel I: 14; 2:12-18. 11. Some people fast regularly. Is that not legalistic? Judge for yourself, but don’t confuse anyone with your theory. But we ask you: Is it legalistic to pray regularly or to do any good thing regularly? No matter how regular, if it is done in secret not to be seen of men but of our Father in heaven, He will always bless – Matthew 6:18.
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