Welcome back to the podcast, today we're talking about fasting as we continue our study in Acts chapter 13.
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Today is a turning point in our study of Acts (We’ll cover ch 13)
- Reminds me of “Clue”:
- Col Mustard in the library with the candlestick, or
- Prof Plum in the kitchen with the revolver
- Here’s a summary of Acts:
- Ch 1-12: Peter in Jerusalem with the HS
- Ch 13-28: Paul in Gentile territories with the HS
- Remember: Acts of the Apostles = Acts of the HS
- Today we’ll see a spiritual discipline that opens us to be used by HS
- Fasting
- Have you ever done it?
- In the Bible, fasting is a discipline where believers intentionally set aside their most basic needs to realign their hearts with God’s will.
- Food, water (mainly what we’re talking about today)
- TV, entertainment
- Social media
Q. Five Reasons Christians Should Fast
- Based on an examination of Acts 13
- So open your Bibles with me…
Fasting is a timeless spiritual discipline.
- We see it all over the Bible: followers of God sometimes fast.
- Moses - He fasted for 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai when receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28).
- David - He fasted when he was grieving for the illness of his child (2 Samuel 12:16).
- Elijah - He fasted for 40 days while fleeing from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:8).
- Esther - She called for a fast among the Jews before approaching King Xerxes (Esther 4:16).
- Daniel - He fasted and sought God for understanding and guidance (Daniel 9:3; Daniel 10:3).
- Anna - The prophetess who served in the temple, fasted regularly (Luke 2:37).
- Jesus - He fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning his ministry (Matthew 4:1-2).
- And we also see it here in Acts 13…
- Acts 13:1-2 (NLT) 1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting…
- “As these men were fasting…”
- No need for explanation
- It seemed normative for the early church
- Matthew 6:16 And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
- “When,” not “If”
- Q. Have you ever fasted?
- Reason #1: Fasting is a timeless spiritual discipline.
- See also: Breakthrough Disciplines (Series)
But Christians should not fast pointlessly, just because it’s “what we do.” It’s about more than that…
Fasting helps us to hear the Holy...
