A Fast Teaching On Fasting19 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.’

Matthew 6:1-18

Biblical Reasons for Fasting

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 FastingWhy 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 FastingIf 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?