Step In

John 5:1-9 [NKJV], After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

“He is inviting us to step into previously unknown and uncharted places, realities, and 

 depths in Him that we’ve yet to discover individually and corporately up until this point.” 

“There is no doubt God is stirring the waters, so why don’t we all just make the decision 

 to step in?”

• FASTING means; “to cover one’s mouth or to abstain from food for spiritual purposes.”

Joel 2:15-16 [NKJV], Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate [announce] a fast, call a sacred assembly; 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation…  

Matthew 6:2 [NKJV], "Therefore, WHEN you do a charitable deed [give], do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the street, that they may have glory from men.  Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." 

Matthew 6:5 [NKJV], "And WHEN you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites.  For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.  Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:16 [NKJV], "Moreover, WHEN you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance.  For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting.  Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward."

In the same way Jesus expects us to be a generous people and to be people of prayer, He also expects us to have a LIFESTYLE OF FASTING.

“You and I have no more right to omit fasting because we feel no special emotional prompting than we have a right to omit prayer, Bible reading, or assembling with God’s children for lack of some special emotional prompting.  Fasting is just as Biblical and normal a part of a spiritual walk of obedience with God as are these others.”

—Wesley Duewel

Benefits of fasting:

• Strengthens our intimacy with God

• Creates clarity in hearing His voice

• Cultivates a sensitivity to His presence

• Allows us to see from God’s perspective 

• Removes doubt and builds faith

• Reveals sin and wrong motives

• Reveals the things that control us 

• Renews spiritual hunger

“Ultimately fasting purifies our hearts and minds so that we can be positioned to receive

 God’s wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment, strength, and loving-kindness." 

Matthew 5:6 [NKJV], Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 

2 Kings 4:1-2 [NLT], One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord.  But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” 2 “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked.  “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” 

2 Kings 4:2-6 [NLT], Elisha asked.  “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”  “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied. 3 And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. 4 Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you.  Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.” 5 So she did as she was told.  Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. 6 Soon every container was full to the brim!  “Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.  “There aren’t any more!” he told her.  And then the olive oil stopped flowing. 

“Heaven didn’t run out of oil, earth ran out of empty vessels.”

“The more emptiness we can present to God, the more of His fullness we can receive.”