Holy Hunger
Matthew 6:2 (NLT) When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity!
Matthew 6:5 (NLT) When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them.
Matthew 6:16 (NLT) 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.
God expects us to…
-be generous people
-be people of prayer
-have a lifestyle of fasting
”Fasting is normal and should be commonly practiced by all of God's people.”
1. What is fasting?
2. How do we fast?
3. Why do we fast?
1. What is fasting?
Fasting is not a…
-weight loss program
-way to prove spirituality
-badge of suffering
-hunger strike
-way to earn God’s favor
Isaiah 58:3-4 (NLT) “We have fasted before You!” they say. “Why aren’t You impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and You don’t even notice it!” “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast… 4 This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with Me.”
If our motives are right, and our methods are scriptural. Then God will not only be pleased, but He will also take notice.
Fasting — "to close or cover one’s mouth.”
“Fasting in the Biblical sense is choosing not to partake of food because our spiritual hunger is so deep, we temporarily give up eating in order to focus our hearts completely on God.”
Fasting will never be fulfilling if we don’t want God.
What kinds (types) of fasts are there?
Biblically speaking…
-traditional fast [Zech. 8:19]
-partial fast [Dan. 10:3]
-absolute fast [Est. 4:16]
How long should a fast last?
Biblically speaking, it appears as if a fast can last anywhere from skipping one meal…all the way up to 40 days.
2. How do we fast?
Fasting is a voluntary act (willing and cheerful attitude).
Fasting is a spiritual endeavor (spiritual purpose and benefits).
Galatians 5:17 (NIV) For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other…
“There will never be a convenient time to fast.”
Fasting requires determination and perseverance to press through the difficulties of our flesh.
3. Why do we fast?
A. To follow Jesus’ example
1 Peter 2:21 (NIV) To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.
John 14:12 (NIV) Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
If we want to do the works Jesus did, we must be willing to emulate His disciplines, as well.
B. As an act of obedience
Luke 5:34-35 (NIV) Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? 35 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.”
Everything done out of obedience is also an act of worship.
C. To humble ourselves
Ezra 8:21 (NIV) I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God…
Psalm 35:13 (NAS) I humbled my soul with fasting.
The reason fasting is an act of humility is because it takes our eyes off of ourselves and puts them on God.
“Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food.” —Dallas Willard
“God is attracted to weakness. He cannot resist when we humbly and honestly admit how desperate we need Him. When we are empty vessels. He longs to fill us with His grace, love and goodness. This is God’s law of attraction.” —Jentezen Franklin
D. To purify our hearts
Fasting allows God to…
-go into the deep recesses of our heart
-reveal our blindspots
-uncover things we’ve been in denial about
-highlight what we've tried to cover up or explain away
-point out things we’ve tried to ignore or blow off as not a big deal
-point out where we’re being defensive and insecure
-show us our motives and attitudes
-reveal our fears
2 Timothy 2:21 (NLT) If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
E. To receive the benefits
“We don’t fast to move God, rather we fast to move ourselves closer to God.”
And as we get closer to God, it…
-strengthens our intimacy with Him
-creates clarity in hearing His voice
-increases our effectiveness in prayer
-builds our faith
-allows us to see from God’s perspective
-restores relationships
-changes our hearts
Matthew 5:6 (NKJV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
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.
What will your response be?
Philippians 3:19 (ESV) Their end is destruction, their god is their belly [appetite], and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthy things.