FASTING FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH, PT. I

Transcription

1 FASTING FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH, PT. I Min. Litney Gray, Presenter Wednesday, September 20, 2017 The New Bethel Church 745 Walker AVE Kansas City, KS Pastor A. Glenn Brady

2 Guided Discussion on Biblical Fasting Understand the biblical principles of God s chosen fast. Examine Ezra & St. Paul s fasts in-depth. Evaluate our personal lives and apply fasting principles that will mature us in our spiritual walk in Christ. 2

3 Heb. Strong s Numbers 6685 tsôwm, tsome; or tsôm, tsome; a fast 6684-tsûwm, tsoom; a prim. root to cover over (the mouth) To abstain from food What s does it mean to fast? Discipline (Freedom) Become more attentive to God Be transformed as a worshipper Survival Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Mark 2:20 3

4 What fasting is NOT? Isaiah 58:1-5 God s people in Isaiah s day had been fasting, but without results. They ignored the way fasting should change their lives, treating it as an empty ritual (p.18) A religious practice of tradition that can be used as a substitution than doing God s will. (justified self-righteousness) Just another diet. Hindu Seeks results. Focuses on the self tries to get something for a perceived sacrifice. Christian Seeks results. Focuses on God. 4

5 What is God s Chosen Fast? Isaiah 58:6-14 To loose the bands of wickedness The Disciple s Fast (Matthew 17:21) To undo the heavy burdens The Ezra Fast (Ezra 8:23) To let the oppressed (physically and spiritually) go free The Samuel Fast (1 Samuel 7:6) To break every yoke The Elijah Fast (1 Kings 19:4,8) To deal (share) our bread with the hungry The Widow s Fast (1 Kings 17:16) To allow God s light to break forth like the morning The Saint Paul Fast (Acts 9:9) So health [will] spring forth The Daniel Fast (Daniel 1:8) So righteousness go before us 1:15) The John the Baptist Fast (Luke For the glory of the LORD to protect us from the evil one The Esther Fast (Esther 4:16, 5:2) 5

6 Got a Problem? Ask God. The Ezra Fast Ezra 8:23 (pp ) 6

7 The Ezra Fast Asking God for Help Faced with a significant problem, Ezra called a fast Prescription 1. Choose to be Involved 2. Share the Problem 3. Fast Seriously 4. Fast Before Attempting a Solution 5. Fast on Site with Insight Prayer Walking Principles to Consider Three Causes of Problems Change Differences Circumstances Three Questions to Ask How big is the problem? Who is involved in the problem? What does the larger group think about the problem? Three Attitudes Toward Problems Fuss-preach against sin Fight-organize the church to resist sin Die-fight sin to death 7

8 The Ezra Fast Problem Solving Step-by-Step Problem Solving 1. Get the facts 2. Establish biblical principles. 3. Evaluate the facts 4. Determine the various solutions 5. Choose a solution Steps to Solving a Problem Find the problem. Define the problem Refine the problem Redefine the problem Principles to Consider Three Problem Solving Eyes (Eyes to see the ) Positive People Facts Blind Eyes Emotional eyes are blinded with tears. Fearful eyes are blinded with terror. p. 55 Towns Rule for Problem Solving 1. You make good decisions on good information. 2. You make bad decisions on bad information. p.57 8

9 : Time for a short break

10 Where Now, Where Next? The Saint Paul Fast Acts 9:9 (pp ) 10

11 The Saint Paul Fast Seeking for God s Direction Paul was met with a life-changing decision, a fast and a revelation of God s light on the Damascus road. The Maxwell Rule for Decision Making p The wrong decision at the wrong time is a disaster. 2. The wrong decision at the right time is a mistake. 3. The right decision at the wrong time is unacceptable. 4. The right decision at the right time is success. Prescription 1. Make Time to Listen for Jesus Voice 2. Ask and Answer Questions About Yourself 3. Recognize Objective Truth 4. Stop All Self-Effort and Yield to God 5. Pay Attention to the Physical 6. Pay Attention to the Spiritual 7. Obey What You Learn 8. Be Willing to Be Patient 9. Be Open to Insights from Others 10. Prepare to Be Misunderstood 11

12 The Saint Paul Fast Five Steps to Decision-Making Principles to Remember Honestly face any problem that clouds your decision Define your problem Gather information The more the weight your decision, the more often and longer you should follow the Saint Paul Fast. Plan bible reading that is not directly related to your decision. Know and apply principles of decision making Make a list of all possible solutions Choose the best decision Write and rewrite the decision your need to make during the Saint Paul Fast. Write out facts that influence your decision and review them with prayer. Write out all possible solutions before attempting to make a decision. Wait for inner confidence in your darkest hour. 12

13 EXPERIENCE SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH UIDEETowns.pdf