Sunday Morning’s message 10th of March 2024
Pastor David Jones
Objective
To discover the principles behind fasting – Why Fast? Fasting as the doorway to dynamic faith; Fasting brings great reward; Fasting from relationship
Leaders Note
Use this study as an encouragement mid-fast and a reminder of the reasons we are participating in prayer and fasting.
Discussion Time
Scripture Matthew 6:16-18 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. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly
Question
Jesus gave us a pattern of how to live
“when you give…”
“When you pray…”
“when you fast…...”
Note that fasting is given the same importance as giving and praying. How can we give it equal importance in our lives?
Read and Discuss Scripture
Mark 9: 14-29
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
“What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
"‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.
Question
How you ever asked God “what couldn’t I…” “Why couldn’t we….
Answer
Mark 9:29
However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting
Fasting destroys unbelief.
Leader – The following four keys to fasting can be read and discussed.
First key: Fasting Dethrones Self
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
Fasting sets aside our own agendas, our natural needs and puts the focus on approaching Jesus in humility as we focus on spiritual importance.
Discuss
How can we set aside time and give it to Jesus? How can we set aside the self and humble ourselves? How can we reach out to Jesus?
Second Key: Fasting is the doorway to dynamic faith
Matthew 17:20 NKJV
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Fasting releases seed faith for every situation. It connects us with the source – the Holy Spirit.
Discuss
What areas are you needing seed faith in your life? [pray]
Third key: Fasting brings great reward
“ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:18
Fasting is to draw the attention of God, not the attention of man.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Earnestly – with sincere and intense conviction
Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
Discuss
What does God see when we fast?
Final key: Fasting from Relationship
There is a place for fasting under the new covenant.
The apostle Paul talked about fasting and described instances where he had fasted in Acts 14:23 and 27:21, and 2 Corinthians 11:27.
Like all other areas of your life, the Lord will lead and guide you whether to fast and when to fast. (Ask God. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you).
Fast from a place of relationship – to strength existing relationship with Jesus
Fast from a place of Freedom – Keep in mind the application of the victory of the cross
Honour God with your appetites
Discuss
Share testimonies of God moving us to fast, during fasting and as a result of faithful, humble prayer and fasting.
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